Old Hall Comprehensive School

Old Hall Comprehensive School
Address
High Street Kimberworth Rotherham , South Yorkshire , S61 2BD England
Information
Type	Comprehensive
Closed	2004
Local authority	Rotherham
Specialist	Technology
Age	11 to 16

Old Hall Comprehensive School was located in Kimberworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. Originally built in the 1960s, it grew quickly and at the time of its closure it had around 130 staff members and around 1500 students from between the ages of 11 and 16. The school had no sixth form, but many graduating students went on to study A-levels and other further qualifications at nearby colleges, principally Thomas Rotherham College and Rotherham College of Arts and Technology. At its best, examination results in GCSEs and GNVQs at Old Hall were among the best in the area: in 2003 (the year before the school finally closed), 61% of pupils attained 5 or more A*-C grades or equivalent, compared to a national average of 53% and a local average of 45%.[1]

The school structure consisted of mostly timber frame buildings, constructed in the 1970s and linked by covered walkways intended to provide some protection from the elements for students making their way between classes. These were augmented in the 1990s by several temporary classrooms, needed to accommodate the rising numbers of students, before the school was eventually demolished to make way for the new Winterhill School building. Before the City Learning Centre was opened the school also had an east and a west hall.

Long March

A tradition in the school was the holding of a “Long March” each year, in which all students in the school took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for local and national charities. Originally taking place around Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs in the Peak District, it was later moved to Rother Valley Country Park due to safety concerns. The tradition has been continued by students at Winterhill School, to raise money for an astro-turf, which yet has to be produced.

Closure of the school

Old Hall Comprehensive School ceased to exist under its old name as of September 2004 when it merged with Kimberworth Comprehensive School to form Winterhill School, which now occupies the former site of Old Hall. Despite some issues between the students of Kimberworth and Old Hall, which resulted in some minor altercations at the end of the day; the atmosphere at Winterhill is positive and focused. The motto/ethos of 'Other People Matter' is still deeply engrained in the school.

External links

• Description of Old Hall/Winterhill school at the time of its demolition
• Fire on July 26 2004