THE SCHOOL MATURES In 1948 the first school journeys abroad took place. The Sixth Form visited France in the Easter holidays and a Fifth Form party went to France and Switzerland in the summer. Many school visits were now taking place, and at least one, the Sixth Form visit to Stratford, was to become an annual event. In 1948 also there was a great 'Book Drive' for the Library: Mr J Compton, Education Officer for Ealing, while on a visit to the School discussed with Mr Woods, Librarian, the running of a drive for books for the school library (Books with good quality paper and binding were still scarce). The Art Room, under Mr Johnson's care, became exceedingly busy and posters were produced for Ealing Public Library and the school notice board. Mr James, Headmaster, gave the pupils a 'pep' talk. The local paper published a news item about the drive and gave it the necessary outside publicity. The combined effort, intra and extra mural, gave results that well repaid the endeavour of those concerned in the work and the school library shelves were fuller than they had been previously. Altogether 500 books were collected. The Old Scholars joined in and made further donations. A big Arts and Crafts Exhibition was held in July 1948 under the inspiration and guidance of Mr Johnson. About 59 works of art were exhibited along with about 40 craft items. These latter included such items as lamps, cabinets, coffee tables, trays, boxes, chests and stools. Dresses, blouses, pinafores, and slips were displayed by the Needlework classes. A special corner of the room was devoted to an exhibition of books which were skilfully manufactured by the lower school who presented a large range of subjects many of which were colourfully illustrated. The exhibits were judged by Mr Bruce Roberts MSLA. who was a well known commercial artist and illustrator all in what is now our Staff Room but was then the Art Room. The School was steadily growing as there was a post-war building boom and in 1950 Ealing was running second in the country's non county boroughs with 2809 of which the Council had erected 1532 permanent and 645 temporary new houses and had rebuilt twelve war destroyed ones. Private builders achievements were 154 new and 466 rebuilt houses. Much of Ealing's building was that of new council houses in Northolt. IMAGE The Art Exhibition. July 1948 Showing (centre) A general impression of the Art Room, and (left to right) closer views of the Paintings, Bookcraft, Woodwork and Needlecraft. page 47