Walton High School History Department

June 12th 1981

One for Y12 history.

In June 1981 Thatcher’s monetarism experiment was going horribly wrong.

Public spending was slashed and taxes increased such as VAT raised to 15% and Petrol Duty raised by 15p in the pound in the March budget. It was christened by Labour leader Michael Foot as the “No Hope budget” by 1981 opinion polls will put the Conservative Party at just 16% approval.

On June 12th 1981 Coventry band The Specials released single “Ghost Town” its story of social strife and inner city hopelessness would hit number one and become one of the most famous songs of the decade.

This message of hopelessness would play out in July when cities such as Liverpool (Toxteth) and London (Brixton) erupted in violence.

“𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴?
𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘧“

Revision tomorrow. 10-12. Come to room 38, i will split people between rooms- this will likely be in terms of your history grouping as I would like equal numbers.. Can you be there for 9.45 please. This is important. You will need to sign in at reception.

Bring something to write with, and I don’t need you in uniform!

We shall start with Cold War and move onto Germany after a short break half way through . It won’t go on past 12.

Mr Pierpoint.

One for Y11 Cold War revision in 1961. In response 12th April Gagarin space flight, President Kennedy authorised the Apollo 11 project. It would take 8 years, and cost $20bn but in 1969 they would land on the moon

The photo is a memorandum between the President and Vice President Lyndon B Johnson authorising the setting up of the project

We’re looking at arriving back in Stafford for around 10pm-10.30pm

We shall update after a short stop soon.

Remembrance 2024

Thanks to and for their contributions. Thank you also to Lucy and James who laid the wreath as head prefects

At the start of a massive week in American politics with Tuesday’s election…..

November 3rd 1964. Lyndon Johnson won the 1964 US Presidential election defeating Republican candidate Barry Goldwater convincingly. Johnson was the incumbent President having replaced the assassinated John F Kennedy. This was a high point for Johnson before the USA become further embroiled in the Vietnam War. By 1968 Johnson would shock America by announcing his intention not to stand again for election.

November 3rd 2020. Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in the last Presidential election. On Tuesday, Biden’s Vice President, Kamala Harris will go head to head with Donald Trump for the Presidency in one of the closest races in History. Look out for seven key battleground states likely to swing the election. Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

One for a weekend/Black History Month/ follow up from assembly a few weeks ago.

On 19th October 1979 Coventry band “The Specials” released their eponymous debut album. The band had been founded on the back of the Rock Against Racism movement that was the feature of my assembly a few weeks ago.

The band’s mission was to bring together black and white people and their culture, together. They formed a central part of the Rock Against Racism movement going forward.

This year’s mission of is to change the narrative. This album did this, and put Coventry and the Midlands at the heart of the British cultural map.

On Thursday, two of our y13 historians accompanied the trip to Auschwitz.

In a sobering, but unforgettable day, here are some of the pictures taken by them.

It’s work by such organisations that ensure lessons like this are not forgotten.

Thanks to Megan and Hannah for being such brilliant ambassadors for Walton High School

MPP

One for Y10 and Y11. Words and images from Professor Frank McDonough.

29 October 1929. “Black Tuesday”. This was the day the Wall Street Stock Market suffered its most devastating fall. It was followed by the “Great Depression” of the 1930s, which had a huge impact on trade and international upheaval around the world.

Harry Patch, the World War One veteran that inspired a beautiful Radiohead song Commemorating the last remaining soldier from WW1.

Knitting club. Wednesday lunchtime. 1pm
It’s not just knitting. We’re attempting to make blankets for the memory boxes distributed by Sands, the stillbirth & neonatal death charity they look after parents at their lowest point.

Come along for a chat, or to meet new friends.

World book day today. Obviously no celebration in school, so here is one from the Pierpoint household. Keep reading. It’s the best thing you can do to widen horizons, spend your time, and thrive in school!