Blacksell’s Academy

Blacksell’s Academy About the 1939-1972 school that many people called the Blacksell’s Academy. It closed in1972. (aka Blacksell's Academy, Derby College)

It was the Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School at Vicarage Street, Barnstaple, Devon. Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School in Vicarage Street, Barnstaple opened in1939.

24/08/2026

IF you have got any old Blacksells photos or stories that you would like to share. Please add them to this post comments below ⬇️

This is the 1939-1972 Blacksell’s Academy Old Boys School Register Attendance Book for Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern ...
12/08/2026

This is the 1939-1972 Blacksell’s Academy Old Boys School Register Attendance Book for Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School at Vicarage Street, Barnstaple, Devon.
There are now around 300 names in the book.
Please sign the book ✍🏻 here➡️
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hz7UcT6Nh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What years were you at BBSMS?
Please add your name to the SCHOOL REGISTER ATTENDANCE BOOK by entering the years that you attended in the comments section below. For example 1965-1969.

And we’re off. Didn’t you just love cross-country? Out the back gate and around up to Raleigh. Down Smokey Lane and thro...
01/05/2026

And we’re off. Didn’t you just love cross-country? Out the back gate and around up to Raleigh. Down Smokey Lane and through the farm and all the dung.
How many of you are up for a retracing re-run next winter when it’s nice and boggy?

29/04/2026

This is the 1939-1972 Blacksell’s Academy Old Boys School Register Attendance Book for Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School at Vicarage Street, Barnstaple, Devon.
There are now around 300 names in the book.
Please sign the book ✍🏻 here➡️
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hz7UcT6Nh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Academy closed. The Rock Park Pool closed. This Leisure Centre was opened and that’s now also long gone too.
29/04/2026

The Academy closed. The Rock Park Pool closed. This Leisure Centre was opened and that’s now also long gone too.

The Miller Institute and Gardens at Barnstaple. It was part of the Derby Lace Factory in Vicarage Street. It was used fo...
19/04/2026

The Miller Institute and Gardens at Barnstaple. It was part of the Derby Lace Factory in Vicarage Street. It was used for social events and recreational gardens.
In 1939 it became the Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School. The pond in the foreground shown on this postcard was still there. The gardens behind it became the school playground.
It closed as a secondary school in 1972. It later became Yeo Valley Primary School.

Can you name this teacher ?
11/04/2026

Can you name this teacher ?

Your Old Boys Homework.Describe this place, its location and your memories of it.
11/04/2026

Your Old Boys Homework.
Describe this place, its location and your memories of it.

Address

Vicarage Street
Barnstaple
EX327

Website

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