Scott Lidgett Alums Return to Former Stomping Grounds, Now a Thriving Charter School
Scott Lidgett Secondary School alumni took a trip down memory lane recently, visiting the site of their old school which is now the new Charter School Bermondsey. The original Scott Lidgett opened in 1971, named after a Methodist leader who made a positive impact on the Bermondsey area. Though the school closed in 1991, the alumni network has remained remarkably active for over 35 years.
The visit wasn’t just a nostalgic walk through the past. The Scott Lidgett alumni were treated to a barbeque with current staff of the Charter School Bermondsey, where stories flowed freely about curriculum changes, discipline methods of yesteryear, and of course, the inevitable tales of student and teacher antics.
Principal Marcus Huntley led the alumni on a tour of the impressive new building. They peeked into classrooms, reminisced in the hallways, and even enjoyed a friendly kickaround on the rooftop Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).
The visit served to solidify the bond between the Scott Lidgett legacy and the new Charter School Bermondsey. David Shand, head of the Scott Lidgett Alumni Association, pledged to maintain the connection. In a particularly touching gesture, the alumni association has agreed to sponsor a prize at the school in the name of the late John Pritchard, the former principal of Scott Lidgett. John’s son, Sion Pritchard was present for the visit, making it a truly special occasion.
“What struck me about yesterday and talking to your staff is that as much as times, attitudes, and approaches have changed since Scott Lidgett’s time, many of the challenges you face now are the same as those in the 1970s and 1980s. What I see in them is the same dedication and determination to benefit Bermondsey children and allow them to aspire and achieve. We couldn’t ask for a better legacy than that.” David Shand
This reunion wasn’t just a look back, but a bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that the spirit of Scott Lidgett continues to inspire students in Bermondsey.
