“Archives is about recording, preserving, restoring and researching the past including its documents, photographs and artefacts. It is about making those items available for other people in the community. It is only when we really know our past that we are in a position to plan properly for the future”
Where are we?
The Archives Department is located in the Senior School, beneath the main school reception. Further details regarding its location may be seen on the ARCHON website, the national directory of archives departments.
Who are we?
Charles Whitney Grace Pritchard-Woods Pat Bryan
Archivist Assistant Archivist Volunteer
Opening times
We are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.00 am – 4.00pm during term time only. To arrange an appointment please call us on 01242 267402 or e-mail us at cewhitney@deanclose.org.uk or gmpritchard-woods@deanclose.org.uk
What do we do?
The Archives Department is where most School records are kept. The Archivist is required to acquire, collect, catalogue, keep and manage documents, articles, notices, letters, programmes, ephemera about the School and to preserve them; to keep electronic records where possible and appropriate; to act as a guide around the buildings, documents and past events and to give presentations to classes and to groups both within and outside the school as may be appropriate having in all cases regard to the law concerning Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.
Research in the Archives Department
The Department informs and undertakes research for current pupils of the School, both junior and senior, staff, Old Decanians and their families and friends of the school. Both they and outside students and researchers are welcome to make use of the Archives for their own research by arrangement with the Archivist. The Department reserves the right to charge for research undertaken on behalf of outside individuals or bodies.
How can you help?
We are always very grateful for any items of interest donated to the archive and are only too pleased to hear from Old Decanians with stories of their time at Dean Close. Without the generosity of all those people who have given their time, mementoes and memories to the collection the Archives would not be as comprehensive as they are.
So, if you are clearing out the loft and happen to stumble on some photographs, old uniforms or school work from your days at Dean Close School that you feel you would like to donate to the School collection then please contact us.
Alternatively, if you have a spare moment to write down a few memories of your time spent here which you would not mind sharing with us we would really like to hear from you. Reminiscences provide the sort of detail which is often lost about what life was like at the time and are an invaluable addition to the School Archives.
Volunteering
If you have close connections with the School and would like to volunteer for the Archives Department then please either write to or e-mail the Archivist to arrange a visit. There are a number of formalities to be completed, but once involved you will, we hope, enjoy your time working with the Archives Department.
History of Dean Close School
The current history of the School, At Close Quarters, is available from the School Shop telephone 01242 258016, email shop@deanclose.org.uk It is 400 pages long and includes over 320 photographs and illustrations. The hardback edition is £27 and the softback £19. Post and packaging is extra.
For a brief History of Dean Close Schools, please use this link.