by prefabricated concrete blocks containing classrooms, a canteen and a kitchen in 1946-47. By the early 1950s, there were 330 pupils by 20 staff at the school. In 1952, as part of the school's golden jubilee celebrations, staff and pupils at the school proposed purchasing land behind the school house. Owned by British Railways, the firm eventually agreed a price of £750; over a three-year period, the school raised the funds through donations from parents, staff and local people. The playing fields were eventually purchased, but delays meant that they were not opened until 1962. A major building programme began in 1957 across three phases, which removed much of the temporary accommodation and added modern buildings. In the first phase, the Council erected a single-storey block of science classrooms and laboratories on the site of disused air-raid shelters. For phase two, three classrooms were torn down; a second storey was added to the science block; and a dining hall, kitchen, a music room, administration area, reception, changing rooms, and sixth form facilities were built. The third phase took place in 1967–68, and included the addition of classrooms for eight subjects. 1970–79: Comprehensive debate The educational opportunities for secondary modern pupils were limited compared to those at grammar schools, prompting criticism of the tripartite system. A reluctance to improve secondary moderns or expand grammar schools under the Conservatives prompted the Labour Government to issue Circular 10/65 in 1965 which requested local education authorities convert to a comprehensive system. In 1971, Sleaford parents voted in favour of comprehensive education, but rejected the Council's proposals. New plans were unveiled in 1973: the High School and the Secondary Modern sites were to become mixed 11–16 schools and Carre's would become a sixth form college. Parents voted for the plans (1,199 to 628) with a 50% turnout. The County Council approved them, but allowed governors a veto. Following negotiations with governors at Carre's, the scheme was revised in 1974 so that Carre's and the High School would become 11–18 schools; the secondary modern would be closed, its site at Westholme absorbed by the KSHS. Despite support from most staff and all three headteachers, the new Lincolnshire County Council voted to return the scheme for further consultation in January 1975, a move the Sleaford Standard called "politically motivated". Two of the leading opponents, councillors Eric Fairchild and Reg Brealey, were governors at the secondary modern and