South Yorkshire Times, July 2nd, 1960

Three to Join New Wombwell Comprehensive School Staff

Pictured are three new members of staff appointed at Wombwell Secondary School. They are Miss M. Watkin-son, L.R.A.M. (music), Mr. D. J. Woodcock, B.A., Dip. Ed. (French) and Mr. G. Mayan, B.A. (social studies).

A native of Barnsley, Mr. Woodcock attended Keir Street Primary School and Barnsley Holgate Grammar School, and on a Borough Major scholarship attended Leeds University from 1936 to 1939. He gained a B.A. honours degree in French, with Latin, Spanish and English as subsidiary subjects.

For the whole of the Second World War he served with the K.O.Y.L.I. and afterwards gained a diploma in education and teacher’s certificate at Leeds University.

Sportsman

Mr Woodcock has been on the teaching staff of Coldcotes County Secondary Boys’ School, Leeds, for 11 years. He is keenly interested in sport, having refereed in local football for many years until retirement through a muscle injury. He is also interested in cricket. Mr Woodcock has organised trips to Switzerland on three occasions, and also to France and London. HP is secretary of Grange Lane Allotments Society, Barnsley, is a member of the management committee of Barnsley Y.M.C.A., and is chairman of the members’ committee,

From Mexborough

Mr, Geoffrey Mavall is 32, married with two young children. His home town is in Huddersfield, but for the past six years he has taught at Mexborough. He was educated at Huddersfield College and London University. In his college days he played rugby and water polo, and was also a member of the cross country running team. His academic qualifications include a B.A. degree and a Diploma in Public Administration, and at present he is completing research for a Master of Education degree.

He has been senior geography master at Mexborough Technical School.

At Wombwell Mr. Mayan hopes to take the study of geography beyond the school walls by initiating school journeys in the British Isles and abroad.

For some years Mr. Mayall was local secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters and attended conferences as the Don and Dearne Valley representative.