Woodlands School

I attended Woodlands School in the 1960's (Perrens House), and the bus was regularly delayed on the roundabout (island) at the Broad Lane/Dunchurch Highway junction. Can somebody tell when traffic lights were installed. Left Coventry years ago and when I mentioned it on a recent visit, nobody could remember there ever being a roundabout/island at this junction. Anybody?

Welcome to our forum JacobMarley I must say I travelled that route for the first half of the '60's and don't ever recall the bus navigating an island at that junction. Are you certain it was at that location? I doubt that the width and layout of the A45/Broad Lane would have allowed an island there.

Hello JacobMarley. Like you I attended The Woodlands School in the 60s, next door to you, Malins. There was definitely a roundabout at the said junction when I first started school in 1964, but I can't remember precisely when it was altered to the present traffic control, but certainly before 1968. I remember vividly my Housemaster (Lofty Lee) warning us of the dangers of a heavily congested Broad Lane with the Massey Ferguson and Wickman staff and shop floor workers attending and leaving work. He'd stand on his platform in front of the whole house and state that Broad Lane was neither broad or a lane. Sound words.

It was certainly a roundabout when I left Woodlands in 1959. This is a photo of Frank Perrins after whom Perrins House was named when he retired. The happy face was taken at the Rainbow in Allesley, you can imagine how he looked at school.

I stand corrected Searching for a map on old-maps.co.uk I've just found (under the Post WWII section) a 1955 Warwickshire map that distinctly shows an island at this junction. It just shows, sometimes you can travel a route for 5 years with your eyes closed! (Sorry the link only takes you to the old-maps home page - I can't find a way of linking directly to the map itself )

I was at Woodlands in the early 80's (Stringer House - the one with the vase of flowers only in the Sports Trophy cabinet!). It was indeed a major race/battle with Woodlands / Tile Hill Girls / locals / Massey's workers, buses and lorry loads of new tractors exiting around 3:30-4:00 pm along Broad Lane!

Thank you one and all. Why was Perrens House so called, when it was supposedly named after Frank Perrins. My House master was Les Harris. Got to know him well. Late twice in one week and you were caned. I was a regular. He told me on many occasion to leave home earlier and my reply was always the same. 2 buses and I couldn't use my bus pass before 0745 hours. Was sent there initially because of sporting ability, and I lived but 10 minutes from Binley School. Obviously not good enough for them. My you, didn't have any mates there either. Ha!

Weren't the houses all named after former Coventry Lord Mayors? Don Thompson was Head when I started - caned me for long hair! As per heritage above and from the school website : "In September 1957 Wilson House was renamed Perrens following the retirement of its Housemaster Mr. F. Perrens."

Had to say it made me chuckle when you described the Trophy Cabinet and the vase of flowers

I could not remember when Frank Perrins retired although I have the answer in school magazines tucked away safely (first five somewhere). Although a supposedly good maths teacher he was a nightmare for those who found the subject difficult. Calculas at the age of 13 was not funny to some of us struggling at the back. I sat with John Goodison of 'Brotherhood of Man' fame who was even worse than me. To make things worse he was a dedicated bell ringer at Allesley church and rang with my grandfather and uncle. On the occasions I went up the tower he was sweetness and light but next day he was back to putting the fear of god into me. By the way I was in Mclachlan House with the great 'Burdie in charge (Mr Burdett).

Part of Mclachlan House in 1957 showing staff. Yours truly is in there on the third row. Very formal, staff in gowns. Many were from the Junior Tech which had been merged with Templars in 1954 to form the new school. The composer, Brian Fernyhough who I think is on the famous Coventrians list, is in there somewhere. I have the two ends of the image if of interest.

I was hoping that we might get a few more old boys on this topic. Perhaps even some from the Junior Tech. Did any of you go to the 50th reunion at the school in 2004? The buildings and the hall looked exactly the same as when I left in 1959. Trouble was that we had all changed and generally speaking none of the older ones recognised each other. Very embarrassing was the headmaster asking us all to sing the school song. Slight problem was that such a thing didn't exist in the 50s.

I am an early 1970s ex Gibson pupil. Amazed to see a photograph of Don Thompson. Oh how things have changed !. My memories are of various teachers inc Bernard Tranter, Bill Newton, Roger Greaves, Jim Wilkinson, Mr Lee of Malins, William Panter

Hi Heritage and Dean, I was at the old Technical School in the huts at the back of the Technical College. We moved into the new school at the beginning of my third year. It was quite a change: brand new buildings, well equipped and in a relatively countrified setting. Of the teachers you mentioned, Dean, the only one I knew was Bill Newton, who I was talking to a couple of months ago. He is very little changed despite the passage of over half a century; rather more lined of course, but still with the piercing blue eyes, spectacularly broken nose and infectious enthusiasm. I wish I'd had more teachers like him, I might not have fulfilled the expectations of so many of the other staff and ended up as "factory fodder".

I attended Woodlands in the early 60's, and it's strange seeing a lot of recognisable names. I was also in Gibson house (first building on the right at the top of the drive) - which I believe is now used as an admin block! Mr Newton (I never knew his first name was Bill!) was housemaster during my "stay" - and he certainly left his mark on me this one day. I was in the first year - quite new to the ways of "senior school". Another boy in my year had thumped me - so obviously I chased him to "get him back". Out the mains doors of Gibson house we both flew - just as "Mr Newton" exited his office - which was located right next to the outside doors. Oops - not a good idea! Running was against house and school rules - he immediately called us both back inside and asked us to step into his office. It was the first time I had been in his office, and it struck me was just how incredibly small it seemed. Bad news #1; he opened the punishment book - and proceeded to ask us both our names (like he didn't already know!) - and write them - in perfect script handwriting, into "the book". He then asked us to move so that he could open the tall cupboard door in the corner. With the door open, a variety of canes were revealed hanging inside - varying in thickness from very thin to what looked like broom-handle thickness!. Bad news #2; he selected the thickest cane he could find! He then "invited" us back outside (like we had a choice!) into the main entrance area. I need to mention at this point that the main entrance of Gibson house had very few light fittings on the (low) ceiling. This was due to "Mr Newton's" caning technique!! He swung the cane so high that he often smashed the light fittings. If you imagine a golfer - teeing up, but instead of holding a golf club with two hands - he held the cane with one, and instead of addressing a golf ball, he addressed.... well, I think you get my meaning! I went first. I worked on the theory that if I stood up just at the point of impact, it might hurt less. Note to self - DON'T BOTHER! That single-handed drive off the tee hurt like stink, leaving a 5" x 3" bruise for days afterwards. Bet that wouldn't be allowed now! Thankfully I only received the cane twice whilst at senior school - the other time was along with about 10 others from our maths class for not handing in our homework on time (I seem to recall Harris was our maths teacher) He basically took us all outside then caned us as we re-entered the classroom! I have seen "Mr Newton" a couple of times over the years in Tesco's - and stopped to speak. It still feels strange, after all these years - that I still think of him as "Mr Newton"