Students recall their memories of Fleetdown Primary School in Dartford 50 years on
The first set of pupils to enter Fleetdown Primary School will be in their 50s by now.
A 53-year-old former pupil, who returned to the school as a higher level teaching assistant, entered the Dartford school two years after it opened, learning there from 1969 until 1975.
Helen Johnson returned in 1997 as a parent helper and hasn’t looked back since, staying on and becoming a long-standing member of the staff.
Recalling her memories as a pupil, she said: “I loved it, I don’t remember a lot.
“It was a long time ago. My parents lived on the Fleet Estate when the houses were first built 59 years ago.
“We had to wear a little blazer. My little brother had to wear a cap but they never kept it on. We didn’t have a P.E kit; we had to do it in our underwear.
“I remember the first headteacher, Mr Davis, being really strict. We were quite scared of him; he was a man in a suit walking around school.
“We all thought he had a bendy leg and he always wore chequered suits. I think he was Welsh.”
No one could recall Mr Davis’ first name.
Mrs Johnson has lived on the Fleet Estate for all but four years of her life.
She added: “We use to have a little snack every morning; you use to bring in a penny to get a couple of biscuits.
“My teacher in year six would bring a dog into class. We had fun; we didn’t know any different.
“I think they have it better now.”
The school marked its landmark milestone with a week of art activities and a visit by the borough’s mayor, Cllr Rosanna Currans.
The infants section was built in 1967 following the erection of the Fleet Estate and was soon followed by a separate junior school, constructed next door.
The two schools joined in January 2010 following the retirement of each of their head teachers.
Currently at the helm of Fleetdown is Caroline Sadler.
She said: “Fleetdown has had an excellent record over these 50 years and it’s a privilege being the head teacher in its 50th year.
“We aim to provide high standards for Fleetdown and I’m very fortunate to have excellent staff.”
Miss Sadler added: “It’s still going to be an outstanding school with the very best teachers in 50 years time.
“I definitely see a successful half century ahead.”