Sheldon Heath Comprehensive

[sheldontony]

where is Lyndon green school. I went to Blakenhale and then Sheldon heath Comp. Always thought Lyndon Green was other side of Coventry Road.

 

[Bookworm]

Sheldontony... Lyndon Green School is really in the Gilbertstone area. Lyndon Green is a little further over (but not by much!). The school is almost surrounded by Wychwood Crescent with Wensley Road along the top. I cannot remember when it first opened (I was in the first intake) but it is over sixty years ago. They have a web site which is interesting.

 

[cathrays]

I started School at Bordesley Green Primary. (The headmistress was Miss Thomlinson and my favourite teacher was Miss Mottershaw.) To get there we caught a school bus at the corner of Sheldon Heath Rd and Este Rd. I remember Bordesley Green as a very old, run-down primary school, very dark and dingy.) I moved to Blakenhale Rd School, newly-built, about 1951. The teachers I remember from the early 50's were Mr. Hardingham (headmaster) - he had a passion for Country Dancing, Mrs Breeze, Mr Wright, ( a very likeable young Welshman), Mr Pearmain - took us for cricket - a strict disciplinarian, handy with the slipper, Mr Eccles (probably taught me the most at that School, ) Mr Rome, (a teacher of the old school, commanded respect), Miss John ( middle-agedd, lived with her mother ,anxiety-ridden, very pitiable - her life was made a misery by the heartless young lads.) My claim to fame there was that I captained the cricket team which took out the all-Birmingham primary school championship.). One of my most vivid memories came about when we had a young, male student-teacher at the School. He took pity on me because of our poverty ( being one of a large family with a bed-ridden father.) He lived with his parents at Dudley and with the permission of my mother and the Headmaster he took me to live with them for a couple of weeks where they bought me new clothes and took me to the Zoo, the cinema, and to a football match. Can you imagine that happening these days with our fear of paedophilia and the like. I became a case-study for his major college assignment which was on the topic of bright, disadvantaged children. I later followed his career with interest and he became the head-master of a Wolverhampton school.

Yes, vivid and happy memories of Blakenhale Primary School. I wonder if there are any famous "old-boys" from there? On that topic a few years ago I googled the name of one of my class-mates from there, whom I hadn't seen for over 50 years, on the off-chance I might make contact with him. To my delight I discovered that he had become the Professor of Astronomy at an Irish University, and to cut a long story short we got together and have spent very memorable holidays both in Ireland and here, where I now live in Australia.

That's my bit of self-indulgence for the day!


Ray

 

[Bookworm]

This is a most interesting post Ray. The situation both during and after the war was very fluid. Some that had been evacuated remained to live with the families they went to by mutual consent. Others were involved in a shameful government plan that saw children sent to the colonies; supposedly to give them a better chance in life but in reality to a life of forced labour and abuse. Sadly Australia and Canada were foremost in this trade which continued into the fifties. In recent times both countries have expressed profuse regrets. These were strange times and the class system still prevailed (as it does now but in a clandestine way). Even among our working class existence there were always families who were worse off than yours. The five children of the family we thought of as being the poorest all went on to do well. And so onto the comprehensive system. In 1948 major changes were introduced into education. Then (as now) it was something of a political football with the conservatives hanging onto the grammar schools and labour wanting to introduce a more progressive secondary education. The comprehensive school system was introduced into parliament as 'education for the artisan classes'. I think this means 'metal bashers' rather than white collar workers. At Sheldon Heath Comp. we were the first to be involved in this social experiment. If you put a mixture of light and heavy oils in a bottle with water and give it a good shake then for a while it appears homogeneous. When rested for a short while the layers appear. This was my experience of the comprehensive experiment. It is relevant to consider that throughout my school life there were never any other than white pupils. I can only imagine this would have made even more layers had it been otherwise. The class system prevailed and in a country where only 3% of the school population went on to university you were very lucky to get there unless you were well connected. My time at the comp. was happy. As a prefect I was invited to the opening ceremony (about 18 months after it had been up and running). I remember sitting there in my patched trousers listening to Hugh Gaitskill extol the benefits of this new system. Most teacher were poorly paid in those days but had a more vocational approach to their work. After school activities and sports were all carried out in their own time. My own champion was Harvey Jones a maths teacher with a bad cleft pallet. A much loved teacher by many for his tireless commitment to many activities (including chess). Few teachers had cars. I was good at maths but people did seem to have a better grasp of the fundamentals than they do now (a generalisation I know). Prior to 1971 we had to calculate in multi bases (l.s.d.) and the metric system changed all that; probably for the better in some respect but not for mental arithmetic! If there was movements between the classes (School classes not social status) then I was not aware of them. Few employers were interested in our qualifications (unless you hoped to enter a profession) as most had their own entrance criteria. I was involved in early I.Q. tests at Edmond Street for entrance into the navy. Success in this was sadly thwarted by failing the stringent eyesight test. Entrance exams into the printing industry lead to a career in that. So the comp is to become an Academy and now 30% of school leavers go to university (although it was explained by Kenneth Clerk the then secretary for education that it was neither desirable or affordable to give the 30% the same level of education as the 3%) I wish them well. After I retired I worked as an exam invigilator for ten years at a former grammar school. I have some doubts about the paper chase in the present system.

 

[cathrays]

Phil: It's my turn to say that I found your post both stimulating and profound. I agree with almost everything in it. Incidentally, I, too, was at the Gaitskill school opening.......

I would like to have said that it was the English class system that drove me to Australia. I am afraid it was something much more pressing for me at that time. I hesitate to tell you about it, but with the passage of years, it doesn't matter anymore. Like you, I was a bright kid from an impoverished home. One of our teachers (who, as you have described, were an idealistic bunch on the whole) took me under his wing.....Thought he would get me into Cambridge.....Allowed me to go to his home every night with my homework...... Unfortunately, his wife also took me under her wing and at the tender age of 17 we embarked on a futile and clandestine affair. Callow youth that I was I could not give her what she wanted and although the relationship lasted several years (throughout my time at Leeds University) it inevitably came to a grinding halt when she decided to "come out" about the affair. All Hell broke loose of course and to cut a long story short I went into exile in Australia, (that was 1968) where I intended to throw my life away by working in the zinc mines in Tasmania. Such was my guilt.Fortunately, that didn't happen because I had the great fortune to meet the person who was to become my wife. Talk about Amazing Grace!

That was my education at Sheldon Heath Comprehensive. Like the curate's egg it had some good and bad bits. I hope I haven't bored you, Phil.


Ray

 

[Bookworm]

Ray... Bored me!? This is the stuff of Dickensian novels (you have seen my sobriquet). I read it to my wife (a retired deputy head) who, while not normally taciturn, was struck dumb! ( whether in awe or envy I do not know). I would like to think it was Mrs Roberts although this is improbable. We are pleased you did not finish up in the zinc mines (although this would look better in the film before being rescued by your girl). I jest of course but the parallel with Mrs Robinson is unmissable. I have seen a little saying somewhere that goes ''There is a destiny which shapes our ends... Rough hew it as you may!'' Clearly the fates had a happy end in mind for you..... I am glad for it !.... Phil

 

[cathrays]

Hi Phil.

Who is Mrs Roberts? Do you mean Hilda Roberts - she who was desperate for us rat-bags to lose our Birmingham accents and learn to talk posh? Perish the thought!
No, my lady was an opera singer with all the passion and temperament of a diva. She once took me along to a performance of La Boheme trying to broaden my horizons. I who was an avid Buddy Holly fan. Strangely, enough, I now quite like opera, but then, it was a different story.....

You mentioned your wife isWelsh. My wife, too, is Welsh . (at least, her family is)...Her father was a miner from the Rhondda who emigrated to Australia in 1952. My wife and I went back there a few years ago on a nostalgic trip. What an interesting community! What history! What poignancy! What resilience! The old Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau sung by a Welsh crowd still brings a tear to our eyes!

Incidentally, whose class were you in at Sheldon Heath?I started in a class that was designated 1XP...... My English teacher and form-master was Cliff Stanley, a uniquely flamboyant and idealistic man who had studied under FR Leavis, the most influential Cambridge critic of his day. He found out in later life that he was from Romany blood and he promptly changed his name to a Romany name. He died prematurely in his 50's of a heart-attack. In our time at school he left his wife and kids to live with Vonnie Mitchell, a history teacher at the School. Other idealists of our time were Victor Skipp, who left teaching to become a writer and earned international acclaim as a local historian....(They have all of his books here at the Adelaide University Library.) and Alec Pearson, the Art Master who was to go on to become an artist with international exposure (see https://www.biroz.net/visions/great-collective-animism.htm) Yes, I think they were all inspired by the Labour ideal of the Comprehensive system which never seems to have fulfilled its promise. But there again there were also the more humble teachers who made an enormous contribution and you rightly identify Harvey Jones who dedicated his life to teaching. Sadly, I found out recently that after the death of his mother, he became a total recluse and was not open to approach by anyone, including his former pupils. One of my clearest memories of Harvey Jones arose when I was once travelling in a car wth the Headmaster, Joe Smith. He had given me a lift to Cheltenham where we were both playing in a Warwicks v Gloucester chess match. On the way back we encountered a heavy fog and Joe had the great misfortune to run smack-bang into the back of a parked vehicle. We were both seriously shaken up but not hurt. Very fortunately, Harvey Jones was driving behind us and came upon our predicament. He quickly took charge of everything, interacted with the police and delivered both the Headmaster and me back home to Birmingham. Good old Harvey Jones!

I would be very interested to hear your recollections of life at Sheldon Heath.

Ray

 

[Eileen G]

I work at what was Sheldon Heath School. It is being demolished in the summer to make way for a brand new secondary school.

We are holding a small event for any ex-students from the 1950's and 1960's who would like to spend a few hours re-tracing old steps and meeting up with old school mates. Included will be a tour, lunch and a look at some archive materials from those golden days. If anyone is interested please call me at the school on 0121 464 4428. If anyone has any old anecdotes or photos I could have it would be much appreciated. Eileen

 

[sheldontony]

I attended Sheldon Heath and left July 1964. I remember Mr Blundell the maths teacher. I was a member of the hiking club and went on many interesting walks usually on a Sunday. Mr Blundell arranged a holiday to Germany and we hiked down the River Rhine staying in Youth Hostels - pprobably wouldnt be allowed now. In 1964 we went to the Peak District again using YHA. Does anyone remember the hiking club, maybe going on the walks

 

[Historynut]

Speaking to Blacksmith this afternoon and the re-reading the comments on the Pond (and on dear old Sheldon Heath) has reminded me of other memories. I can clearly remember Malcolm Page walking up Brays Road, before he was a regular Blues player. I attended Lyndon Green. The infant school teachers have gone from my memory although I do remember one with a withered arm. In the junior school the Headmistress was Miss Masterson and my teachers from years 1-4 were Miss Bates, Miss Hyde, Mrs Babington, and Miss Evans (who became Mrs Jones). I went to the Comp and it was the making of me. In my mind I could go back and walk the entire site. As to the pond, I've already said a lot but can also remember the water tank although I can see it on the other side of the pond by the landing stage. As a townie the pond was so important as it gave me a love of nature.

 

[Historynut]

I've just found this forum, and its brought back many memories I spent five years at Sheldon Heath early sixties. Unfortunately I have no recollection of the house names, but some of the staff names I recall Mr Marshall, Mr Swan physics, Miss Coombes RE, and I think there was a Mr Baggs woodwork. My first form teacher taught history but he left to become a monk, I remember our classroom had a model of a wattle and Daub house.

I had all these teachers and was there from 1962-69. Doug Smith

 

[Historynut]

I think it was J E Smith and his nickname was God because he was rarely seen and drifted in with an omnipotent presence. I was also in the Chess Team and was taught by dear Harvey Jones. Doug Dennis reminded me of Oddjob because of his shape. He turned up again at Worcester College as a lecturer. I believe that when he retired he presented Joe Smith with a huge pile of unopened letters sent via internal post to him.

 

[sheldontony]

I went to the Comp and became friends with Christopher Marshall, the headmasters son. He came to my house one evening after school and was collected by his father. I hadn't told my mother who he was. Big surprise on her face when she opened the door to the Headmaster. They lived in Blakesley road.

 

[Historynut]

Hi Tony,
I don't remember Christopher but I remember his Dad who was Charlie Marshall. I think he was Deputy Head under God.
best wishes,
Doug

 

[sheldontony]

Yes, wasn't Mr Smith the head, Marshall was head of lower school. Cant remember heads of middle or upper schools. I left the Comp in 1964.

 

[Historynut]

I came in Sept 1962. I think Mr Marshall may still have been head of Lower then but was replaced by Ellis Williams with Mrs Coombes as his deputy. Head of Middle was Mr Ridsdale and head of Upper Russell Edwards.

 

[sheldontony]

I remember Mrs Coombes well, and her daughter.

 

[jean ann]

I was also there from 1956 -1960 love all these memories

 

[Hugh Townley]

I was there from 1958-1965 but my older brother Tony Townley was in the first intake at "the comp". We lived across the road at 219, Sheldon Heath Road.
Sheldon Heath Comprehensive School was one of the two original comprehensive's built in Birmingham (along with Great Barr). Although it was a comprehensive it was streamed and, as there was still an 11+ exam, you could enter the "grammar" stream. The difference was that there was the potential to move streams at any stage.
The first Headmaster was Mr J E Smith.
When comprehensives went out of favour it became Sheldon Heath Community School (a high school) and then, having gained specialist status as an Arts College it was renamed Sheldon Heath Community Arts College.
In September 2010 the school was given Academy status, "taken over" by the King Edward VI foundation and renamed King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy (KESH).
The original lower school buildings were demolished and a new school was built on the site of lower school and then the original middle and upper school buildings were demolished.

There is a Facebook group SHELDON HEATH COMPREHENSIVE APPRECIATION SOCIETY which is the nearest thing to an Old Girls & Boys Society.

 

[jean ann]

SHELDON
This thread has inspired me to send my first post! As a lad from Cotteridge/Kings Norton, in 1956 I was unaware of far-flung districts such as Sheldon but all that changed when I was told my Secondary education was to be at the brand new SHELDON HEATH COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL. I was one of its most undistinguished pupils for nearly 3 years (at which time we moved to Kent) from Summer 1956 to Spring 1959. At that time, this wonderful school had only been open for one year & the builders were still on site. After the cosy atmosphere of Bournville Primary, this ultra modern "big" school was a revelation by contrast & I was really very happy, despite long bus rides each day. Anyone else got memories of this school for the same time period? Pity there's not an Old Girls & Boys Society for the school, or is there?
David.

hi David I started at the same year it was a great school my name was Jean salliss

 

[John derek]

I was born and grew up on Brays road, how I would love to go over to the pond. I was only telling my kids about that water tank in the middle of the pond . I loved to walk through the woods at the back of the pond . Also you mentioned Malcom Page , I still have his autograph.

 

[John derek]

Thanks - brummie nick - The link was very interesting and reflects all of my memories about the pond. The feeder spring ran as a small stream along our garden before they put an overflow system in. The pond was our favourite (and nearest) but there were many open places we could go to in the area. Dose anyone remember 'Baggies' off Barrows Lane (and Common Lane)? Now a park. Also King George V playing fields. The pond was a wildlife haven. Winters were colder then and it was a wonderland. There was a couple of bike tracks up there; one round the pond (very hairy in places) and a flatter one in the adjoining field. The water was very clear and all sorts of creatures could be found. The far side had become somewhat overgrown with yellow irisis and reeds but could be navigated in the tank with care. Lastly, the woods were in fact an arboretum with many specimen trees. I particularly remember a superb walnut tree (quickly moved when they cleared the site for the special school). I have seen a photograph somewhere of the tank being buried deep in the foundations when they dug out the pool.

 

[sheldontony]

I was in the same class as Malcolm Page at Sheldon Heath until 1964. Other names I remember were Jimmy Dipple, lived on cranes park, John Mclure, lived in prefab in Moat Lane, Geoff Horner lived on downsfield rd. Malcolm had a brother Erwin if I remember.

 

[Maureen Castanheira]

Hi I also was at sheldon heath comprehensive school from 1956 till 1960 one of my teachers was a Mr Tipping of my classmates I remember best friend Jean Salis Edwin Benton Joan Green and Christine Rhodes lovely days and a great school

 

[jean ann]

Hi I also was at sheldon heath comprehensive school from 1956 till 1960 one of my teachers was a Mr Tipping of my classmates I remember best friend Jean Salis Edwin Benton Joan Green and Christine Rhodes lovely days and a great school

Hi I also was at sheldon heath comprehensive school from 1956 till 1960 one of my teachers was a Mr Tipping of my classmates I remember best friend Jean Salis Edwin Benton Joan Green and Christine Rhodes lovely days and a great school

Maureen I speak of you often jean salliss also been in touch with Kay Sankey

 

[Maureen Castanheira]

Don't remember a Kay I now live just across from the school so iv come full circle got great memories

 

[jean ann]

Don't remember a Kay I now live just across from the school so iv come full circle got great memories

I live in marston green

 

[jean ann]

I live in marston green

let me know where and when

 

[Maureen Castanheira]

Would Wednesday 31st may be OK I can meet where ever suits you x

 

[jean ann]

yes that's fine I drive so anywhere is ok