Lander Road is a short road between Linacre Lane and Webster Street, not an area I am well-acquainted with. I was about to make the ill-judged remark that the school had probably long-gone but a check on Google satellite revealed that it is still there, although probably in a new building. I have commented before that an illustrated book on Liverpool schools would make an important addition to the bookshelves of those interested in local history – after all, we have all been through the system and most of us have happy memories, particularly of junior school. Looking at the top photograph, there is, perhaps, one girl who is not having her best day.
I can’t imagine her parents wanting to shell out for a print! What is noticeable is that the children are dressed in their best and a look at my 1910 Gore’s Directory reveals a solid aspiring working-class area with joiners, plumbers, mariners, tram guards, carters, tanners and dock gatesmen among the trades represented on Lander Road. Even the teachers have made an extra effort, particularly in the bottom photograph of girls exercising in the school yard.
The school is almost exactly as it was. If you go onto Google Map street view you can see where the girls are doing their exercises. The covered area now has breeze-block walls but you can easily make out the wooden roof and the boundary wall next to it. If you swing around you can see the same terraced houses across the road. WONDERFUL!
Not sure about the unhappy girl. She looks like a bit of a trouble-maker. Maybe that’s why she’s seated next to “Miss”.
What a lot of serious looking kids
Really nice to see your photo of Lander Road Council School. The gentleman top left is, I believe, Walter Tomkins. You can also see him in the second photo). By 1903 Lander Road soon became over-subscribed and had to expand into temporary premises in nearby Scarisbrick Avenue. In 1905 there 347 children and five teachers here and Tomkins moved across to become the Head.When new schools opened in Beach Road in 1908, he became Head of the Boys School, remaining there until his death in May 1941 (killed outside his home when bombs fell nearby). He was a very well respected member of the local community. The gentleman with Tomkins in the two photos is, I think, Mr Lowe. He was head of Lander Road and, on Tomkins death, took over at Beach Road. Both men have memorial plaques in the — now empty — former Beach Road premises. The plaque to Tomkins — erected by staff and parents after his death — was meant to go to Litherland British Legion Club on the closure of Beach Road in 2008, but I doubt if it has!
Allan Johnston (formally deputy head of Beach Road)
Thanks Allan,
Really great information. Very much appreciated.
Looks like Usain Bolt is taking the class on the middle photo.
Everything you see in the pictures still stands.