royal wootton bassett academy
Swindon
After the Second World War ended in 1945, Wootton Bassett’s population increased
from the estimated 2,800 residents. Wootton Bassett was a dormitory town for
Swindon, which saw rapid expansion in the post-war years and several new housing
estates. The growth of Lyneham encouraged more shops and businesses to open in
Wootton Bassett, and the planned motorway system brought the M4 directly between
Swindon and Wootton Bassett. The Wootton Bassett County Secondary School
opened on Wednesday, 8th January 1958, with 279 pupils aged 11 and above,
transferred from the two local all age schools and six schools in local
villages. Most areas at that time had all age schools; Purton continued to have
an all age school until 1962. There were thirteen staff (eight men and five
women) together with the headmaster, Mr F W King. A short service in the
assembly hall was conducted by the vicar, the Rev J Goodman, and the Methodist
minister, the Rev F Willcox, both governors, to start the first term.
