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When work resumed in September, there were 33 children on the books. On
the evening of December 5th, 1940, St. John’s Church was bombed and the school was rendered unusable. At this time there was an average attendance of 78 out of a possible 95.
The schools were closed for a week, then a room in the Boys’ School was used for the boys in the morning and girls in the afternoon. Attendance was very poor and the registers were not
marked. As a temporary arrangement in January 1941, two rooms in the Boys’ School were used while the Infant School was made ready for use. The Infant Department was in use again by January 22nd.
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In March the raids were continuing, some very heavy. The school was
closed one day as no children came to school, following a heavy night raid, so the Secretary advised closing, in order to get some sleep. Heavy raids all the following week lowered the
attendance. The longest day-time raid lasted two hours, five minutes, going over the dinner hour into the afternoon.
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An unexploded bomb, in one district, caused the evacuation of families for
four days, so the children in that district were absent from school. Extra Summertime was introduced in October 1941 and the children found it difficult to get used to it. The collection of waste paper
was started at the school in November 1941. In those grim days of 1941, it must have been a real delight for the children in December that a kind donor in Gosport together with the Council, presented
chocolates for all the infants. Dr. White brought them to the school.
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In 1942, there was a shortage of staff in the junior school so an infant
teacher was lent to them. This left 2 infant teachers with 152 children on the books. Attendance was sometimes poor because of the raids, but it was still difficult. School was open for
August again, with 4 teachers on the duty rota. Toys were received for the children in December. A Christmas tree was given with presents and buns and lemonade.
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In January 1943, toys were given to class III who had the greatest increase in
Membership of the National Savings. There was another savings Campaign later. This time it was called “Wings for Victory” week. (Last year it was “Warships Week”). When
a teacher resigned in April, there were further difficulties with numbers. There were already over 40 children to a teacher, but it was not until nearly four weeks later that a supplementary
teacher was appointed. School dinners were started on 24th May 1943 and 41 children had dinner at school. Gas masks were inspected one day in June. On September 8th, Italy
capitulated. The gloom of a November morning was made more gloomy when there was found to be no electricity in the shelter when the air raid warning sounded.
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On April 24th 1944, a police officer spoke to the school about security measures. A week later, the Warden spoke to the school about safety measures. On May 24th 1944, fourteen children accompanied Miss. Rainford to the Hospital at 3.30 p.m. to present their gifts for the hospital’s 21st Birthday. Sports were held on a Wednesday afternoon in June in connection with “Salute the Soldier” week.
The school was closed to enable children and staff to attend. The target of fund-raising was £60, but £128 was received. A very restless night was spent by Gosport people on June 25th to 26th,
because of a succession of flying bombs, resulting in poor attendance at school the following day. There was a similar night again in July.
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Grove Road School was re-opened in January 1945 and 11 children went there
from St. John’s. Gosport schools were to be administered by the County from April 1st 1945. May 8th 1945 was Victory Day in Europe (V.E. Day). At St. John’s there was a short service of Thanksgiving and the children were dismissed for 2 days holiday. The Prime Minister spoke, on the radio, at 3 p.m. On May 18th,
the school celebrated with a victory party. The children were dismissed at 11 a.m. and returned for the party after dinner. The party was held on the lawn behind the vicarage.
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