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Getting to school

P

Peter Walker

gone but not forgotten
One of the big changes in our lifetime is in how kids get or are got to school.
I lived in Hill Crest Grove, off Warren Road, the far side of Witton Cemetery, and my infants' school was Dulwich Road, Kingstanding, about 10 minutes' walk (no problem), but you had to cross the Hawthorn Road. As I remember, one of the mums from our road would take us up to Hawthorn Road and see us over the road, after which she would do her shopping. From there on we only had two local roads to cross and we could be trusted to find our way there. Coming back was varied. Sometimes one of the teachers would walk us up to Hawthorn Road and see us over. Other times a mum would collect us in Hawthorn Road after doing her shopping. Our parents' only worry was that we crossed the main road safely, which, if we were alone, we could be relied upon to do, but in a group was a different matter. On our way back I can remember sometimes calling in on other mums and getting a glass of water or a biscuit of even a 'piece'. There was never any notion of stalkers, attackers and suchlike, but our parents had something to think about when there was an air raid.
To get to Hawthorn Road Junior Boys' I didn't have to cross a single road, so there was no problem. By the time I was 8 I was trusted to go on my own to piano lessons in Lozells, a 3-mile bus journey.
Aston Grammar was about 3 miles away, with a long and boring walk along Frederick Road. I already had a bike, but I hardly ever used it to get to school, I think because I was too lazy.
Peter
 
I remember Dulwich Rd. school.
After we moved from Aston, in '69, when I was 10, we lived in Perry Common...and because my dad was in the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, me and my younger brother used to walk, from Dovedale Rd in Perry Common to Dulwich Rd. school, (I think it was Tuesday evenings) to learn first aid, as a St. John Ambulance Cadet.
(I don't think we stuck it out :()
 
Getting to school for me couldn,t have been easier. I went to Loxton St. School, and fortunately for me I lived in a block of flats ( Queens Tower ) right over the road ( Duddeston Manor Rd. ) from it so all I had to do each day was cross the road and walk through the bomb- peck by the side of the school and I was there. Very handy.
 
Getting to Burlington Street was a very short walk from Phillips Street, however...... once I moved to seniors it was a little longer to walk to Upper Thomas Street, but as a 2nd Year Pupil our schooling was carried out at the Annexe on Aston Hall Road, I always thought that was quite a jaunt, and I didnt like it there anyway  :mad: I wagged off a fair bit that year ^-^
 
Lived in The Rideway and we went on the No 5 Perry Common to Hastings Road Half Penny it was :D
 
Like Bazz I only had to cross the road to get to Burlington Street School, but when I went to Aston Commercial it was a fair old walk carrying a heavy satchel as we had to do homework there.
 
HI EVERYBODY , MY EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO SCHOOL, I USED TO GO TO STEWARD ST, LADY WOOD, AND THAT WAS A JUNIOR SCHOOL, AND I ONLY LIVED 4OO YARDS FROM IT, BUT THEN I HAD TO GO TO THE SENIOR SCHOOL I HAD TOO CHOOSE BETWEEN OSELA SCHOOL FOR BOY,S OR ICKNIELD SEC END REMODERN HOCKL;EY BROOK, AND BECOS MY TWO COUSIN,S WERE ALREADY THERE [ BARRY AND BRYAN PHELP,S ] THEY LIVED NEXT DOOR TO THE SCHOOL IN FORD ST, I WAS LIVING 4 OR 5 MILES AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL, ANYWAY IHAD TO WALK ,OR RUN TO SCHOOL, MOM APPLIED TO THE EDUCATION DEPT, AND THEY GAVE HER A REG,, SUPPLY OF LITTLE RED BUS TOKEN,S ,TO TRAVEL FREE ON THE NO, 8 BUS ,FOR ME TO GO TO SCHOOL THESE WAS FOR THE POOR PEOPLE,;ASTONIAN
 
An extract from a post I made on another thread sometime back:
"...But I did use those bus tokens every day for going to school with when I was attending Priestly Smith school in Perry Common Rd. I caught the bus at the bottom of Dartmouth St on Aston Rd I think it was the 65 to Stockland Green and then the 28 up Perry Common Rd to the school. The 64 & 66 also stopped at the Dartmouth St stop to go along Aston Rd. The three buses when their separate ways after reaching Salford Bridge near Long acre (But I'm sure Diana could correct me if I've got it wrong). Sometimes I got really worried about catching the wrong bus and being late for school because of my poor eyesight.
... the colour depended on the value of the token Blue, Green, Red, Orange, and Yellow - not sure now of the order but it was something like;  Bl 6d - Ora 3d - Re 1d - Gr 1d.1/2d and Ye 1/2d again these values could be wrong"

Chris :angel:
 
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL: My Mom walked me from our house in Moss Vale Grove WARD END to my first school Nansen road about 1/2 mile from home. Well that was easy. come play time the teacher said "you can go now", I thought I like this school, I ASSUMED this meant home time so on that first day I made the 1/2 mile trip home alone ,to my Mother amazement! "what are you doing home" "The teacher said we could go now" so back to school I went double quick.
Just another memory which poped into my head while reading this topic.
Thanks ASTON ::)
 
I used to walk to Leigh Rd. Down Wright Road, along Washwood Heath and down Leigh. Later when I went to a school in Handsworth I took the Washwood Heath bus (#11. I think) I can,t think of the name of the street in town where I got off but it was opposite Cherry Street. Walked up Cherry Street; always stop to look at the model airplanes in the corner shop. Quiken the pace a bit across the church grounds and catch a bus in front of Snow Hill Station. Sometimes met a pal there. We always tried to catch an old West Brom bus because all of their drivers were trained by Stirling Moss or Jack Brabbham. You got there faster. The only thing was you had to sneak up on them because if the conductor saw you coming he would ring the bell quickly and make you run. We did have some fun in those days. When my kids, born in Canada, had school busses to ride on I alwyas told them they were pampered. I gave them the Canadian line... "I had to walk miles to school...up hill....both ways...IN MY PYJAMAS!!!
Regards.
 
22 miles I had to walk to School and uphill both ways.
In reality I walked from Ashted Row to Cromwell St School, just short of a mile.
I did this 4 times a day as Mom wouldn't let us have School dinners.
One of the bad things about living so far from the place was I didn't see many friends unless it was School term.
There was no Bus from where I lived, you either walked or that was it.
I know we used to live In Cromwell St in the mid 50's and the rest of us just just continued after we moved away.
It was an easy walk in the good weather but in Winter I got there so cold I was crying.
And in the rain? well...
Duddeston was better, I lived in Hindlow Close then which was about 200 yards away..
I loved School and still think of it fondly
Happy days.
 
A little boy being taken to school on his first day gets to the gate and decides that's far enough, "don't want to go mom" "You MUST go" says mom, "It's the law, you have to go till you're 16". the boy relents and sets off through the gate then turns and over his shoulder says "Mom, you will come back and fetch me when I'm 16 won't you". E.
 
I still got a few tokens which I would swop for a free school dinner ticket
 
Peter, when did you go to King Edwards Grammar? 'cause I used to live in "Boring' Frederick Rd. :p
 
I never found walking a long Frederick Rd boring it was like going back in time with the old house with the coach house built in and that very gray friers of a building that was King Edwards Grammer. would not call that boring.
Great Photo.
ASTON
 
I lived in Wellington Street, Winson Green and went to Foundry Road Juniors' School. I can only remember being taken by Mom on the first day, just to show me where it was. From then on I was reluctantly escorted by my big sister. I s'pose it must've been that first day that I made exactly the same mistake as aston and came home at playtime. :-\ Fortunately, there was only Foundry Road and Wellington Street to cross and neither were particularly busy.

I could go on about how my sister and I had only one pair of wellies between us so had to hop to school holding hands when it rained. With all that training we did great in the three-legged race on sports day - but I ain't even going to mention it. ;)
 
That Photo Alf, it sends shivers down may back of that day when I sat my 11 plus within them there walls, I was petrofied seeing the teachers dress just like Will Hay & Robert Donnat in good by Mr Chips. :-[
O what a day that was,never to be forgot. :eek:
ASTON
 
My son went to King Edwards School, Aston, starting in 1970 and they held an Open Day for parents to tour round the school prior to the start date, one thing I can remember clearly was they still had the fireplaces in the classrooms from when they had coal fires. I personally mourn the passing of the Grammar Schools are they were a way to a better education and standard of living for working class children. My son and all his friends have done exceptionally well in life, most from what can be described as from deprived backgrounds.
 
I was in Aston today, I went and sat in the car outside KEGS and thought long and hard about my days living just around the corner. Some very happy memories.
Mike.
 
sylviasayers said:
My son went to King Edwards School, Aston, starting in 1970.
Click to expand...
my brother, Clive, went there from (I think it must have been) '73.

Here he is in his uniform...can't you tell  it was the 70's by the hair?  ;D (it would never be allowed now)



I went to Erdington Girls Grammar School (E.G.G.S.) from 1970.
 
I was onlhy thinking today of the couple of times I ran home at playtime thinking school had finished.

I hid behind the wringer (mangle) when I got home and realised I'd made a mistake.
 
and for those who hadnt a clue what kegs stood for,pay attention as i am asking questions later :2funny:
 
Well that is a surprise to see Aston Grammar, looking quite smart in the sun. Must have been the Albert Road side. A lot has been added since I was there, as it used to be the tall buildings on either side, and a playground in the middle. Where there is the small spire on the roof was a one-storey building - loos and cycle sheds.
Thanks for the pics.
Peter
 
there were a few K.E.G.S. meet E.G.G.S. discos in the early 70's ;D
no booze there of course ;) .. I remember one being held near Aston Cross, but I can't remember what building now.
 
thing is, I don't think it was a pub as many of the pupils were under 16, (even though some of the upper 6th/over 18's might have been there). Some teachers there too, if I remember right.
Me and my schoolfriends went to about 2...we were probably 14 and 15.
It seems so long ago I can hardly remember...
;D I'm surprised we weren't drunk though, as my strongest memory of one of the nights is me and about 5 friends going from there to the bus stop on Lichfield Road, arm in arm, singing 'By The Light Of The Silvery Moon'...for some reason  :D
 
Mazbeth,
You have managed to stir memories for my wife with your photographs. (Not the boozing I may add)
She taught chemistry there in 65/66 and again from 74/76.
She recalls Miss Hill the headmistress and Miss Woods Deputy Head who also taught Chemistry.
Were these of your era?
My wife left EGGS when we moved south
 
I was there from Sept. '70-July '75, so I must have come across your wife.
My chemistry teacher was the, then, deputy head, Miss Knight. :)
I was in S form, so maybe (if she's not Miss Knight) she took other forms.
 
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