In celebration of School Archives Day on Thursday 12 March, the Development Office welcomed students of the History Club for a special exploration of Churcher’s rich heritage. Pupils had the opportunity to handle and study a selection of fascinating artefacts drawn from the depths of the school’s archive, representing more than 300 years of history. Each pupil selected an item that captured their imagination, using it as a starting point for further research into the stories and people behind these remarkable pieces of the school's past.

Using online tools and accessing Churcher's digital archives, students learnt how to search for and retrieve relevant material, whilst also referring to history books and other published material. Fine tuning their newly acquired skills as budding archivists, the students were able to dig deeper into the school's history and discover the hidden stories behind each item. The items included a school blazer, cap and badge which was worn as uniform in the 1920s belonging to John Bridle (25), a photo of the CCF and items belonging to the OTC (precursor to the CCF) and a photo of the train fondly known as the 'Middy' which ran along the branch line from Petersfield to Midhurst terminating at Pulborough.

History Teacher and History Club leader Chris Akhurst oversaw the research project which ran during school lunchtimes over 3 weeks, supported by visiting former staff member and local historian, Gill Clarke. Gill was able to recall interesting facts and anecdotes from her time spent as School Archivist, a job she took on after retiring from Churcher's as an English Teacher and Deputy Head.

To celebrate School Archives Day, students showcased the results of their research at a lunchtime exhibition, presenting their findings alongside the original artefacts that first captured their interest. They enthusiastically answered questions from visiting staff and pupils, demonstrating both their knowledge and their growing confidence as young historians. We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part in this project. Their curiosity, hard work, and enthusiasm brought the past to present and highlighted the exciting role of our school archivists in bringing history to life!

If you would like to read more about the work of an archivist, please see the recent article on OC Tom Bennett: here