Derby-Swadlingcote, 1955,1990

In 1951 M Imelda Hogan RSM and M Gabriel Harrington RSM came out from Derby Bridgegate to Swadlincote each week to conduct Sunday school. In 1955 a new apostolate began for the sisters, they took on responsibility for another school, St Edward’s in Swadlincote and Sister Imelda was appointed headmistress. Swadlincote was the last foundation from the Derby houses, the three founding sisters were Margaret M Clohessy RSM, Sister Imelda, and M Catherine Keogh RSM. The school was built as a church in 1870 and for the early part of the twentieth century was both church and elementary school. In 1921 the parish priest, Father Parmentier, set the church in a new site and left the old building for school use. It was through the generosity of all concerned, sisters, parish, and the priest Father Coyne, that the school began to grow in numbers and in improved standards of education. In six months from the Sisters arrival at the school both HMI inspectors and Medical Inspectors expressed appreciation of improved standards. The sisters needed to use the school as a convent at first but there was a convent for them and by the end of the first term and Father Coyne celebrated Mass in the new convent chapel. Inevitably the old school building became inappropriate for use as a school and once again many people were involved in building a new school. The local priest Father Martin Cummins made it top priority and the support of the MP Mr George Brown was secured, an open plan school was built and ready for 05 January 1972, by this time Sister Imelda had retired and Sister Catherine had been appointed headmistress until 1988 when she herself retired. The house remained open until 1990 when the decision was made to close the convent. Condensed from "Convents, St. Edward's Convent, Swadlincote" by "Sister Imelda", to be found in IOLM/DERS/1. C. Heron 03 July 2014