Woodlands School

Tony, Interesting recollections ! I bumped into William "Bill" Newton at the TIpperary Inn near Honiley in Warwickshire about 2 years ago. Amazingly he didn't look any different to what he did when I left in 1975. We had a really nice chat. I can't help but feel that those that attended The Woodlands in the 60s and 70s were privileged to have had a great start to life. It might not have felt like it at the time but looking back on the experience I have to say that it focused on "the person" and not just paper qualifications. I am very proud to be a former Woodlands pupil.

More 'good old days' then TonyS. I only got caught the once for turning around and chatting. Got caught with the blackboard rubber and that was in Primary school and Mr. McLelland was a good shot. (Moseley Ave) No, it would not happen now that's why the little so and so's get away with everything these days. However, we have all lived to tell the tale !

Talking of "blackboard rubbers"...... Anyone else remember "Sooty" Corbett? He taught us maths in the third year and we had our lesson in one of the classrooms on the third floor of the science block - where the seating was "tiered" - each row of seats raised behind the other. I seem to recall he had an awful temper. Heaven help anyone who he caught not paying attention - even it it was simply asking the person next to you to decipher whatever he was saying (as he spoke a broad Welsh accent that no-one could understand) With the speed of light he would launch the wooden blackboard rubber at the head of the offending boy - not really caring whether it hit its target or not - if it hit you by mistake then it was your fault for not watching! His other favourite "ammunition" was sticks of chalk. To him, we must have looked like a fairground "duck-shoot" - with pupils popping up and down in an attempt to avoid his shots! I hated his lessons with a passion - no wonder I was pleased when that school year ended!

Oh dear, Sorry TonyS but I had to have a laugh at the 'duck-shoot' and can picture that now. Did any of your teachers dish out 'lines' to be written out millions of times (seemed like millions) I have to admit I had plenty of those for various reasons I won't go in to. Can't say I have ever known anyone to get the cane, but a slap with the ruler on the back of the legs stings a bit ! (only once)

Ah, the dreaded 'Sooty'. On a good day he was very entertaining but if Wales had lost on the Saturday he could be frightening. Met him in a pub a few years after leaving school, very affable after several pints. Board rubbers were very popular at Woodlands, but anything that could be thown was used. Woodwork mallets were used on occasion.

And me.

Hello DeanSpencer I attempted on 4 occasions yesterday to response to your claim that we were "priviledged" those of us that attended The Woodlands School in the 60s and 70s, but for some reason the post was lost. With hindsight it was probably a good thing, because my recollections of the school in the mid 60s were far less praiseworthy than yours and could have led to litigation. So I'll simply say this.............. In Parvis Fidelis???? I don't think so.

Speaking of which, our Latin master (in the first year) was so easily side-tracked that we were lucky to get 5-10 minutes tuition in an hours lesson! Can't remember his name but some of the class found it so easy to lead him onto "any subject except Latin" that it's no wonder I made little progress in the subject. (not exactly my favourite anyway!)

Anyone remember 'Pop' Parbury the French master in the 1950s, complete with beret.

I certainly do! We called him "Slug", though, because of his habit of making a slurping noise at the end of every sentence. He used to send kids to the little shop opposite the tech to buy him a couple of ounces of Zubes throat sweets. Wouldn't do it now, though - 'elf 'n' safety would go nuts.

Pop Parbury was the form master of Builders III and Builders IV in 1946-48, with the form room in the main Tec building being, if my memory is correct, B34A on first floor. Memories also of Ned Sparkes standing outside the rear entrance of the theatre, prior to morning assembly, checking on the cleanliness of shoes. This was followed by an inspection of the bikes in the racks. Ned, teaching chemistry, had a method of marking your books, if your work was up to scratch he would give you 10/10 for three consecutive weeks and 9/10 for the fourth week, so that you were not entitled to a commendation for having four 10/10s. I remember helping with the building of the brickwork shop just inside the gate entry in Albany Road as part of our brickworking course. Another teacher was Mr Watts who put us through torture in the gym, a short very muscular fellow. Mr Cox, who taught woodwork and outlines of architecture, Wally Hampson, metalwork, and Mr Perrins, maths.

Morris dancing and Bill Cleaver. I wonder if it is still an after school option or has it now stopped.

My two kids, now grown up, both brought up loving the Mr and Little Miss books, found it hilarious that I was actually taught (Maths I think) by a Mr Tickle. Was he Malins House Master too? My memory is almost shot. The drugs aren't working... or perhaps they worked too well in the past! There was a Mr Tickle wasn't there? And someone called "Creep" Rogers?

Ahhh, I remember Mr Tickle well. Wasn't he a large rotund chap, strange orangey complexion, unusually long arms and a silly little blue hat?

Yes JacobMarley, there was a Maths Master named Tickle. As for Malins House Master in the mid to late 60s it was Lofty Lee. He was responsible, together with pupils who struggled academically, for laying out the many flower beds and rock gardens that adorned the school grounds. I was often 'volunteered' for after school lawn clearing duties (his version of detention) for talking when he asked for silence!! In my day the grounds were immaculate, I'd hate to go back and look around, I bet it's a tip now.