South Yorkshire Times December 18, 1948
Too Old At 45 ?
Conisbrough School Manager’s Protest
“I am just about fed up with it. A man too old for employment at 45. They can’t even get a job as a school gardener if they are over 45. Why should we complain about a dearth of teachers in those circumstances. We want the best person for the job,” said Coun. R. H. Shepherd at last night’s meeting of Conisbrough Primary School Managers during a discussion on the applications for the post-as head-teacher of Station Road Infants’ School.
Coun. D. Sheldon presided.
Coun Shepherd’s statement came when Mrs. A. Oldfield remarked that one of the applicants was 51. At a previous meeting, when they were discussing applications for another headship in the district, there had been a stipulation, she said, that the candidate must not be over 45.
At their last meeting the Managers recommended that the four applicants should be interviewed at Wakefield, but the Divisional Executive referred back this recommendation for further consideration after two further applications had been received.
After considering the two new additional applications, the Managers decided to adhere to their original decision.
Conn. Shepherd complained that nothing had been done about the removal of air raid shelters from Rossington Street School.
Mr. E. Hewson (Deputy Education Officer) reported that the contractor had died, and his son had asked to be released from the contract. He did not know whether they would be allowed to remove the air raid shelters now, as it was against general policy to have the shelters removed.
“They are still dangerous,” said Coun. Shepherd. “I wonder what the position would have been at Oxford or Cambridge where they have great big playing fields. Here we have no playing fields, and yet one third of our playing accommodation is taken up by these things.”
The meeting decided to ask the County authorities to ask for tenders for the removal of the shelters