ABOUT US

For the past 100 years, Cedar Street School has stood at the bottom of St. James Road. During that time the outside of the building has changed very little. The one concession to modernity has been the building of an internal toilet block in the early 1980's. Apart from this the school looks very similar to the way it did at the beginning of the century. When one considers the way that society and technology has developed during the lifetime of the school, it is amazing that it has changed so little. Inside, also, the changes to the building have been minor. There was, of course a change to electric lighting, the installation of gas heating, and the erection of internal walls at various times. However, those who worked at Cedar Street will remember the same green ceramic tiles around the hall which kept their lustre for all those many years. it was alwasy an easy matter to find the old chimneys of the fireplaces which once served to heat the rooms. Much of the timber work inside was fashioned when the school was originally built.

If the building has changed very little, the school itself has never stood still. Throughout its lifetime, its halls and classrooms have echoed to the sounds and voices of lively youngsters who have attended the school during their most formative years. Cedar Street has always enjoyed an enviable reputation in the way it has started youngsters on their road to wisdom. Very many pupils have left to forge successful careers in professions and industry. In these successes the school has always played a vital early role. The degree of success with which the school has served the area has not been achieved by standing still. Indeed, it is the schools constant approach to the changing needs of its pupils. This awareness is as evident today as it ever was. The reputation of the school is known throughout the educational field of Lancashire and beyond. It may seem ironic that a school which had its roots in the previous century should enjoy a reputation for its use of computers amongst its other attributes.

The reason that the school has been so successful is due largely to the enthusiasm and commitment of its workers, its teachers, caretakers, cleaners and kitchen staff. The old building generated a warmth and an atmosphere which was always commented upon by visitors. As a result when the school moved up the hill to new premises, it took with a degree of experience and expertise on which to build in the future. But those who experienced the pleasures of the old school will never forget the contribution of Cedar Street. If ghosts really do inhabit the empty building, then they will be happy ones.