Opinion was virtually unanimous that the girls should be on a separate site from the boys and so the Women’s Branch of Concord College at Attingham Park opened in September 1977.

Due to available space, it was only possible to house and teach up to 65 girls on the site. This small number made the branch expensive to run. Specialist science subjects were not possible, so girls wanting to study them were bussed to and from Acton Burnell daily. Boys wanting to study Art or Geography came to Attingham.

The girls were a huge addition to the overall life of the college, both educationally and socially. Joint events now became possible, either at Attingham, or Acton Burnell. By 1981 it became clear that the girls were an integral part of the college, but if Concord was to increase, it would be better if the two branches were on the same site. In September 1981 the combined college was formed at Acton Burnell – and has since then gone from strength to strength to develop into the magnificent college that it is today.

Certain memories of our time at Attingham will always stick in my mind:

• The enormous hard work of the staff who undertook extra duties and teaching to keep Attingham running.
• The cheerful laughter and friendliness of the girls, many of whom are now Friends on Facebook.
• The fleet of taxis that ensured that boys and girls found their own ways of getting together, despite being housed some miles away.
• The beautiful grounds of Attingham Park – and the many stone steps leading up to the floors the college occupied.

Thank you Concord for having the ‘courage’ to open a women’s branch in 1977, and particularly, ‘thank you’ to all the girls who studied at Attingham and paved the way for those who came later, including my granddaughter who has just finished her A Levels.

Gill Hood

Principal of the Women’s Branch of Attingham 1978-1981/Head of Girls at Acton Burnell 1981-1983