Recognising that the Central School would not be fully reopened after the First World War, the Falkirk Ironfounders’ Committee suggested in 1917 that the ironfounding course then being held in the Science and Art School could be moved there, and that the moulding classes should immediately be transferred from the High School. Falkirk was then the world centre for light castings and the Falkirk School Board was well aware of its responsibilities for training and the potential for cooperation with the ironfounders. Having agreed to this course of action it had to turn down an approach from the Local Food Committee to use part of the building as a communal kitchen. The Ironfounders’ Committee was represented by J.C. Jeffrey (Camelon Iron Co), Mr Steven (McDowall, Steven & Co), and Mr Kidston (Falkirk Iron Co), and their scheme for a technical institute for ironfounders’ classes was approved by the Education Department. In 1920 the Central School was rented to the Ironfounders’ Federation at the nominal figure of £20 a year. The Ironfounders’ Federation provided all of the chemicals and apparatus, but structural alterations were the responsibility of the Education Authority. Lectures were delivered on all aspects of the iron trade which then employed thousands of people in the area.
Part of the building was still used for advanced pupils for the teaching of science and in 1925 a lecture room adjoining the laboratory was reinstated as a classroom. Demand for this grew and a few years later the moulding shop was also converted into a classroom. Consequently, in 1930 a moulding shop at one of the local foundries had to be rented for the ironfounding course. The British Cast Iron Research Association still had a laboratory at the school until 1949.
Meanwhile, in 1933 a new school for Catholics was built in the former playground to the south and the schools became known as the Meek’s Road Schools. In the 1950s they became St Andrew’s RC School and continued as such until 1976 when the present building was erected off Forbes Road opposite Callendar Park. The old buildings were then demolished.
Sites and Monuments Record
| Meeks Road | SMR 1835 | NS 8875 8035 |
Falkirk Local History Society 