Opened in 1846 Ashfield Junior School wasn’t always so grand. It began as a tiny cottage. Imagine 132 boys aged 4 to 14 crammed into a single 24 by 48-foot room. That’s Ashfield Junior School’s humble beginning. This interdenominational school was funded by public subscription. Stewart Marjoribanks generously donated a significant portion of the funds. The school operated on a monitorial system. Older boys taught younger ones. The first headmaster Robert Soar struggled financially. He even tried to allow his wife to open a shop. This was deemed inappropriate for his position.
Edwin Bamford became the second headmaster. He was a colourful character. A Colour Sergeant in the Volunteer Rifle Corps he famously drilled his pupils marching them through Bushey. The school became known as Bamford’s Academy. Financial struggles continued. Many schools depended on charity and small fees. A fortunate turn of events arrived in 1866. Arthur Ashfield left over 5000 pounds to the school. This was a massive sum then. It secured the school’s independence. The school still benefits from this legacy. It’s owned by a charitable trust not the local education authority. In 1907 the school was renamed Ashfield School in Arthur Ashfield’s honour.
Compulsory education arrived in 1870. State funding followed. Monitors became paid pupil teachers. Assistant masters joined the staff. The school expanded in 1885. Edwin Bamford retired in 1896 due to deafness and old age. His son-in-law Ralph Beardmore James succeeded him. His family was large so the headmaster’s house was extended. It looks much the same today. The school needed more space. They used St Christopher’s Mission Hall now Grosvenor House. This hall served as a classroom a gymnasium and even a school dinner hall. The hall was briefly used for girls due to overcrowding at Merryhill in 1905.
Ralph James died in 1916 after one of his sons was gravely wounded in France. Oswald Atkin became headmaster. He was known for his love of arithmetic and singing. The school choir won many prizes. He added temporary classrooms in 1928. These were used until 1970. Herbert James Brothers followed Atkin. He was a strict but dedicated educator. He expanded gardening classes introduced drama and maintained high standards despite World War II. Most staff were women by war’s end. Ashfield remained an all-boys school unusual at the time. Many students went on to prestigious schools.
In 1946 Ashfield became a junior school celebrating its centenary. In 1954 a school hall was finally built. Edwin Halliwell became headmaster in 1958. The hall was completed and more playing fields were acquired. He served for 26 years overseeing major changes and modernisation. Girls were finally admitted in 1970. Edwin Halliwell retired in 1984. Christopher Dobbs continued the modernisation. Mrs Carolyn Dalziel became the first headmistress in 2004. She retired in 2022. Ashfield Junior School’s historic core remains. Its commitment to community service continues. It remains a popular choice for parents today.