In 1971 Roy Laing was appointed Headmaster, along with his wife Margaret, who became Domestic Bursar with general supervision of catering and domestic areas. Kelvin Gott was appointed Deputy Headmaster, and Sidney Best became Chairman of the Board of Governors, and a new era of the school was begun.

Alongside the academic work of the school were other activities which helped to stretch the exprience of the boys. The Lyke Wake Walk was a test of endurance, Youth Hostelling in the Lake District a total learning experience as was camping at home and abroad. One boy took his driving test whilst still at Breckenbrough.

Under their Tutor Mr. Corkish the school's Brass Ensemble were entered for the Ryedale Festival in June 1972 and were rewarded for all their hard work by gaining the Lady Clarissa Duncombe Cup for School Brass and Military Bands. Links with the outside world were formed by a Badminton Club using the school gym, affiliation with local Youth Clubs when they purchased Carlton Lodge, and organization by the boys of a Disco in a nearby hall. Canoeing and Five-a-Side Football were introduced on the sporting side.

In 1972 a Work Experience Pilot Scheme was started and this was eventually assimilated into the curriculum in September 1973. In this scheme boys of 15½ or over could attend an industry of their choice and aptitude for one day a week. The initial intake was as follows:- 2 boys in a garage, 2 at poultry farms, 1 at a stud and horse training establishment. It was hoped that the facilities for other forms of experience would develop.

The summer camping expeditions of 1972 to France, Sandsend and Norfolk involving 42 boys and 7 staff were all reported as successful, where good groundwork and preperation had made the camps both educational and enjoyable.

Traditionally held on the last Sunday of the Autumn Term, the Carol Service is always a most pleasant evening. Many friends of the school attend. The Hall is a most suitable venue for this event with it's mixture of antiquity, warmth and brightness, and the feeling of togetherness engendered by the crowded room, the carol singing and readings, and the festive spirit. Light refreshments served afterwards give opportunity for friendly chat.

The practise of allowing staff to attend course, in addition to the secondment of teaching staff, has led to a diverse and interesting mixture of expertise being available to the pupils. A Mountain Rescue Course attended by the Maintenance Officer has opened up a new field of adventure, and a course on Child Care attended by one of the Matrons brought new thought on care and understanding in her dealings with the boys. Course content, development of special skills, and understanding of the problems have been well used subsequently.

In 1973 it was decided to alter the term timetable to institute a half-term holiday during the summer term, like the state school. This allowed boys to return home with their families over a Bank Holiday period. Teachers with families found this helpful and older pupils were able to have a short break prior to exams, which helped lessen the tension. This year the Brass Ensemble continued to perform well, giving concerts in the neighbourhood, entering the Harrogate and Ryedale Festival Competitions and winning several awards. Football continued to feature largely with some matches played as far afield as Lincolnshire and Lancashire. As a spin off, 7 boys attended a course and passed an examination as Referees with the Football Association. The Five-a-Side team also performed well although narrowl beaten in the semi-final of the North Yorkshire and Teeside Youth Association League. With the fairly onsistent figure of 47 boys on the roll, the spaced admission rate to allow a settling in period seemed to be working well.

In 1975 the staff consisted of 7 teachers in addition to the Head and Deputy, a social worker, the Domestic Bursar, 2 matrons, numerous domestic workers, 2 clerical staff, a cook, a maintenance officer and a gardener. A new venture involved the purchase of 10 bicycles, and the boys took to wheels. This helped them to get around for practical purposes to the surrounding neighbourhood, saving staff transporting them in some cases. It also opened up a learning situation of caring for the bikes and keeping them roadworthy - a useful practical aspect which some of the boys really enjoyed.

A new classroom scheme, to construct 4 classrooms, planned by Mr. Tony Lester, the architect in 1972 eventualliy came to fruition in 1976 at the cost of £40,000, which was paid with assistance from the Department of Education and Science. Teachers and pupils were able to benefit through the reorganisation of teaching rooms, and games space was made available.

The school fees continued to rise inline with inflation. In 1974 they were £1612 per annum, but rose sharply in January 1975 to £2367 per annum. Continuing costs in that year brought the 1976 figure to £2844 per annum and by January 1977 they were £3229 per annum.

In autumn 1973 it was noted that boys in the younger age group were being referred, and it was hoped that this would allow an easier flow into the nore senior parts of the school, although referalls of older boys would still be accepted.

A tropical fish display tank was installed in the inner hall about htis time and served to create an interest in a formerly dark corner. Visitors to Breckenbrough will no doubt have enjoyed this feature over the years. It was established by teacher John Trevor, who organised back-up tanks in the sick room where fish could breed and become acclimatized, and the project also created an educational interest amongst the boys. In 1974, camping and orienteering courses were undertaken. These allowed the boys to 'qualify' as competent campers, taking such tests as care of equipment, erection of tents, catering, country code, map-reading, first-aid, etc., whilst orienteering was concerned with high accuracy map-reading and compass work, and was set up with the help of the Forestry Commission.

In 1977 refurnishing of the quiet room and dormitories was undertaken, with new carpets and chairs. Mr. Turner the maintenance officer designed wardrobes and lockers and commenced a programme of making them. Decoration also continued to plan. In September the Aga cooker was replaced by Calor gas, thus making the life for the cook much easier and the cookers a predictable temperature. The laundry facilities were also under review and by mid 1978 a new washing mashine and tumble drier had been installed.

During the summer three long walks took place. 38 boys and 8 staff set off on the White Rose Walk, and all but one completed the 36 miles. The Lyke Wake Walk was sponsored, and 18 completed the distance. The back-up parties of staff bringing sustenance, encouragement and first aid when needed were much appreciated and these long days out were truly days to be remembered. Sailing was a new venture during 1977 with 3 dinghies donated anonymously, once repaired and reconditioned were used weekly at the White Rose Club near Ripon, adding a new dimension to the sporting life of the school. Swimming became a compulsory activity until an achievement of 800 metres was reached. By hiring a coach and renting the Swimming Pool for one hour, this became a relatively cheap and most worthwhile venture.

This year the school were sad to learn of the death of Mr. Corkish who had made the Brass Section of the music department come alive until he left in 1976.

At the end of the school year a new mini-bus was purchased which allowed for sports trips to more distant places. Sport at the school continued with all the diversity possible and a table tennis table was installed as part of the indoor facilities.

Spring 1979 brought a new beginning to musical activities when they once again began to flourish under Mr. Routledge and Mrs. Pattison's tutelage. Evening activities and clubs involved computer studies at County Hall, modelling, chess, bridge, stamp collecting, as well as table tennis, badminton and football, and the Art room open each evening for painting. Ten boys go to Army Cadets, five attend Thirsk Church choir and one belongs to a local Scout group.

A report later in the year tells us that "Moral is high and the ability for academic work has increased quite heavily. The quality of life has spilled over into greater creativity and all'out of school' groups move steadily on". New instruments encouraged the Brass Group and the Art Department is always a hive of activity. Open Day exceeded expectations, serving over 300 teas, the only gauge as to numbers attending. The last few days of term were stimulated by two sets of visitors. From France came five boys and three staff, which was very stimulating, and numerous tours and visits were arranged. The second group was eight senior Scouts from Stornoway and here also the accents mingled in a most interesting fashion.

With a relaxed and happy atmosphere and all boys working hars and asking for more, the pressure takes some toll on staff who have little respite between academic periods, and sports, hobbies and outdoor pursuits but there is little doubt that the contentment stems from plenty of stimulation and opportunity.

All the household does justice to the excellent meals provided by the catering staff and once again all sat down to a wonderful Christmas Dinner in the Great Hall. The Carol Service was enhanced by a performance by the Brass Group and also with a Trumpet Solo by a boy who had recently passed and examination with Distinction.

Applications for 1980 for a Summer Camp from a school in Pudsey and from Rotary and Round Table Clubs of Northallerton for a Charity Evening were warmly approved by the Board who were pleased to think that the school was able to be used in this way.

In 1980 James Watts became the first Staff Representative to be welcomed to the Board of Governors' Meetings and subsequently a Fire, Health and Safety Committee was set up at his suggestion. The Architects report on the Fire Officers requirements was studied and certain matters of fire precautions were discussed. It was agreed that the work would should be completed at the earliest opportunity so that the boys would be in as safe an environment as it was possible to provide.

1981 brought a spate of staff changes, James Watts resigned, having done much to raise the standard of mathematics over the previous four years during which his organisation of the music teaching was also much appreciated. Peter McGlashon, having served the school since 1974 with great enthusiasm, loyalty and unstinted effort, moved onto a Deputy Headship in Hertfordshire. Kevin Grady joined the staff to teach Mathematics and Michael Fahey came, in 1983, to teach English, History and Photgraphy, the latter proved to be a most interesting addition to the schools artwork.

Another visit of the H.M. Inspectors, in 1981, and reports on all aspects of life at the school were made. The therapeutic strategy was considered excellent and liason links with family by the Social Worker, and follow up by the After Care Officer, were well maintained. Good medical support/care was available although it was thought that a Consultant Psychiatrist and other counselling services should be more readily at hand. The staff were reported as "versatile, and have established good relationships all round, with the pupils' attitudes clearly very good". Staff ratio to boys was generous at 1 to 5.7, although the age range was currently unbalanced. A main recommendation was the need to keep staff int touch with mainstream teaching and ideas, and here the managers were congratulated on the support given to staff for long term training courses.

Following completion of the Headmasters house, which proved to be a very pleasing building with the Headmaster's study overlooking the drive, it was possible to look toward the provision of new accomodation for the senior boys.

With the help of various Trust Funds this was development was made possible, and with the new, well furnished cubicles, great excitement was generated and the changes are now much appreciated by those in occupation. plans for a reorganisation of the bathroom and toilet area have also come to fruition, and everyone appreciates the carpeting of the dormitory corridor which has made a great deal of difference to the noise level.

In 1984 matron Nora Rhodes retiredafter giving many years of motherly care to many boys. Gifts and expressions of love and gratitude from boys and staff were the order of her 'fairwell' at the end of the school year.

On the retirement of Bill Oyston, gardener, it was realised how much he also would be missed as he was so helpful with the boys. His replacement is Egan Prudon, with Peter McGovern as part time gardener/handyman.

When Gary Shears left to take up an appointment as a Deputy Head Master in Gloucestershire, it was following a most acceptable and much appreciated stay at the school. He was replaced by Trevor Bennet.

Mention is made of staff when they have left, but in 1985, David Medd is still at the school, teaching History and Languages for the past 21 years. As Housemaster his responsibility to the boys has been to hold their purse strings and dole out their pocket money as well as care of their general welfare.

In view of the interest in Computer Technology, 1 Commodore, 1 Tandy and 3 Acorn Computers have been provided and are now in regular use. Over thirty boys have been studying computer techniques.

Examinations, always a trauma, sometimes provide better results than expected and that is a cause for jubilation. It is good if pupils can move on to some further education either of an academic or a work-orientated nature.

The work of the school moves on as new pupils arrive and new challenges present themselves. The environment of Breckenbrough has given, and will continue to give, opportunity for living in a community and to provide a creative environment to develop the full potential of young personalities.