St Georges Primary Westhoughton celebrates 30 years with past staff

This year, that day marked the 30th anniversary of the St George’s CE Primary School in Westhoughton with a special reunion with former staff and governors being invited to celebrate the milestone.

The day was capped of by a church service in the school’s on-site church, which on weekends is used by people from around Westhoughton as their local place of worship.

Pictures from the church service (Image: James Young)

School headteacher James Young said: “It’s been a lovely day, but very busy!

“The service will be all about celebrating St George’s Day and celebrating 30 years of the school.

“We try and focus on out motto, which is all about loving life. It comes from John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The library, opened in 2024 (Image: Dan Dougherty)

St George’s CE Primary School moved from its previous home on Hart Common in 1996, as the previous building – which had been there for 125 years – was no longer fit for purpose.

It was at this point that Hart Common School, as it had previously been known, became St George’s CE School.

The library was opened in 2024 by poet Levi Tafari (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“We came from Hart Common with 100 children,” said Jackie Goodwin, who was a governor at the time of the transition – and still is today.

“The old building wasn’t fit for purpose anymore – it was too small.

“We took the original stained glass windows with us when we made the transition, as well as the wooden plaques with the names of people who died in the war, so there is continuity between this building and the old one.”

Extracts from the 1879 logbook of the original Hart Common School (Image: James Young)

Dave Smith currently a ‘foundation governor’ on the board of the school, was also a governor at the time of the transition.

“I’ve got a connection with school as all three of my children went here and they all did really well,” said Dave.

“The old building was just too small and not suitable – this one is very light and bright.

Hart Common School had been in place for 125 years, across which period they only had five headteachers, said Mr Smith.

A celebration poster from the children of St George’s (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“When you got that job you didn’t leave it!” he said.

Mr Smith added: “When the old school was set up Hart Common was just a small collection of houses, but as Westhoughton grew it made sense to move to a bigger building.”

One of the most striking things about St George’s CE School is the sense of community they have managed to foster.

Many former teachers still keep in contact with current staff, and many children are children of former pupils.

Picture of the previous school building at Hart Common (Image: James Young)

“There are a lot children here that are now on their second or third generation,” said former headteacher Simon Bramwell, who was visiting for the occasion.

“Ms Fairbanks, who teaches here now, used to be a pupil.”

Marilyn Sweet was a reception teacher at St George’s at the time of the transition, having spent 15 years at Hart Common before it moved.

“It was a good name for the children, because I could say ‘I’m Sweet now, but if you misbehave I’ll turn sour!” Marilyn said.

She played a very active role in school life during her tenure, even designing the school’s original logo.

“I have very fond memories of the place,” she said, “and being here again is bringing back more and more.

30th anniversary cake (Image: James Young)

“This used to be my classroom, but everything has moved!”

The back room that we were in had recently been redecorated and was not currently being used as a classroom.

After a tour of the school, the children gathered in the main hall for their St George’s day service.