RETRO: Wigan primary schools in 1971

By Michelle Adamson

Published 17th Oct 2023, 08:07 BST

Looking back to when our photographer Frank Orrell visited primary schools in the Wigan borough for school features in 1971, including Woodfield, Bickershaw, St Thomas and Pemberton.

WIGAN – 1971

Pupils at St. Thomas's Junior School, Caroline Street, Wigan, in January 1971 learning about the new currency just prior to decimalisation with help from headmaster, Douglas Hedley, left, and former teacher Tom Ashcroft.

1. 1971

Pupils at St. Thomas's Junior School, Caroline Street, Wigan, in January 1971 learning about the new currency just prior to decimalisation with help from headmaster, Douglas Hedley, left, and former teacher Tom Ashcroft. Photo: Frank Orrell

Weighing things up are Mark Osborne and Susan Lee at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971.

2. 1971

Weighing things up are Mark Osborne and Susan Lee at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971. Photo: Frank Orrell

Story time from teacher, Anne Woods, for Infant 3 children at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971.

3. 1971

Story time from teacher, Anne Woods, for Infant 3 children at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971. Photo: Frank Orrell

Reception children with puppets which they made at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971.

4. 1971

Reception children with puppets which they made at Woodfield Infants School on Wigan Lane in October 1971. Photo: Frank Orrell