Today Caistor Grammar School is regarded as one of the leading academic institutions in the county – but how many of the 629 youngsters who are currently pupils know the lengths their forefathers went to in order to keep it open? In 1960, Lindsey County Council had recommended that the school was closed, but a group of determined parents, staff and pupils fought to ensure this did not happen. Fifty years on, PETER THOMPSON joined those who took part in the protests as they came together to remember their fight for Caistor Grammar School.

CAISTOR Grammar School is no stranger to hitting the headlines, with students celebrating fantastic grades and prestigious university placements.

However, back in February 1960, the school became the focus of a media scrum when parents, staff and pupils marched to Lincoln to protest at plans to close the school.

Local and national press flocked to the area on February 18 of that year, to witness the determined fight of the group, who set off to march the 26 miles from Caistor Market Place to the city to hand over a petition.

The following day, Lindsey County Council was due to meet to approve the closure of the school, as recommended by its education committee, but the protesters were resolved to do all they could to stop them.

Before setting off, following a “normal day” at school, the organising committee of prefects John Steel, Carol Saunby and Roy Schofield met with representatives of local and national media to give details of their protest.

The reporters were furnished with the route of the walk, as well as details of catering arrangements, safety measures and medial attendance.

At 10.15pm, everyone settled down for a fish and chip supper and a cup of tea to sustain them through the night.

At 11pm on the eve of the walk, no less than 53 pupils – 28 boys and 25 girls – from the fifth and sixth forms braved a blizzard to set out on their mammoth trek.

Later, chairman of the education committee Alderman Raby told the relieved protesters the matter would be referred back to his committee for reconsideration.

Discussions continued for four years, when the council finally decided the school would remain open for good.

To celebrate their achievement, many of the students who walked that night returned to the school to mark 50 years since that historic journey.

The school was open through the day and a celebration dinner was held in Caistor Town Hall.

The event was organised by Charlotte Linsell, a teacher at the time who later became the deputy headteacher.

She said: “It has been a day full of memories and nostalgia.”