Eight Eight Eight Eight - Celebrations at The Billericay School

Photographed from the Air - the whole school roll

8/8/88
Ron Case, Evening Echo

Mr Arthur Lingard was Head Teacher of the Billericay School from 1968-1991.  During his time as Head, the school became one of the most successful in this part of Essex and the school roll expanded from just 270 to 1,300 pupils

Mr Lingard organised many events enjoyed by pupils, parents and the staff. A particularly momentous day was 8 August 1988. There was quite a buzz when a helicopter landed in the school grounds.  Pupils, teaching staff and everyone connected with the running of the school, were released from studies and duties to assemble on the playing field.

That day the whole school celebrated both the finalisation of the work that had gone into building F Block, the £1.5 million Business Studies, Craft, Design & Technology building.  It almost coincided, too, with the school’s twenty first birthday since becoming a Comprehensive.

The well-known Evening Echo photographer, Ron Case, had to be lifted into the skies to take this spectacular picture.  He liaised with Steven Bownes, Head of PE and the whole event was filmed by John Walker, the Media Studies Head.  This was the first school video of many in the library and many students remember this special day.

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  • Hi i was there from 1968 & left in 1972ish, anyone else from or around that time?

    By Was sandra jones (27/03/2019)
  • Hi, I left in 1973.

    By Gillian leigh (29/09/2017)

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