120 Years of Laddsworth Primary School
In 1903, 20-year-old Miss Daisy Ladds welcomed 20 pupils to a new school at the Hilton Hall. “The Hilton Road School” opened its doors to pupils arriving on horse trap and donkey, with a group being taken to and from the Cedara station by mule cart. All 20 pupils worked around one large round table, on slates with slate pencils.
The number of pupils at Miss Ladds’ school increased steadily and an assistant later joined her. The school became Government-aided and on 1 August 1918, it was taken over by the Natal Educational Department under the Free Education Act, becoming the Hilton Road Government Primary School, with Miss Daisy Ladds as Headmistress.
With the number of pupils still increasing, Miss Daisy Ladds moved to a newly built school ground above Voortrekker Road in 1937. 3 classes and an administration office quickly became inadequate for the 71 pupils enrolled that year, and more classrooms had to be built the following year. The Laddsworth Lodge townhouse complex now occupies this property.
Following her retirement in 1949, the school was renamed after Miss Ladds in 1958, in honour of her life’s work, years of service and vision. Nicknamed “Laddie”, she is still remembered by past pupils for her discipline and always being firm, but kind.
In October 1988 the School moved again, to its current site in Winstead Road. The new 21 classroom school facility, boasting modern buildings and extensive grounds, was officially opened by the Director of Education Mr A.B. Olmesdahl on 1 March 1989.
Laddsworth has been very fortunate in having had only 10 Principals in its 120-year history. In the last decade since Mr Gavin Lambooy took up the post of Headmaster in 2013, the school has grown tremendously from 510 pupils to the current enrolment of 660.
Major developments in infrastructure, the building of new facilities and significant increases in personnel have been achieved by the School Governing Body in the last decade. The school enjoys a uniquely designed and extensive complex of buildings, gardens and fields, which blends with, and encapsulates the country atmosphere of Hilton.
Laddsworth Primary School continues to enrich the school environment with some of its latest developments including a modern newly built Hall, extended Media Centre Complex, Advanced Computer Centre facility, 9 additional classrooms, together with a new Tuck-shop and first-class sporting facilities.
The school is well positioned to fulfil the previous Headmaster, Mr Stride’s wish for “the school still having to grow, to meet the needs of the community” which he had expressed at the School’s 75th anniversary 45 years ago.
We continue to “Aim High”, strive to honour our traditions, fiercely guard our values and serve our mission to provide a value-driven, quality education to the Midlands Community.
