History of Wheeler Primary School
The Wheeler Street Board Schools opened its doors to pupils on July 7th 1902 and by the end of that year it had 169 pupils on roll.
The buildings were designed by the local architect, B.S Jacobs, from Hull. The school grounds were originally made up of two buildings with an infants and a junior school and two playgrounds.
The surviving building , which was the old juniors, is now the home of Wheeler Primary School.
World War 2
During WWII the school played an integral role for all its community members as a large air raid shelter was built on the playground.
This provided safety and refuge for the pupils and staff along with other members of the community. Original school logs, dating back from 1902, record every time the children were evacuated to the shelter which was often 2-3 times per day. This iconic bunker can still be seen on our school playground.
Maureen Lipman CBE
We are proud to share that the actress Maureen Lipman CBE is part of the Wheeler alumni.
Maureen was the daughter of Maurice Julius Lipman and Zelma Pearlman. Her father was a tailor; he owned a shop near the Ferens Art Gallery. She grew up in a Jewish family and found post-war Hull a welcoming place for the Jewish minority. Maureen attended Wheeler Primary during the 1950’s before going on to Newland School for Girls and finishing her studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She has had a very successful career and held many roles in films, theatre and television along with being awarded a CBE in 1999 for her services to drama. She is still acting today and can be seen on Coronation Street playing the role of Tyrone Dobbs’ grandmother Evelyn.
Historic building
On 21st January 1994 Wheeler Primary School was made a grade II listed building by National Heritage due to its historic architecture which was designed by B.S Jacobs.
This identifies the building as being of national importance and therefore needs to be conserved.
Leaders and teachers have high expectations for every child.
Pupils in key stage 2 talk confidently about a wide range of authors and texts they have read.
Pupils are proud to be part of the Wheeler family.
Pupils take books home which contain the sounds that they are learning in class. This gives them plenty of practice.
The teachers are so supportive they help and guide you all the way through the year
Being at Wheeler is like being part of a family and that makes learning fun
Parents say that the school is ‘fantastic’ and that staff ‘greet the children come hail, rain or shine’ every morning as they arrive.
I think the best thing about being a Wheeler pupil is that all of the staff listen and care about you
They want pupils to ‘Be Respectful, Responsible and Resilient in Learning and Life’
Throughout my time at Wheeler, I have been given so many opportunities to experience and learn new things
It is a safe and happy place to learn.
The school has made recent changes to the teaching
of phonics to help pupils get off to the best start with their reading.
Leaders give pupils the opportunity to complete well-planned and exciting
activities, such as performing in front of an audience, in order to create a ‘bag’ full of life experiences as they progress through the school. .
Leaders have designed and implemented an ambitious and well-planned curriculum.
Classrooms are calm and purposeful places for pupils to learn.
The staff are really encouraging. They always help us to be the best we can be
Pupils are encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards themselves and others.
The leader’s vision for the school is demonstrated in the way pupils behave
Pupils are excited about adding experiences to their ‘Bag for Life’.
Leaders are passionate about preparing pupils to be good citizens for the world beyond Wheeler Primary School
The pastoral team works well together to ensure that pupils are safe.
The best thing is having someone to go to when you’re upset
Pupils enjoy coming to Wheeler Primary School every day.
There are
opportunities for pupils to attend different clubs and raise funds for charities
The support that leaders provide for families is a strength of the school.
Pupils report that bullying is rare, but if it happens, staff will sort it out quickly and fairly.
Everyone cares for each other and that every teacher adds a little bit of fun into every lesson