The Shade School was situated on the Shade just after the turning to Qua Fen Common on the right as you leave Soham towards Ely. The Shade opened on 4th October 1875, being called The Soham Board Boys School, with 23 pupils on roll rising to 29 pupils by the end of the first week. There were 4 members of Staff at this time, Mr Joseph Farrow was the Headmaster, with Mr Herbert Mann, Mr Christopher Ray, and Mr George Pendle. Attendance of pupils was varied in the beginning due to the time of year, many boys being required to work on the land at harvest times, and sometimes due to the weather as many children had poor clothing and some had no shoes. In 1902 an epidemic of the measles closed the School for 1 month. Further changes were made in 1906 when the School became known as the Soham Boys and Infants County School, this led to new classrooms being built with an enrolment of 257 pupils. At this time the Headmaster was Mr Fenton. In November 1926 the first School meals were started being cooked in the School House, which was adjacent to the School, it cost 3d per meal with cocoa being available to all boys not having a full meal.
In 1926 the Headmaster was Mr Lovering who stayed with the School until 1958. In 1932 the first major educational school trip took place, with a visit to London accompanied by Mr Lovering. In 1941 a parachute bomb fell within 600 yards of the School causing some damage with one class being relocated to the Salvation Army Hall whilst repairs were carried out. In July 1958 with the opening of the Village College the School closed, reopening in September 1958 under the new name of The Soham County Junior Mixed School, this being the first time the School had accepted Girls, there were 70 boys and 52 girls on roll. The School House was put up for sale in 1984 and in 1990 the School closed its doors for the last time after serving the Community for 115 years. Today the School no longer exists being demolished for modern housing although the School House still remains but is a private dwelling.

Headmasters:

1875 - 1906 Mr Joseph Farrow,
1906 - 1925 Mr G. G Fenton, 
1926 - 1958 Mr P. W Lovering,
1958 - 1963 Mr J.W.F. Wheeler,
1963 - 1967 Mr P Lerway,
1967 Sept - Dec Mr C Woods,
1968 - 1973 Mr F Beeby,
1974 - 1984 Mr B.H Field,
1984 Sept - Dec Mr S Windmill,
1985 - 1990 Mr I.S Garmston.