Frederick Bird School

Thanks to Rob for starting the Forum. I'm a Cov-Kid and I am looking for photos of any year, classes or buildings, of Frederick Bird sec mod that was in Swan Lane. I went there from 1959-1963. If anybody out there can help I would be very pleased. Hello Brian from Melbourne, shame you did not say which year you were at Freddies. There are a lot of us out there, some body must have pics, so please send.

Hello scrutiny, Sorry my friend, cannot help you with pics of "Freddies". Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I was there from 1961 to 1965. My teachers then, as far as I can recall, were Mr Shannon, (1A), Mr (Tubby) Turner, (2A & 3A), Mr Bannister, (4A), Mr Trotter, (Art & Craft, I think?), Mr Curtis, (Science), Mr Douglas, (TD, Technical Drawing), aka Terrible Dougie, and Mr Harris was the Headmaster. I would have been coming up (2 years) behind you, so it's unlikely that we would have known each other, but if it helps, I sat with a Dave Thompson for the 4 years that I was there. He had an older brother there, Brian Thompson, whom you may have known. My dad went there too. Eventually it became Sidney Stringer college and has since been completely rebuilt. On my rare visits to Coventry I hardly recognise it now. However, I was very pleased to learn that it changed its name back to "Freddies". Good luck with your quest to find old photos. Best wishes, Brian.

Hi Brian. We had the same teachers except Mr Powell 3A, Mr Bennett for science. As for Mr Douglas, I had been trying to find out about his past and his association with the Hotel Rose Marie in Belgium. While in hospital last October there was an ex-teacher in the opposite bed who worked with him, T.D. it was only months from finding out he had a brain tumour that he passed away. Also in my class was a James (Jim) Thompson who had a younger brother in the school, they lived in Stoke Aldermoor. The only part of the old school they kept and built into the new one is one of the birds that was taken from one of the gables. ATB, John

I also went to Freddie's 1961-1965 and still in touch with a few classmates. 1a Mr Shannon, 2a Mr Turner, 3a Mr Powell, 4b Mr Turner. I was caned several times by each of my teachers and by the Headmaster Mr Harris, also had the slipper off Mr Douglas whilst on the a school trip to Belgium. I can only say that I was an awful student and bear no malice whatsoever and that I probably deserved it. That said, I have lots of happy memories. Here's a few that was in my class - Bruce Weston, at the moment living in Hong Kong and Australia, Harry Davies was my best mate, still in Coventry, Andy Williams, still in Coventry, Barry Aldrick, still in Coventry, I would love to hear from anyone who went to Freddie's.

Hello "Cabbie". I was 2 years ahead of you. Did Bruce Weston have a brother Alan? I think Tubby liked to cane everybody but Mr Powell liked to do it across the backside, that hurt. When you look back it certainly did not do any of us any harm but you knew you did not want it again. Nice memories.

Hi scrutiny. I think Bruce did have an older brother but I can't remember what his name was. I have an older brother who was two years ahead, his name is Paul Riley. I know his last year was in Douglas's class.

These great photos have been supplied by 'scrutiny'. The first one is 'Freddies' school in Swan Lane, and the second one is Class 2A in 1961. If you click on this class photo it will take you to a page showing a much larger one, from which you may be able to identify yourselves....

Hi Cabbie. In the photo, sitting two away from Tubby to the right is Alan Weston with his head leaning over. Was Paul Riley into swimming and boxing, and did you both go to South Street school?

Hi scrutiny. Yes, Paul was into boxing and yes we both went to South Street. As I said I'm not sure about Bruce's brother. My name is Aubrey Riley, we lived in Lower Ford Street.

Hi Aubrey, long time no-see. You lived towards the bottom end of Lower Ford Street. I lived at the top, no 30. I am John Collins. Nice to say hello and to know there is a lot of us still about.

I was at Freddie's 1960-1964, I had all the same teachers that you did. Remember Shannon had a glass eye that used to have all this gunk in it. Douglas was mean, sob! He gave the cane if you even moved your eyes. My best friends at school were Phil West & Paul Salisbury.

Thanks for the photo, Rob. My father attended Freddie's 1932-1937. Doing the Family History for the Dewis family and the pic fits in well. Best regards.

Hi Aubrey. I think I remember you. I was at Freddie's from 1961 to 1965. Was great friends of Andrew Williams, Barry Alldrick, Clifford (Ben) Cox and many others I could name. I hated Mr. Douglas who I dreaded getting the cane from. Mr. Turner, who I was delighted to see the picture of on the site, was dead soft. I would love to hear from anyone who knew me. I am still in Coventry. But it's gone down in my opinion & can't wait to move when I retire.

Hi Doug, I remember you well. I see Andy and Barry from time to time, also have seen Harry Davies. Do you see anybody? If so, point them to this site, it's a great site, very educational, brings back lots of memories.

Hello all, my name is John Hobbins and it's great to see the old Freddie's kids. My teachers were Shannon, Turner, Powell and Bannister. Trotter was art teacher and Clennett was science. I am still touch with a couple of the lads, I will get them to contact. I am retired now and live in Nuneaton. Catch you later.