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ELKINGTON ST SCHOOL
- Thread starter postie
- Start date
I am not sure if this is the correct place to post, so early apologies for possible cross postings.
I have just received a photo copy of the cover pages an ancestor of mine received from Elkington School in June 1886. I am interested in finding out more about the school i.e position, are attendance records of school available?
Not sure what is kept on file in England, working only from knowledge of Australian school archives. I would appreciate any advice of where to go.
I have just received a photo copy of the cover pages an ancestor of mine received from Elkington School in June 1886. I am interested in finding out more about the school i.e position, are attendance records of school available?
Not sure what is kept on file in England, working only from knowledge of Australian school archives. I would appreciate any advice of where to go.
Peter Brackley
proper brummie kid
What happy memories I have of my time there, once of course I'd got used to the idea that this was where I was going every day.
The lovely Miss Stringer in Reception who I worshipped, perhaps she realised that I was a stalker in the making because she left the school, I think to emigrate to New Zealand; obviously she felt safe that far away.
Then there was the aptly named Miss Blunt who took the oldest Inant class, she was a pretty scary lady but a great teacher and someone who was determined to ensure that every child in her class would get the best start that she could give them. No flashy whiteboards for us kids in those days, although we did have slates, with one side for written work and the other for calculations. The little box of chalks we each had and the cloth duster were our pride and joy.
Soon it was time to move on to the main Junior school but sadly I don't remember quite as much about my time there. I do have fond memories of Mrs Cropper who promised to take the top performing children out in her car to release the newts we had in the classroom. What excitement for the three or four of us who were lucky enough to go, the very first time that I went anywhere in a car, a little dark green Austin, possibly an A35? The journey was great fun, most of us squashed in the back and one of us sitting on Mrs Cropper's lap in the front seat, while her husband drove. How on earth did we all manage without risk assessments.
Miss Lamb was the silver haired headmistress and I remember going in to her office once, can't remember why but my over-riding memory is of the light streaming through her silver hair from the window behind her desk. I'm sure that I thought she sat at God's right hand.
The playground was of course all boys, the girls were sent to the other half on the Infant side of the shelter, presumably to help to look after the little ones. many more happy memories of a school that gave me such a good grounding and what a sad day when I had to leave when our house was due to be demolished, life was never the same again. I felt such a debt that I did return after I passed the 11+, proudly wearing my King Edwards school uniform just to say a big thank you. Happy days.
The lovely Miss Stringer in Reception who I worshipped, perhaps she realised that I was a stalker in the making because she left the school, I think to emigrate to New Zealand; obviously she felt safe that far away.
Then there was the aptly named Miss Blunt who took the oldest Inant class, she was a pretty scary lady but a great teacher and someone who was determined to ensure that every child in her class would get the best start that she could give them. No flashy whiteboards for us kids in those days, although we did have slates, with one side for written work and the other for calculations. The little box of chalks we each had and the cloth duster were our pride and joy.
Soon it was time to move on to the main Junior school but sadly I don't remember quite as much about my time there. I do have fond memories of Mrs Cropper who promised to take the top performing children out in her car to release the newts we had in the classroom. What excitement for the three or four of us who were lucky enough to go, the very first time that I went anywhere in a car, a little dark green Austin, possibly an A35? The journey was great fun, most of us squashed in the back and one of us sitting on Mrs Cropper's lap in the front seat, while her husband drove. How on earth did we all manage without risk assessments.
Miss Lamb was the silver haired headmistress and I remember going in to her office once, can't remember why but my over-riding memory is of the light streaming through her silver hair from the window behind her desk. I'm sure that I thought she sat at God's right hand.
The playground was of course all boys, the girls were sent to the other half on the Infant side of the shelter, presumably to help to look after the little ones. many more happy memories of a school that gave me such a good grounding and what a sad day when I had to leave when our house was due to be demolished, life was never the same again. I felt such a debt that I did return after I passed the 11+, proudly wearing my King Edwards school uniform just to say a big thank you. Happy days.
W
Wendy
Guest
Hello Peter, I realy enjoyed reading your recollections of school. I am sure there are many others here who share your memories. Thank you for the lovely post!
L
Landcrab
Guest
Hi Peter,I went to St Clements School,Nechells.Left 1953.We used to go to Elkington St for science lessons as we did'nt have a Lab.We used to assemble at school at 9.am and they would give us plastic tokens to use for bus fare.We would then make our way to Elkington Street by bus ,have our lesson and then make our way back to school.We did all this under our own steam,with no teacher to escort us.Could you imagine that happening today?
Hi Peter
I also attended Elkington Street School, along with my older sister & younger brother. What years were you there ? I was there from 1959 to 1966.
I remember Miss Lambsdown the Head Mistress, but I think someone else took over from her whilst I was there.
There was Mr Narbitt, Mr Dodd, Miss Webster, Miss Gibbs, I can't think of any others at the moment. I did Scottish & Country dancing with Miss Webster. I managed to track her down a few years ago & we correspond every xmas - she's 81 now !!
I also attended Elkington Street School, along with my older sister & younger brother. What years were you there ? I was there from 1959 to 1966.
I remember Miss Lambsdown the Head Mistress, but I think someone else took over from her whilst I was there.
There was Mr Narbitt, Mr Dodd, Miss Webster, Miss Gibbs, I can't think of any others at the moment. I did Scottish & Country dancing with Miss Webster. I managed to track her down a few years ago & we correspond every xmas - she's 81 now !!
Peter Brackley
proper brummie kid
Hi Nanet,
It's great to finally find someone who also went to Elkington Street. As you will have seen from my post, I loved the school and I only left when we were moved out of our three room house in New John St West as part of the slum clearance programme that changed the face of the city for ever. It saddens me to see, when I return, that there is only a dual carriageway where our house once stood but then that period was one in which the heart of the city was ripped out in tribute to the car.
It seemed to many of us that the sixties was a period of civic madness when we lost so many memorable and beautiful Victorian buildings; how wonderful that the seventies and eighties saw the rebirth of civic pride in our city, which now celebrates it's heritage.
Rant over.
I was a pupil from 1953/54 - 1958/59 as far as I can recall but don't remember any of the teachers that you've mentioned, with the exception of Miss 'Lamb?' who was the headteacher during my time at the school. If your older sister was there at a similar time as me she might be able to spot herself in the couple of class pictures that have been posted. In any event thanks for getting in touch, it's good to know that others have good memories of Elkington Street.
Welcome to the site, if this is one of your first posts, may there be many more.
It's great to finally find someone who also went to Elkington Street. As you will have seen from my post, I loved the school and I only left when we were moved out of our three room house in New John St West as part of the slum clearance programme that changed the face of the city for ever. It saddens me to see, when I return, that there is only a dual carriageway where our house once stood but then that period was one in which the heart of the city was ripped out in tribute to the car.
It seemed to many of us that the sixties was a period of civic madness when we lost so many memorable and beautiful Victorian buildings; how wonderful that the seventies and eighties saw the rebirth of civic pride in our city, which now celebrates it's heritage.
Rant over.
I was a pupil from 1953/54 - 1958/59 as far as I can recall but don't remember any of the teachers that you've mentioned, with the exception of Miss 'Lamb?' who was the headteacher during my time at the school. If your older sister was there at a similar time as me she might be able to spot herself in the couple of class pictures that have been posted. In any event thanks for getting in touch, it's good to know that others have good memories of Elkington Street.
Welcome to the site, if this is one of your first posts, may there be many more.
Hi Nanet and Peter
Came across this site by accident, they were talking about a sculptor called Elkington on antique Road Show. So I said to my wife I went to a school called Elkington in my school days. Then looking up the History of the School, I found myself on this site. unbelievable,
When reading your article it just blew me away that other people had been to this school.
I went to Elkington school between 58-63/64
and then to Upper Thomas St School in the Seniors. I lived at 3/449 New John Street West. I had a sister and two brothers who attended as well.
The only teacher I can remember at the moment is miss Webster. A good Friend at the time was a guy called Keith Aidney who I contacted a couple of years ago on Facebook.
I hope you respond so we can Talk some more.
Came across this site by accident, they were talking about a sculptor called Elkington on antique Road Show. So I said to my wife I went to a school called Elkington in my school days. Then looking up the History of the School, I found myself on this site. unbelievable,
When reading your article it just blew me away that other people had been to this school.
I went to Elkington school between 58-63/64
and then to Upper Thomas St School in the Seniors. I lived at 3/449 New John Street West. I had a sister and two brothers who attended as well.
The only teacher I can remember at the moment is miss Webster. A good Friend at the time was a guy called Keith Aidney who I contacted a couple of years ago on Facebook.
I hope you respond so we can Talk some more.
aston lad
master brummie
Hi Chef7070......I was at Upper Thomas Street ( seniors) between 1964 and 1968, my first teacher there was Keith Hatter, my last was Hurford, a couple of lads in my class throughout them years living in Elkington Street , Raymond Glazzard was one , Alan Whelan was another, Kevin Yates not in my class ( year older ) also attend both the schools you went to as well...
Hi Aston Lad
Yes I went to Upper Thomas St School around that period, I can’t remember the Teachers names as it was so long ago. I do remember the schools Annex which we use quite a lot, through Aston Park down by the Cemetery. I finished School July 69 so it’s all around that period.
We left Hockley and moved to Aston in 63 to Phillip St at the bottom on Upper Thomas St.
A couple of years after leaving School I joined the Army so my upbringing put me in good shape. All I can say is they were great years and I experienced something you can’t buy. I always thought nobody experienced my upbringing until I read a book called A Brummie Kid who lived around Aston and realised we were all in the same Boat.
I now live in Salisbury but it’s great to relive the past which I never forgot.
Steve
Yes I went to Upper Thomas St School around that period, I can’t remember the Teachers names as it was so long ago. I do remember the schools Annex which we use quite a lot, through Aston Park down by the Cemetery. I finished School July 69 so it’s all around that period.
We left Hockley and moved to Aston in 63 to Phillip St at the bottom on Upper Thomas St.
A couple of years after leaving School I joined the Army so my upbringing put me in good shape. All I can say is they were great years and I experienced something you can’t buy. I always thought nobody experienced my upbringing until I read a book called A Brummie Kid who lived around Aston and realised we were all in the same Boat.
I now live in Salisbury but it’s great to relive the past which I never forgot.
Steve
Hi Nanet, whilst I never remembered who took us for Scottish & Country Dancing but I remembered taking part, I also remembered being taken to watch a performance at another School of Pirates of Penzance, I sure Miss Webster was the one that took us. ??
aston lad
master brummie
Hi Steve....If you attended school the same time as myself, then there is a good chance I know you ....what is your surname if you don't mind....I help run a face book page Astonbrook-through- Astonmanor, its worth a view some good photo's of both Upper Thomas Street and Elkington Street on there, Cheers John
Hi John
I’m Stephen Wheeldon I lived in New John St West, Hockley between 54-63, attended Elkington St School 58-64 we then moved to Phillip St, Aston 63-67. Attended Upper Thomas St School 63-67. These dates are roughly about right, born 1954 and leaving School in 1969. We moved as areas became demolished.
My Sister Cheryl and brothers Alan and Charlie were shortly behind me so their names maybe familiar.
I’m approaching 67 in August if that’s any help.
Steve
Not a great photo, but an interesting raised seating arrangement. Photo must be early 1900s. Viv.
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Hi Steve. I did not know whether you will get this. But I remember you and your brother Allan from the late 50’s early 60’s but not seen hide nor hair of you both since about 1964. If you get this would you be kind enough to email me at “ [email protected] “.
