Reference
Z1202
Title
Papers concerning the life and teaching career of Thomas Northern, (1890-1975), Headmaster of Clapham Road School, Bedford, 1931-1955
Admin/biog history
Thomas Northern was born on 4 July 1890 at Kettering, Northants., the son of Frank Northern and Alice Jane Vickers (married 1888; both born Kettering in 1866). By 1901 the family lived in Regent Street, Kettering; both parents were in the shoe trade and Thomas was, apparently, their only child. In August 1906 Thomas embarked on his teaching career, enrolling as a pupil teacher in the Mixed Department of Stamford Road Council School, Kettering (see Z 1202/1/1 for his training course book; also SD Bedford LIV 7/1 (8) for details of his career to 1914). He then attended the Teacher Training College at Isleworth (1908-1910), before taking up appointments at South Kirkby and South Elmsall Council Schools (1910-1914). His schemes of work for this period survive (Z 1202/1/2-3).
In 1914 he successfully applied for the post of Assistant Teacher in the Mixed Dept. of Clapham Road School, Bedford, becoming headmaster in 1931, and retiring in 1955. His career is described in the Bedford Record of 9 August 1955, p.9, under the heading Forty Full Years at One School. At that time he lived at 'Kynance', The Green, Bromham.
Fortunately for researchers Thomas Northern not only preserved his own family records, but kept many of the official records of Clapham Road School (now Livingstone School - see SD Bedford LIV). When he died in 1975 many of these records remained undisturbed in his garden shed, until donated by a relative in 2003.
The following press cuttings are known relating to Clapham Road School; obituary of David John Rogers, aged 56, Bedford Record 9 May 1961, p.17, cols 1-2 (top); class 1953 Coronation year photograph, with caption; Bedford Record 27 November 1979, p.6
Level of description
fonds