Stoke (Council) School (Briton Road & Annexe)

Hi to all, if I remember it correctly, we used to for many things, like a stained glass window for the New Cathedral, the ambulance if I'm not mistaken was in the junior school, milk bottle tops spring to mind, mind you we all gave 2/6d for the post office bank, oh that's in PROPER MONEY. We also did a lot of collecting used stamps as well, it's funny, if I could have remembered this well back then, what would I have been now!!!???, mmmmmm, I wonder |Thumbs| My very best regards, Tom.

I've just come across this class photo taken some time around 1958. I'm on the second row from the back, second one in, pulling a funny face as always. I can put names to a few faces. Can anyone supply any more? I can see David Ryan (with the round glasses) and Geoff Evans (fifth from left second row) More names are popping into my head but it's been, er, 50 something years.

Welcome to the forum Davey, and great to see my old school on here, thank you! It's a little before my time - I was there 1970 to 76. However, in all my years at Stoke Junior in Briton Road, and later Stoke Park, I don't recall any whole class photos EVER being taken - only individual ones. Such a shame, because I'd love to see if I can recognise some old faces. If anyone knows of any photos from this school, it would be fantastic to see them.

Hello my name is Juliette Anne nee Kohn, a former pupil at Richard Lee School, many years ago. I am trying to find the webpage for the reunions that take place for former pupils. I was at School with Mary nee Harrison, Jacquiline nee Thrift, Sandra nee Davis, Michael nee Mobberley. Does anyone know of there whereabouts? Can you help me with this? I attended Richard Lee from the age of 5 years (1954-1958) Do not know my way around this site, or how to register on the Richard Lee Infant and Junior website. If you could pass this information on to me, I would be very grateful. My email address is trac.on@hotmail.co.uk. My occupation is a Teacher.

Hello & Welcome Juliette, to our forum Thank you for, your post & question. Let's hope for some responses.

Hi, I went to the annexe at the age of eleven 1950 there for two years then we transferred to the main senior boys school on Briton road. The name of the head master was Sid Bonham. Dave Charley.

I think I'm confused!! Not hard for me!!! Stoke Secondary Modern annexe was roughly behind Wyke Road, yes?? So what was the buildings that were on St Margaret's playing fields? The main building was down by the crossroads with Mellowdew/Ansty and Wycliffe Road?? And he second build which I used to know it as the 'pavilion' at the top by entrance to the allotments. Had these buildings etc got anything to do with Stoke Secondary Modern or was this the remnants of another school. Also on a different tack, does anyone remember permission being sought for flattening of all those allotments and a new school to be built? As I lived with my parents in Dane Road, they objected to this and it eventually got thrown out. Later years proved this was wrong decision as a lot of houses got rat and mice problems!!!!! Thinking this was around mid 60's/70's

Hello Stevie G, There were two separate buildings in separate locations. Both part of Stoke school. Wyke Rd & Wyken Grange Rd. Hope that helps.

Try Rob's post no.2 in this thread, which refers to the buildings on the field off Wykeley Road (I think!)

Tom Think this is the annexe I was on about, mentioning Mr Tobey reminds me I think that I went to school (Stoke Juniors) with his son Mark (if I remember correctly!!!!) So what was the pavilion at top of field used for, was it just for changing etc

I was at Stoke Secondary between 1969-1972, there was three parts of the school then, main building in Briton Road, the annex on Ansty Road that was known as Norman House, it was used for art and needlework, also girls' games field, the third was on Wyken Croft that was the boys' games field. Many years earlier in the forties the school was known as Stoke Council School, my mum and her sister went there.

Hi Jonboy, You'll be pleased to know that this school has had some previous discussion, although under various titles. In order that you and others can enjoy sharing more about my former junior school, I've brought all the relevant posts I can find into this single topic... I hope you enjoy your time here!

I was at Stoke from September 1951 to December 1954, first at the annexe and then Briton Rd. At the annexe I was in 'Pop' Fawson's class an ex WW2 fighter pilot and strict disciplinarian but a great teacher. He kept order by the threat of 'Daisy' the cane which hung over the blackboard with a large blue ribbon tied round it. Such was his prowess with 'Daisy' that I remember him once caning the entire class of thirty boys because one miscreant wouldn't own up to his misdemeanour. The headmaster at this time was 'Ginger' Bailey a real toff who invariably wore tweed suits with a bow tie.He used to drive his Morris Oxford across the playground scattering boys in all directions (no health and safety mafia then).The only other teachers I remember from the annexe were a Mr Brown and a Mr Panter who strangely enough used to ride a magnificent motorbike called a Panther. My first class at Briton Rd was taught by Mr Hoare who was also the science teacher whose favourite torture was to grasp the hair in front of your ear and give it a vicious twist. The next year class was run by Charles Mortimer a real gentleman and also the geography teacher. The 4th year teacher was Mr Woodward who taught maths. Some other teachers I remember were 'Taff' Watkins, PE and rugby, Mr Knight, geography, Bulldog' Thatcher, Joe Hurst, music, Mr Warner, Mr Shilton, woodwork, and Mr Bromwich, metalwork. Presiding over the whole school was the formidable presence of Sid Bonham the Headmaster. I'm sure that somewhere I have a class photograph from 1951 which I am trying to locate, when I do I'll add it to a post.

Hi flairybell, I attended Stoke Primary School in 1963/64, before my family moved away. I remember it just as you describe, including the tree! I think it was the same Miss Ellis who taught me. I caused my mother a lot of distress as I was a very poor eater. I remember once she got me to take sandwiches to eat at 'playtime'. A rather large older boy tried to take one from me and when I refused, he reported me to one of teachers who confiscated the sandwiches as eating at 'playtime' was forbidden. A more pleasant memory was Miss Ellis putting us on her knee sometimes during 'Listen with mother'.