| Administrative History | Hadfield suffered one of the highest rates of unemployment in England during the 1930's, reaching almost 60% at times, and it was out of this situation that Hadfield Nursery School was created. This idea for the school came from the Welfare Committee of Hadfield League of Social Service which was an occupational club for the unemployed. The Committee's secretary was Mr K Laurie who, with her husband, played a crucial part in the foundation and establishment of the Nursery School. Members of the League made equipment sufficient for 12 children and the school opened in January 1938 in the ladies room of the Social Centre of Hadfield League of Social Service in Jones Street. Cooking and cleaning was done voluntarily but an appeal was made to the Save the Children Fund for a year's salary for the superintendent of the School. This led to an introduction to Lady Astor who herself gave a year's salary for the superintendent on condition money was raised for a school for 40 children on part of the League's land. Funds were raised the architect Mr W R Sharpe gave the plans and the building was put up largely by the unemployed. It was ready in April 1939 and officially opened by Lady Astor 2 months later. The School was recognised by the Board of Education in 1940 and taken over by the Local Education Authority in the following year. A new school was built in 1988. |
| Custodial History | These records were deposited in Derbyshire Record Office in July and September 1990 |