The Old School House visit 2017
The House Leaders and I had the pleasure of attending a coffee morning with some of our local residents at The Old School House on Billing Road, kindly arranged by the House Manager Claire Frost.
The building used to part of the school and lessons used to take place there. We all met up in what used to be the billiards room and then Claire gave us a little tour. It was interesting to hear of its history and to see the photographs from the past including some of the staff and students of the school in the 1930s and 1960s - we could recognise the library and the Science block from the latter. There were also some aerial shots reminding us how much the school has evolved.
The residents own their own flats, which are partly within the old building and partly in the extension, and demonstrated a real sense of community, positivity and fun. They were extremely friendly and very generous and they enthralled our students with their tales. They may be generations apart but it was delightful to see everyone in full conversation exchanging and comparing stories and learning how times have changed. I was kept entertained by Mark who lives there with his wife, he had such a charming manner and knew so much about the local area as well as further afield in Northamptonshire and beyond. The youngest resident is in his 60s and one of the oldest being in her 90s and she is still getting the bus into town - they had also had a wedding there the day before!
The residents were very complimentary about the students whilst we were there and they particularly mentioned the good manners they witnessed on a daily basis. The lady who travels on the bus talked of how NSB students were so considerate to her when she was getting on and off the bus which is such a delight to hear. I am always impressed with the manners of our students and it is wonderful to know that this has been noticed in the community - good manners cost nothing and go a long way, as they say, and they also create positive relationships and certainly add to a favourable impression of our young adults.
Claire emailed the following day to say that the Sixth Form students had been a great hit and that she had had fantastic feedback and that we were welcome back anytime. We will definitely be taking her upon her offer.
