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Elkington Street School

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.
 
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.
 
Hi Peter, I went to Cowper Street School but my Dad went to Elkington School about 1919 he was born in Ashford Street, I still have his Swimming Certificate:)
 
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!:)
 
Peter Brackley said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
This is my Mom's old school photo taken at Elkington St. Infants in 1939. She is the second girl in from the left on the front row. We'd love to hear from anyone who recognises themselves or someone they know.
 
Ah well, my married surname is Miles and it's after the song, 'I would walk 500 miles' etc.

Yes, I love the photo too. Mom was evacuated not long after and she looks so young. It's sad that some of the children look so poor though.
 
My dad - Les Linnecor - went to that school in the late 20's early 30's and then attended Leigh Road School, Washwood Heath. He lived in Miller Street, Aston and then later in Malthouse Lane, Washwood Heath. I wonder if anyone out there remembers him.
 
Thank you 500 just for you

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZojpl-p_5A"]YouTube - i would walk 500 miles[/ame]
 
My mother also went to Elkington Street School, starting in 1905. The Horton family lived just round the corner in New John Street.
 
Does your mum remember either Ken Hulls or his younger sister Barbara (my mum)?

I can't recognise my mum in the photo but some of the hats are very fetching! Mum would have been 5 going onto 6 in 1939.

Regards
Avril
 
My Mother, Margaret Newton - born 1928 - was born in New John Street & attended Elkington Street School, as did her older brothers & sisters.

Our family lived in New John Street until 1967 & my sister & brother & I attended Elkington Street too.

Sylvia Sayers - How long did your family live in New John Street ?
 
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 !!
 
My mum, Elsie Ada Owen went to Elkington St School in the late 20's
When I got a job in 1987 at Studio Press in Lower Tower St. she said what a coincidence it was as she lived there as a child.
 
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.
 
I was at Elkington Street from 1959 to 1966. Miss Webster also did the Scottish & Country dancing with us. I got in touch with her a few years ago - she is 81 now !!
 
My mother's family lived in the Bracebridge St and Elkington Street areas between mid 1930's and 1970's.

Are your Newton family any relation to John Alfred Newton who married Lilliam Ridley in 1910.

Their children were Charles, John (known as Sonny), Lily, Albert, Arthur, Leonard and Hilda. The children were born between 1911 and 1922?

Regards
Avril
 
Hi Avril
There's a possibility that John Alfred Newton is related to ours. Do you know the year he was born & who his father was & I'll check what info I have on my Newton's.

Best wishes - Janet
 
Janet

I don't know any more about John Newton other than what's in the post unfortunately.

Regards
Avril
 
My relative, Philip Henry Cooper attended the school in 1886. We have a copy of the book presented to him for passing the 11 Standard. I treied to find out if there were old records from the school but I hear it has been demolished.
 
ellie, the central library in Birmingham has the old Elkington Street School records, I have seen them as my mother and her siblings attended the school from about 1905, not much use to you I know as you live in Australia.
 
My mom went to Elkington St. school,and when she was older went to Dartmouth St.school,of which I have a photo.c 1930.
Will try to add photo. as attachment.
 
I don't know if there is any connection but here is a phoyograph of Elkington FC taken in 1911/12? My grand father is standing middle row right. mabz
 
lovely pic mabz..you are lucky to have it..ive just started to try and find any pics of our moms dad....not one in the family as far as i know...

lyn...
 
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