ARCHIVE PAGE: this website is gradually being updated from May 2022
Headmaster's reports were submitted to the Governing Body by Mr Gresswell: they were saved separately from minutes, and some survive. Additionally annual reports survive, which were written for presentation to the Annual PTA meeting, and first appeared in 1975.
Where staff departures and appointments are recorded, they have been added to the staff database. Exam summaries are given in more detail where data permits - in the exam summary pages. A selection of some of the more interesting items follows:
Probably the last foreseeable year that the school roll will reach the 700 mark.
County's method for setting staffing allocation to schools has changed - allowing an extra 0.5 staff despite a drop in roll of 20 students. On the staff, 19 of the 45 members of staff (3 part time) had been there since 1971. Mr Whitehead had left at Christmas. Richard Peters replaces him. Barbara Key departed, as did Tom Marcroft. Mrs Diana Hanson (formerly Miss Rushton) arrived, as did Roy Settle and Carol Peters on a 2-days per week timetable. Caterer Gladys Morris retired - having been present at the Grammar school since 1950, and apparently disillusioned by reheating cafeteria food rather than cooking properly. Mrs Rita Carr arrived as "cook in charge" rather than caterer. Rita was formerly in charge of the Central Kitchen in Wentworth Street.
Industrial action raised its head again, when in March teachers withdrew goodwill.
The continental day was raised as a possibility - partly due to withdrawal of lunchtime cover - starting at 8.00 and finishing without a lunchbreak. Extra curricular activities would then run in the afternoon.
The East Wing was finally decorated - the first time since 1970! New boilers for the West Wing, roof spaces insulated, the drive and quad were resurfaced, East Wing flat roofs resurfaced. A good year, but no increase in accommodation. 6th Form facilities were inadequate - the common room had seating at tables for 20, plus 12 study carrels, and a converted medical room could seat six. The school had attempted to acquire a prefab from Beechgrove Childrens Home, which closed on 31 July 1982. A proposal to convert the East Wing kitchen for study purposes was submitted.
A one-year Sixth course had been introduced: O level and CSE retakes. More successful than when tried some years previously, possibly reflecting uncertain economic times. Students took English, Maths, Social Studies, Biology, PE and Games, then opted for 2 retakes with Year Five classes plus one day per week at Pickering Agricultural centre or Scarborough Technical College, or a Business Studies course in school, or a work experience placement, or all retakes.
The DES had produced "The School Curriculum" in 1981, looking for breadth, relevance and preparation for life. In Malton Years 1-3 study English, Maths, History, Geography, RE, Science, Music, Art, PE and Games, and either Home Economics or Craft Design and Technology (though there were plans in 1983 for all to do both of the last two). In Four and Five all study English, Maths, Community Studies, PE and Games, at least one Science, Humanity and Practical, and at least one language "where practicable". All 6th formers do General Studies. The idea of a Computer appreciation for all course was present, though the £1000 per machine cost was an issue. An O level Italian course had been implemented through Miss Rowland in 1981-2 - 17 starters, 9 finishers - as an extra one-year course.
Trips abound once again. Mr Miller extended from skiing in the Cairngorms and Austria to climbing expeditions - Brimham, Hetchell Craggs, Arncliff and Peak Scar.
A level exam results were acceptable - of note Guy Woodall achieved 5 passes, and Nigel Miller went to University College Oxford. O level and CSE were not as strong - "a handful of able and hardworking children but [then] the standard of both ability and motivation fell away sharply". "At the least satisfactory". It was still felt "that we do not achieve quite the number of high grades that we would wish".