Brochure From The School Opening Ceremony 1977
It is over thirty years since the School was opened on 18th March 1977. Below is a reproduction of the original brochure.
From the Official Opening brochure.
"The school was originally designed by the Lancashire County Architect as a replacement for the two Evans Schools. After Local Government Re-organisation it was decided to amalgamate the two buildings to form a new two-form entry primary school to be called "The Nicol Mere Primary School. The name commemorates the "flash" that was situated near the site of the school.
The parents of the children attending the Evans School chose to transfer them to Nicol Mere or to remain at the Evans School. The catchment area of the school is therefore wide; children are admitted from all parts of Ashton. Teaching and non-teaching staff also had the choice of schools.
The Infant Department opened on May 3rd, 1976 with 105 children in five classes and six full time members of staff and a part-time teacher. In August the Junior Department opened with 70 children and three class teachers. Today (March 18th, 1977) there are eight classes containing 220 children between the ages of four and ten. Ultimately, there will be 560 children on the roll.
The Infant Building comprises a self-contained symmetrical teaching area, of six open class bays, two art and craft resource areas, library and maths resource area. Each class has its own toilets. Five class bays are in use at present.
The main entrance leads to the Administration Block and the Hall, with P.E. storage and dining facilities.
The original plan for the Junior Building catered for thirteen group activities but this plan has been varied to provide eight semi-private class bays with additional areas to provide for work in mathematics, science, art/craft and individual group work.
A fully-equipped Hall, Library, covered area and T.V. Room complete the teaching area. Only three bays are in use at present.
Playing fields are planned for the future.
The school was built by Thos. Collier and Sons of Leigh, at a total capital cost of £260,000.
The project has been controlled by architects from Lancashire County Council, who continued to oversee the project until its completion.
The design of the school allows for flexibility of teaching methods, combining privacy in class bays when needed, with freedom of movement for individual work in the resource areas, when required.
It provides an environment eminently suitable for the of the children for which it has been built."