This year is the 40th anniversary since Training for Teaching ended at Langham Tower in Sunderland, and to mark the occasion the University’s Alumni Association and the Sunderland Old Student Teachers’ Association are inviting anyone who studied there to return for a Summer Garden Party.
In 2004 the University of Sunderland said goodbye to one of its most well-known buildings after more than 80 years. In 2005 Sunderland High School purchased the historic building and now has agreed to open their doors on Thursday, July 16, from 2 to 4pm. There will be a chance to look around Langham, see some memorabilia, and meet some old friends.
Langham was built for William Adamson, the son of a prominent shipbuilder and ship-owner. After his death the building changed hands several times and was rented by the Vaux family at one point, before becoming home to Sunderland Teacher Training College in 1922.
In 1975 the college was merged with Sunderland Polytechnic and for three years Langham remained the centre of the Faculty of Education, until further changes in 1979 saw it adapted for use as an administrative centre.
Colin Orr, who studied at Langham between 1963 and 1965 and is also the Secretary of the Sunderland Old Student Teachers’ Association, said: “The termination of Langham Tower in 1975 as a Teacher Training College needs to be marked and needs to be remembered because it had a high national reputation.
“My main course was History and the Department had a particularly good reputation at that time due to Mr Trevor Cairns and the deputy Mr Tom Corfe who led the team. They were both distinguished historians and it was an honour to be sitting at their feet.”
He continued: “My first teaching practice was at Hendon Junior Mixed School in January 1966 at the class of Mr Brian Liddle who was a natural teacher and I learned a lot from him. I also completed another two teaching practices at Castle View Secondary Modern School and at Woodside Mixed School. So when I left college I decided that I’d teach in Primary Education.”
Former teacher training staff and students who studied at Langham Tower are welcome to join the Garden Party. It will take place on Thursday July 16, from 2 to 4pm, at Sunderland High School. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Email the University of Sunderland Alumni Office at alumni@sunderland.ac.uk or call on 0191 515 3664 by July 2 to book your place and avoid disappointment.