Caludon Castle School

Hi all. Have only just found this site. Certainly brought back memories. Was there from 70-78. Remember Jack Knight, Ted Brown. BEBrown (I have read here he passed away under sad cirumstances but would like more details if anyone would oblige). Was in Berkeley then Preston (block 5). Remember Herr Creek, he was inspirational, to this day still keep my hand in with German and, because of Mr Brown, French. There were also Messrs Siddle, Ollier, Jack Court, Stevenson, Bennett, Cooper, Blob Davies, Jim Newton, Nobby Inbar, Mrs Verso, Eames (library), Gillett (Biology), Yardley, Turner, Derek Hills (housemaster and English)... list goes on. They were good days in many ways and some excellent inspirational teachers (in addition to the language teachers, Jack Court for chemistry and Jim Newton for physics were brilliant too). Afraid Geoff Bennett was a bully and I do not have pleasant memories of him even though I do wish him RIP. However collectively the staff did create a thirst for knowledge and eventually I became a teacher, currently I work as a lecturer at Cov Uni in computing science dept. Would be great to hear from people from those days.

Hi hopeful, welcome to the forum

For the benefit of new member "hopeful", and others, may I pass on that there's another place for information on Caludon Castle School. If you are on Facebook there's a group called "Caludon Castle, Coventry - Alumni Prior To 1990". Lots of photos and I've caught up with a huge number from my era at Cally on there. Beb Brown, Blob Davies, Dec Siddle etc are all mentioned there, bless them.

At school opening, and in my time, one year later, 1955, we started in Talbot and Seagrave for our first two years, then we're distributed to the other six houses. Talbot went to the three far side blocks (we were in Greene). Seagrave went to the three nearside houses. At that time, Chester and Berkeley blocks were just being built. First intake was one year later, I believe. Am in contact with an employee of the school, in the Headmaster's office. Apparently, the whole school has been rebuilt. Is quite different from our early days.

Was at school with Keith Fairbrother, we were good friends after school too. Am still in contact with him. Sadly, we lost John Barton in the last couple of years. Another Caludon rugby stalwart, who went on to play for Coventry and England. Lived across the road from us in Sewall Highway.

John Dearsley, I believe. Mr Bennett was our housemaster in Talbot. Hope that all is well with you and yours,

Have just read through all of this thread again. Lots of happy memories. Interesting to see people's perceptions of our old teachers. Sadly I wasted my time at school. 1955 to 1959. Was too soon for me, was not mature enough for education. Had lots of very good friends, and lots of fun. Was a very happy time for me. Although myself and my three other best friends messed about a fair bit, such was the situation in Coventry, we all got good jobs and very good life long careers. To this day, I have very fond memories of teachers. Mr Bennett and Mr Cooper. They were inspirational to me. I deserved all of the cane that I got, and there was quite a bit.

Replying to John Dearsley, surely our house master in Talbot, 1955 tom1957 was Mr G Talbot? Is that not correct?

Geoff Bennet was the HM of Talbot

You are correct, I knew when I meant, obviously got distracted and wrote the wrong name down.

I was at Caludon from 1964. Not the happiest time of my life but I did get a degree and a career in public service out of it. One or two incidents that I remember do not seem to have been mentioned elsewhere. There was the time someone wrote in large white text on the road outside the Axholme road gate "Tilley Must Go" and I think that was not removed in all the time I was there. Then there was a time when the science lab skeleton was mysteriously hung in the style of a lynching from the roof of the gym/assembly hall wearing a mortar board and a red tie - obviously an 'effigy' of Mr Tilley. On a happier note there was the Caludon Bath Push when an old cast iron bath painted yellow was pushed for charity from the city of Bath back to Coventry over several days by a dozen or so sixth formers for charity. There was also an 'informal' (I don't think the school would have sanctioned it) Sponsored Hitch Hike for charity done as pairs (for safety). The winners where those who got the furthest distance in 24 hours and you had to get a stamp from a post office at your destination to validate your trip. The winners I believe got to Germany! Most of the teachers seemed decent enough but I always felt that the standard of teaching of the sciences was better than for arts and that was reflected in the A level results of my cohort at least. Those on the arts side who went of to success and there were quite a few I felt did so in spite of their teaching rather that because of it! There were lots of stories that could be told but it seems so trivial now

Hi sadtomato, Welcome to our forum. Thank you for you recollection post of your schooling days. I lived in Wyken, where a lot of my chums went to Caludon. Best wishes to you.

I and my friends attended Caludon, 1955 to 1959, I believe starting in only the second year that the school had opened. We all had a lot of fun at school, there was 4 of us, very close friends for many years. Sadly, we are only 2 now, but still in contact. I always think that basically we were immature and not totally ready for serious education. We had a lot of fun though and loved our school days. Certainly we, and me in particular, did lots of things that I very seriously regret. We all left at 15 in 1959. My 3 friends all went into Apprenticeships. When I learnt that initially meant a lot of school type activity, I decided not for me. I just got a job that was good for me, after 15 months or so, at E. Laxon & company. For whatever reason, I upped and joined the Royal Navy. My friends all did their Apprenticeships and had very good careers. To this day, I do not know why I joined the Royal Navy. By now, at 16 1/2, I had fortunately grown up a bit/lot. I sort of fell in love with learning and education. I still would give Caludon Castle a lot of the credit for that. To this day I have very good and fond memories of many of my teachers, especially my two House Masters, Mr G. Bennett and Mr K. Cooper. In my navy time I won awards for education and training. On leaving the Royal Navy, at 27 years of age, I had become a Chief Petty Officer and a Mechanician, being in charge of Engine rooms and Boiler rooms. Due to my Naval training, employers would bite my hand off to employ me. I had a career then, working on Industrial Boilers and all sorts of Industrial process plants. I loved my work, despite working very long hours and driving many miles. Much/most of my time was spent as a "Site Operations Manager", surveying, designing, quoting and leading a team, installing industrial boilers and associated equipment. I was very lucky, worked with some brilliant people, eventually retiring at age 69. As I said, I had a very fruitful and successful career. I loved nurturing people. I would always give a lot of credit to Caludon Castle School for my adult life.

What a lovely career. I've not a practical bone in my body, past 00.

How can you say that Philip, when you have trains at your fingertips ! I can hear them from here.