BYLEY residents could be forgiven to thinking they had travelled back in time as their ‘proud village school’ turned 150 years old.  

Staff and pupils at Byley Primary School donned full Victorian garb on Friday, January 26, and classrooms were set out in traditional 19th century rows to give the children an insight into the lives of their 1870s counterparts.

The board of governors displayed its fine collection of school memorabilia, including photographs going back to 1918, a logbook from 1906, and the official school register stretching back to 1908.

They also welcomed a very special guest of honour, Lilian Worthington, who at 87 is the school’s oldest known living former pupil. She enrolled in 1942.

Northwich Guardian: (L to R): Vice-chairman of governors, John Beecroft; Byley's oldest past pupil, Lilian Worthinton, who's 87; and head teacher, Elizabeth Whittingham(L to R): Vice-chairman of governors, John Beecroft; Byley's oldest past pupil, Lilian Worthinton, who's 87; and head teacher, Elizabeth Whittingham (Image: Elizabeth Whittingham)

“We still have the record in the school register,” said Byley head teacher, Elizabeth Whittingham.

“And Lilian's daughter, Janice Daniel, has been our school cook for 34 years.”

Byley Primary took its first students back in January 1874, after the government passed the Elementary Education Act 1870, ensuring a right to basic schooling for all five to 12-year-olds in England and Wales.  

Records show there’s been some form of school on its Moss Lane site since the early 1800s, probably teaching the children of farm workers.

Northwich Guardian: Elizabeth Whittingham (centre rear) with the school council, and staff who are all former pupils themselvesElizabeth Whittingham (centre rear) with the school council, and staff who are all former pupils themselves (Image: Elizabeth Whittingham)

This was still the case up to the early 1940s, but during the Second World War, it had a huge influx of evacuees from the cities, and children from military families tied to nearby Cranage Aerodrome.

Byley has always prided itself on being ‘small and friendly’ according to Mrs Whittingham, who added: “We’re very much a family and community school.

“We have children here whose parents and grandparents were pupils. The school’s heritage is very much a part of its identity.

Northwich Guardian: Past pupils of the class of '65 reunited - including two sets of twinsPast pupils of the class of '65 reunited - including two sets of twins (Image: Elizabeth Whittingham)

“We have a fascinating history. It was built by the Church in 1874, then it was bought by the council in the early 1900s.

“Some of the kids still have lessons in the 150-year-old part of the building.

“For the anniversary itself, staff and children all dressed up in Victorian clothes, and the classrooms were set out in 1800s style.

“We couldn’t do proper Victorian lessons, for obvious reasons, but we did a lot of other activities from the era.

Northwich Guardian: Staff made just as much effort as the kids with their Victorian costumesStaff made just as much effort as the kids with their Victorian costumes (Image: Elizabeth Whittingham)

“It crossed my mind to give them gruel for lunch, but I think that would’ve been a step too far for some of the children.

“And Friday is chip day, which they look forward to, so I don’t think it would’ve made me very popular. We’ve got to do our best to keep them onside.”

Vice-chairman of governors, John Beecroft, said: “Byley Primary was set up in the heart of Cheshire to serve the children of the local community 150 years ago, and we’re delighted to continue those original ethics and traditions into the 21st century.

“We’re a traditional school in a tradition village, and we like that.”