The local authority closed Biddick School at the end of July 1995. Washington Church of Christ took it over on that date and now owns the building.

Some of my memories of my time at

Biddick School 1946-49

"The school had doors going up the middle of the playground to separate the infants section from the primary. Also having our cooked lunch in the hall. There was a sports ground on the primary side of the school just below Reynolds Avenue. Some of the children that I attended school with were Tommy Lewins, Brian Booth .Games that we played were buttony, marbles, conkers and soccer. I also remember the little tuck shop opposite the school which sold sherbet, liquorice root, and other varieties of sweets".

These are a few of my very happy memories of my time at Biddick School
Thank you
Jim Reid, Australia

Comments from former MP Fraser Kemp MP

"Washington was a different sort of place when I first attended Biddick Primary School in 1964. We were almost exclusively the children of miners and chemical workers and you could feel and sense that close sense of community that big industry often brings - and families, uncles, cousins, grandparents, usually lived locally and everyone knew each other.

It's not easy to look back over 40 years and recall memories accurately and time plays tricks on you, but I remember fondly a happy time with young people doing what children do everywhere, enjoying themselves, beginning to experience the wonder of learning and all the opportunities it opens up.

Opposite the school entrance was Jimmy Chadwicks - the barbers - and next door the sweet shop that sold 4 blackjacks for 1 old penny and in the shopping mecca that was Brady Square we had shops selling all the essentials.

I recall teachers, particularly Mrs Anne Moran who I still see and who is active in politics, and the Head was a mystical all-powerful figure in those days.
I am grateful for everything Biddick School gave me - not just in education but for the life experiences it offered and I know it helps me immeasurably being in the privileged position of representing in Parliament those I went to school with and their families".

The Headmaster in 1964 was Mr Marshall.

"He and his wife lived in the school house in the yard. Mrs Marshall was very active with the British Red Cross and had nearly every schoolgirl in Brady Square enrolled in her BRC classes after school. These were held in the school hall where we were taught the elements of First Aid.
Mr Marshall was very musical and took pride teaching us to sing while he played the piano. His son was also musical and was a member of the group The John Miles Set.
Mr Jim Marrow came as a teacher in the 60s, later became Headmaster and went on to be the Coach of England schoolboys team.
My favourite teacher will always be Mr Kay.
Miss Dickinson's classroom is now the green room where the very popular luncheon club is held. Miss Dickinson lived in Washington Village in a house named White Ladies. This was raised to the ground and Anchor Housing built White Ladies Sheltered Housing on the site of her house".
Isabelle Ward, nee Wood

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