Filton High School
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Filton High School - A Brief History by John Bailey
Filton High
School was built in 1959 by Gloucestershire County Council at a cost
of around £330,000 and despite its name has always been situated
within Stoke Gifford. It opened in September of that year as a
grammar and technical school and was situated in what was then
mainly open countryside between Filton and Stoke Gifford. It catered
for students from as far afield as Severn Beach, Almondsbury and
Coalpit Heath as well as the more local area.
The first Headmaster was Frederick Baird who led the school for 10
years until his retirement when the school became comprehensive by
amalgamation with Charborough Road School. He was succeeded by
Michael Smith (OBE) who was head of the school for 24 years. In 1974
the school came under the control of the new Avon County Council.
In the 1993 John Symes was appointed as Head teacher and in 1997, he
was replaced by Colin McArthur, the school by then coming under the
control of South Gloucestershire Council. He stayed until December
2004, a period which saw the school attract an increasing number of
students from ‘the Stokes’ and during which he oversaw the setting
up of the present collaboration with Filton College and their new
WISE facility which was built on part of the school playing field
area.
By this time the school buildings were becoming increasingly
unsuitable and starting to ‘look their age’. In September 2006 the
government awarded £25 million pounds for a completely new
purpose-built school, to be situated on land just behind the present
school which will then be demolished. The current Head teacher, only
the fifth since 1959, is Ann Duff who will lead the school through
the transition and who has established a clear vision for the future
of the school. It is likely that a new name will accompany the new
buildings from 2010 to reflect the community of which the school
will be a key part.
In 2009 the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary and various
events are being planned for the autumn. It will give an opportunity
for some the many students and staff who have passed through the
school over the years to take a last look at the buildings they knew
well.
February 2008. School website is www.filtonhigh.com