Background History

The name "Denfield Park" was agreed by the school's shadow School Managers while the school was being constructed. The land on which the school stands was known as "Eastfields", based on the Old Saxon field system. A large stone-built house, occupied by the Denton family, well-known boot and shoe manufacturers in the town, was built on part of the land. Hence the name "Denfield" derives from part of the names "Denton" and "Eastfield", with the word "Park" added.

Denfield School Sign 2009

(To read more about Head Teacher Bob Whitworth - click here).

The school was built after discussion with elected councillors of Rushden, together with Managers (now called governors) and Head Teachers of existing local schools in order to meet the need for additional junior school places in the town. It was originally to cater for 320 children but this was later reduced. The main feeder school was the Hayway Infants School.

The building was constructed in the "method" system, clad in brickwork. The basic semi-open plan design was conceived by the County Education Inspectorate and Architects at an intensive "Collaboration in Design" course held at Northampton University in July 1975 and work commenced on site in April 1976. The total floor area is 1028 square metres and cost £191,508 to build. Simcock and Usher of Northampton were the general contractors and the architect from N.C.C. was Mr. Peter Parnell. The semi-open plan design means that eight classrooms open out onto an activity area where children can take part in more creative activities.

While the school was under construction the county council held special meetings in an attempt to thrash out the access problem to the school. There was much local opposition to Victoria Road being used for access and various options were considered but all were too costly and in the end the entrance was by Victoria Road. This has caused traffic problems ever since.

115 children joined the school in September 1977 with 5 members of staff, including the Head Teacher. Other staff were a secretary, caretaker, cleaner and one classroom ancillary. The school was governed by 12 Managers, Messrs. J Osborne, (Chairman), A. Mantle, P.Tomas, D. Leigh, C. Wood, P. Robinson, B. Whitworth (Head Teacher), V. Collier (Deputy Head Teacher), S. Smith, L. Cherry, Mrs J. Bailey and Cllr. Mrs M. Dicks.

Head Teacher Bob Whitworth and Mr and Mrs Cyril Faulkner unveiling the plaque.

Denfield Park School was officially opened by Mr. Cyril Faulkner OBE (a former Local and County Councillor) in March 1978. The ceremony was chaired by Cllr Mrs Audrey Perkins and guests included Mr Michael Henley (Chief Education Officer for the county) and Chairman of the District Council, Cllr Harold Binder. Entertainment by the children included items by the school choir and about 20 children involved in choral speaking.

After nearly 18 years as head teacher of Denfield Park junior School, Mr Whitworth retired in December 1994 and at that time was the longest serving Head in the county. As a retiring gift from the staff and children, a hot air balloon trip was organised at the end of the Autumn Term. As the Evening Telegraph reported it "Up, up and away....a flight of fantasy set retirement celebrations soaring for school Head Teacher Bob Whitworth". The balloon took off from the school's playing field passing over The Ferrers School, and was forced to land before entering military airspace at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. In the evening he was guest of honour at a retirement party for 80 people and local artist, Keith Hill who had been commissioned to paint a picture of the balloon against a backdrop of the school, made the presentation.

Mr Whitworth’s successor, Mrs Helen Tite, took over the role as Head Teacher in January 1995.