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St. John's Approved School

  • Thread starter Thread starter sally kennedy
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sally kennedy

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Is there anyone at all - anywhere - who remembers this 'School'? I believe it is now called St.Johns Community School. Its on Gravelly Hill, Erdington. I've looked on Friends Re-united, Been all through Google, and I can't find any record of the place ever having existed. There must be someone out there that was there round about 1959/60. It seems that they made it a co-ed after that, but no previous records. Help!!
I would love to get in touch with some of my old friends from those days. It was run by the Sisters of Charity. Huh!! Some charity that was.
Any donations gratefully received. SALLY
The girls that attended, I have to say, didn't necessarily come from Birmingham. Most of them came from the Manchester, London, Liverpool areas.
 
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hello sally

i worked at st johns childrens home gravelly hill north from 1986 - 2000 so well after you were there. it was (and still is) a home for young people on remand, in trouble with the law and also it did have a secure unit there for the most serious offenders.

i heard it was run by nuns in the past and of course it is next door to st mary and st johns catholic church.

it looks like the national archives have some records of the school pre 1950 but they are not available to be seen yet.
i hope you manage to contact some of your friends. all the best

chris
 
I too worked at St John's from 1992 - 2005 when the secure unit closed.

Christine Bill I remember your name, can't put a picture to it though.
.

Bob
 
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Chris, thanks for your response to my appeal. I really thought that this school was now a secondary school, only because on Friends Reunited there were quite a few people, boys and girls that had attended. But when I was there, it was only girls. And Bill, it would be great if you could find out something for me from the late fifties/sixties. It seems like all the records have been wiped from the face of the earth. So can I assume it isn't run by Nuns anymore? Thanks for your help, both of you. Sally
 
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The sisters of mercy Liverpool originally ran the school for "naughty" girls.

The nuns handed the school and residential block to Bham Soc Serv around 1978, at the same time a wall was built between the childrens home and St Mary and John's church.

The site consisted of a childrens home, a secure unit, a school and remand unit.

A new secure unit was built on the tennis courts which opened in April 1992.

I think it was in 1997 that the whole site was closed down except for the secure unit.

The old building called Woodsong was demolished.

The childrens home was converted to an eight bed remand centre.

2005 the secure unit was closed and mothballed.
 
Hi Bob, thankyou for all the information you have given me. Very interesting. I wonder what happened to all the records pre-1962. The actually approved 'school' was fenced off with barbed wire when I was there, and there was also a hostel next door, which was open, for the girls who were due to be released and were allowed to go to work (sort of trustees). I worked at the GEC factory in (Aston?) I think. It was down the canal path. I had to work there for 3 months before I could be released.
Thanks again. Sally
 
sally kennedy said:
Hi Bob, thankyou for all the information you have given me. Very interesting. I wonder what happened to all the records pre-1962. The actually approved 'school' was fenced off with barbed wire when I was there, and there was also a hostel next door, which was open, for the girls who were due to be released and were allowed to go to work (sort of trustees). I worked at the GEC factory in (Aston?) I think. It was down the canal path. I had to work there for 3 months before I could be released.
Thanks again. Sally
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Hi sally, I have just come across this thread and wondered if you were still interested in findling inormation on the above. Please let me know as I may be able to help
 
Greenlady
As Sally is now marked as "guest", she has presumably left the forum, and probably does not visit it any more
 
Greenlady if you have any photos of the house the School was in I would be very interested in seeing them.
 
Thank you for your reply - many years ago the house belonged to someone in my family tree so it would have been lovely to see what it looked like when you were there. Perhaps you could share some of your memories about the building or the general day to day running of the School on here for people who may look in the future.
 
Hi pollypops I will get back to you when I have a bit more time. Incidentally I am 99% sure I knew Sally Kennedy - it's a pity she is no longer online.
 
Hi all,I would just like to say a thank you Jim for all your help with this site.I was in St johns chs in late 70s early 80s. I remember be taken up the drive and walking in that big front door,if you went left at the door there was a massive walk way with mesh above your head. Then if you went to the left was kitchen and unit called redlands,but if you went right there was adoor to the back of the building and when you go though that door, on the left was pentlands(secure unit 4beds. But just at the side of pentlands there was a door which went some steps,when I asked what the home was before I was told about the nuns and that little room below was where they sent when naughty. On the back wall was marks of days and other writing. It was astore cupboard when st johns was a chs. I remember them gates,and I can't believe they took tennis courts away and pulled down woodsong all for new secure unit. Which is now not in use. Always remember Mr b and Jones. I went back to visit afew times. I have aphoto of the main entrance but haven't aclue how to load to this site. Any help would be grateful,I'm not to good with computers lol. Take care all.
 
tania123456 said:
Hi bob was wondering thé punishment book was this relating to pentlands lornswood rédlands 1980+
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I have recently moved house and have the punishment record book in one of the many cardboard boxes used in the house move.

From what I can remember the records show; Sat on bed....two strokes of cane. Disrespectful to staff......one stroke of cane....etc, etc

I don't think it's correct or lawful that I should display any names of staff or children on this site. I will have a read through it again, I don't think there is anything scandalous like children being beaten or hung from the rafters in there.
 
Hi Bob
Its seems that you have had the question answered about whether not it existed so I presume ylou worked there then or not.but the answer
Is yes given by previous people it excisted
But had they not answered I would have told you yes ,as I know of two lads whom was sent there in 1959 and they said it was a rough place and a rough time
They got I know these lads very well since we was kids in fact and I can recall them being sent there
After coming out one of the two brother the older of the two got killed on his motor bike not long coming out of that place
He got killed taking his girl friend home on the back of his motor bike by the cross roads by that pub
His younger brother is still alive older now obvisiuosly with grown up kids and happily. Married
They said it was a wicked place for anybody to be sent there at such an early age these tow lads was from stour street
In those days there was lots of kids being sent za way to these so called approved schools from Aston and Ladywood
And spark brook area its seems it was the inner parts of brum where they all come from
But he's there was cruelitity and abuse from staff there on the subject of some one betting the cane
It wonder how it was dished out by the head ,and no disrespe t to the religion of Nunn's but they had a reputation for being
Hard and harsh with kids but I won't go on about that there's been other place where strictly Nunn's have ruled the pace of corrections
With wicked temperaments there was a situation of another approve school where the head master was brought to book
Where this guy whom I will not name even thou he as passed away like most of these people whom was in these postions
Did use mistreatment and abuse but this guy virtually ran 15 Yards at these young kids with a couple of very fine canes
He lituary marked them black and blue and all colours to there hands and the bottoms and had them bleeding
When this operation took place investigating these home a couple of them was sent to jail for many years
The head master played the old card of mental break down to avoid going to jail he succeeded in doing that and he said I gave them the cane
For dispensary reasons but they never seen the fuel damage he done to these kids he should have been hung yet alone
Let off by the jury there was to many people in these homes as carriers that should have been in there
Still some of these carriers have died unfortunelatly but there are some still out there in hiding as old as they are
But according to the documentary last week on the case last week the main culprit went abroad and found to be dead
So he is off the hook a couple of years back the police went to america to see people whom emigrated in finding them
Still I do not want to go on but I will close now on it but answering your question he's it was there as a hell hole like some one said recently
Astonian,,,,,
 
Hi bob,I'm in that book!! I would like to know if you know of any contact details for Jones,he used to work on aston view. I've called st johns (remand centre) but they have no info on any of the staff that worked there,then. I used to go and visit him in the late 90's. But lost touch over the years,any info would be appreciated. Or even where to start,I've even tryed area6 (social services). Thank you and look forward to your reply. Merry Christmas all ;-).
 
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curlyedna said:
Hi bob,I'm in that book!! I would like to know if you know of any contact details for Paul Jones,he used to work on astonishing view. I've called st johns (remand centre) but they have no info on any of the staff that worked there,then. I used to go and visit him in the late 90's. But lost touch over the years,any info would be appreciated. Or even where to start,I've even tryed area6 (social services). Thank you and look forward to your reply. Merry Christmas all ;-).
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Hello Curlyedna. I do remember Paul Jones. When I started there in 1991, he was the deputy manager in the new secure unit that had recently opened. I think he lived quite local to St John's, but where exactly I don't know.
 
. I've been looking for yrs and everytime I hit a brick wall. He was always true to his word and honest,I used to visit him when he worked in the new sure unit and they had carpet on the floor,lol. In pentlands (old secure unit) we had wooden flooring and a scrubbing brush,bucket and on your hands and knees job. I don't know where eleas to look,I've call hundreds of p Jones from old phone books off the net,I've spoke to some lovely people and some not so nice,lol. He wasn't one for computers,think it was age ;-). Thank you bob for your help.
 
Many thanks,oh bob is the store room next to pentlands still there,it was where they sent the naughty nun's. merry Christmas all x
 
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curlyedna said:
I found him,I called the Royal pigeon racing association and they gave me the erdington number. To my surprise and joy,he's still flying,lol. Many thanks,oh bob is the store room next to pentlands still there,it was where they sent the naughty nun's. merry Christmas all x
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Good, you'll have lots of tales to recall now.

The St John's as you remember was gutted and rebuilt in 1996/7 or there abouts. It became a 100% childrens home, with the new secure unit doing what Pentlands did. After many changes, the whole site is now an administration block.
 
I Know the team that's there now moved from cherry st B'ham to st johns (kingsmere). I remember we did a charity walk on the moors but the weather got so bad we had to end the walk. Gilbert (Edit: nickname) was one of the staff who went with us. We had to wear these old hiking boots and walk the cannels to get us used to walking on the moors. Did they still do the exchange with wolfgang and Jan warner when you was there?. We went to heilgoland it was beautiful island,we learnt the history of it and we learnt how strong German beer was,lol ;-). I remember Mr b used to always give us lines after school,but thanks to his stationary cupboard I learnt what carbon paper was good for :). Even tryed taping three pens together lol. Tc all
 
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i was in st johns for a year 88/89.
my experience was it was terrible, took me years to get over being in there. i only went there because athelstone house school closed down, and was on day care.. i was on aston view on the top floor..
the police visited me ten years after laving then 20 years later investigating a culture of abuse.. not all staff were bad, some were ok, but there was a hard core of troublemakers and abusers.
you mentioned (edit: name removed) did you know he recieved 5 years for abusing boys who were there, its not my words edit:there was an article in birmingham evening mail

.. i ran away as much as possible from sometimes brutal staff who chase you down train tracks. you could half your arm twisted up your back for the slightest word back. there was a punishment system rated on a level system, running away led for 4 days level one which entailed, sitting all day on a chair allowed to talk to nobody, which was impossible and followed by more twisting up and puches where bruises wouldnt show. after several children died while under there supervision they shut it down quite rightly once they realised it helped nobody and made everybody worde who entered there. i can say alot more and have paper clippings and proof. the reason its not on firends reunited is because not many people wish to admit they worked there.
i can remember one asembly where a senior member i will call b as i dont want to slander people pulled out a book of our rights. laughed as he put it into his pockets and said we make our own rules up. eventually my lawyer secured my release. it destroyed the lives of many children who had the misfortune of going there.
i hope this isnt taken down, i have more proof if anyone complains or wishews to celebrate a dark chapter in birminghams history.. (edit ....... the police that punished some of the guilty ............. )
like i said that he worked there, i dont remeber you and am in no way aiming this at you. it is part of brums history, but ive never seen it celebrated, too many lives were ruined. regards, apul
 
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paul m said:
i was in st johns for a year 88/89.
my experience was it was terrible, took me years to get over being in there. i only went there because athelstone house school closed down, and was on day care.. i was on aston view on the top floor..
the police visited me ten years after laving then 20 years later investigating a culture of abuse.. not all staff were bad, some were ok, but there was a hard core of troublemakers and abusers.
you mentioned gilbert, did you know he recieved 5 years for abusing boys who were there, its not my words , here is the link to birmingham evening mail
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/man-jailed-for-abuse-of-children-70729
.. i ran away as much as possible from sometimes brutal staff who chase you down train tracks. you could half your arm twisted up your back for the slightest word back. there was a punishment system rated on a level system, running away led for 4 days level one which entailed, sitting all day on a chair allowed to talk to nobody, which was impossible and followed by more twisting up and puches where bruises wouldnt show. after several children died while under there supervision they shut it down quite rightly once they realised it helped nobody and made everybody worde who entered there. i can say alot more and have paper clippings and proof. the reason its not on firends reunited is because not many people wish to admit they worked there.
i can remember one asembly where a senior member i will call b as i dont want to slander people pulled out a book of our rights. laughed as he put it into his pockets and said we make our own rules up. eventually my lawyer secured my release. it destroyed the lives of many children who had the misfortune of going there.
i hope this isnt taken down, i have more proof if anyone complains or wishews to celebrate a dark chapter in birminghams history... i think it was operation cammasia led by the police that punished some of the guilty, heres another link
https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com...idlands/warwickshire/st-johns-childrens-home/
like i said that he worked there, i dont remeber you and am in no way aiming this at you. it is part of brums history, but ive never seen it celebrated, too many lives were ruined. regards, apul
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Hello
I worked at St Johns for 2 years. It had 3 open units and Pentlands, I was there when Pentlands first opened. The headmaster was Ron McKale and the deputy was Pi Colclough. My name is Gerald White and I always did my best to care for the youngsters in St Johns. Best wishes to everyone...Garden Gerald.
 
Hello All.

I lived at St Johns 87-92/93. I remember most of the staff and children there. I adored (almost) each and very member of staff there, faults and all. They looked after me, they saved my life and moulded me into the person am today.

Bob Kendall
Alan Sargent
Ken Gregory
Eamon Duffy
Sandra Trickett
Trevor Minto
David Goodman
Dave Stewart
Debbie Crawshaw
Steve and Richard Gittings
Keithy Jaeger
I could go on and on....

I miss them all dearly. I have managed to find a few of them and thanked them personally. If anyone has any information on anyone that I may know, please point them to here.

Kind Regards
Nina :) xx
 
Bob Johnson said:
Good, you'll have lots of tales to recall now.

The St John's as you remember was gutted and rebuilt in 1996/7 or there abouts. It became a 100% childrens home, with the new secure unit doing what Pentlands did. After many changes, the whole site is now an administration block.
Click to expand...
 
Shera said:
hello sally

i worked at st johns childrens home gravelly hill north from 1986 - 2000 so well after you were there. it was (and still is) a home for young people on remand, in trouble with the law and also it did have a secure unit there for the most serious offenders.

i heard it was run by nuns in the past and of course it is next door to st mary and st johns catholic church.

it looks like the national archives have some records of the school pre 1950 but they are not available to be seen yet.
i hope you manage to contact some of your friends. all the best

chris
Click to expand...
 
NinaAmina said:
Hello All.

I lived at St Johns 87-92/93. I remember most of the staff and children there. I adored (almost) each and very member of staff there, faults and all. They looked after me, they saved my life and moulded me into the person am today.

Bob Kendall
Alan Sargent
Ken Gregory
Eamon Duffy
Sandra Trickett
Trevor Minto
David Goodman
Dave Stewart
Debbie Crawshaw
Steve and Richard Gittings
Keithy Jaeger
I could go on and on....

I miss them all dearly. I have managed to find a few of them and thanked them personally. If anyone has any information on anyone that I may know, please point them to here.

Kind Regards
Nina :) xx
Click to expand...
I was there at the same time and remember most of those names
 
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