A BOOK detailing the history of an old grammar school has been published.

Halstead Grammar School History and Memoirs is a book about the 66 year history of the school.

The school first opened in 1909, and closed in 1975, when it, along with Earls Colne Grammar School and Halstead Secondary School amalgamated into the Ramsey School.

The book was written by Jane Jones, an old student and genealogist, and was published earlier this year.

Jane was brought up in Castle Hedingham and attended the school from 1962 to 1967.

She is a member of the Old Girls’ Association.

It is her first book, which she self-published after lots of time and research, taking around four to five years to fully complete.

She explained how and why the book came to be.

She said: “A smaller book was written about the school back in 2001, but the authors did not have the benefit of the internet or access to a lot of the records in those days.

“I always thought it would be lovely to know more about what happened at the school, why it happened, how it happened, and all of the history.”

“When the last headmistress died, lots of old documents relating to the school were given to the Old Girls’ Association which filled many of the gaps.

“I was able to use those, together with our own archives and my knowledge of genealogical research to build the story. “

“It is just a bit of our own history and Halstead’s history, and we are the last generation that remember it, so I wanted to write it all down.”

The story details of how the school came to be built, following the arguments of those who saw no benefit of educating girls, as well as the rivalry between the boy’s grammar schools at Halstead and Earls Colne.

The chapters chronologically follow the career paths of the four head teachers, as well as biographies of over 30 teachers who taught at the school.

It is also full of social history, including the many stories and memories of old girls that attended the school.

Jane told of some of her recollections of the school.

She said: “I have lots of fond memories.

“I remember it was a very friendly place and very small with the benefit of only one class per year, so we knew virtually everyone in the school.

“I really enjoyed my time there.”

The Book is available from Halstead Grammar School Old Girls’ Association, 148 Rayne Road in Braintree.

It costs £12.99 plus £3.50 P&P, with all proceeds going to the Old Girls’ Association.