Past Times

In photos: Looking back at Smithfield School, a post-war trailblazer

Smithfield School helped Aberdeen lead the way in post-war school building as part of a bright new era. A modernist school, it opened in 1949, but it closed in 2010 for being in poor condition.

1978: Assistant head teacher John Cooper with the Smithfield Primary School Choir from classes P5, 6 and 7 practising for their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with Alan Wallace (P6) playing Joseph. Image: DC Thomson

By Kirstie Waterston

August 6 2024, 6:00 am

August 6 2024, 6:00 am

Smithfield School was one of Aberdeen’s post-war schools held up as an example of good building practice for a new era.

After the war, Aberdeen was the most advanced city in post-war school building in Scotland.

Aberdeen was such a trailblazer, that education boards from local authorities in other parts of Scotland were told to visit the city to learn from its example.

1994: Smithfield School after it was extensively targeted by vandals during the October holidays. Image: DC Thomson

The education committee of East Lothian paid a visit in 1949 under the instruction of the Scottish Education Department.

They were particularly impressed by the “magnificent” Powis Academy, but also visited Smithfield School, praised for its “fine rooms” and “beautifully-blended colour schemes”.

Smithfield, which opened on Clarke Street in 1949, was a typical modernist school from the post-war era.

Alan Baxter, headmaster, takes a last walk along the corridor of Smithfield School before it closed in 2010. Image: DC Thomson

It was built to serve children in the new housing at Smithfield, between Hilton and Northfield, as Aberdeen expanded and city-centre slums were cleared.

Post-war Smithfield School past its best by 2009

But exactly 60 years later, the school was highlighted as being in a poor state of repair, along with another eight in Aberdeen.

Smithfield was replaced as part of the city council’s ambitious £123 million 3R’s project to build new schools.

And in June 2010, Smithfield School headmaster Alan Baxter rang the bell for the final time as pupils prepared to move to the new Manor Park School.

Alan Baxter, headmaster of Smithfield School, at his desk in 2010. Image: DC Thomson

At an open day held before its closure, former pupils admired the Indian painting which hung in the corridor for 40 years.

Alan Baxter said the move came with “excitement and enthusiasm” for the 215 pupils, 40 nursery children and staff.

Smithfield School was demolished in 2015 and later replaced with housing.

Gallery: Memories of Smithfield School in photos

1983: Primary 6A at Smithfield School came third in the Scottish Accident Prevention Council Road Safety Trophy Competition. Three members of the class, (front left to right) Rachel Jolly, Stuart Anderson and Tracey-Ann Hepburn, travelled to Perth for the final where they received a certificate of merit. The project was organised by the class teacher Douglas Selbie (back left) and John Senior, the accident prevention officer (back right). Image: DC Thomson

1992: Smithfield Primary School pupils and twin sisters Rachel, left, and Victoria Romain (5) enjoy a spot of reading. Image: DC Thomson

1987: The junior pupils of Smithfield School raised £26 for Guide Dogs for the Blind through a sale of work and a raffle. Isobel Mundie, of the Blind Association, took her dog Heidi along to the school to receive the cheque from six-year-old Graham Elrick (right) of P2 with the rest of the school looking on. The P6 pupils also raised £75 for the Zeebrugge ferry disaster fund by guessing the number of sweets in a jar. Image: DC Thomson

1987: Smithfield Primary School parents’ association president Elizabeth Leslie (second right) hands over a cheque for £1000 to head teacher Iain Brown and assistant head Mrs Ella Irvine. The money was to be spent on playground equipment. Image: DC Thomson

1987: The cheery pupils of room 3 at Smithfield School study the use of money with teacher Pat Dixon. Image: DC Thomson

1988: Dairy worker Graham Singer points out part of the production process at the Norco Dairy in Berryden to pupils to Aberdeen’s Smithfield Primary. The P6 youngers were doing a project on milk and milk produce with teacher Eileen Thomson (back, left). Image: DC Thomson

1993: An infant class at Smithfield Primary School post for a photo. Image: DC Thomson

1994: Miss Shirran’s class at Smithfield. Image: DC Thomson

1987: One of the best-liked periods of the day in Room 4 – the pupils had their daily music lesson with teacher Miss Murray. Image: DC Thomson

1993: These cheery faces were in Miss Shirren’s class in 1993. Image: DC Thomson

1992: Primary One pupils in room 2 of Smithfield Primary School sit nicely for the camera. Image: DC Thomson

1992: Mrs Mckee’s primary one class at Smithfield. Image: DC Thomson

1994: These happy faces belonged to Mrs Emslie’s class at Smithfield. Image: DC Thomson

1978: They had something special to celebrate at Smithfield Primary School in April 1978 as it was the first time the school had won a sports trophy. The school’s football team won the Barratt Cup by beating Hillocks Primary 4-0. Team captain Christopher Jopp holds the trophy for the whole school to see. Image: DC Thomson

2010: The last P1 class at Smithfield School with Miss Davidson, Mrs Ross and Mrs Pirie. Image: DC Thomson

1978: Assistant head teacher John Cooper with the Smithfield Primary School Choir from classes P5, 6 and 7 practising for their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with Alan Wallace (P6) playing Joseph. Image: DC Thomson

2010: The final 07 class at Smithfield School. Image: DC Thomson

1983: Smithfield Primary School pupils bid farewell to their head teacher Miss Adeline Alexander on her retirement in 1983. She was presented with a dress ring, bouquet and portrait, painted by Primary 3 pupil Daniel Towns. Image: DC Thomson

2010: Class P1C, the other last P1 class at Smithfield School with teachers Mrs Calder, Miss Cutler, Mrs Alexander and Miss Davidson. Image: DC Thomson

1999: Youngsters of Aberdeen’s Smithfield Primary School had a sobering message to get across in 1999. The pupils created a set of life-size puppets to highlight the dangers of alcohol as part of a pioneering project devised by the city’s Arts Development Team. Image: DC Thomson

ALL IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE ARE COPYRIGHT OF DC THOMSON. UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION IS NOT PERMITTED.

To purchase archive photos, contact archives@dcthomson.co.uk

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