Heatherwood Hospital 1922-2023
When the hospital was opened in 1922 the average duration of the stay of each patient would exceed more than a year.
A school was set up from the start and lessons were delivered more often than not at the bedside of patients.
Through the materials of Ruby Brook we are able to publish Portraits and some of the school works which have survived.
The little rose is very sweet,
Amidst the garden flowers,
She smiles at me, she smiles at you,
She smiles at the garden flowers.
By Pauline Dring Age 9 & Jacqueline Randall Age 7
Autumn Term 1951
The Squirrel comes in Summer,
It jumps from tree to tree,
It comes every morning,
To see you and me.
By Derek Bowker Age 7
I am a little blackbird as black as black can be
I sing to you each morning
As I sit upon my tree.
By Eileen Puddlephat Age 8 & Irene Simpson Age 9
Some of the portraits which have survived, do not carry any names.
Note:-
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School Carries On
The school continued as a full time special school with a headmistress and an assistant until the end of 1961 when the Berkshire County Council changed the status of the school and supplied only one full time visiting teacher. This post was carried on by Ruby Brook until she retired in 1965.
After Ruby retired the post was carried on by Miss Fleming.
The changing status of the school was determined by the change in the children patient content of the hospital.
Did you attend Heatherwood School whilst a patient?
Do you have any recollections of Heatherwood ?
If So we would dearly love to hear from you.
If you have any memorabilia or stories to tell:-
Contact The
WebMaster
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