The School That Grew Wings

My friend John is making a film called ‘The School That Grew Wings’….

Morton Road School opened in 1897, with four large classrooms for 165, 130, 60 and 60 children respectively, and a ‘marching corridor’. It served the local community well until 1939. Because of the war local children were evacuated and the school closed.

After the war the building was used by Lowestoft College for ‘further education’. Eventually it became ‘The Seagull’. It became a drama centre, a theatre and studios for children, teachers and the local community.

The school building grew wings.

Yesterday the film-making started. Over 120 interviews are planned with people who have attended The Seagull over the years. John asked me to be involved with some of the interviews. I had the privilege of listening to many stories…

I heard about a youth theatre club, productions that went on tour, parent and baby groups, drama for adults with learning difficulties, the shanty choir, dementia groups… Each story was about a supportive, welcoming, inclusive group of people

The Seagull community – made up of smaller groups within that community – grew wings.

I heard stories of young people, with little sense of worth or self-value, gaining confidence, developing skills… One became a teacher; another became a professional singer. One wrote her own play that was performed at The Seagull; another has written a book…

Doris was the youngest of nine children who came to the Morton Road School. She was evacuated to Derbyshire with her sister. When she returned to Lowestoft, she attended a Youth Club at her old school …

Doris talked about both school and youth club with clarity and fondness, and described the way the school had enabled her brothers to have good, responsible jobs and the youth club taught her vital life skills.

Individuals at the Seagull have grown wings.

Musing… ‘Growing Wings’… recalling the ancient prophet Isaiah’s wise words… ‘soaring on wings like eagles’… not quite a seagull, but the same principle!