by John Martin, Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

“Occupying a new purpose-built building in Waterloo Road, Leiston, the school first opened its doors in 1909, and 160 pupils were enrolled. It was then called a “Higher Elementary School” and later ”Leiston Secondary School”. Finally, under the 1945 Education Act it became “Leiston Grammar School” (LGS) with pupils being selected via the 11 plus exams.

It continued to provide a higher-level education to the more gifted local pupils for over 60 years. The school closed in 1973 when it was absorbed into the new comprehensive system. The Grammar School building was cleared out and adapted to accommodate the new Middle School, and the Grammar School joined up with the old Secondary Modern School becoming Leiston High School.

Many visitors and pupils will remember the dozens of photos in black frames which lined the central corridor. These featured the various sports teams which represented the school. Each year the Tennis, Hockey, Football and Cricket teams posed for the photographer, usually at the front of the school building. Unfortunately, when the building was cleared, the team photos were consigned to the skip. Happily, they were rescued by Frank Huxley, a Grammar School teacher, and in 2018 passed on to The Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group (AVSFHG). The group took on the task of digitising and copying the pictures. They were then catalogued and indexed, and the originals given to the Suffolk Record Office (now Suffolk Archives) who will preserve them for posterity.

Since that time the Leiston Grammar School archive has grown extensively, and now includes panoramic and form photos, Leistonian magazines and other ephemera. The archive is available to view at the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group (AVSFHG) Help Centre and the contents are listed on the Index of Resources on the group website at: www.avsfhg.org.uk

A search service is available for anyone interested, and copies of most items are available via email. “