Back in 1996, a Stalybridge school with just 12 pupils launched a high profile appeal to raise £100,000 for a permanent home.
Founders of the Joseph Rayner Independent School, based at Millbrook Community Centre, were appealing to local and national companies to come forward with pledges of cash. A bid for lottery funding was also in the pipeline.
Suitable premises had already been identified, with a planning application to refurbish the property being considered by the council.
The school had been founded three years previously after a group of parents had complained about the lack of discipline and good manners in mainstream education.
Project manager Adrian Trowbridge, whose four-year-old son was one of the primary age pupils - stressed that he was opposed to paying for education and would rather find a good state school ‘but as a parent you have to do what you can... it is better for Matthew to be in a small team because the 12 all work so well together.’
Main image:
LEARNING: Four-year-old Matthew with two classmates.
Read more from the Tameside Reporter
Click here for more of the latest news
Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online
Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper
Boxing Day Football - Stalybridge Celtic v Mossley AFC
Boxing Day Football - Curzon Ashton v Farsley Celtic
Eddie and Ronnie Bring Christmas Cheer to Newton
Luncheon club volunteers serve up over 100 Christmas dinners
