Ready to explore a place where education and community intertwine? Maypole Primary School has a rich history. It is a place where generations of children have learned and grown.
Maypole Primary School first opened its doors in February 1913. The school was much needed in the area. This was after the purchase of the land was completed. The South Eastern Gazette announced the news on October 1st 1910.
Mr James Frederick Snell was the first headmaster. He was 37 years old when he took the job. Mr Snell stayed in his post for 22 years. He retired in September 1935. He later passed away on November 29th 1964.
Miss Fanny Payne was the first mistress. She was 23 years old. Mrs Katy Brookwell joined her a week later. She was 27 years old. Gabriel Mendoza also joined. He was 22 years old. Miss Beatrice Higgs joined the staff the following month. She was also 22 years old.
Percy Baxter was the first pupil to be registered. He lived at 13 Denton Terrace. Percy was 13 years old. His brother Edward and sister Florence were also registered. Edward was 10. Florence was 8. Sadly, Florence passed away in 1918. She was still a pupil at the school. These three were the first of 111 pupils. They were welcomed on the first day. On March 24th 1920 Percy and his brothers travelled to Australia. They departed from London on the ship Berrima. Percy was 20. He was listed as a Fitter. Percy died in Australia in 1983. He was 83 years old.
By December 1913 the register had 187 entries. These were for admission and readmission. About 150 children attended Maypole Primary School. The teachers were Fanny Payne, Beatrice Higgs, Elizabeth Holmes, Kathleen Pinkney and J R Higgs. Mr Snell oversaw them.
Children from Crayford and Bexley Village attended Maypole. Mr Maidment was the guardian of 53 children. They came from Manor Gate. Manor Gate was probably a children’s home. It is now a care home for the elderly.
Mr Alfred Peters remembered the heath in 1926. He described it as an expanse of heather. It stretched from the school down Denton Road to Crayford. Classes averaged 40 children. The school day was 9 am to 12 pm. There was a two-hour lunch break. Then school was from 2 pm to 4 pm.
The school registers reflect the child mortality rate. Several children died. They were pupils at the school. Wood Millie died in 1917. Baxter Florence Irene died in 1918. Smith Sidney died in 1919. Hogan Katherine also died in 1919. Henn Ruby Margaret died in 1927. Gosling Ronald Leslie died in 1929. Hunt Douglas Harold died in 1934. Stevens Annie died in 1944. Wilson Helen Louise died in 1950. Libbert Richard Allen died in 1951. Dennis Michael John died in 1954. Miles Christine Mavis also died in 1954.
The school had a bus stop outside. It was there in 1935. An air raid shelter was built behind the bus stop. It was built between 1939 and 1940. It was demolished in the 1980s.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met at Maypole Primary School. They formed The Rolling Stones in 1962.
Maypole Primary School closed in July 2002. It was demolished in 2005. A housing complex stands there now.
Today Maypole Primary School may be gone. Its legacy remains. It is in the hearts and minds of those who attended. The school is a reminder of community and education.