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[25 MAR 09]
STOKE COUNCIL SCHOOL / STOKE SECONDARY MODERN
I went to Stoke Council Junior School (headmaster Mr Ison) as it then
was, tranferring at age 11yrs next door to the senior Stoke Secondary
Modern Girls' School in about 1949 (Britton Road).
It was a very good school, highly disciplined and possessing some
inspired teachers. Classes were large, around 35/38 pupils and operated
under the 'grade' system (A,B,&C) which seemed to work very well. No
bullying that I can remember except by the head. (More of that later)
We usually had one outing per year, for a day. North Wales was one, the
Cotswolds another. One year they ventured further afield, taking a party
to Paris but at £22 each, my parents couldn't afford that one.
School shows were quite a feature and these would have all been produced
on a shoe string as there was almost no money about just after the war.
Because I could sing, I was given a leading roll in 'The Bohemian Girl',
a light opera and for once, parents were invited. In 1951 I was
fortunate enough to be selected with one other girl to represent the
school in a choral concert of classical music including a new piece by
Ralph Vaughan Williams. This was performed during the Festival of
Britain in the Royal Albert Hall and conducted by the late Sir Adran
Boult. A terrific thrill.
For our playground, we had a tarmac space which mirrored the latest
crazes of the time. For several months everyone was standing on their
hands against the walls as hand-stands were all the rage. Later, we were
taught some ball-room dancing and we were all quickstepping around the
playground, humming the tunes as we went.
So, you can see that although the school may not have been really
academic it was in many ways far-seeing. The level of lesson content by
today's standards seemed excellent and much of it has stayed with me
over all these years. I hated and was no good at any of the math
subjects but the English, Geography and History were first rate and we
had some inspiring teachers. One who I remember well was Miss Beryl
Dunning, a tiny dot of a lady with a strong voice, a born teacher.
Another was Joan Ffoulks who taught us drama and produced plays. But
there were many other good ones.
I suppose the only person who spoiled it for me was a headmistress who
was a dragon, name of Hilda Peak who seemed to delight in losing her
temper, shouting, bullying and making our handwriting lessons a
terrifying hour once a week usually ending with someone getting
humiliated or slapped with a ruler. In those days, the cane was used
quite often and she didn't mind using it one bit! Only after a showdown
with my mother did she calm down a bit and start taking more care with
us.
It seems such a shame now to remember that we still felt failures for
not having passed to go to grammar school but in retrospect, I don't
think I could have done any better. If you want any more information I
will try to supply it.
I grew up in Potters Green, Coventry and lived there until 2000 when I
moved up north to Hartlepool, Teeside.
I have found it hard to track down old school friends from Woodway Park.
A voluntary directory of emails would help as there are suprisingly few
Woodway vets on Facebook.
I spotted your advert on the internet for information or photographs
about St Nicolas Primary School. I attended this school from 1972 to
1974 when I moved from Scotland. I am currently trying to find a
photograph of the building for a family Memory Book and would really
appreciate it if you could let me know if any exist or if you have any
you could email to me.
When I went there Mrs Millington was the
headmistress and we had an outdoor swimming pool. I remember lots of
things about attending the school - including being in the recorder
group and not actually being able to play very well and picking
caterpillars off the hedge and bringing them into the classroom - which
didn't go down too well. Mrs Arnold used to play the piano at
assemblies.
