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Hi David, I think we were probably in the same form (other kids were Ashley, James, Evans, Bannister, White?). I think it’s about “horses for courses”. BGTS was not for me. Perhaps if I’d entered via the 13+ I could have endured the regime. There are those who like army life – I...

Hi Bobbygee, You've taken the words from my mouth! I fondly remember those teachers. It was home from home. In those days I used to run to school - not away from it. They were indeed happy days! It seemed as though one day I was being called by my first name, and going pond dipping with Mr...

Many thanks for your replies. One of my earliest memories was sitting at the window, watching children going to school. I was just under 5 at the time, and I said to my mother that I would like to go to school. So the next day I started at Whittington Oval. After a day there, I thought I...

Hi Boobbygee That's a vary good question. My primary school was St. Saviours in Alum Rock. Very rew pupils passed the 11+, but my friend and I both passed and coincidently chose BGTS. Instead of keeping us together we were put in different forms. (which wouldn't happen these days). Within...

Thanks Phil, That's a great picture. I think I've seen a dvd of similar buildings - where there was literally a court yard with a "brewhus" and communal toilets. Interestingly, the address above is when they were in their early twenties; but they were both children in Cromwell St. (grandma...

Hi John, Many thanks for the picture. My grandparents lived at 3 House Court 62 Cromwell St. I don't quite understand the address as presumably it wasn't a flat? This is recorded in the 1901 census. I just wondered what these houses looked like. Were they still around in your time? Cheers Paul

Hi, Thanks for the info. I'll continue searching for more text. I think I am frustrated that I lived in Saltley in the 50's and had I known then what I know now I could have possibly seen their houses. If only.... It wasn't until I started researching my grand parents that I appreciated...

Hi Everyone, Both of my maternal grand parents lived in Cromwell Street (Minnie Dayus & Thomas Hughes) around the turn of the century. I wondered if anyone has any pictures of the street at that time. Did those houses survive until the major slum clearances? Paul

My understanding is that BGTS was an experimental school so there was a drive to succeed - which may have resulted in bullying by some of the teaching staff - or maybe they just enjoyed it! I remember Mr. Owen our English teacher and head of the lower school giving us an envelope to address to...

I went to BGTS from 1958 until 1963. I think I was in the 2nd or 3rd 11+ intake. I hated every single minute of every single day I was there. however, there were some great teachers. Mr. Goodfellow took over from Mr. Brown as headmaster. He was a decent man who tried very hard to improve...