Stoke (Council) School (Briton Road & Annexe)

Hi Everyone just joined this fantastic site. Does anyone have any memories of the school. I started in '53, Miss Ellis' class. Can still remember my first day. My teachers were Miss Harper, Mrs Best, then in the juniors Miss Hall (a real dragon), Mr Herbert (in the hut), Mr Chester, finally Mr Lewis. I left to go to Caludon in 1960. Some classmates I recall were; Wendy Alexander (always top) Andrew Pickering, Pete Haughton, Graham Williams (my best mate) Barry Walker, Martin Sawbridge, Martin Lomas, John Lonsdale, John Hands, Adrian Hughes, Susan Harris, Jean Sykes, Sheila Holly, Sheila McDougal, John Tomes, Brenda Sheargold, Ann Pritchard, Margaret Twells, Pat Twells, Judith Featherstone (her dad was caretaker), Judith Naylor, Mick Henley. Was the school called Briton Road or was this just the name that was used to identify it from Stoke Heath. Look forward to hearing from anyone connected.

Hi There. I remember Jackie Thrift but only when she was at Stoke Park. My friend used to go out with her. I used to go out with her friend Joan Kennedy also at Stoke Park. I'll ask him if he knows her whereabouts and if he does will let you know

Ah, although I didn't start at Briton Road until 1970, it's finally good to hear someone mention a teacher I actually remember! In the 3rd year of juniors I had Miss Harper in the hut. (I realise I could've worded that better!) She was a lovely teacher though, always seemed happy and rarely had to tell any of us off.... apart from a light ticking off of myself and my friend Anil Madhok occasionally, as we were a right pair of chatterboxes! That school year was possibly my happiest of any throughout my schooldays. Miss Harper must've been very young when she taught you, Wimero, as she didn't seem particularly old in 1974/5 when she taught me? And she was still there ten years later when she taught my younger brother, too! Starting with reception class in 1970, I had Miss Riley in the hut at the bottom of the playground, with the sandpit, climbing frame and, of course, the huge Elm tree. That was followed in infants' school by Miss Hazey (hope I have the spelling correct), then Miss Twaites, who got married and became Mrs. Ball. The infants' headmistress during that time was Mrs. Roberts. Then into juniors, ably headed by Miss Oldham with Miss Jones as a seemingly stern but inspiring deputy. 1st year juniors started with Mrs. Murray, also a lovely teacher with a dark bob, who indulged us lads by allowing us to do a long project on our favourite football teams! 2nd year of juniors was with Mr. High, a super young teacher who loved history and taught us about Alfred the Great and Nelson & the Victory.... proper subjects! Then, after the aforementioned Miss Harper, we ended our junior school days with Mr. Cowley, a rather strict former senior school teacher, who seemed to be preparing us for the more serious schooling to come. The innocent fun days had ended.... I think the school was, like you said, only called "Briton Road" school unofficially to identify it, but was Stoke Primary School in my days, although we knew it as either Stoke Infants or Stoke Junior School depending on which part we were in at the time. My dad also went there in the late 1940s, and then it was known as Stoke Council School.

Howdy Rob. Yes it was certainly Miss Harper. I think when I started she must have been a student or trainee teacher. I always remember her large glasses and her bright red lipstick. We also called it Stoke Council School.

Hi, everyone, new to posting. I went to Briton Road School (Stoke). I started out in the infants at the top of Briton Road. I then moved on to Stoke Juniors, and finally to Stoke seniors. In the juniors I was in Mr Lewis class. (I am struggling to upload photos), but I will carry on trying.) When I moved up to the seniors Mr Bonham was the headmaster whilst "Ginner" Bailey looked after the annex at Wyken. Other teachers on this site were Mr Marsh, Mr Forson, Mr Hickey. Other teachers at Briton Road were, Mr Mortimer, Mr Jones, Taffy Watkins, Mr Rainbow and Mr Hurst. I remember you had to pass your cycling proficiency test before you could use a bike to go to the annex or Wyken playing fields for rugby.

Hi Wimero, Quite a few of the names you have mentioned seem familiar? I have a photo of Mr Lewis' class but I can't upload it as I'm also new to the site. Here are some of the names I remember - Gerald Casey, Jacqueline Snell, Robert Horton, Richard Lewis, Brian Sidwell, Robert Fern, Alan Montgomery, Paul James, David Gosling, Tony Weston, Sid Jeffcott, Brian James, Kingsley Price, John Tims, Gloria Gravenor, Brian Carey, David Sweet and myself David Jones. Any names seem familiar?

Hi seeley-jones Unfortunately I don't recall any of your classmates names. I was in Mr Lewis's class at my final year in the Juniors 1960. I remember other teachers (Mr Gater, Miss Carter, Mr Bennett) but don't know if they had kids of my age, who were due to leave when I did. I'm racking my brains to think of other pupils not in my class. I can think of Peter Wood, Tony Poole, Richard Cline, John Blair, Linda Curtain, Kingsley Wood, Richard Lakin, Laurence Powell all a bit older than me. A bit younger; Angela Thompson, Phil Porter, Ian Darnell, Sandra Dodd. Do any of these ring a bell

Hi seeley-jones, I hope the 'Help' link on the far right-hand-side of the toolbar (top or bottom of every page) will be useful to you - it has a full guide for uploading and inserting images. Meanwhile, welcome to our forum, I hope you have a super time with us.

Hello there, I attended Stoke School until 1967. Does anyone remember the Head Boy I think his name was David Langley and also Doug Shappnell(sp) - we wore our winter uniforms and we cut the point of our ties off (it was a custom for the senior class to do something to their uniforms). Anyway, Miss Thomas, our home room teacher took our ties to Mrs. McDermott who was the Headmistress after Ms. Parncutt and we were paraded in front of the school as delinquents for disfiguring our uniforms. Those were the days.

Hi Wimero - This is a fantastic site. You must have been at School when I was there - Juliette (nee Kohn), as Sheila Holly and I were friends, along with Judith Naylor and Ann Pritchard. Do you or anyone else know there whereabouts, as we were friends for many years? Sheila used to live just of Ball Hill, Coventry, in those days. I think Judith Naylor and I were at Dance School together (Sylvia Birds School of Dance, Briton Road, Coventry). Not sure what happed to Sylvia Bird, does anyone know? I remember Miss Parncutt and many of the teachers clearly. I also remember our Domestic Science lessons (as they were called then), with our wicker baskets and cotton covers to keep our food warm and dry. I did not stay until 1966, as I moved to Cardinal Wiseman Girls School, for the remainder of my education. Trying to locate friends from there as well. My brother Paul Kohn also went to Caludon Castle around the same time as you, do you remember him at all? We all used to play down by the bulrushes and waters edge near Caludon fields after School, collect them and take them home. Wild mushrooms used to grow on the waters edge, does anyone remember this? The boys used to climb the trees, though it was more like a wood then. Happy days! Does anyone have any photographs of the 1960-1966 era of students/teachers at all? Much appreciated, if you have. Interesting

We must have known each other! Jacquiline nee Thrift, Mary nee Harrison and Michael Mobberley were friends of mine, from Richard Lee Infant and Junior School. Jacquie used to live in Hipswell Highway, Coventry, Mary Harrison on the Road behind Hipswell Highway. My Mother and Mrs Harrison knew each other well from the Mothers Meeting Club at the time. Michael Mobberley, was a good looking youth and the talk of all the girls at Richard Lee Junior School! Yes, like yourself, it would be good to find them again, if anyone can help. Interesting

Morning Interesting We must have been at the Junior School at the same time but you must have been in a different class to me as I don't recall your name,sorry. Who was your teacher while you were there? I remember Sheila Holly did live off Ball Hill, as one of my best mates at the time; Mick Henley was absolutely smitten by her and used to go to her house but could never muster up the courage to knock the door! I remember Judith Naylor being a good dancer and the only one in the class who could do a perfect cartwheel. Ann Pritchard lived in Hastings Road. Sadly Sylvia Bird died some time ago, my sister in law Karen Hewins was a student there for many years. I can't say I recall your brother's name at Caludon either. Was he there 1960-1965?

I am Sheila Holley, it was quite funny to find out about Mick Henley. I never knew Juliette and I worked together later in at the public health laboratory along with John Print. Did you see the pictures Martyn Lomas put in the Telegraph last week, Mr Chester's class, Miss Carter's, it was lovely to see and try and work out who was who.

There have been several references to Mick Henley I assume he's the same one who became a well-known local crown green bowler who also took to the flat green code indoor at City of Coventry, where he led for Ernie Over, with great success - when Mick moved club (to Rugby Thornfield) I was glad to take him as my lead and we made it through to the National Fours Finals at Melton Mowbray in 1994

Hi Sheila h Saw the photos in the Telegraph of Mr Chester's class but I'm not on them! Most likely I was waggin' it as usual. Can remember lots of the faces but just wondering if it was actually my class. I remember the twins at the back but don't remember them being in my class. I'll dig out my old photos and have a look at them. Do you ever see or hear from any of the others in our class?