Frederick Bird School

My brother-in-law gave me this newspaper cutting of a picture of his cousin at Frederick Bird School in 1939 in the boys' England Rugby Club. His name was Des Callaghan. He died aged 15 in 1940 when a wartime bomb hit him.

Hi I was wondering if anybody could help. I was looking for the Frederick Bird School logo and always assumed it was an owl but looking on the internet all I could find was one of a swan. Was the logo recently changed as I went to Freddie's and always thought the logo was of an owl. If anybody has a picture of the owl would they be kind enough to post please. Thanks Tricia

Hello storm1986, I attended Frederick Bird SM Boys school during the early 1950's. At that time the school colours were black & white and the logo was a magpie. Maybe it was different for the girls or the primary school, I'm not sure.

I remember the school colours in the Infants and Juniors were green and yellow. I had a bottle green gabardine mac and gymslip in the winter, and green or yellow gingham dresses and green blazer in the summer. I can't remember what the badge looked like though. There was a school outfitters near the Swanswell and another later at the bottom of The Precinct. My mother made my dresses and knitted jumpers and cardigans.

This is a scan of the school badge for Frederick Bird SM Boys School. The various symbols on it represent the different trades for which Coventry was famous.

Hi, really interesting forum. Reading your memories of teachers and Freddie Birds I was interested to see my mother's name - Sheila Bullock. She is still going strong - 85 now and living in Bristol. She has a few health issues, but is mentally very alert and often talks about the school. She went there as a child, did her main teaching practice there and then taught there for 13 years ending as deputy head to Dan Lewis.

I was in your mother's class at one time, think it was the first year of the Juniors. I recall she was quite strict compared to some of the teachers there. I also remember Mr Lewis, he was very kind to me when I fell on the apparatus during PE, and lost part of a tooth. Good to hear that your mum is still going strong.

I have been reading in the Forum about Frederick Bird School. Can anybody tell me who Frederick Bird was? With thanks Frances

Hi Frances, He was a Coventry chemist and was on the council in the 19th century. He was made chairman of the school board in 1896.

hello my name is paul sadler who went to frederick bird sm in 1969 and left in 1971 I have been looking for the school badge for many years as I remember this clearly but I cant find anywhere I have tried every school outfitters with no luck could anyone help many thanks

Hello to you Paul & welcome to our forum. Let's hope that some badge info comes your way. Please enjoy your time with us.

Hello Paul See my post of 9th February, two or three posts above yours

good morning everyone having left freddies in 1971 I have lost contact with all of my school chums if anyone out there knows me from long ago please get in touch it would be great to know that someone is out there and not left the country or has died.

Hi Brian from Melbourne. I believe it is Brian Millidge. I sat next to him at Frederick Bird, 1954-1957 He came up from South St School with Bill Stone, Tony Overberry & Michael Smets

Robio here went to freddies from 1965 to 1969 played football I know Barry Alldrick he cut my hair once and played footie with him lived in Cleveland Road just behind the jackblock