The new pavillion and extension to the sports fields, including a running track, had recently been put into service. Never before had the school achieved such accademic success. For the first time, over 100 pupils enjoyed ‘O’ level passes, several students were being awarded Open Scholarships at top universities and around 30 students a year were successfully gaining university placements, sometimes out-performing the nearby Repton Public School. The sun was shining!

This was two years before the very first mention of a re-organisation of secondary education. It would have been inconceivable at the time that the Grammar School System, with its centuries of tradition, was soon to be abolished.

On a slightly sad note, the year also saw the death of Miss Mitton who had been the Headmaster’s Secretary for twenty-two years, spanning several Headmasters having been originally appointed by Mr Moodey. She was almost considered ‘part of the furniture’.

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In happy times, another complete school photo was commissioned as a celebration. A mischievous Paul Wheildon at the far right, timed his pose to perfection, escaping the eye of the photographer until after it had been printed.