THE first post-war secondary modern school to be built in the Barnsley borough was opened by the Mayor, Ald Mrs Mary Brannan on May 6 1957.
Known as the Edward Sheerien, it was named after Ald E Sheerien who had been a member of Barnsley Town Council since 1923.
In recognition of his great services to the borough, and particularly in connection with education, the Education Department had agreed to name the school after him. He had been mayor of Barnsley in 1929 as well as a member of the education committee for more than a quarter of a century.
Harry P Lockwood was the first headmaster at the school. His first teaching appointment in Barnsley had been at a junior mixed school and, after four years' experience there,transferred to a senior mixed school.
He was later appointed to the staff of Longcar Selective Central School where he held the post of senior master.
He was later appointed head of Hoyle Mill Primary and in September 1956, nearly a year before the official opening, took up the headship at Edward Sheerien.
• Picture: Alderman E Sheerien - Edward Sheerien School was named after him.
