1940 - 1949: Wartime Resilience and the Aftermath of Conflict

The 1940s were dominated by World War II and its profound impact on Botley School, its pupils, and the wider community. While the initial fear and uncertainty of the war years persisted, the school also became a place of resilience, community spirit, and adaptation.

In 1940, the war effort began to directly affect the school’s staffing. Mr. Enwright joined His Majesty's Forces in September, followed by Mr. Nurton and Mr. Margetts in October. Mr. Humphrey joined the Royal Air Force in November. These departures reflected the national mobilization for the war, and the school, like many institutions, had to manage with reduced staff numbers.

Other wartime measures were put in place at the school. Blackout material was used, though the blacking out of the building wasn't fully completed until May 1941. A telephone was installed at this time. This was made possible because the Chief Constable of Oxford used the school as a rendezvous station (for fire and police services) in case of enemy air raids.

The war years brought both challenges and a sense of shared purpose. While lessons continued, the reality of the war was ever-present. Children and staff alike contributed to the war effort in various ways. The oldest senior students would help with the harvest in late summer, picking sugar beet and potatoes. Farmers sometimes gave them potatoes and apples to take home because such items were rationed. Sometimes they would return in the evenings to help cut corn, and if they were lucky, they might even manage to take home a rabbit or two for a meal.

The school also participated in the "Dig for Victory" campaign. The field next to the bypass (which was originally intended to be a slip road from West Way to the bypass roundabout) was turned into allotments, and apple trees were planted to provide food for the canteen and the local community.

Some subjects were inevitably affected by the war. Woodwork and cookery lessons, for example, became casualties of rationing. 

Children also participated in the war effort in other ways. Some belonged to sea and army cadet groups and had to go to Carfax Tower to perform fire watching duties in case of bombs being dropped. Everyone had to bring their gas mask to school, and anyone caught without it had to go home to fetch it. Numerous visitors came to the school to demonstrate air raid procedures, gas mask drills, and explain how airplanes worked. Mr. Harber diligently recorded all of these activities in the school logbook.

On February 27, 1942, the school received a visit from a very important figure: R. A. Butler, the Minister for Education, who would go on to design the 1944 Education Reform Act. This visit underscored the importance of education even during wartime.

As the war continued, some evacuee children gradually returned to London, and the school began to resume a more normal routine, although the war's impact was always felt. The last of the evacuees finally returned home after May 1945, when the war in Europe ended.

Mr. Harber’s logbook entry for 8 May 1945, simply states:
"The school is closed today owing to the end of hostilities between Germany and the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, announced on the wireless that May 8 will be termed V.E. Day. Victory in Europe Day and the following day May 9th will be National Holidays."

Tragically, two former Botley School pupils, Basil Richard Bateman and Sydney William Willis, lost their lives serving their country during the war. A small plaque was placed in the school hall to commemorate their sacrifice.

After the war, as evacuees returned home and the immediate crisis subsided, life at Botley School slowly began to return to normal.

However, the effects of the war lingered. On the night of 17 January 1946, the school was burgled, and £21 worth of savings stamps were stolen. The culprit turned out to be a former pupil who had been evacuated to the area during the war. In the early months of 1947, severe snow and frost created significant problems. A fuel shortage meant that no power or light could be used at the school between 9 am and noon and between 2 pm and 4 pm.

By 7 March 1947, the road to Appleton was impassable, preventing senior children from that village from attending school. The school itself was down to about a week's supply of fuel.

Despite these difficulties, the school community pulled together, demonstrating resilience and determination.

On 11 March 1949, a new teacher, Mr. Ernie "Snowy" Smallridge, joined the school, beginning a long and distinguished career at Botley. Later that same year, Mr. Clifford Bennett also joined the school. Almost 50 years later, Mr. Smallridge and Mr. Bennett remained firm friends.