Stoneleigh South, 1st Year - 1981/1982. Miss Eliott was our tutor (took the register etc ). Very small lady. Think she went on maternity leave at the end of 1982 or early 1983 so we ended up having different tutors more or less every other year. Our registration class was in the 'S Block' (science block) where we sat 6/8 round big wooden tables. I think Mrs Brown who was the head of Stoneleigh House used to be a Miss Elliott which caused some confusion among parents.

I attended the school 1960/1964 I was in Hood house.

I remember Mrs Elliot really well she was Head of Stoneleigh South I think. I liked her.

Hello & welcome ChellyBird Hope you enjoy your time with us.

I remember her well she became head of Stoneleigh South, she used to take kids to Dollymoch each year. Wasn't she Miss Brown before she married? She was my favourite teacher give her my love x

I went to Whitley after passing the 11 plus, I was in Grove house right by the lake, it was great , some of the best times, except for the xc runs those were hell. I played in the school orchestra, and was a house prefect, oh, the power!

I went to Whitley Abbey and left in 1963. I remember that our sports teacher and keen rugby player was Reg Parry a Welshman. I believe he had a lot to do with Coventry Rugby Club. He left around 61-62 and he moved to Ash Green school where he ended as deputy head. My own kids went to Ash Green and it was lovely to meet again him after over twenty years. I believe he moved to Cornwall area in later years. I remember Fred Lewis as headmaster and Mr Lemon who took over just before I left. I was in Warwick House before Hood and Grove houses were opened.

A photo of the old Whitley Abbey badge (on blazer top pocket) on display at the Herbert Art Gallery. 'Facta non verba' - "Deeds, not words".

Here is photo of the predecessor of Whitley Abbey school badge. It is a cap badge, that I have had for 65 years, for Churchfield High School, immediate predecessor of Whitley Abbey 1947-1955. Edited by Midland Red, 8th Feb 2018 7:34 pm (This post has been copied into the Churchfield High School thread to enable separation of discussions about the two schools)

I went to Whitley Abbey after passing my 11 plus. I was in Kenilworth North and I think the Headmaster was Mr B Warne? I remember that bridge when I first went there, I used to get lost on a regular basis. The teachers used to allow us being late for a couple of weeks but then they got strict. I remember being told our timetable for the first time and thinking how am I going to remember all that. I remember the boys used to blow up the frogs and throw them at the girls. yuk When I first went there each end of the House was single sex but after a couple of years we went mixed. I remember doing canoeing on the lake and playing hockey in the snow with a white ball. lol I would love to see some photos from when I went there September 1963 to July 1967 as I left at 15, which you could do in those days. My name at school was Margaret Cox, now I am Mrs Maggie Rudd.

I was there, a transfer from Cheylesmore secondary in 1961-1963, in Warwick House. Mr Taylor was the Housemaster.

Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School

Whitley Abbey Comp. (mixed) School - Secondary School for Boys and Girls - Abbey Road, Coventry. •  Whitley Abbey Comp. was opened on the 11^th of September 1955. The School opening roll was 842, consisting of: 383 ex Churchfield High student transfers, 230 ex Cheylesmore Boy & Girls transfers and 229 new entrants. By 1958 it had a complement of 1500 students. •  The 2nd installment of building was completed in September 1958 (with the craft block being finished earlier in September 1957). The School was completed to 8 form entry size (with 10 forms intended) for first year entry. •  In the 1960's, the School had 10 houses (5 boys and 5 girls), each house with it's own house head. Houses were based on the Whitley families (eg. Hood, etc.). The house system was later changed. •  All the houses were originally on one side of the lake and were connected to the various teaching blocks by a pre-stressed concrete footbrigge spanning the lake. The lake contained carp and was frequented by swans. •  Uniform: Brown Blazer with gold braid. Moto: ''deeds, not words''. Badge: 3 spires with 'W.A' overlaid. •  In 1972, the school purchased a minibus for £1300. The funds were raised by sponsored events and the garage was built by students from the fourth form. Mr Roy Hughes (Handicraft teacher) drove the minibus for school trips (replacement Minibus were being fundraised for in 1977(?), in 1984 and 1994). •  In 1991, the School had 900 pupils and 61 staff. By the 1990's the school had a centre for deaf children. School Headmasters: •  Mr Frederick. W. Lewis Sept 1955 to July 1962 Originally from London, came to Coventry in 1935. Became Headmaster of Churchfield High School (the predecessor to Whitley Abbey Comp.) in 1947. Was Headmaster of Whitley Abbey from it's opening in 1955 until his retirement in July 1962 (aged ≈ 60). Mr Lewis was one of the pioneers in the comprehensive school program. Interests: Theatre- going, Volunteering at Citizen's Advice Bureau. •  Mr John. D. C. Lemon (M.A.) Sept 1962 to July 1981 Born: 16 Dec 1918, Bury-St-Edmunds. Wife: Joyce (married 1949), Jay. Secondary Titles: Official Keeper of the Swans (appointed by Home Secretary Roy Jenkins). Served in the Royal Artillery as a commissioned officer in WW2 (was demobbed in 1946). In 1946 He began teaching at his first teaching position in Rochester and then later at Wimbledon. Was Headmaster at a School in Venezuela (South America) (1949-1958) (and then taught at University College Hampstead, 1958-1959) and then deputy Headmaster at a School in Bristol (1959-1962) before becoming Headmaster at Whitley Abbey in Sept 1962. Was given the title of 'Official Keeper of the Swans' in 1967 by Home Secretary Roy Jenkins after asking for permission to bring two new swans to the school lake (after the previous mating pair had left) and requiring said title to do so. Retired 3^rd of July 1981 (aged 62). Soon after retiring he entered documentary film making (see interests below*) which was shown on TV. Interests: Latin & Greek studies, Gardening, *head of Lemon Films Ltd. company (Documentary film company focused on Social problems affecting young people showing to Channel 4). • Mr Owen Shelton B.A. Sept 1981 to Jan 1993 Previously deputy head of Barr's Hill School. Became Headmaster of Whitley Abbey Comp. in September 1981. His tenure seemed to involve many repairs to the school due to failures in the aging buildings and vandalism. Restoring the lake after oil was released due to vandalism was a long term project he undertook. Retired in January 1993 and was presented with various gifts at his retirement event (Hifi, CD's, Books, etc.) by Students and colleagues. •  Mr J. R. Watkin (Ray Watkin) Jan 1993 to Apr 2003(?) Started at Whitley Abbey in 1993. Tackled various financial issues and further building problems. •  Mrs Lorriaine Allen OBE 2004 to 2019(?) Under Mrs Allen's tenure the school became a specialist college then a foundation school and lastly an academy. She was given an OBE in 2015 for services to Education. •  Ms. Kathryn Wright 2019 to 2021 Ms Wright oversaw the transfer for the school to become Meadow Park School in January 2021. She was assisted by acting head (2020) Ms Sally- Anne Bloom who helped the school when in special measures. 2021 Whitley Abbey becomes Meadow Park. ____________ ^{I will add on the Deputy heads and other staff Below.} ____________

^{Whitley Abbey Comp. (mixed) School - continued...} [] Deputy Heads: •  N. Chater 1955-1963. First Deputy Head of Whitley Abbey. •  A. D. Atienza 1963-1969 •  J. Jackson 1969-1971 •  D. Kenningham 1972-1976 •  Mr David Cleasby JP 1976-? Born ≈ 1936. Taught at Birmingham for 17 years prior to becoming Whitley's Deputy Head. Became a magistrate (JP) in 1976. •  Mr Eddie Parsons 1990's? Deputy Head in the 1990's. •  Mrs S Morgan & Mr B Dugdale ≈ 2020 Shared the responsibilities and title of deputy head. School Librarians: •  Mr Hopkins (First Librarian) •  Mr R.W.H.B Pugsley (Second Librarian) Mr Pugsley wrote extensively and composed a book (presently in the Coventry Archive) about how a school library should be run, the role of a librarian in a comprehensive school while sharing the responsibility of House head ('Problems of the single teacher'). He, in his writings, stated that, in 1964, he had 43 students helping in the library in various roles. •  C. Crisp (later Librarian) Other Teachers: ~ 1950s: •  Mr Fred Langley 1955-1959 Science. Later became head of Northfield Sec. mod. School, Dunstable. •  Mr J. F. West. Subject Unknown. Interests: Chess and Chess club. •  Miss Heather Styles. Drama. Specialised in children's radio programmes. ~ 1960s: •  Mr John. R. Palmer. Head of maths. •  Liliane Petit. Assistant French teacher. •  Mr David Saunders. Head of Languages. •  Mr Geoffrey Francis Elder. Maths. •  Mr John Short. History. •  Mr S. Hey. Subject Unknown. •  Mr V. Fleming. Music. •  Mr Francis Charles Holbrook. (1958-1960) subject Unknown. Born: 1929 Later became head of Frederick Bird Junior School. •  Mr Keith Spencer. PE Teacher. •  Mr Phillip Cooper. Music teacher. •  Mr Roy Hughes. Handicraft teacher (and drove minibus). •  Mr W. J. Aves. First Head of music. •  Miss Susan Buckle. Home Economics(?). •  Mr R. Morris. History (?) •  Mr A. Johnson. History (?) ~ 1970s: •  Mr Edwin Chandley. 6th Form Tutor. •  Mrs Tinlin. Subject Unknown. •  Dr John West. Subject Unknown. •  Mr V. Bulbeck. Subject unknown. 4th year Leadership. •  Ms. Ruth Roberts. English. Interests: drama. •  Liz Starkey. Subject unknown. Interests: Hockey. •  Mr Dave Kemp. PE. Studied at Madeley College. Interests: Pole vaulting. •  Mr David Kenningale (/dale?). Subject Unknown. Interests: fishing. •  Joan Worthy. Maths. •  Mrs Barbara Tinlin. Art. •  Miss Arlene Usher. Biology. •  Mr Colin Groom, JP. Born 1941. JP, 1986. Head of craft, design & Tech. Metal work teacher. Formed the Whitley Abbey Adventure Society for students. Interests: camping, mountaineering. •  Mr Brian Stepheson. Science. •  Mr D. Brown. Head of Maths. •  Dr Catherine Tweedie Grey JP., MB., Ch.B. Supported struggling students in 4th and 5th years. Became a magistrate in 1963. •  Miss Molly Jones JP. Head of Commerce & house head. Became magistrate in 1976. •  Mr Michael (John) Brazier. Head of Economics & Commerce. Born: 1951. Honour degree in economics. Interested in local politics (Liberal Party). •  Mr Neale Matheson. Taught Languages. •  Mr Dave Kenningale. Art Teacher. •  Mr Preston Roberts. Head of PE. Designed 1st school sports exam in the country. Pioneer in PE CSE. Left 1972. •  Mr Wilf Gillender. Replaced Mr Roberts as head of PE in 1972. •  Mrs "Saidwood" (spelling?). English. Warwick North House. •  Mr Taylor. Warwick North House Head. •  Mrs Firth. Subject unknown. Warwick South. •  Mr Wainwright. Maths. •  Mr Fox. Woodwork. •  Mrs Faxton. Subject Unknown. •  Mr Said. Art. ~ 1980s: •  Jim McDonald. Science. Born ≈ 1959. •  Ms. Diane Lindsay. English. Interests: Publishing Poetry. •  Mr Keith Clarke. Head of IT. Interests: Weather mapping. •  Mrs Lynne Taylor. Head of Chemistry. Interests: Weather mapping. •  Wiz Shaylor. Subject Unknown. •  Avis Prior. English. •  Mr Bob Fryer. Science. •  Mr Auvtar Singh Banga. Subject Unknown. •  Ken Bates. Subject Unknown. Interests: Drama. •  M. Barratt. Teacher and Vice Chairman of Whitley Abbey PTA. Subject Unknown. •  Mrs Sarah Jackson. Head of Drama. •  Mr Ted Chandley. Subject unknown. •  Mr Dave Carter. School Caretaker. ~ 1990s: •  Mr John Whitehead. Subject unknown. ^{N.B: the teachers list are not extensive.}