Woodlands School

The School Song at the Tech was "O Brother man..." John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the poem later set to music as a hymn. It had a strong melodic line for male voices and a spectacular accompaniment on the piano by Mr Burdett who gave it his all. I don't recall whether this was taken on at Woodlands, as I was only there for a year but, but probably not. Someone mentioned 'Ned' Henry Bolton Sparkes, deputy Head at Tech. He administered discipline as "justice tempered with mercy" as he was wont to call it. He also deputised as music master when 'Birdie' was incapacitated (perhaps in hospital). I recall that Birdie allowed those of us who were pianists to accompany the hymns at Assembly in the College Theatre. Norman F Parbury vetted those who were invited to read the lessons at Assembly. Then there were Mr Flitcroft's drama/music productions such as 'Hassan' which ran for several nights. Once on the path the memories come flooding back.

Not sure whether he went on to Woodlands (I think not as we had a new Classics Master, L. Watkins who also taught Greek to a privileged few) but at Tech the Latin master was 'Inky' Wells (F.A.Wells). Certainly he was easily diverted off track in class so that by the end of the lesson not much work had been done.

Hi just found this forum about Woodlands school and thought I would like to join in the memories of my old Alma Mater. I went to Woodlands from sept. 1959 to 1963, and remember lots of the teachers mentioned. My favourite was Tony Grey, English teacher who taught me lots of Russian language! Always a good laugh with him. I remember my first day and came to the attention of Mr. Harris. My friend and I both had three strikes across the hand with a ruler. Also had six of the best from Knocker West on my last day! Not proud of that but it's all a long time ago. I was in Spencer house(which changed to Ellis after Ernie Ellis, the house master). Wallis Carlyle was my maths teacher for all my years there. When he caned you he used to sit in the store room and allegedly shed a few tears. But all in all I had what I consider a good all round education.

Hello Greymedic & welcome to our forum Thank you for your informative post.

Hi - not all houses were named for mayors - Stringer was on the city council and chairman of the school's board of governors. I was in Stringer (when we occasionally won something) Bill Edney was housemaster (known as Jock for no other reason than because some kid chose that as a name for him and it stuck. I remember a Scottish teacher joining the house - he became 'Wee Jock' and Bill Edney was promoted to 'Fat Jock'. And, personal opinion, Ron Ravenhall (Rotterdam Ron) was the best year tutor that house had.

Re Tony Grey - taught me history and a little English (poor English language teacher in my opinion) he emigrated to New Zealand, I believe

Mr Hottot (hot tempered French teacher) Not forgetting the Headmaster, Don Thompson, who was said to sign his letters THM - Tile Hill Mafia. I also heard, and this may be no more than a scurrilous rumor, that Thompson was later made to resign on grounds of mental instability? Happy Harry Hottot - got me through French 'O' Level by making me do an Ordinary Alternative paper every day outside of class, so while he was Head of Sixth Form and had no sense of humour I do value his efforts. 'The Don' or 'Stomper' as we called Thompson - what a work of art he was. I was in the 5th Form when he came. We took an instant dislike to each other (unfortunately I didn't realise at the time that, being head master, he had more arrows in his quiver than I). A total bully who fudged his Ph.D. thesis to suit the results he wanted to publish

Spud Newton got me through English Lit 'O' Level without reading the set book. I remember him fondly. If, when you see him next, pass on my gratitude - he is fondly remembered

Thompson came from Sheffield - his mother owned land in the Ranmoor/Fulwood area that (I think) he inherited and sold to a builder who put up a new housing estate

I started there in mid 50's when Knocker was HM. Many teachers really believed in education and bringing out the best in their pupils. It did change even though there were always bullies and bullying teachers. Fights were common. I was surprised when I went to college and met grammar school types who didn't believe you could actually take more than 7 'O' Levels and had never heard of subjects like Agricultural Science, Economics and Mechanics (I failed Mechanics - for which I blame my fear of Sooty Corbett). Thompson was a head case who used the school as an experiment for his Ph.D. All his stupid rules and revamps, etc, were to log the results for his research. I was told after I'd left that Hottot would obstruct him as much as he was able. Moving on - how many schools had as much sport going on and where you could do everything from morris dancing to Army Cadet Force? But, yes, there was a bleak side and, from what I know, Thompson had no real control over the staff - before his time only housemasters and heads of departments could cane you - he opened the flood gates to allow them all to "wield their power"

Hi Tony, I wasn't in the ACF at Woodlands, but I joined it when it moved to Wolfe Rd, Canley, Ted Evatt was the C.O. and yes I do remember Massey's rifle range, also the rifle range at Melford House opposite Henry's on the Warwick Rd. Kingsbury range we visited quite regularly, our local weekend camps were to the RE depot at Long Marston. Who remembers Ron Ravenhall, he used to come to school on an old motorbike wearing what looked like a French tank drivers helmet. He had a chicken farm near Rugby. Ron was a good bloke - taught us all to play chess in House Periods. I was in Stringer and whenever I was house warden he'd send me down Broad Lane to buy things for his chickens. After he retired he wrote some children's books, I believe

I recall the Army Cadets moving their parade nights from Woodlands to Templars School after the head decided that the ACF was not the sort of organisation he wanted at Woodlands! (Yet another of his wacky ideas it seems)

Hi Janey, and welcome to our forum Mr Trollope is mentioned in post number 82 in this topic, and also here in the topic on the Army Cadets

Hello Janey Thank you so much for a lovely post reflecting on your memories of you times back then. No matter that you have only recently joined our forum, as you are here now. Gosh! Haircuts. I received a detention at KHVIII for having a "crew-cut" once. I remember the Gestetner copiers too, from when I had a school holiday job at the GEC in Copswood. The ones with a revolving barrel, I think?