Schools

Visitor Comments

Posted by Russell on 16/12/2000

Another claim to fame for Boothferry Middle School is that a Lancaster Bomber was found while they were building it!

Posted by Robert on 26/09/2001

In response to the mention of cross country runs in the section on GGS. They usually took place in snowy or icy weather when the school pitches were unusable for alternative forms of torture. There were a variety of routes: Airmyn crossings, fever hospital path, Mad Dog Lane. We once got chased by a farmer with a gun when an enterprising student teacher invented his own route across the fields from Rawcliffe Road to Airmyn.

But as you say, people used to find ways to make it easier. Richard Jennings, who lived in Western Road, just used to pop home in his running clothes and then go back to school at around the time he thought it would have taken him to do the whole thing, taking care of course not to be amongst the first back which could have risked being selected to represent his House in some sporting event or other. The games teacher, Ellis Postill ("you silly willy nilly"), eventually suspected something and one day greeted his return "Ah Jennings! Nice to see you. Did you enjoy your cup of tea?" The reply "Coffee, actually Sir" did not help.

As a result Richard then had to do a cross country run all on his own to Boothferry Bridge one evening after school. He had to report back the height shown on the plate at the top of the bridge. Anyway, he got a little way along Airmyn Road when someone, it could have been Steve Kelly, came along on his bike, so Richard just had to wait while* whoever it was came back with the required information. (*while = local usage).

Posted by Bill on 17/09/2005

I'd forgotten about the wonderfully named Mad Dog Lane. I do remember that sadist Mr Postill very well.

Those at GGS in the 1950s and early-1960s will remember the earth covered air raid shelters. As a special sadistic treat Mr Postill sometimes required us to run over them prior to the cross country run. Not a particularly pleasant experience when they were covered with thistles and/or snow. On return we were chased through the showers by Mr P. wielding a slipper. We also used to stop off mid-run at a pupils house to drink tea and smoke cigarettes. Well maybe it was character building.

Posted by Dave on 15/06/2006

I went to the Grammar School from 1963 to 1970 and have many memories - good teachers and great atmosphere. Remember the cross country very well - bad move though, trying to run across the ice on the park boating lake! I was the first pupil ever to walk the length of the gym on my hands. Got a Mars Bar for that at the time, and arthritis in thumb joints because of it now. Sorry to hear the science block has gone but I suppose it is progress.

Posted by Ivan on 08/09/2006

Ah, yes the cross country runs. We all hated them but they were no doubt good for us ultimately. We had fun, we had discipline and what's more we had terrific education. What's gone wrong in the last 50 years?

Posted by Arthur on 26/04/2007

GGS 1950 to 1955. Cross country running enthusiast, since I detested rugby (scared of getting bashed) and never properly knew the rules anyway. We had a strong team for the inter-school sports cross country competition, hardened with many circuits of Westfield Banks in all weathers. In about 1953, we competed with Wath, Mexborough, Thorne, Doncaster, and maybe one other school. One cold and drizzly Saturday morning at Wath-on-Dearne, out of a field of about 40 runners we came 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 14th (me) and about 28th and 29th. At the following Monday morning's assembly we glowed with pride when feared but respected headmaster J.L. Latimer announced our triumph to the whole school. I think it's the only time I got smile out of Priscus - sorry, Mr England, Latin scholar.

Posted by Ian on 23/02/2009

I was at GGS between 1957 and 1961. It was fascinating looking through this website. I well remember Mr Postill, the games teacher, who introduced me to cross country running and he did indeed get pleasure out of making you run through mud and snow. I think his favourite saying was "sick, lame and lazy".

Posted by John on 10/04/2009

I think Mr Postill gave me up as a bad job in the Sixth Form. He used to check the library to see those who missed Double Games - normally those revolting cross countries! Always seemed to be foggy too! He often saw me pretending to read but just left me alone - maybe more of a liability outside than in.

I sometimes had to support Mr Postill when he did knee stands on me… I think I normally dropped him, so he was happy to "lose" me in the library bookshelves. He always treated me well and we could walk the dreaded cross country course in an hour - no need to use a lot of steam!

Posted by Phil on 12/11/2010

I was fascinated to read the memories from many years ago. I attended Alex Infant and Kingsway before GGS, in 1962. I left to go to Australia (Adelaide) when my family migrated in 1966. The cross country runs, through the boating pond and potato field! Remember taking the wrong route on a cross country and managed to take about twice as long as it should, particularly since I ended up around Hook.

Posted by Jan on 13/11/2010

Cross country runners used to stop off at our house and ask to use the outside loo. We lived in Murham Avenue at the time.

Posted by Dennis on 30/06/2012

Cross country running brings back happy memories for me (GGS 1950-55) as my father had the garage at the top of Airmyn Crossing. This became a pit stop for me and my classmates to take in a packet of crisps and lemonade before continuing to Boothferry Bridge and back to school. American cream soda was the in lemonade at that time. Bill Foster was the gym teacher until replaced by Pag Glew (initials being PAG).

Posted by James on 03/09/2012

I too have fond memories of cross country running (or lack of it) by calling home en route, later re-joining the field and sometimes in the lead.

Posted by Kevin on 04/02/2002

I was pleased to see the photo of the Boothferry Primary as my great-great-aunt was head mistress there from 1907-1928.

Posted by David on 03/06/2005

At the time I attended the Secondary Modern School, the houses were Durham (blue), Chester (red), York (yellow) and Lincoln (green, of course). I was in Chester house. This was 1964-68.

Posted by Richard on 20/12/2005

What about the old schools? What has happened to Alexandra Street Primary and the nursery next to it? Brings back fond memories of my days in Goole!

Posted by David on 17/04/2006

I attended Miss Rhodes "Gwalia" school. My grandfather used to walk me to school each day. Miss Rhodes and her father used to put the fear of God up me to the extent that on occasions I used to give my grandfather the slip and play "hookey". My mother eventually got fed up with me and I was banged away to boarding school for the duration.

Posted by Pedro on 17/04/2006

I remember Miss Rhodes well on Hook Rd; as a kid I even ran to the corner shop for her; she would pay me with comics. I always used to think those school kids must be learning a lot because I came away with a bundle of Dandy 'n Beanos.

Posted by Ian on 01/08/2006

I attended the Gwalia Prep School on Hook Road run by Ms Rhodes from 1949 to 1954. As the school was near to Richard Cooper Street, all the kids from there referred to the school as Goole Pig Sty. What happened to the school? I moved away from the area in 1955 and have had no contact since.

Posted by Ann on 24/02/2013

I attended Gwalia Preparatory School and I hated it with a passion - and its effect on me has never gone.

Posted by Angie on 14/04/2013

I was also at Gwalia Preparatory School until it was closed - Miss Rhodes was so scary but I did learn a lot.

Posted by Ivan on 08/09/2006

I attended GGS from 1954-59. Quite a few of us came by (steam) train but towards the end diesels were introduced. I got on at Snaith but other pupils were from Hensall and Rawcliffe. There were also pupils who came on the Hull train, Hessle, Brough, etc.

I well remember my first day in September 1954, there was me in crisp new uniform and new brown leather satchel. Whilst waiting for assembly I climbed to the top of one of the air raid shelters and was instantly pushed off by a (new) Second Former showing his authority. I was covered with mud and grass stains and mum was not pleased when I got home!

Does anyone remember the goldfish pond in front of the air raid shelters?

Posted by Amanda on 16/01/2007

I used to love it at the old Grammar School. I left in 1986 but they were the best days of my life. I remember Mr Plunkett the drama teacher who used to wear eyeliner. Wouldn't be heard of nowadays. It was and still is a good school - even without the old science block - those stairs were horrendous to climb.

Posted by Priscilla on 28/04/2007

I remember the semi-operas we did in school, "Pirates of Penzance" and others - they were really fun. The field hockey we played, and the basketball. Also the trips to the swimming indoor pool where we earned our certificates, and medal. I also remember being so scared of the gas mask, until we had to try it on in school and that helped me overcome the fright.

Remember Miss Backhouse? She was our principal. I remember I could have left school when I was fourteen years old, but my parents and a few other parents arranged for a group of us to remain until we were sixteen years old, so they made a special class for us.

Posted by Shuffleton Streets on 04/05/2007

Somewhere, I have a photo album that proves I did go to school. Abiding first memory was not having a hymn book for morning assembly on first day. I seem to think I called for Marian Knott and my cousin Eileen Houghton sorted me out a locker in Windsor green. A mention on one report that I "was quietly effective at back in hockey" also belies my ineptness at sports. Am sure more of these awful memories will surface sooner rather than later - things like showers without curtains springs to mind, too.

What was good was being in School Guides, Miss Caldwell, I recall, and we took off on my first youth hostelling weekend in First Year - Malton, with a borrowed haversack and school lace-ups.

Posted by Been There on 04/05/2007

Went to the nursery across the road from Alex then to Alex Primary, onto Kingsway Junior, then High School as it turned comprehensive (1974-ish) then after two years onto the Grammar School until 1979, with a year in Junior Sixth. Don't have that many memories until High School - friends mostly rather than school.

Mr Newton probably the greatest mentor I had in my teenage years, trips to Wales and the Lakes in his Land Rover with the dog and his family and a few other lads. Mr West - English teacher. Mr Smith - Geordie one at that!

Posted by Laura on 05/05/2007

A host of memories are coming back as I read your site and other people's comments on school life. I remember having naps in the afternoon at Alexandra Nursery school. At aged six onwards I walked by myself to school, first Alexandra Street Infants (lukewarm milk every day), then Kingsway Middle and on to Bartholomew and finally GGS.

I sometimes rode my bike the long way round, through Hook over to Airmyn and down the road to GGS - a long way but if I set off early enough I could get there just in time. Usually it was a last minute dash down Boothferry Road. I loved the big windows at Kingsway and my favourite teachers there were Miss Cowling and Mr Hodgson, I also remember Mrs Thompson and Miss Smith. We played netball and rounders and every year the whole school (it seemed) put on a play.

At Bartholomew I worked in the library and who was that teacher who smoked cigars all the time? He taught science. Lots of teachers smoked, I remember the staff room being filled with smoke. I remember arguing with Mrs Greensitt that girls should be allowed to wear trousers as well as skirts - she eventually conceded. And (this was the year of equal opportunities for women) I managed to do woodwork instead of cookery one term (but only because there was a boy who wanted to be a chef so he wanted to cook!). I still have my bookcase!

Crossing the road to GGS was quite a big step and I remember getting lost in all those new corridors. During my years at GGS I spent a lot of time in the music block - Miss Glover taught music - singing in the Goole Grammar School Singers and playing in the wind band. We had to evacuate the science block once when someone produced chlorine gas. I remember physics on the first level, biology on the second and chemistry at the top. Shame it's gone.

I too remember those cross country runs. Trying to jump over a water-filled ditch is the thing that sticks in my mind because I usually fell in! But I preferred cross country to hockey! My favourite teachers, Mr Rinne, Mr Rumney, Mr West and many whose names escape me now but I can still see their faces and while I might have forgotten much of what they taught me, I enjoyed the whole experience of going to school in Goole!

Posted by Fiona on 11/06/2007

The teacher that smoked cigars at Goole High School was called Mr Brant. I can almost smell them now, thirty-five years later. I initially thought the smell was some chemical in the science room. How things have changed, my students are not even allowed to make a cup of tea or use oil paint in the college I work in, but the in 1970s teachers actually smoked in the school science lab!

I went to Kingsway, failed my 11+ and ended up at the High School. I frequently thank God that the schools went comprehensive, as I do not know what would have become of me had I stayed there. I was one of the first generation of students in Goole's comprehensive system. I recall it being very experimental with subjects such as Modern Studies where we looked at inner city deprivation first hand in Sheffield. Religious studies entailed dancing with patients at a mental hospital, which seemed very frightening and wrong to me even at the age of fourteen.

Posted by Shuffleton Streets on 06/05/2007

Seems quite natural to be going backwards with school memories - in the days of Boothferry where I started aged five plus in the January term, I seem to think, anyway the moon was still in the sky when I left home - soon afterwards on a bike more often than not. Rode on the wide pavement if unaccompanied down Airmyn Road, otherwise marshalled by my dad on his shop bike. These were the war years. Taught by Miss Hall. Classroom had all the stimulus I have since seen in my grandchildren's primaries. Nature table/high window sill, calendar and season charts to be changed daily. Monitor duties. Aged nine or so, late for school 'cos I wouldn't clean my shoes and kept at home until I did. Soon learned.

Later years going on eleven, clubs on a Friday and reading groups with pupil reading leaders. Sitting 11+ exam at Goole High School, don't remember any preparation, nor advice about what to do. Wrote my English composition as we called it on my favourite book - these were scarce during the war, but I had read Little Women. Hated having to do canteen duty, for a three-penny bit I think, weekly. A tin bath full of knives forks and spoons in greasy water. Am certain I answered back and was docked wages by the Chief Cook. Dinners were horrible, like Sago pudding. First banana eaten at school, fruit from USA I think. Had no idea what to do with it until shown. Outside lavs, separate playgrounds for boys and girls, nits and school nurse examinations.

Posted by Gail on 09/05/2007

I too remember being at the Alexandra Street Nursery and having afternoon naps (we were aged three or four). We each had an emblem on our blanket, coat peg, etc. Mine was a pipe, which upset me immensely as I wanted something glamorous like an apple or strawberry. Anyway, reading everyone's memories is fascinating except that I still don't know what Goole High School is. I went to the Grammar School from 1963-1970 and I only remember the school across the road being called the Secondary Modern.

Posted by Shuffleton Streets on 16/05/2007

High School (formerly the Secondary Modern) was so-named when it acted as a staging post on introduction of comprehensive education, 11-13 years, as Junior School pupils from across Goole went there before crossing the road to what was still called GGS.

Posted by Priscilla on 08/09/2007

I remember those Alexandra School pictures, as I helped to make them as I was a teacher in that class, helped the youngsters settle down for their naps after lunchtime. Most of the children enjoyed the pictures as they were too young to read so it helped them know where their own belongings were. Some very interesting reading here, thank you everyone.

Posted by Richard on 15/05/2007

GGS 1962-63, just one year but long enough for those freezing cross country runs to make an indelible impression. Some brilliant teachers and one or two real eccentrics (Bongo!) still fondly remembered. Before that, Kingsway, Mrs Millward, Miss Hall, Mr Hodgson, Mr Millward. Mr Millward loved all things Scottish, teaching us Scottish songs, the Glencoe massacre, the '15 and '45. The headmaster, I think, was Mr Richardson. I remember getting the cane but not what it was for! Before that, Alexandra Street elementary and the nursery, with those compulsory afternoon naps, very boring lying awake in the semi-darkness with the curtains drawn.

Posted by Bill on 16/05/2007

You stirred a few memories for me. "Bongo" was indeed a lovely man. Mr Millward was very frightening, I remember him slapping the cane down on our desks to help us remember our multiplication tables (it worked!). Kingsway was the only school where I was caned - my crime was writing lines on the wrong part of the page, the teacher was, I believe, Miss Furnace? I was only nine years old and it was quite brutal in retrospect, but we thought nothing of it then.

Posted by Peter on 08/07/2007

I attended Goole Grammar School 1982 to 1985. Had Miss Dean as the form teacher all the three years there. My favourite though was Miss Henderson, kind of a school boy crush, but she looked after me through times of been bullied. I was well looked after by all the scooter boyz too.

Posted by Janet on 26/07/2007

I went to Goole Grammar School 1963-69. I truly enjoyed my six years there. I was in the House of Windsor, for PE., I kicked booty on the track, becoming the "Victrix Ludorum" two years in a row. I loved field hockey. Mr Teed was the headmaster, Mrs Williams was the headmistress. Miss Potter was our PE. teacher, with backup from Mrs Ounsland (I think). She had a daughter my age named Gail… I did have a crush on one teacher - I cannot remember his name. He, Mr Fletcher and Mr Caldwell, lived at the Clifton Gardens Hotel. Of course I did have a schoolgirl crush on one boy that lasted six years. His name bless his heart is Charlie.

Posted by Val on 26/07/2007

I started my school days at Pasture Road School and remember telling a teacher my "Auntie Amy" and my young brother had measles so I could be sent home. I next went to Alexandra School as my dad Alf Gaskin could take me to school en route to work. Growing older I went to Boothferry Road School and finally to Goole Secondary School having failed the dreaded 11+ despite taking a rabbits paw which my friend's father, Nobby Clark, had given to me (he was a fishmonger on Pasture Road). I bitterly resented she went to Goole Grammar School but my parents could only afford to send my brother Leslie, as it was believed boys needed to be trained. Les, joined the RAF when he was seventeen and became a Pilot Officer and was killed in 1942.

I find IT has given me a new interest in life and I have enjoyed looking at our genealogy from the comfort of this super nursing home.

Posted by Kate on 15/08/2007

I came to GGS in June 1959, having moved up from London about a month before the end of the summer term. The school was celebrating its jubilee (50 years) - remember the story of a pupil who thought that the architect's name was MCMIX? I used to have a collection of school magazines, "The Viking", but my Mother threw them out during a house move in 1972, I'd love to see them again.

Does anyone remember Cosh House? It was very remote - I think it was in the Yorkshire Dales. Walking expeditions were made from there each year, but probably only by the senior boys. I remember the Rambling Society and one particularly exhausting walk in Dalby Forest, where we got lost. Happy days.

Posted by John on 25/09/2007

Who remembers Miss Bell, the Deputy Headmistress of the Grammar School? Her very scary, though exciting, lessons were great - I studied history as a result! I thought she was really old, until I met her after my school days - age is definitely in the eye of the beholder! Bongo's hilarious lessons, we were all a bit naughty; Miss Scurrah's German lessons, so much fun; Miss Charlton's Classical Society, who remembers the Roman Banquet? I live in Manila now.

Posted by Gail on 26/09/2007

Miss Charlton was responsible for my inexplicably winning the Fifth Year prize for Latin. I was baffled then and still am now. But what I do remember is that she loved perfume so much, she signed herself "Nora Perfumatissima" on many documents. She always wore her cap and gown, as it did many other teachers.

Another lasting memory is of Doc Ramsey (Bud) making us all sing classical songs in sol-fa notation. I can sing several songs as, for example, "mi so so, re so so, mi so la do la re" but I've no idea what the real words are and I still can't read music.

My mum also went to GGS, but it was fee-paying in her day and she won a free scholarship, otherwise she couldn't have gone. By the time I went it was a state school, but I feel very lucky to have been a pupil at that time in its history.

Posted by John on 27/09/2007

Perfumatissima! You have a good memory. Does anyone remember the trips to the Roman Wall or Housesteads? I have a photograph with Valerie Jensen (Miss Streaky Bacon!), Roy Mapplebeck, Chris Lewis and Stephen Hoier. It's good to be older - so much fun looking back! We were all sitting on a wall somewhere on the classical trip. Bud used to get me to accompany the orchestra - I got hopelessly lost in a performance of Haydn's Creation! He looked very pained! My schoolboy crush was Mrs Thompson, who was heavily pregnant in my first year. Do you remember the costume cupboard at the back of 1B?

Posted by Arthur on 24/03/2008

Mi so so, re so so, mi so la do la re. The music is "To a Wild Rose" by the American composer Edward MacDowell. I've never seen any words put to it, but I still play it now and again down here in deepest Essex. Bud Ramsay was a hero of mine, since I had a natural inclination for music, and enjoyed his classes. I took my first piano lessons with a Mrs Sherriff, somewhere near Alexandra Street School in about 1950. Incidentally, for years I was lovesick for Bud's breathtakingly beautiful daughter Judith, but shyness and terror meant I don't think I ever exchanged one word with her.

Posted by Jan on 14/11/2010

I remember Nora Charlton's Roman Banquet. I can remember Stephen Hoer(?) reciting an ancient Roman recipe called "salt fish without fish"! We had to stay behind after school to complete the Latin course. She took us on a trip to Lincoln and filmed us with her cine camera.

Posted by John on 16/11/2010

The Roman Banquet was quite a feat! We were all dressed in sheets, I think! I remember having to place a wreath of laurel leaves on Mr Latimer's balding head - hands shaking of course. Physical contact with the great man was not the norm and very anxious not to pierce that hallowed brow! Stephen Hoier was my best friend at school - super bright too! He left me in the shadows there!

Posted by Angie on 30/01/2012

I've only just found this site and am enjoying re-living the old memories. I was at Boothferry Road for just one year before moving to GGS in September 1959 where I stayed until 1966. I too remember the Roman Banquet and the sheets! I also remember Nora Charlton's trips to Hadrian's Wall which were brilliant but it always seemed to rain when we were there - also remember going to Barnard Castle and High Force.

Posted by Kate on 12/10/2007

I remember Miss Bell (Mabel) very well - she was very keen on neatness and conforming. She once made one of our form go and remove all the back-combing from her hair (it was the swinging 60s!) during an English lesson. And brought in the rule about regulation shoes, which was very unpopular with parents. She was a wonderful teacher, though.

My own particular memory of her - she once told me, when admonishing me for some youthful high spirits, that I reminded her of herself at a similar age. I was so embarrassed! Now I think I should have been flattered. I have a photograph of her with the tennis team circa 1963. (Why was she on it? - have never fathomed the logic of that!)

Posted by Brian on 01/11/2007

I have fond memories of Goole Modern School 1946-49. The headmaster was Mr Firth who was a large imposing figure who frightened all the boys by his stature. Then there was La-La Moody who taught English; Charles Dunville taught religious studies; Charlie Greensides taught geography; Fred Amery taught chemistry; Pop Northey taught history; Hutch Hutchinson taught PT. and games; Mr Reavley taught woodwork; Diddy Day taught gardening; Mr Probert taught amateur dramatics; Birdie Fell taught maths; Mr Foster taught metalwork. In those times it was never known to cheek teachers or answer back. I passed a scholarship in 1949 to go to Selby Technical College for two years, so left the Modern School.

Posted by Ivan on 04/11/2007

Interesting information, you certainly have a good memory. I attended GGS from 1954-59 and we had a metalwork teacher called Stan Foster and a mathematics teacher called "Hutch" Hutchinson. I reckon they must have moved across the road don't you?

Posted by Bill on 04/11/2007

Hutch Hutchinson was form teacher for 1D when I arrived in 1959. I remember him appointing a class "window monitor" whose job it was to climb onto the high window sill and open the large sash windows. He advised the monitor not to step back to admire his work!

Posted by Brian on 05/11/2007

Hutch Hutchinson played rugby for the old boys - there is a photo of him on the wall at the Rugby Club. Another master I forgot was Ron Houghton who taught maths - his photo is also on the wall at the Rugby Club.

Posted by Paul on 11/11/2007

Just to confirm what you've been saying. I was at GGS 1951-56. "Hutch" Hutchinson was the maths master and Stan Foster taught metalwork and geo/engineering drawing. Must say I thought they were both excellent (I only managed two GCEs).

Posted by Willo on 06/12/2007

I really only attended school for the rugby and a smoke at lunch time over in the gardener's shed near the junction of Centenary Road and Airmyn Road. I remember getting caned by Mr Lattimore for not having my cap - the dog had eaten it but couldn't convince him. Stan Foster was my form tutor in Fourth and Fifth Years and Gerry Appleyard in Second Year. He checked to see if you had regulation grey socks on every day. I think that a lady called Roesenbruck (or similar) was in Third Year. Her husband had a market garden in Howden.

Can remember a teacher called "Hutch" teaching (sorry trying to teach) us physics and chemistry - we didn't qualify for "test tube Taylor". One day he twigged that we were cheating and came along and caught Trigger Tredgitt, Steve Watson and Franksie with books in the drawers on their left-hand side. When he came to me the drawer on the left was empty, he didn't realise I was left-handed and the book was in the drawer on the right. Happy days and what do I do for a living? Well of course I'm a teacher, what else.

Posted by Alan on 29/12/2007

I "attended" Goole Grammar School 1951 to 1956. I was out of my depth a lot of the time in the lower classes, holding the rest of the school up! I only got two GCEs, but I have done more learning and studying in my working years in the Police force and other jobs I've had since. I am sure my years at GGS did me good. My favourite teacher was Mr Hutchinson who I lived near on Westfield Avenue Goole. Mr Latimer didn't like me having an errand boy's job, not right for a Grammar School boy?

Other great teachers were Angus Turner, brilliant at art and taught me a lot; Ken Ibbottson, woodwork; Mr Foster, metalwork; Mr Kimber, our form teacher and French teacher, who was also a Hockey player for Derby County(?). Do you remember the "staff" hockey matches? I was proud to help make the new flagpole for the front of the school, although I don't suppose it's the same one standing there now. To be serious for a moment - I do think Grammar School education did give one a slightly different outlook on life and it has certainly stood me in good stead.

Posted by John on 05/01/2008

Do you remember that frightful woodwork shop with all that smelly beeswax constantly cooking in a pot? I was always "removed" from woodwork to metalwork as my practical skills were, and still are, nil. I always managed to block the metalwork room furnace with clinker, and smoke everywhere. Boiler Wright and his "exciting" maths lessons - I took four attempts at my O-level before I got it. Dr Ramsay was a bit eccentric, but a wonderful musician. How about poor Bongo - he really lived his subject. Arnie Chappell seemed nine feet tall, but maybe not! Such a lot of fun, not so much work done, but I've been a Head now for many years, at present working in Manila and running Korean Schools. Mr Teed shook hands on my last day, telling me he thought I would be a success in life, but not in the academic field!

Posted by Robert on 06/01/2008

If I remember right, you were in the year above me. I once came on the bus to your place in Garthorpe with a crowd of Belgian and German exchanges. I had one of the more extrovert Belgians called Philippe Antoine. We still send each other Christmas cards. I also got the "not academic" brush off from Teed, but I doubt in the 1960s they appreciated how extensive the opportunities for late developers were starting to become. I could name several who went on to become solicitors, vets, university and college lecturers and so on, and the owner of the Costcutter chain of shops.

Posted by John on 07/01/2008

I remember that terrible party! Smoking oil lamps and dark corners - my parents were not too thrilled! I still keep in touch with my Belgian people too. We had quite a lot of opportunities at GGS. I am still very fond of the place - would like to visit it one day. We should all get together and pretend we haven't changed at all! I am really enjoying reading these memories - all credit to the people involved.

Posted by Robert on 10/09/2008

Entries in an old diary.

19th July 1965. School trip with penfriends to Rowntrees, York.
21st July 1965. Broke up from school. Went to party at Wraiths. It was OK.
22nd July 1965. Went to fetch my mac which I'd left at Wraiths.
24th July 1965. Went to Heather Gunsons to tape some records (from memory it was Roy Orbison). Party at Leonards in Hemingbrough. Not very good.

Posted by John on 11/09/2008

I went to the Leonard's party too - we seemed to have parties every weekend! How did we get to them all, without so many cars? We had a lot of fun and a lot of friends.

Posted by Mike on 06/01/2008

There seems to be a lot of school memories based on GGS, but many Sec Mod pupils did go on to do well in their careers despite the 11+ rejection and the efforts of some of the teaching staff to talk them down.

Posted by Phil on 12/03/2008

Anyone remember GGS science teachers Mr Bennett and Mr Hutchinson known musically as "Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Trousers?"

Posted by Bill on 19/03/2008

I remember Mr Bennett. At one time he lived in Kingsway where I used to live. I remember him as being a good teacher. Also "Hutch", who was my form teacher when I was in 1D in 1959, another good man.

Posted by Prim on 16/03/2008

My mum is Annie Hall (nee Proctor) and went to GGS from around 1934 to 1942. I remember her tales so well, people like Mahalski and Gertrude Leishtman(?), Priscus the Latin teacher. She has such fond memories but many of her year group were killed in the war years. Mahalski went on to be a code cracker - a brilliant man, she recalls.

Posted by Josephine on 23/04/2008

I have contact with a Canadian man called Geoff Boyd on GenesReunited and he has told me that the teacher at GGS was indeed a "code breaker" at Bletchley Park during World War II. His name was Norman Mahalski. He married a Goole girl and then immigrated to Canada. He then worked in marketing for Rowntree's and then for Shell Oil. He invented various popular slogans and it was his idea to introduce the concept of the "self-serve" gas station.

Posted by Kathleen on 24/03/2008

I went to GGS for only two years, during the mid-1950s and I remember our headmaster Mr Latimer and art teacher Angus Turner who had no patience with me, I never was and never will be an artist! Mr Kimber took us to Bruhl, Germany on our student exchange trip. That was a memorable, but scary time for me. The family I stayed was were very weird and Anneliese, the daughter, never did the return visit to Goole. I remember the channel crossing - our cabin was on top of the engine room, and the fumes and the rough seas made us all sick.

I remember disqualifying our team (Tudor) in the summer games relay race one year, when I dropped the baton - so humiliated! I hung out with Janet Garner (who moved to Australia later) and Veronica Main. I always hated the uniforms, but now I think young people should wear them! There were good memories, too!

Posted by Rod on 15/04/2008

Boothferry Road School Sports Day 1962. As a teacher at the school, it was my job to organise that event and I remember to this day the wonderful support from fellow teachers and parents and the great friendly competition among the pupils. How sad that this type of competition is so frowned upon nowadays!

Posted by Rod on 16/04/2008

I went to GGS with Maurice LeVoguer. We were great friends. We were in the "B" class but both did, and hated, Latin. In order to not have to sit our O-levels, we had a competition to see who could get the lowest mark in the mock exams. I believe I won with 4%.

Posted by Barry on 22/04/2008

I have a copy still of the Prospectus which I received just before starting at GGS in 1955. I've added the nicknames.

Headmaster: Mr J.L. Latimer (Lennie/The Boss)

Senior Mistress: Miss E.M. Venables

Assistant Masters: Dr G.S. Caffrey, Mr W. Calder, Mr A. Chappell (Arnie), Mr J.A. England (Priscus), Mr S. Foster (Stan), Mr W.K. Geldart, Mr P.A. Glew (Sticky), Mr G.B. Hargreaves, Mr N.F. Hidden, Mr R.D. Hirsch, Mr E. Hutchinson (Hutch), Mr K. Ibbotson (Tacky Ken), Mr F.W. Kimber, Mr R.H. Martin (Reg), Mr N.F. Ollerenshaw, Mr W.K. Petch (Bill), Dr C.E. Ramsey (Bud), Mr G.W. Stones (George), Mr L. Taylor (Test Tube), Mr D.C. Turner (Angus), Mr A.W. Wright (Boilerhead).

Assistant Mistresses: Mrs R.M. Ayello, Mrs B.A. Bean, Miss M.M. Coghlin, Miss D.M. Dean, Miss K.M. Holland (Katie), Miss J. Longhorn, Mrs L.H. Mosley (Minnie Mos), Miss D.J. Robertshaw Miss E. Scowcroft, Miss E.M. Tyler (Tillie), Miss S.M. Woodcock

School Secretary: Miss D.M. Laverack Assistant Secretary: Miss S. Hill

Posted by Kate on 23/04/2008

Interesting to read the 1955 staff list. I came to GGS in July 1959 and many of the names are familiar. Miss Coghlin, who taught English, was Senior Mistress (acting) for a year before her retirement in about 1965. She was known to all affectionately as "Ma Cog".

Posted by Kate on 26/04/2008

I think it was Hutch who used to do a splendid rendition of "Albert and the Lion" at the Christmas parties - also of Harold at the Battle of Hastings, "with an arrow through his eye". What simple fun we had!

Posted by Alan on 26/04/2008

I went to GGS 1951-56 and I had Mr. Ted Hutchinson as a form teacher because I was always in the bottom "D" classes holding the rest of the school up! I was inspired by his love of rhyming poetry such as Albert and the Lion and others, "Sam pick up thy musket" I still write such poetry when moved to do so! I also lived only a few houses away from Mr Hutchinson, on Westfield Avenue and would watch/help him mend his Austin 7 car. He was a very nice family man.

Posted by Sue on 14/06/2008

I was born and brought up in Goole and Old Goole. We lived near the police station and went to Alex nursery and primary school. My sister was friends with Stacey Steel and I was friends with Billy and Lucy Steel who were twins. We moved to Old Goole and we went to Old Goole First, Marshland Middle and the Grammar School. At the Grammar School my form tutor was Mr Ward. I remember all the tutor group putting money together and getting a strip-a-gram for his birthday - an article and pic went into the Goole Times. Mr Ward was my maths tutor - he was a down to earth chap and was my favourite teacher.

I didn't like lessons much and used to gaze out the windows except in science as it was more practical then, just sitting listening to teachers drone on. I still remember a few people like Amanda Best, Sherron Preston, Heather Bennet, Dulce Raper, Helen Blewitt, Hillary Clifford, Dawn Brown and a few more. I didn't have any grades when I left but learnt more when I left and started working.

Posted by John on 13/07/2008

Thanks for all those memories! The smell of polish in Miss Bell's office; being terrified to place a laurel wreath on the head of Mr Latimer for our Classical Society Dinner; Perfumatissima in appropriate garb with perfume behind her knees. I remember "Hamlet" and "She Stoops to Conquer" - who was in them? Those terrible cross country runs - Mr Postill checking in his van at the hospital! What was the name of the thin tall lady that supervised the lunches, when we gobbled our lunch on the stage - all very smart!

Posted by Kate on 20/08/2008

My friend Hazel Grimwood played Maria in "She stoops to conquer" and I think Tim Plackett was one of the lead males. Festus presumably directed? All the dramatic productions were very good - "Murder in the Cathedral", when Garth Jones came back to teach in the English Department, was excellent. He eventually married Gill Ford, who was in it.

Posted by Robert on 13/10/2008

I've been thinking about air raid shelters. There is an old aerial photograph of the Grammar School with the earth-covered shelters clearly visible at the back, worn with footpaths over the top. I never saw those, but at Boothferry Road School the shelters were red brick with concrete roofs. There was one at the Henry Street side of the infant's playground, with a dark entrance opening we didn't dare go anywhere near, and another between the infants and junior's playgrounds.

Some houses had shelters too. In Dunhill Road two of our neighbours still had them in the 1960s, again brick and concrete. They were great for climbing on to throw muck at children in other gardens.

Posted by Old Codger on 18/10/2008

The shelters at most schools including Alexandra were Anderson steel sections bolted together, covered with sandbags earth and then grassed over. Internally wooden boards like pallets in the walkways with wooden benches along either side. At the sound of the siren grab your gas mask and enter the dungeon or in my case at Alex run like hell home to mum quickly followed by the air raid warden blowing his whistle trying to stop me.

Posted by Elsie Street on 17/01/2009

I am surprised that no one has mentioned yet a charming old gentleman teacher from 4A at Alex, Mr D.B. Craven affectionately known to us all as Pop.

Posted by Gail on 27/01/2009

I certainly do remember Pop Craven. I'd have been in his class in 1962 or 63. He once asked us all to write down what our favourite sweets were, which we innocently did (we were ten years old). Christmas came and each one of us in his class, at least 35 of us, was given our preferred sweet. What a lovely man. I also remember him once sending me to the council offices with an envelope of money to pay his rates bill! I'd no idea what a rates bill was, but to this day I'm flattered that he trusted me with his errand. I did well in his class and regard him as one of the main reasons I loved school.

Posted by Elsie Street on 27/01/2009

I was in Pop's class with you. There was also a made-up pillar box at Christmas where we could "post" cards to friends. Pop made sure everyone got at least one card by sending us one himself! Unheard of these days, but do you remember him smoking Park Drive during lessons?

Posted by Gail on 28/01/2009

I'd forgotten about Pop Craven smoking in class. Astonishing! I can't quite remember the headmaster's name though. Was it Geoffrey somebody? He sometimes joined in the songs in morning assembly without using words, just very loud POM POM POMs.

Posted by Elsie Street on 28/01/2009

Wasn't the head's name at Alex, Geoffrey Wood? Sitting cross-legged on the hall floor singing sea shanties and folk songs. Piles of comics in the hall after dinner when it rained. How did we pass the 11+?

Posted by Gary on 15/03/2009

I was in Pop Craven's class in about 1962/63. What a character he was - they don't make them like him anymore! And he was a marksman with a piece of chalk, or a board-rubber, or whatever he happened to have in his hand at the time if he heard you talking in class. I swear, my mate John Pettican would be brain damaged if he hadn't have lifted his desk lid up when he did. The board-rubber would have hit him between the eyes. And there was the time when John ducked, and the chalk hit David Caldicott sitting behind him. There was a soft and playful heart though, underneath that formidable exterior. I remember Pop chuckling to himself one day upon over-hearing Richard Kay, who was in the washroom off the classroom at the time, doing Bill and Ben impersonations. A great teacher and an unforgettable man.

Posted by Mally on 23/03/2009

I remember Pop Craven and the flying chalk. Saw him many years later in the British Legion club at Goole, must have been in his 80s and quite frail which betrayed my childhood image of him, but he remembered all his old pupils. Names like Terry Broughton, Dave Bryers, Richard Kaye, Cynthia Clarke, Pud Rice and many more. Website brings back a lot of memories and names from the past.

Posted by Gary on 02/06/2013

I always thought Pop Craven had stepped out of a Charles Dickens novel to teach us - but he was indeed brilliant! Despite having had books, chalk, board rubbers - anything that happened to be in his hand at the time - thrown at me for the heinous crime of whispering to the bloke next to me, I have always had fond memories of him. I don't know how old he was, he always looked the same age.

Posted by Polo on 26/01/2009

I went to GSM School and hated it except for football and metalwork. Mated about with Graham Skinner, Paul Jarvis, Jeryl Ward, Joan Kirk, John Revell, Alan Parish, Turkey Burton, Pud Rice, Bongo Arundal and John Pettican. Headmaster was Mr Patterson, best teachers were Josh England and David Severn and "splutts" for double digging, plus Miss Finch had a nice pair of legs. All stood me in good stead for my life ahead which has worked out ok.

Posted by Polo on 04/02/2009

Born in Percy Street 1952 and started life at Old Goole Infants School - headmistress was Mrs Higham. I remember a Miss Taylor(?). I sat next to Stephen Backhouse on my first day. Then went to the junior school on Cottingham Street - headmaster was a Mr Dickinson his wife taught there too along with a Miss Gunhill(?).

Kids I remember, John Clift lived in the school house when his dad Jack became a teacher, Peter Daniels, Brian Burns, James Ward, Joe Ward, Paul Raywood, Janet Whitely, David Sharp, Steve and Malcolm Nichols, Mosser Theakston, Michael Carter, Lillian Taylor, Peter Donoghue, Philip Thomlinson, Stuart Anderson. Audrey Andrews, Peter and Neil Hawksworth. Good days, good people.

Posted by Ashley on 18/02/2009

I left Goole Grammar in 1984. I was in the Stuart House (Yellow) and my class teacher was Mrs Lester who was also my English teacher. Friends I remember were Peter King, Jonathon Stafford and Mark Headley.

Posted by Gerald on 16/03/2009

Just happened on this site and saw some names I recognised. Ivan Tasker, Colin Ransome and Paul Campsell. I lived in Westfield Sq. and attended Pasture Road School then Boothferry Road and then Alexandra Street. I remember Don Craven but don't remember him giving us sweets at Christmas. It was more likely to be the cane as my friend Norman Robinson found out one day. Anyway, from there I went, much to the surprise of the teaching staff at Alexandra Street, to the Grammar School, 1954-59.

I remember Ivan and Colin from those years. We also had with us Gavin Bryars, Hazel Dunderdale, Mick Jackson, Fred Marsh, Sheila Quarmby, Peter Parker, Pat White to name but a few. As far as teachers went I liked Norman Hidden and Mr Petch (history) who kept things interesting.

Posted by Lynn on 07/04/2009

Attended GGS from 1963-1970. I remember that teacher Mr Postill, who remembers Miss Potter? Was sorry to hear only today that Arnie had passed away.

Posted by Elsie Street on 08/04/2009

I remember you very well. We were in the same B-stream all the way through GGS, right through to Gerry Appleyard's class. I sat firmly on the other side of the classroom, near Fanny Gray, Dave Blackburn, Snecky Bacon, Mike Clayton, Peter Hardy, Tank Collins and yes Tony Chappell. I add my condolences to the Chappell family. As I recall, you sat near the window in Gerry's class just in front of Elaine Elson from Brough, I think. Cynth Potter - unforgettable. Postill - unforgiveable, after a conversation I had with him and a slipper (in shorts) after I deducted the leg to Airmyn on the cross country to Boothferry Bridge.

Posted by Bill on 10/04/2009

I'm also sad to hear that Arnie Chappell has passed away. One time when I had the affrontery to say I wanted to go to college, he looked down his nose and sneered "Stewart, do you really think you are university material?" - which was fair comment as I'd spent most of my time through school in the D stream. I think it was his remark that made me determined to prove him wrong - which I did. At which point he was very gracious and gave me wise advice about choice of college.

Posted by John on 10/04/2009

I too was sorry to read about Arnie - that towering man! He told me much the same. I asked to do A-Level geography, even when I failed O-level! He was really a very kind man and was interested in his students. Do you remember the dancing lessons - much better fun on a frozen day? Still remember the school lunches - those steamed puddings and custard! Blow all this healthy living!

Posted by Bryan on 14/04/2009

GGS 1955-59 "The best days of your life" and why not. "Soppy Stuarts" against the Tinny Tudors, Nutty Normans and Weedy Windsors. Happy days indeed even if you hated cross country runs. Headmaster Latimore put the fear of God into everyone, discipline as it still should be but would never be allowed now. Teachers fondly remembered, Doc Ramsey my piano teacher who took me through my last Royal Schools of Music Exams and selected me to play the piano in the school production "The Mikado"; Tilly Tiler was it biology or something similar; Stan the man Foster for metalwork (whatever happened to Yvonne his daughter?) plus many more and last of all Gerry Appleyard my maths teacher.

Posted by DB on 24/04/2009

I was at Boothferry Road First School from 1980, and remember the house colours being red, blue, green and yellow. We all had to wear our house colour badges at all times and at the end of the week the house with the most points received the trophy with their colour band around it for the next coming week. I loved that school so much. Mrs Bellamy kept a jar of sweets in her cupboard for pupils that had achieved good work - on recognition she would hand out one dolly mixture for that person. She was so strict and was there for years.

Posted by Robert on 30/04/2009

Nice to see Boothferry and Mrs Bellamy mentioned. Winifred Bellamy must have been at Boothferry Road School all of her career as I started school in her class in the 1950s. She died in 1999. My teachers were, in order: Mrs Bellamy, Mrs Shand, Miss Walker, Mrs Hopley. And then in the juniors: Mrs Thomas, Mrs Jenkinson and Miss Cowling (twice). Miss Spencely was infant headmistress and Mr Millward junior headmaster.

Posted by Phil on 26/04/2009

I well remember Ellis Postill and his slipper (a size twelve plimsol). He once used it in the gym to help us vault the horse. I think it was Pete Daniels from Old Goole who was so nervous, he launched himself at the horse, Postill whacked him and he cleared the horse without touching it, breaking his arm as he touched down on the mat. Good job there was no parent power in those days - lucky Ellis. He also slippered us for giving the girls a crossbar on our bikes to the baths. I got two for saying my bike did not have a crossbar… halcion days.

Posted by Broadway on 13/07/2009

Kingsway teachers, Miss Cowling fondly known as cowbag, great teacher. Best was Mr Crawly a real gent 100% nice guy. Then off to Sec Mod, school disco were good; smoking in the bogs; swinging on the red pipes; headball playtime; pushing that massive roller if you were caught on the pipes. Great days.

Posted by Patrick on 12/09/2009

Goole High School 1972-75. What a great school, best time of my life. I was a kid from the local children's home and attended Goole High School during this period. I remember Mr Thomas English teacher and Mr Puncheon Science teacher, both great mentors. Learned a lot from these two. I think the Headmaster was Mr England?

Posted by John on 04/10/2009

That terrible metalwork shop! I used to block the fire with clinker, fill the room with smoke and be banished, yet again, to the woodwork shop! Mr Ibbotson was very tolerant - split wood in all directions and lots of failed dove tailed joints! Needless to say, I have never been able to be practical, in the slightest - except if it involved a hammer… The beeswax was always cooking in the woodwork shop. Whenever I smell a candle I think of dear old GGS.

Posted by Geoffrey on 07/10/2009

I went to GWM 1950s to 64. My teacher at that time was Miss Hall then we had Mr Evans for PT. That dreaded run from Modern School to Boothferry Bridge and back. We all hated it.

Posted by Paul on 01/11/2009

What is in a name? Throughout my school career, if ever a nickname caused anyone so much discomfort, ridicule and difficulty then Paul "Turkey" Burton did it for me! I also remember all those other nicknames of boys that I went to school with such as Tony "Flicker" Fletcher, Gazzer, Mally, Pudding, Petty, Pazzer and many more. Like many growing up in the 1960s having lived through the trials and tribulations of being regarded as an 11+ failure and then being rescued by having a solidly good education and encouragement at the Secondary Modern by enlighten teachers. Many thanks to John Evans, Frank Ford and Mr Thomas to name but a few, who gave many pupils direction and hope.

Having left Goole for nearly 30 years it still holds a few fond memories! Warm summer evenings after school fishing at Oakhill or the Brick Ponds with the Mann brothers Jimmy and Arthur. Then in my late teens living it up on a Friday night at the Blacksmiths Arms and Saturday night at the Vikings with my still good friends the Armitage brothers, Graham and John. "Biff" Richardson and her crowd of "le gals" made up some lively female company. I have looked at interest at all of the threads on this site and it has stirred up what I thought were some deep, long forgotten and buried memories and has left me with a smile. "Turkey" never to ever be again answered to.

Posted by Polo on 11/11/2009

I have said on this thread before it is surprising who reads it and from all corners of the world as well. You stick in my mind not only as one of the lads but as the first person I met when I arrived at the Modern school, You were sent to the matrons office to "collect" me and show me the way to the class room as I started a few weeks after the term had begun, funny what little things you remember.

The nicknames of both the lads and lasses are as you say a distant memory and now you sometimes wonder how they got there in the first place but, with age and respect they get for the most part left behind. The Modern school was a good solid institution and as I have told many folks throughout the years there was a good education to be had from some really good teachers, Josh England was my favourite, if I had to choose any - very fair but very firm. Ok so we messed about a bit but at least we were taught the basics properly of how to read and write, etc., and respected right from wrong which without doubt has been a good base for me over the years. If you seriously crossed the mark then you took the punishment for it.

I can remember the only time I had the cane, it was from Patterson the head honcho, that was for being caught by Mr Cutler for going to the sweetshop during the break, and getting the slipper by Les Setterington, who had size ten hands, and a size four slipper, I thought at the time this won't hurt, but how wrong I was - by hell I shudder even now! That was for climbing up the cricket nets when they were first erected down near the bottom prefabs.

But Les, God bless him, was a fantastic bloke and his horticultural skills, his big smile and superb manner taught me a lot which I have made good use of throughout my career. I left school and went to work for Joan Kirk's dad and then her brother for a lot of years, plus Jeryl Ward's dad as well. I sat next to Jeryl all the way through school as I remember it was strange going to work and still seeing them. Paul, it is good to know you are still around even if like me you are long gone from Goole. We can all shake off a nickname but one thing is for sure mate we are all Goolies born and bred. Stay lucky.

Posted by Sue on 04/11/2009

GGS 1960-67. I'll always remember thinking how big the Sixth Formers were when we started at age eleven. They were building the new hall at that time. There was the most horrible smell in the school which we were told was the decomposing bodies of dead rats which had been trapped under the new construction. The cleaning ladies sprayed lavender air freshener around which did absolutely no good.

My First Form teacher was Miss Coghlin, she taught English; Hutch taught us science in First Year, and gave us the formula for photosynthesis, which we didn't need until Fourth Year. I was freaked out! Cynth Potter with her cape and motor scooter was a real character. And I remember Bongo - what a sweet man. He had a lot to put up with from us. "Tommy-Gun" Taylor - poor guy with a horrible stammer, Test Tube Taylor in chemistry, "Elvis" - can't remember his surname - in physics. Bennet and (Josephine?) Huddlestone for biology. "Boris" for English - can't remember his name either, but he always had a 5 o'clock shadow.

Does anyone remember how the Vulcans came in over the school as they were on final approach for RAF Finningley? One particularly loud one caused "Turnips" Townsend to speculate it was an old boy getting his own back! I was Deputy Head Girl in my final year and had my title and prefect's badge taken off me for getting caught smoking at the swimming gala!

Posted by Bill on 09/01/2010

I see you had your prefect's badge taken away from you. I suffered the same fate. My crime was to be caught canoodling with, possibly even snogging, a beautiful girl in the Fifth Form. She was called Cheryl, can't remember her last name. In the event I was happy to lose my prefect's status as it meant I was no longer eligible to read a lesson in the morning assembly.

Posted by Alex on 10/11/2009

Wow! What a lot of dredged up memories. I too can remember sitting in Pop Craven's class at Alexandra Street School, though I only did one year there. Then on to GGS in 1964 and a memorable cast of characters. Fond memories of "Bongo" Smith's history lessons, less fond memories of Postill's cross country runs (or in my case walk around the streets near the school and then jog back in near the end!). I recall having Dr Ramsey as a form teacher and then "Minnie" Caldwell, and being the despair of Mt Ibbotson when trying to teach me woodwork!

Lots of fun in the Science block with Mr Bennett, Miss Huddlestone and Dr Taylor. I also remember a mad Polish chemistry teacher who seemed to like setting fire to things. Naturally I remember "Arnie" Chappell - terrifying but a brilliant teacher - but my all-time favourite has to be "Hutch" Hutchinson. He was supposed to teach us General Studies when I was in the Sixth Form but we soon discovered that he was easily side-tracked into telling stories of operating the limelight machine in the old Tower Theatre, and lots of other fascinatingly irrelevant stuff. I also seem to remember John Wraith in a production of Hamlet. My own contribution to the artistic life of the school was to play the Cat in Pinocchio!

Posted by Steve on 09/12/2009

I was at the Modern School from 1970-75, My Teacher was Taffy Thomas. Just reading some of the comments, creased me up. Had a good time at school, had a long weekend most weekends and didn't go back until Tuesday, always had Friday off, yeah it was good fun.

Posted by Keith on 15/12/2009

I was at GGS from 1964-1971, so I remember Terry Broughton, Arthur Walker and Pete Daniels, to mention but a few. I think no one can forget Bongo Smith and Arnie Chappell. Reading Arnie's obituary made me realise why he struck fear into us - we were nothing compared with what he went through at Arnhem. I also fondly remember Alan Whitehall and "Benjy" - a great teacher who'd be struck off these days! Like some have recalled, my parting words from P.L. Teed were "we wish him well we can do no more" - written off at eighteen!

Posted by John on 31/12/2009

I started at GGS in 1958 and my First Form teacher was Ted Hutchinson. One of the best to gently introduce a boy from a small village into large school. I can still visualise him walking along the corridor and raising his hand in greeting with the litany "I = V over R" after we had had a science lesson. I hated PE. and Gym with a fervour especially when we were sent out on runs while Ellis Postill retired to the staff room in bad weather.

I recall the school being extended by connecting the old hall to the canteen block and the construction of the tower block which was reputed to be 18" out of plumb. Despite this minor detail it stood the test of time. During the building phase "Nutrocker" by B. Bumble and the Stingers was to be heard blasting out from contractor staff radios.

I spent many happy hours in the wooden metalwork shop which stood apart from the main school. Maybe that was a fire precaution in case the forge was overfired? Stan Foster was my form master for two years in 4M and 5M. "Elvis" Hall taught physics and somehow showed us how to create formulae out of thin air by dimensional analysis. I wish I could remember how but it's forgotten nowadays. We had a brilliant chemistry student teacher called Gray, who won a PhD in chemistry while he was with us but had a really difficult time controlling us kids on a mundane level. I also have fond memories of Bongo Smith reading from the Canterbury Tales to us but when he came to a risque bit he would edit the reading. We said he had a wooden leg but I don't know if that was true. George Stones ground "BODMAS" into our minds in his maths lessons. I found myself doing exactly the same to some apprentices a couple of years ago. Contemporaries of mine were Tim Lewis, Paul Wales, Paul Dobson, David Kyme, John (Spud) Taylor, Susan Abson, Christine Colby, Beryl Taylor, Anne Stannard and others.

Posted by Robert on 02/01/2010

Doc Gray wasn't a student teacher but a full staff member. He started around 1961 and stayed until around 1967. Around 1963, Mrs Rosenbroek told us Mr Gray was now to be called Dr Gray.

Posted by John on 03/01/2010

I think Dr Gray came to GGS as a student teacher first, then came back again shortly after as a full time chemistry master. I could be wrong?

Posted by Alan on 02/01/2010

I attended GGS from 1941-46. I saw Gerry Appleyard's name among those listed, he was in the First Form in 1941 J.L. Latimore was headmaster; "Bandy" Burroughs was metalwork; Miss Maddison taught English; can't recall other teachers. Among other pupils at that time were Jack Hatfield, Roy Greensitt, Wilf Pullan, Daz Wressle, Dis Allen, George Cheeseborough, Ken Richardson and Malcolm England.

Posted by CA on 12/01/2010

I well remember Mr Craven. I was in his class 1956-57. He wore a trilby as I remember. G Wood was our Head. We had Noel Longbottom, Mrs Raywood, Mrs Westerman and other female teachers whose names escape me. In the infants Miss Savage is the only name I remember, although I think Mr Longbottom might have taught infants too.

I have school photos of Mrs Raywood's and Mr Longbottom's classes from the early 1950s. My sister went to the nursery but I went straight into the infants. I remember being shown round Kingsway School when some had the chance to attend there but I wanted to stay at Alex. I have some fond memories of Alex friends and teachers. I moved as an adult and after 27 years went back to Goole, sad to see that the old school had gone.

Posted by Gerald on 16/01/2010

I was in Mr Craven's class 1953-54. I started school at Pasture Road, I walked to school from Westfield Square. Left Pasture Road and went to Boothferry Road School. There was then some changes made and I, along with several others from the Westfield Square/Woodland Avenue area were moved to Alexandra Street.

I recall the "kid catcher" had his office at Alexandra Street School. His name was Mr Crabtree and he lived in Westbourne Grove. I went to his house a couple of times with my father to watch television, football matches as I recall. I seem to remember Mr Craven as being very strict and a very good teacher. He must have been, I got to the Grammar School. Alexandra Street has been demolished and neither Boothferry Road or Pasture Road are schools any more, a shame that.

I seem to recall a tall, thin lady with glasses but don't know a name. The only other name I remember from the primary schools is that of Miss Cranitch who was headmistress at Pasture Road School when I started there in, heaven forbid, 1948…

Posted by CA on 17/01/2010

Gerald, I think you possibly mean Miss Savage. There was Mrs Windle(?) and a Miss Peterson. I think she came after your time at Alex. Surprising how things come back, this website stirs memories up. I started school about 1950 as I was born end of 1945. Left Alex summer of 1957.

Posted by Arthur on 06/02/2010

Re teachers at "Alegs", as I and my mate David Clarkson called it. The headmaster was Mr Frankland, our final teacher was "Pop" Saynor (?), and there was a Miss Brown in my class - she was rather partial to whacking kids across the knuckles with a ruler.

Posted by Andy on 17/01/2010

I was in Greenawn children's home from 1980 to 1984. As far as I am aware the home is used for social services at this present time. I had some good times in the home and I am hoping if anyone else has been in the home they also get in touch. Some of the staff were good people, Andy Bainbridge, David Dodd where are these people today? If any staff or kids from the home out there get in touch it would be great to catch up on old times.

Posted by Tom on 27/07/2011

I was in Greenawn children's home from 1957-1962 and went to the Modern School. The people I most remember from school are David Ullathorne (who gave me the best Xmas I'd ever had in life up until then). Raymond Gledhill, Ray Bonser (I think this is right), Dennis Cook (who had the hardest shot in football), Martin Addy (who could run faster than Usain Bolt). It was only in the last two years I was there that it became a mixed school. The only girl I can remember was a Linda Devrell.

I can remember on the school sports day, someone being speared by a javelin, the first hockey match between the teachers and the girls, playing for the school football team, and scoring in the final at Goole Town's ground. Happy days. The first super I was under in the kid's home was a Mr Mieningham; the second was Chinny Turner; there was a Mrs Rook from Hook! We all had a job to do in the home, washing-up, cleaning, looking after the younger kids, making beds. We would join any club to get out and about. Goole Brass Band, Sunday school. We went to West Park.

I now live in Castleford, just up the M62. My memories of Goole are happy ones, with some good school friends.

Posted by Barry on 22/10/2013

Is there anyone who was in Greenawn kid's home in the 1960s who remembers my brother Anthony (Tony) and myself (Barry)? The head was called Mr Turner I believe.

Can't remember much else about the place. Is it still going?

Posted by Dennis on 23/10/2013

I was at Greenawn for about eight months, 1960/61.

Posted by Malcolm on 05/02/2017

I was at GGS 1977 to 1979 whilst I stayed at Greenawn. I remember some good times. I remember one girl in my class was very nice to me, I can only remember her first name Victoria. I seem to remember her mother had a stall on Goole Market. If you know who you are, I would like to say thank you for making me feel welcome, as not many people did.

Posted by Fly Wheel on 11/11/2018

A chap called Allan Turner ran Greenawn. The head gardener in 1966 was Mr Herbert specialising in begonias in the big greenhouses at the side of main building.

Posted by Kevin on 31/01/2010

My great-aunts Beatrice and Cecille Lee were teachers at Boothferry road school in the 1920s.

Posted by Sue on 31/01/2010

Does anyone remember the name of the Head Boy who was killed on Bridge Street while he was biking to school? It happened around 1965, I guess. I remember he had a bright future ahead of him and what a tragedy it was.

Posted by Bill on 02/02/2010

I think he was called Keith Burton, he had a younger brother who I knew. I believe Keith was waiting to go up to Oxford or Cambridge when the accident occurred. The headmaster (Mr Teed) organised a memorial service at the Parish Church to which the whole school attended. A very tragic affair.

Posted by Raymond on 06/02/2010

I attended Goole Grammar School from 1938 to 1943. It was a fine school. The headmaster was Mr Latimer (called Rattlesnake by the boys, as he had the reactions of one). The PE. teacher was Jack Ellis, who had played rugby for England and the staff were all very fine people. During the war, there were air raid shelters covering the part of the playing fields, and some of the senior boys took turns sleeping overnight at the school, doing fire watch duty. At that time, you were in school either on a scholarship or your parents had to pay, I think that the fee was about three pounds a term. Our School Magazine was "The Viking". Have lived in Canada for the past 50 years or so, and am still enjoying life.

Posted by LM on 02/03/2010

Does anyone remember the hut in Nidderdale which the Grammar school used to own? I would be interested to hear of any unusual experiences anyone had when visiting it.

Posted by Graham on 03/03/2010

That would be the hut on Walkers Farm next to the farmhouse. We used to go there during the summer and host lots of children each week from the Batley area. It was a great place and fantastic to spend your summer there doing all sorts of things such as pot-holing, canoeing, hill walking, climbing, day trip to Scarborough, swimming in the River Nidd. It was just great to get away from Goole but mainly the family and spend your summer being independent and giving those kids the time of their little lives. Wonder if any of them remember their one week holiday camping in the field next to the Grammar School Hut. I remember walking along the ridge of a hill and seeing a Vulcan Bomber fly down the valley, it was almost beneath us and we could see the pilot!! Happy days.

Posted by Ed on 11/03/2010

Anyone remember the Pately Bridge Camp School? We went from the modern school in 47 or 48, a lot of happy memories from those carefree days of youth.

Posted by Brian on 21/03/2010

I went to that camp from the Modern School. It was known as Bewerley Park camp. I must have been there about the same time as you my sister Enid. I cannot remember many of the boys there only Eddie Binnington and Billy Thornton who ran away and tried to get back home. Good old days. We used to have concerts on an evening performed by the pupils. During the day we used to go swimming and boating in the River Nidd which was only about eighteen inches deep. I think we were there for about six weeks. I believe our parents sent us there to get rid of us.

Posted by Eddie on 23/03/2010

I went to Bewerley park camp, climbed up to crocodile rock and York folly. Great times. I think it cost two pounds ten shillings for the month. A lot of money in those days.

Posted by Graham on 13/10/2014

I remember, with great fondness, our trips to the School Hut on Walkers Farm in Nidderdale each summer. The trips to schools in Batley to talk to the Asian children who would visit us at the campsite for a week at a time during summer holidays. It was great briefing them on what suitable clothing to bring with them and a sleeping bag as they would be kipping in tents in the field in front of the school hut. Then watching them climb off the coaches wearing shorts, t shirts and plastic sandals carrying a rolled up blanket - bless them!

But it was fantastic taking them hill walking, rock climbing, pot holing, swimming and the trip to the seaside at Scarborough on the Thursday each week. Was great to see the look on some of their faces at seeing the sea for the first time.

The evening walks down the road to Pateley Bridge, trying to get the pub landlord at the pub next to the bridge to sell us beer was fun. Remember well the time he let us have a pint of Old Peculier and then going back to camp to drink, covertly, a half bottle of whiskey between us. Sore head the next morning! Who else remembers those balmy summers at Walkers Farm in Nidderdale?

Posted by Sheila on 27/10/2014

Interested to read the comments about the school hut in the Dales. I believe it was bought in 1967 and a group of us had great fun making two canoes for it in woodwork. Girls were not normally allowed to do woodwork but it was decided that we should have a "creative" double lesson a week as a break from O-levels. Never found out if they floated though… Maybe someone can enlighten me?

Posted by David on 10/06/2010

My dad Mr Teed was headmaster at GGS 1964 to 1984. He was the one who pushed the am dram with Doreen Chappell, hired the teacher from London who wore makeup and got him in trouble. I went to same school 1971-78. How weird we all have similar memories of the school bit like reading Proust and it all floods back from a taste of a piece of cake. He retired in 1984 first to Bristol and then to Cornwall. He is still alive if a bit doddery at 85. Personally I was very proud of what he did during his tenure at GGS 1964 to 84.

Posted by Fiona on 12/06/2010

I was at school with you, I seem to remember we shared the art prize though you were much better then than I was. I work as an art lecturer and still do my own painting. I remember the drama teacher who wore make up. What happened to him? I seem to remember he was there one day and gone another. At fourteen you quickly forget and in those days we didn't question stuff like youngsters do today. There was another teacher called I think Mr Kerridge, something weird happened to him too.

Posted by John on 14/06/2010

Very happy to know Mr Teed is still hopping around! He very kindly talked to my class in London, years ago, about a historical subject, but the students only wanted to know if I had been bad at GGS! I stayed with the family in Thornbury - I still have a Shirley Teed in a prominent place in my house in Manila! Much admired… Please give him my very best wishes!

Posted by Bill on 16/06/2010

Some time ago I posted a message seeking contact details for Mr Teed. I simply wanted to give him my belated thanks for something he did for me. Once when I had committed some misdemeanour, can't remember what it was, possibly not attending some cultural event, your dad summoned me to his study. I was expecting a good telling off. Instead after expressing his disappointment in my behaviour he gave me a load of books to read by American authors: James Baldwin, J.D. Salinger, B.F. Skinner, Kerouac, etc. Some of it quite racy stuff for a 16-year-old in Goole! Anyway I read them and the experience engendered a lifelong interest in American Literature which has given me much enjoyment. I wanted, belatedly, to thank your dad for that. I would appreciate it if you would pass this message on to him. I thought he was an excellent headmaster.

Posted by David on 17/06/2010

My father is coming to stay this weekend and I'm going to introduce him to the website.

Posted by Peter Teed on 19/06/2010

Hello there, this is Peter Teed, headmaster GGS 1964-1984. We are staying with David in London and have read your emails. It is amazing that anybody should remember all those years ago and I very much enjoyed the experience of everyone's recollections. John Wraith - I well remember coming to your school in London, but I had no idea you had finished up in Manila. It sounds idyllic.

Shirley is still painting and is currently showing in York where Robert, my youngest son runs an art gallery. I do nothing except try to keep alive. Fortunately for me the health remains reasonably good. We love living in Cornwall and the webmaster has my email and if any of my ex-pupils wants to get in touch pls feel free.

Bill, I will send you an email. I must say I don't remember giving you the American literature but it seems to have had a more positive effect than the cane!

Posted by Gail on 02/07/2010

Dear Mr Teed, I have lots of happy memories of being a pupil at GGS from 1963-1970. I decided to take an extra O-level at the same time as my A-levels and in order to accommodate it you gave two of us extracurricular classes on the American Constitution in your own study. I got the extra O-level, by the way.

But my strongest memory of you is this. One day you began morning assembly with a talk about the American civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jnr. Someone from the side of the stage quietly came to tell you that Dr King was dead, had been assassinated. It broke your heart right there in front of us all and you had to leave the stage. I've always believed that moment changed me too. Very good work, Mr Teed.

Posted by Mandy on 06/07/2010

I think Peter Teed was a visionary. As I recall he came in for some stick from hang 'em and flog 'em locals, but I think his interest in the wider world, notably Europe and America, was timely and brought a refreshing new dimension to school life. His passion for the arts filtered into school life and made my GGS days richer than they would otherwise have been.

Posted by Justin on 17/01/2011

Hello David Teed, you won't remember me as I am quite a bit younger than you, we lived in Old Goole not far from your old house, Manor Cottage. Your mum painted a picture with me on it at Old Goole First School in 1985. The painting hung in the old school hall for years. When the school closed it was sent to Marshlands Middle School, were it spent many years in a cupboard. I went back to the school a couple of years ago and asked about the painting. It now hangs in my front room, next to a small landscape painted by your mum in 1961. I never thought, almost 25 years after the picture was painted, that it would be hanging in my front room. I also have a copy of your dad's book.

Posted by Zigger-Zagger on 30/04/2011

Mr Teed was much liked and respected by many pupils, parents and teachers who knew, worked and studied with him. What stood out most for me was his accent - one typical of his class and generation - announcing him as an upper-middle class Cantabrigian, while hiding his enlightened, progressive, patrician values. A rare mix in Goole back in the 1970s.

Just remember - and compare with anywhere now - what the school had going for it back then. An abundance of rugby, cricket and hockey teams, athletics events and sports days, Duke of Edinburgh awards, camping trips to Nidderdale/Lofthouse with map reading, rambling, pot holing, caving, rock climbing ("outdoor pursuits", as they were quaintly called). Then there were the foreign exchange trips to France and Germany (for many this was a first trip abroad), and for those rich or religious enough, trips to see Passion Plays in Oberammergau. There were lunchtime and after school hobby clubs, a drama soc. debating soc. etc., etc. And a youth club on site. Plus staff with a range of teaching styles and accents from around the world. An education back then was about so much more than paper qualifications.

My personal encounters with him were few. The most memorable was probably when the form teacher Dave Cox had put all the boys in detention, following some minor misdemeanour to which nobody would own up. Myself and two other lads felt this was unfair as he didn't know if the culprit was a boy or a girl, so we said the whole class should be detained, and not just the boys (this was after all 1973 when battles about feminism and equality were raging). So our "delegation" went to see Mr Teed who ensured both girls and boys were duly kept behind and equality got its fullest expression… I remember he had a particular habit of taking apart his pen while talking to you, examining the parts, and then putting it back together again. It's true that back then there was often a lack of discipline in class, but those were changing times, difficult ones when authority of all kinds - politicians, police, parents and teachers were being challenged on every front.

Throughout the whole of the 20th Century I doubt there has been a harder time to be at the chalk face. But overall, yes, without doubt we were lucky to have been at Mr Teed's school. I owe him much, and wish him a long and happy retirement.

Posted by Steve on 04/06/2011

The older I get the more I realise just what a remarkable headmaster he was. My elder brother, also a GGS boy, was killed when I was in the lower Sixth. Mr Teed had a chat with me in his office which was simply inspirational as well as very practical at that sad time. He joined the school when I was starting in the Second Form, he was years ahead of the rest, most of whom now appreciate what he was about.

Posted by Helen on 19/08/2011

I too remember with fondness Mr Teed's leadership. His comment once in an assembly about knowledge - something about it's not being able to know everything but it is knowing where to obtain the information and how you use it that matters - it's a long time ago so has got a bit lost in translation. Anyway, I have always found this helpful.

Posted by Richard on 29/01/2012

Following my years at GGS (1962-67), though I do recall Dr Latimer, it is Mr Teed that I will always remember as the headmaster. Specific stand-out memories are surprisingly few; I think that the key is the environment that he created - it wasn't noticeable because it worked. He allowed us freedom to disagree and trusted us, even to the extent that he lent a trio of us his car to pick-up blocks of expanded polystyrene from the factory in Howden. But there were limits to his trust, as we discovered when we rearranged the furniture in the Senior Sixth Common Room: "Move that sofa! I'll not risk, one day, finding a couple of you copulating behind it!"

I also value the lessons in the responsibilities of power, when as Head Prefect, I had to report the indiscipline and disruption from one of the younger boys. Mr Teed asked me how the boy should be punished: "I can cane him. But do you think it will do him any good?"

Posted by Trevor on 23/10/2010

I was at Pasture Road Infant School from 1948/49 to 1950/51 and then went to Alexandra Street Junior School. I progressed there until from Class 4B I passed for the Grammar School. The Headmaster at Alex was Geoffrey Wood and I wish I could remember the name of the class teacher of 4B as it must have been his hard work that got me through the 11+.

I was at GGS from 1955 to 1963 and was in the same year as Bryan Avery. Bryan lived on Fifth Avenue and his parent's house backed on to the same lane as a friend of mine, Mike Nichols. Mike also started the Grammar the same time as me and we were in Class 1C. The air-raid shelters were still up on the edge of the school field and were definitely out of bounds and the prefects kept an eye out for trespassers. I also suffered Postill's cross countries but never dared cheat. I remember Reg Martin was the science teacher who could not keep any discipline whatever in his classes. I remember a disabled history teacher who we believed had a wooden leg. Was this Bongo? I was taught maths up to O-level by "Fritz" Hargreaves. We called him Fritz because for some reason we thought he looked German (his huge eyebrows maybe?). Stan Foster, the metalwork teacher, also taught me engineering drawing.

I was in the Senior Sixth Form and I remember that one day Arnie Chappell came in the classroom and said that anyone who had not applied for college yet was now too late as the closing date for applications had now passed. I hadn't applied so I stayed on at school for an extra year.

Posted by Phil on 12/11/2010

Have just found this site and read with interest a lot of memories from GGS. Whilst I left in 1966 to come to Australia, I still have great memories of my school years (infant, primary and secondary). I missed the reunion as I was not aware of it and was 12,000 miles away.

It seems incredible that it was 48 years ago that we started at GGS.

Posted by Jan on 13/11/2010

Remember doing O-level exams in the hall at GGS with the noise of bulldozers etc in the background. They were extending the school in the 1960s and we suffered. I am sure that they wouldn't put up with it today. Girls used to go on long walks for double games in bad weather because there was no gym due to the refurbishment. Miss Holland who took us for home economics would dictate housekeeping notes eg. 1 - get the cooperation of the husband!

Posted by Roy on 02/02/2011

The memories keep flooding back. I attended Boothferry Infants and was in the same class as Mrs Thompson's (GGS teacher) daughter who played Sleeping Beauty in the Christmas play. I went on to Kingsway where Mr Millward terrified me but I think it was the pressure of trying to get us to pass the 11+. He seemed much kinder and more relaxed after the exams. Failed the 11+, obviously the effect of the ruler rapped over my head and told to get my brains working didn't have the right effect. Best friends there were Timothy Rowse whose father was head of GSM. Thanks to the support of a great teacher Mr Evans I managed to get to GGS 13+.

Many happy memories of GGS. The smell of Hartnell's "in Love" wafting from Nora Charlton; being in "She Stoops", "Murder in the Cathedral" and "Hamlet". Anyone know what happened to Geoff Sayers, Geoff Hearne and Heather Gunson?

Posted by Robert on 06/02/2011

I remember the three you mention well, being in the same class as Geoff Sayers, the same chemistry group as Geoff Hearne, and although Heather Gunson was in the year above, she went on a Belgian exchange visit at the same time. I'm sorry to say I noticed in the Goole Times that Geoff Sayers died at home in Goole last July, aged 60. I believe he had returned to Goole after retiring from teaching. Anyone else remember him as Hamlet in the school play?

Posted by Jan on 07/02/2011

I remember Geoff Sayers. My sister Pam was in "Murder in the Cathedral" and she was Gertrude in Hamlet. I remember he was in Oedipus in a grand production between the Goole Amateurs and ex-students. It was performed in the quad I think.

Posted by Bill on 07/02/2011

I was sad to hear the news about the death of Geoff Sayers at such a young age. Although I was older than him, I did know him because he lived in our street, Kingsway, and his parents -who were lovely people - were friends of my mum and dad. Geoff was one of those people you remember just because he was such a nice guy. And yes I remember him playing Hamlet at GGS.

Posted by Fiona on 09/02/2011

I remember my dad was in that Oedipus production as well, late-1960s? I remember he had a terrible cold and caught it because the play was performed outside in bad weather and he was wearing a thin cotton costume. I think he was a messenger.

Posted by Roy on 30/03/2011

I remember your sister Pam in Hamlet. There was one particular rehearsal when everything was going wrong - a lack of commitment, people not turning up for rehearsal, etc. Mr Teed was in a poor mood. He told Pam that she should be coming on stage sounding like a cow in labour to which she screamed/yelled that she had never felt like a cow in labour. It did get a round of applause and somehow the rehearsal improved after that.

Posted by Richard on 29/01/2012

That infamous production of Hamlet - I can add another anecdote to that of Roy Mapplebeck (Laertes) - late in the rehearsals, he suddenly exploded, violently throwing the book onto the stage floor and demanding to know why we hadn't learned our lines yet. The shock, coming from one so calm, certainly had impact (after all I can still remember after 46 years), but not entirely successful - I was miserable throughout the performances due to my difficulty in remembering my lines… But a memorable production with Geoffrey Sayers as Hamlet, Gillian Ford as Ophelia, Stephen Hoier as Polonius, John Wraith as The Ghost, John Gibson in a bravura performance as the Gravedigger and Colin Graves as the Prince of Denmark but with a sword, not a cricket bat.

Posted by Tom on 23/03/2011

I have been reading some of the messages from people who attended the Secondary Modern School but there was very few from my era 1960-65. I was in Miss Thompson's class in First Year but thereafter I cannot recall the teachers' names.

Posted by Sally on 29/03/2011

What about those of us who went to GGS 1964-1971, can you remember "march of the mods" at the Xmas parties?

Posted by John on 06/04/2011

The grounds of Kingsway were very well kept and good school lunches too - never mind good health - long live steamed jam sponge and custard! Did anyone reach the dizzy heights as biscuit sales persons! We collected them from Mr Richardson's office at break times - going through the minute school library. I can taste the marshmallow biscuits as I write!

Posted by Fiona on 13/04/2011

I remember those biscuits too, and the library and adjacent medical room where we used to go and see the school nurse to have injections. I fell in the playground on the ice and broke my arm. I think they had gritted it when I returned to school, but could you imagine the outcry now? Then it was just an unlucky accident.

Posted by John on 20/06/2011

Glad somebody remembered the biscuit sales. I also had an accident at Kingsway - I tripped over a cane in a PE. Lesson and couldn't really walk for about three months - my only claim to fame!

Posted by Alasdair on 18/04/2011

I was an English and drama teacher at Goole Grammar School from 1969-1972 following on from Garth Jones and being replaced by a Canadian chap called Robertson I think. I have very happy memories of teaching there. I was an extremely young teacher and not at all sure then that teaching was what I wanted to do. Peter Teed, a terrific head, was hugely influential in encouraging me to continue as was Ernest Ferriman, the Head of English, and I have subsequently enjoyed a very rewarding and varied career in education. So thank you Mr Teed and my very best wishes to you.

Whilst at Goole I directed Zigger Zagger, The Dragon and, of all things, a Japanese Noh Play! I remember three very talented actors Lyn Sharman, Stephen Tose and a girl called Pam - I can't remember what her second name was. The bloke who played Zigger himself was great too but the name has also gone. I was sad to hear about the death of Geoff Sayers who became a good friend and we stayed in touch for some years afterwards.

Posted by Phil on 21/04/2011

I well remember being in Zigger Zagger singing "There's something about a soldier". It was a nice change after Shakespeare and opera productions. Was it you Alasdair who produced and directed our improvised drama at the youth club which won the runner-up spot in a local drama competition?

Posted by Alasdair on 28/04/2011

Nice that you remember the play Phil. I was the drama tutor at the youth club for most of the time I worked in Goole so yes I think that was me.

Posted by Brian on 26/03/2012

Alasdair Brown was a colleague of mine in the early-1970s and we worked together on a number of productions. I remember the Noh play, Kagekiyo, which involved my eviscerating the school's baby grand (all in the best possible taste).

I hope I didn't upset too many people during my time in Goole. I've made a couple of brief visits there over the years, including taking my children to see where I used to work and live. Perhaps I'll be able to do the same for my granddaughter sometime.

Mr Teed gave me my first teaching job for which I was grateful.

Posted by Steve on 05/08/2015

I read with interest Alasdair Brown's contributions - I was in your 1971 Japanese Noh play production "Kagekiyo", which my late mother absolutely loved. I often think of you and your wonderful English teaching colleague, Stella Harris (previously Ilditch).

Posted by Brian on 07/05/2011

We had some great and memorable teachers at GGS, including Elvis, Test Tube and Boilerhead. I was in the Senior Sixth when Mr Teed joined as headmaster. He invited a few prefects to his home one Saturday evening. It happened to be my 18th birthday, so, to say the least, I attended reluctantly. Two of the girls were opera fans and asked Mr Teed to play his records of Verdi's "Othello". This seemed to drag on for hours. To make the evening even more memorable, I caught chicken pox from one of Mr Teed's children. Happy days!

Posted by Gerald on 16/05/2011

I have come across an old photograph taken at Pasture Road School in May 1951. It shows a group of boys in front of a ramshackle wooden building. Something we were building I seem to recall. Apart from myself on the photograph are Michael Armitage, Peter Greenfield, Bryan Avery, Michael Baines, George Abbey and Keith Dobson. There is another boy at the front shielding his eyes from the sun and I think that is probably William Bird. There is another boy in the top right-hand corner who I cannot identify. We are all now 67/68 years old, aargh.

Posted by Broadway on 07/07/2011

Goole Secondary Modern, best of the lot on the day I was there, Mr Hislop sports and Miss Read, and Mr Sethrington (old stutters).The worst of the lot was Patterson, the head - a man who loved to get his cane out, boys must be punished he would say, yeah right…

Posted by Gary on 15/07/2011

Aye, those were the days! My favourites were Messrs Watson (Dog), England, Oliver (Great bloke, but we didn't learn much), King and Mrs Greensitt. I remember the gardening teacher as Mr Setterington (or "Spluts") - another wonderful character. I'll never forget him trying to teach a whole class of fifteen-year-olds how to mow the lawn - with garden shears. You're dead right about Patterson, though. I only spoke to him once, on 29/11/69, the day he expelled me.

Posted by Geoffrey on 06/08/2011

Does anyone remember my grandma Mrs (Lily) Page who was dinner lady at Pasture Road School in the 1950s? Thanks.

Posted by Gerald on 12/08/2011

I started at Pasture Road School in 1948. I do not remember your grandma, Mrs Lily Page. The only members of staff I can remember is the Headmistress, Miss Cranitch. She lived across the road from the school in the row of houses between Midwoods and the shops near Colonels Walk.

Posted by Trev on 21/08/2011

I also started Pasture Road School in 1948. I could not remember Miss Cranitch but I asked mum who is 104 years old and she remembers her. You mentioned the shops before Colonels Walk - can you remember the corner one was run by two sisters called Annie and Minnie May? I left Goole in 1958 but it's great to keep up to date on this brilliant website.

Posted by Susan on 28/08/2011

Alexandra Street football team. Since my last post I have been given some names for the team picture I mentioned. They are Alex Street football team 1967-68 and were possibly runners up in the Short cup Standing, left to right are Philip Bristow, Paul Adams, ? Howard, Stephen Cross, Russell Noon, ? Terry Spavin , Ken Punter . Front Mal? Gibson, Tony Proctor, Christopher Jackson, Rob Clark, Brian Marshall Some of the identifications were not very certain. Are they right?

Posted by Gary on 16/10/2011

I'd just like to put on record the teachings of Mrs Greensitt at the Modern School, 1967-68, which was my time in Fourth Year. My grammar's still not great but what she taught me in a creative writing sense has never left me. A little belated perhaps but to Mrs Greensitt, "thank you".

Posted by Fiona on 16/10/2011

I remember Mrs Greensitt and her obsession with the library classifications of Melville Dewey. I also remember her referring to First Years as uncooked cakes - all sorts of ingredients waiting to go in the oven to be formed into the final cake. An interesting analogy which I have remembered for 40 years!

Posted by Gary on 18/10/2011

I always remember Mrs Greensitt cycling though the town and her cheery "Hello!" whenever she saw me. I left Goole in 1969 and returned to visit after seven years in Australia. Mrs Greensitt called out "Hello" to me as though I'd never been away. I had longer hair and a beard in 1976, but she still recognised me. What do you suppose her Christian name is?

Posted by Fiona on 20/10/2011

I think her name was Elizabeth, my dad who played rugger with the Greensitts called her Bessie. It's odd when you are a schoolchild, you don't think of some of the teachers as being "real" people with lives outside the school.

Posted by Richard on 29/01/2012

What a great website! I only discovered it yesterday when, following an e-mail dispute with my older brother, John (GGS 1962-63), about the spelling of Mr Chappell's name (we were both wrong), I thought I'd take a look on Google Maps to see if the old school was still there, and a little research threw-up all these comments from old school friends. But tinged with sadness to hear of the passing of chums.

Posted by Rick on 19/02/2012

Does anyone remember what year Alexandra Street School closed, and what year it was demolished?

Posted by Sheila on 27/02/2012

Alexandra Street School closed at the end of the summer term in 1990. I believe it was demolished shortly afterwards when work commenced on the development of Wesley Square. I can recall building work being undertaken when I visited my dad in Hook and there were shops on site by the time he died at the end of 1992.

Posted by Sheila on 23/02/2012

Just found this site and spent quite a few hours reading all the comments. A wonderful trip down memory lane. I went to Pasture Road Infant School and was taught by Mrs England, Miss Watson and Mrs Hutchinson (the wife of Hutch at GGS).

Then to Alexandra Street with Miss Brown (I thought she was quite sweet but that was her last year of teaching), Mrs Caldicott, Mrs Gunson and "Pop" Craven. He was a great character and a brilliant teacher. Remember also Mr Wood but cannot recall him singing. I used to visit the other classes to collect for the Lantern Appeal.

Started at GGS in 1963 with Hutch as our form master and maths teacher. A great bloke and very funny. I recall many of the teachers there with fondness and respect but one or two should have chosen a different vocation. My all-time favourite has to be Mr Ferriman. A brilliant teacher and form master.

Posted by School Memories on 22/04/2012

While at Kingsway School I will always remember a lad putting a straw in an ink well and blowing - his face covered in ink. The teacher Mr Crowley made him go to morning assembly. Does anybody know his name? Thanks,

Posted by Memories on 31/08/2012

It was "Doggy" Owen.

Posted by Bill on 02/11/2012

I was evacuated from Edmonton London in 1944 aged five and lived for nine months with the Skelton family at White City Airmyn. I attended Boothferry Road School during this time and kept in touch with Skelton family and descendants for 60 years. Went to school each day with Suzie Cooper but now too old to remember much else, but do keep a photo of the school.

Posted by Dennis on 03/02/2013

Peter Litherland Teed, a progressive man after our previous headman Latimer. I remember when I went into Senior Sixth he decided that everyone in their last year should be a prefect - so I refused it. He insisted, so I wore the badge under my jacket lapel.

Arnold Chappel and Ellis Postill - between them they excluded me from school in 1970, but when I met Arnie at our reunion, all he said was "My Dennis - how are you?" I know I was a big disappointment to him, and I liked him a lot.

Posted by Phil on 04/02/2013

Arnie was a big disappointment to me… the dinnertime he caught us supping in the Vikings. He marched us straight back to school and refused to let me finish my pint. Mind you it was probably Watneys Red Barrel or similar.

Posted by Graham on 19/02/2013

Favourite teacher at GGS during period 1970-75 was Julian Gurden in pottery. He was well laid back and a great teacher too.

Posted by Angie on 14/04/2013

I was at GGS from 1959 to 1966. I do have a photo of me somewhere in the GGS "pork pie" hat. I think it was taken on my first day. I remember that they were very unflattering and as we moved through the school they were placed further and further back on the head, sometimes held on with grips! When could we stop wearing them - was it Fifth Form?

Posted by Tom on 29/05/2013

John Evans was a form teacher and PE. teacher during the early-1960s - then Goole Secondary Modern School. I was there from 1960-65. He had the distinction of playing in a teacher versus school at hockey and unfortunately smashed a ball straight into a girls face breaking her jaw. That was the end of staff v pupils. John laughed when I said I wanted to be a PE. teacher. I was then in the second lowest form in the school. Love to meet him today. I have retired from teaching having spent 27 years as a PE. teacher and sixteen years in the RAF as a PTI. Nice guy but terrible school.

Posted by Tom on 02/06/2013

Leggot, a man who was more than a waste of space, he took up valuable breathing space as well. As a teacher of more than 25 years I would be ashamed if anyone mentioned that man in the same breath. Not only did he fall asleep at the desk but used to hide his cigarettes inside the desk lifting the lid to smoke behind it. He enjoyed hitting lads at the back of the head.

Miss Thompson was our form teacher in First Year. She was a lady ahead of her time (an inspirational teacher) - her imagination and creativity were brilliant, considering the facilities available to her. She suddenly announced she was leaving to get married. A huge surprise to everyone at the time. The biology teacher (name forgotten) was also a good teacher.

Posted by Dave on 03/06/2013

I just love the way you've described him, that was brilliant and now you've said it, I remember him having a smoke under the desk lid too. The science teacher you were thinking of was Lugs Brant(?).

Posted by Tom on 10/06/2013

I remember the prefabs and the domestic one about half way down I think. But the names are a distant memory, just some stick for good and bad reasons. That period was for me not a very happy time and for good reasons chose to put it to rest. Some people I remember were Geoff Naylor, Malcolm Eyre, Brian Smith, Peter Daniels and a girl I was crazy about Stephanie Lovitt and that's about as much as I can recall.

Posted by Dave on 16/06/2013

In the end prefab wasn't there a teacher called Mrs Pascoe?

Posted by Tom on 23/06/2013

Mrs Pascoe, I can see her face now! Amazing - I would never have remembered the name and more amazing she comes to mind.

Posted by Dave on 23/06/2013

I've had a long think, here goes. Teachers, was there also in the prefabs a Mrs MacAllistar; a Mrs Jenkinson who came from Hook(?); a Mr Reaveley (nicknamed Chisel) who was in the prefabs at the Newport Street side who, along with Mr Richardson, also took woodwork; Mr Oliver who took metalwork.

Posted by Dave on 26/06/2013

Every day I try to remember things like the sweetshop in Newport Street and the back lane at the side of it, where all the smokers used to go. I mean we're doing well to remember all we are doing. We're going back almost 50 years, plus I've not lived in Goole for 30 years.

Was there also a teacher called Mr Houghton (plump guy with a bald head) who took tech drawing too?

Posted by Tom on 27/06/2013

The sweetshop, pineapple cubes and coca cola cubes in a bag for three (old) pence, smokers lane.

I remember getting the cane on my first morning by Harry Cutler for going in the quadrangle - my first thoughts were what the hell is a quadrangle, rubbing my stinging hand; lining up in the playground on the whistle; British bulldog; foul school dinners; milk and a Haliborange capsule; ink monitor or milk monitor - never a prefect, not high enough. Won a prize for citizenship from Ernest Reid, could never figure out what I had done, but still got the book, a dictionary by Nelson, 50 years old.

My late father was the caretaker at the Grammar School back in the 1980s when Mr Teed was headmaster. I remember the two schools finished 30 minutes apart so we did not meet out on the main road - why is beyond me.

School dances with a record player, playing the same three records over and over. Dancing instead of PE. - arrrgh.

Posted by Gypsy on 05/07/2013

Wow - that lot stirs the mind so I'll add a few more names. Minni Miles taught French along with Miss Finch and Miss Morris; a weird guy called Sykes did music; Mr Salmon taught commerce; Mrs Whittaker taught art; Mr Ford taught science; Mrs Lawson who made everyone stand still whilst she went across the playground to the feeding troughs. Then there were a few more "teachers" who just turned up for a warm I think. Most of them could have done better in my view save for Messers England, Seven, Oliver and Splutts who were straight blokes.

Posted by Keith on 19/07/2013

When I attended the Secondary Modern school in the 1950s, Mr Oliver was the metalwork teacher and Mr Reaverly was the woodwork teacher.

Posted by Gypsy on 19/07/2013

You are right Mr Oliver was the metalwork teacher and a really good one at that. He taught me a lot which has stood me in good stead over the years, plus he used to take a few of us fishing to the Newport canal in his old Dormobile van. The other bloke, Reevely aka "Chisel" was housed in the brick class rooms on the Newport Street side, didn't like him one bit.

Posted by Corby on 14/07/2013

I attended the Modern School from 1945 to 1949. In that time there were two music teachers. The first was Mr Dunhill who was a very good teacher. He took the time to go from pupil to pupil whilst singing to advise and also listen to make sure the right words were being sang. Then Mrs Triggs took over. A quiet lady of a nervous disposition. Often the wrong words would be heard over the correct ones.

Posted by Paul on 14/07/2013

Very interested that you mention a Mrs Triggs as that is my surname. My mother I believe taught at the Modern School prior to 1945 but did not return there until September 1948 when I was nearly four and could start at Boothferry Road Infants a year early. She was primarily a PE. teacher but may also have taken needlework/English/drama, etc. I don't recall her being involved with singing although she could play the piano. It is not a common name and is unlikely there is another Mrs Triggs.

Posted by Corby on 14/07/2013

The date fits for I was in 4A in my last year. I would describe your mother as slender with fairish hair and she wore specs. She was treated with less kindness by the class in general, compared with Mr Dunhill who was overbearing. I also remember her as a pianist.

Posted by Corby on 15/07/2013

I once penned many of my childhood memories. About my schooling I stated that the only teachers that I remembered were the ones that caned me. Mrs Triggs being the exception for I never saw her cane anyone. Mr Moody and Mr Fell used lightweight canes, which smarted for a short while. Mr Greensides and Mr Northey used what appeared to be walking sticks, but Mr Averey once used a steel rule, which landed him in trouble from a very irate mother. But my worst experience was from Mr Rouse the head who replaced Mr Firth. I was called to his office where he and a police officer carried out an interrogation about a missing bicycle pump. My name had been put forward as the culprit. I was totally innocent, although I suffered this bullying from these two individuals. It left me with a huge mistrust of the police and anyone in authority.

Posted by Dave on 17/07/2013

Oh someone's mentioned Mr Greensides. How could I forget him! Was his first name Charlie? Did he live on Centenary Road? He once hit me so hard he left five finger marks on my leg. I remember after that little incident, my dad walking into school in his boiler suit and asking him to step outside with him. He declined my dad's invite - but he never hit me again.

Posted by Brian on 24/05/2014

I attended Goole Modern in the early-1950s and remember the teachers and their various tools of punishment. Mr Rouse would ask you to put coal on his fire then three stokes of his cane on the backside; Mr Baker (art teacher) used a plimsoll; LaLa Moody (RE.) the cane; Charlie Greenside the black board rubber on your knuckles; but the worst one was Mr Stokes who took over from Mr George Windle in PE. used a cricket bat; Birdy Fell (maths) - I don't think I had any punishment from him apart from throw my book out of the window; the other Birdy Fell (science teacher) used a plimsoll; Mr Revely (woodwork) once locked me in the store for three hours and forgot I was there; Pop Northey was a cane man.

Posted by Keith on 04/08/2017

Charlie Greensides was a favourite teacher, could be quite hard when he wanted. He was my form master too.

Posted by Paul on 05/08/2017

I left Boothferry Road Junior School in 1955 (year before 11+) to live in Hull. As I recall my form master was the same person. Did he move to the Secondary Modern School after 1955? Also from recollection if you didn't pass the 11+ there was a way after two years to transfer to the Grammar School. An examination/recommendation?

Posted by Keith on 06/08/2017

Charlie was my form master in 1951, so he was at the Modern School then. Headmaster Mr Rowse had just joined the school. Mr Fell another teacher, Mr Moody, Mr Oliver (another great teacher) - could name many more.

We did get a chance to take the 11+ if your parents could afford it. Unfortunately not many could but, as Corby said, you made out the best you could. Having a Modern School education didn't hold me back and I am happy with my lot.

Posted by Keith on 06/08/2017

Just had a thought I think Charlie left the Modern School and joined the staff of Boothferry Road around 1955. But could be wrong possibly someone could throw some light on it.

Posted by Corby on 06/08/2017

I remember the names of teachers who caned me, Birdy Fell, Pop Northey, LaLa Moody and Charley Greensides who named his cane Paddywack. All others very vaguely, although the English teacher, who I thought was named Houghton, I liked. He went to great lengths to teach poetry, to explain in fine detail the true meaning of the written word. One piece in particular, which is still etched within my brain, was from Othello. "The value of a good name".

Mr Rouse took over from Mr. Firth - chalk and cheese.

Posted by Paul on 06/08/2017

I think Mr Greensides must have joined Boothferry after the Modern School. I had two years in the year before the 11+ because I started when I was three, nearly four, in 1948 so I had to lose a year along the way. I don't recall having Mr Greensides in the first of my two years only the second. Only started school so early because the Modern School wanted my mother back teaching there. Lived in Jackson Street and then Clifton Gardens so not far to walk and dinner at home or grandma's also in Jackson Street. Really enjoyed the school, teachers and fellow pupils.

Posted by Keith on 07/08/2017

I remember Ron Houghton even though he never taught me. The only time was when party time came round, and we "A" formers were going to Thorne Girls. Ron took us for dance tuition but no one could dance. He asked me to join him in the centre of the hall. When I said I couldn't dance he said "right lad, stand on my shoes" and off we went. I certainly learned to dance after that experience. Needless to say we were mostly wall flowers at Thorne.

Posted by Corby on 07/08/2017

You had us in stitches here with your description of the dance lessons. We recall Charlie with the boys, his wife with the girls. With the dancing, it was always ne'er the twain shall meet. Not long afterwards at the Baths Dance Hall they couldn't keep their hands off one another…

I am sure it was Ron that I knew. He had a way of coaxing out the best in his pupils.

Posted by Keith on 31/08/2017

Glad you enjoyed my dance description - I didn't, I can tell you!

Posted by Roy on 01/10/2013

I attended GGS from 1943 to 1948. My nickname there was Flicka. My special pals were Peter Jackson from Limetree Avenue and Ken Penistone from Rawcliffe. Teachers J.L. Latimer (Head), J.A. England (Latin), Miss Hargreaves (French), D. Turner (art), "Bandy" Burroughs (metalwork), "Serge" Wright (PE.), J.A.E. Hart(maths) and Miss Brindley(geography) are who I remember. Senior pupils included A.K. Temple, Malcolm England and Alec Burton.

Is there anyone still out there from those days? Would like to hear.

Posted by Bryan on 01/02/2014

I was looking for references to J.L. Latimer and came across this site by accident. Mr Latimer was an excellent teacher and I did respect him even if I got caned three times, once for slow hand-clapping the school orchestra. Another assault on my pride came from Gus Turner who gave me a very hard slap across the face for my best attempt at art.

Mr Latimer taught geometry using a text book authored by himself. He used to award bonus points as a way of encouraging interest and concentration.

Posted by Gerald on 03/02/2014

The book mentioned was "Course in Geometry" by J.L. Latimer and Thomas Smith. We had a maths teacher called Hirsch. After one school holiday he did not re-appear. A story swept the school that he had found a mistake in the book. Never knew for certain that there was a mistake. Pity about Mr Hirsch though, he was a good teacher.

Posted by Ian on 06/02/2014

Wow. I have read with a lot of interest these "fond memories", laughed a lot, sighed a lot and wondered a lot about the lives we all had back in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Great names have jogged my aging memory, fond memories of my time at the old "Modern School"; names like my first teacher Miss Finch (mmmm), Len Townend, Dog Watson, Spluts, Mr Oliver, and what was the name of the woodwork teacher who was in one of the old prefab brick buildings who use to make you stand outside the class and you had to show him your hands. If they were "mucky" you would feel the back of his ruler.

It was a great school with some great teachers, Len Townend was our teacher for the last three years, Finchy the first two (I think). Anyway you old playmates, keep talking, the good old days will always be the good old days.

Posted by Karen on 14/02/2014

Found this on a wet Friday afternoon - much relates to things before my time, can't quite remember what dates exactly that I was at Goole Grammar School, early-1980s I think, turning 50 has wiped my memory I fear. I also seem to remember going to the one across the road for a couple of years after Junior School (Kingsway).

I remember one of Mr Ferriman's lessons on the poem Jerusalem. I always think of him when my dear husband is listening to Test Match Special. Mr F. used to relish the phrase "arrows of desire" - I always thought that a bit odd! But he did inspire a continuing love of poetry.

Posted by Bryan on 22/02/2014

Do you remember Mr Hutchinson, the maths teachers and a lovely man? He used to recite the Stanley Holloway monologues at the end of each term. The whole class would be in stitches but it was unfortunate that the gigglers in our class (yes, girls) would disrupt many a class for a good fifteen minutes during term time. Poor Mr Hutchinson, he must have been exasperated but never lost his temper.

Posted by Hill Street Blues on 28/03/2014

I remember too Pasture Road School in the 1950s. Crab apple tree in t'front garden. There was an old caretaker Mr Johanson(?), who came out of the boiler house at dinnertime and a lucky kid would stand on the pedal of his bike and be wheeled to the gate. The tiny outside toilets at the end of the yard which seemed to freeze over when the first leaf fell…

Posted by Sheila on 28/03/2014

Oh! Remember well the little sweetshop next to the railings that we used to swing on. What tales the old man could tell. Suppose he was lucky to be alive after all he went through but no doubt he must have struggled financially prior to the advent of the Welfare State.

Cannot ever recall the toilets freezing at Pasture Road but they did at Alex during the big freeze of 1963 and we were all sent home. Do you remember the Izal toilet paper? Not the most effective but great for tracing paper though…

Posted by Hill Street Blues on 28/03/2014

You are right about Alex toilets freezing over in that big freeze of 1963. I could be wrong about Pasture Road ones. It's been a while after all. Yes, the railings on that patch of grass on the corner. The air-raid shelters which we used to jump off; shiny loo paper - spare me; now wash your hands, now wash your hands… ha, ha…

Posted by Paul on 29/03/2014

Regarding toilets at Boothferry Road, we were no better off as they were outside, two rows back to back serving the infants on one side and the juniors the other.

Posted by Sheila on 29/03/2014

Think we all suffered with the delightful outside toilets except for those who went to Kingsway. Used to go there for my violin lessons every week. On reflection, I now realise that we did not even have hand-washing facilities. Wonder what Health and Safety would make of these days.

Yet our entire childhood would be considered hazardous today! Our trolley was a plank of wood over a set of pram wheels with a bit of string to steer it and no brakes. Great fun! We could even buy our own fireworks from the proceeds of our "Penny for the Guy". Making the Guy was always our half-term project.

Posted by Sheila on 29/03/2014

Forgot about the air raid shelters. There was also some waste land at the end of Brough Street that we called the fire station and could access by climbing over the gate. Both sites now have flats for the elderly. However, we played a lot in the street or skipped with a washing line from one side of the street to the other.

Posted by Peter on 29/03/2014

Happy old memories of Uncle Festus.

Our class of 1958 (or was it 1957?) used our combined wit to come up with the top idea one week of paying our dinner money in (old) pennies. It was probably five shillings a week in those days, as everything seemed to cost us five bob (or "five shullings" as Lenny Lat was apt to pronounce it). As one by one we trouped out to the front of the class with our 60 pennies, Uncle Festus calmly placed the piles of coins in rows on his desk - and didn't bat an eyelid… To his great credit.

Saddo that I may be, I do look back on my time at GGS with fond memories, but I was so lucky to have a great bunch of, er, classmates in my year, as we moved up through the school.

Posted by Paul on 29/03/2014

Reading with interest about those who went to Pasture Road School. Was there a reason (catchment area) why you transferred to Alex or Kingsway as it seems Boothferry Road School was nearer, eg. for those living on Elsie and Hilda Streets? Was there a shortcut for the two schools over the railway, eg. bridge at end of Cheviot Avenue? My cousin in the late-1940s/early-1950s lived in Jackson Street near Centenary Road but went to Boothferry Road although Pasture Road was a lot closer.

I remember that on Centenary Road opposite Jackson and Weatherill Streets, where the bungalows and six semi-detached houses are, were allotments.

Posted by Sheila on 29/03/2014

I suppose there must have been a catchment area for schools but not sure what it was. I was born in Brough Street with the school dentist on the corner (too close for comfort) and went to Pasture Road and Alex. We did sometimes go over Kingsway Bridge to get to school but usually, went through the town. However, Peter Walker, who lived at the other end of the street on Mount Pleasant, went to Kingsway. Philip Baker (a family friend) lived on Jackson Street and went to Alex. We also had a girl in our class at Alex from Adeline Street. So make sense of that if you will…

Posted by Elsie on 30/03/2014

I remember the inkwells in the desks, even at GGS. Us lads would nip up the pen nibs in a woodwork vice and poke them down milk straws. Lethal darts they were.

Posted by Norman on 27/04/2014

I went to Goole Modern School - always at the back of the classroom, the teachers had no time for anybody who was slow to pick things up.

One teacher would walk up and down the rows of desks if someone said something he didn't like his cane would come down on your desk at rocket speed you had to get your hand out of way pretty quick. Bob Reavelie he had no time for me I spent the lesson in the store room he also used to forget I was there - I've also had to climb out of the window.

We had some very nice teachers. Mr Watson would stop after time to teach us how to play chess; Mrs Moncaster was also nice, she must have drawn the short straw to get our class, she was good to us. The headteacher Rouse - I felt his cane many times across my hands and backside. He once had me and Tommy Tune on stage in front of the whole school to give us six of the best - all we did wrong was dig up the chicken run, we didn't know they had grassed it, we thought we would let the chickens have a good feed on worms. I bet they enjoyed the worms better then we enjoyed the cane.

Posted by Karen on 03/05/2014

I remember GGS well. I was in Tudor and in the First Year was with Miss Scurrah in room 7. My class mates were Lesley Bristow, Karen Garner, Elaine Linklater, Diane Betts, Margaret Hall, Karen Button, David Holborough, Danny Hennessy., John Hewitt and Gary Wakes to name a few. Our next year was in Room 8 with Mr Ferryman (Festus). Very happy days for me. Some brilliant times and lovely friends.

Does anyone remember Miss Mead, the music teacher? And Pansy Potter, PE. teacher with Miss Ounsley? Also was there a Miss Esherwood? I think a drama teacher or was she the domestic science teacher in the FE. Block? I remember Bongo - bless him; and Mr King who taught us history. Loved every minute attending that school.

Posted by Sheila on 10/08/2014

I still remember my first day at GGS over 50 years ago. Having spent much of the school holidays helping to sew name tags into every piece of uniform, I ventured forth into this brave new world with my new uniform and "pork pie" hat carrying a new satchel over my shoulder containing only a pencil case and an Oxford Concise Dictionary. I still have it as well. Still also have the Bible, school hymn book and geometry set we were given on that momentous day.

Remember that many of the boys in the First Year were wearing their first pair of long trousers but some were still in short trousers. These days even the smallest of boys wear long trousers. How times change…

Posted by Elsie on 10/08/2014

School outfitters, Gordon Clarke's opposite Tower Cinema on Carlisle Street, close to where the Paradise Club sprang up.

Posted by Sheila on 11/08/2014

Or the Co-op drapers on Boothferry Road. What about the length of your trousers then? If I remember correctly, you wore long.

Posted by Elsie on 11/08/2014

Short pants at first then long later. We wore the cap until the end of Third Year as well. I was going for the Jimmy Clitheroe look…

Posted by Robert on 11/08/2014

This may be apocryphal, perhaps someone will know, but I remember it being said that under Mr Latimer's headship, those who stayed on an extra year in the Sixth Form to go for Oxbridge entrance, many of whom would reach the age of 20 during that year, still had to wear the school cap walking to and from school!

Posted by Mike on 12/08/2014

School caps were essential even in to the Sixth Form although many were discarded on walking through the school gates, unless staff were cycling passed. Good to hear that Gordon Clarke's is still remembered. My mother managed the shop for several years although I still didn't get long trouser until Second Year! The shop (School Outfitter), was situated almost directly opposite the library and the Tower Cinema.

Posted by Peter on 12/08/2014

I can remember my time as one of Lenny's serfs as if it was just yesterday, and woe betide you if you didn't wear your school cap! Ewan Dennis, who was in my year, tossed his cap into the Ouse from the bus one day crossing Boothferry Bridge. The cap was returned to him a few days later - name tag helped in the reunion.

Posted by Sheila on 12/08/2014

Remember that the Sixth Form boys looked a tad silly in their caps. Especially when most were over six feet tall. Mr Teed (the new Head) was responsible for changing the Sixth Form uniform to a grey suit and a different tie (plain navy with a gold Viking ship). The Sixth Form girls wore any coloured blouse or sweater with their suits. Some retained their original uniform but wore the new tie. The caps/hats were no longer part of their uniform.

Posted by Karen on 23/08/2014

I went to Hook Primary School in the 1960s when it was opposite the Memorial Hall (one of the walls we used for hand stands is still there). Mr Hewson was head teacher and Mrs Jenkinson and Miss Blanchard were the other two teachers. My classmates were Richard Fawbert, Peter Brooks, Helen Chiswell, Maureen Challenger and Karen Garner whose mum and dad ran the village newsagents. Only three classes and 60 in the school. What a shock we got when we went to Grammar School with hundreds of pupils. A huge school hall and what seemed like hundreds of classrooms that were a complete maze when the bell went for the next lesson.

Posted by Anon on 29/08/2014

My time at Goole Modern School was 1954 to 1958. We had no girls to look at, they must have thought that girls needed protection from us the nasty boys, the school was separated by locked doors we only got to the girls end was when we had gardening. I wonder if the girls had a peek at us as we did at them? I didn't see the girls on way home as me and the lads walked home down the back lanes so we could have a fag which we bought three woodbines and a match for sixpence.

Posted by Keith on 22/09/2014

I remember been segregated. Even on the sports field during the breaks we were not allowed to mix. The boys and girls lay looking at each other over no man's land. Fortunately I was a prefect whose job was to walk up and down making sure the two did not mix. How times have changed.

Posted by Marjorie on 07/05/2015

I went to Goole Modern School 1955-59. I remember the headmistress Miss Alburn, she was a dragon - she thought boys were despicable that's why we were not allowed to mix with them. My favourite teacher was Mrs Greensitt.

Posted by Tom on 27/06/2015

Do you remember the white line down the centre of the sports field - girls one side, boys the other? The staff obviously never ventured over to the bowling green toilets.

Posted by Peter on 15/09/2014

I remember games lessons. In football we played skins and shirts, one side played without their shirts on. If you did games with Kingy (Mr King) he would then give the whistle to one of us to referee and clear off to the staff room. Cricket with Evensy, if you dropped a catch he would stand you ten yards away and throw the cricket ball at you - he fancied himself as a demon fast bowler.

Posted by Terry on 22/07/2015

I have just found this site. I was at GGS 1965-1971 and have many memories. I was glad to see a reference to Mr Smith who was simply one of the best teachers I have ever encountered and gave me what has been a life-long interest in history. Mr Teed I saw mentioned - headmaster who taught British Constitution - lovely man and glad to see he is happy in retirement in Cornwall. I moved away from Yorkshire in the early-1970s and never returned to Goole but I loved my time at school - if I did not pay enough attention I can now say sorry! Windsor House was always the best - at simply everything!

Posted by Christine on 27/07/2015

I went on a GGS trip to Chartres, France, in the early-1970s, where we attended a local school for a few days.

Posted by Jane on 05/08/2015

I was at GGS 1965-1971. I remember Arnie and Mr Cauldwell who inspired my love of geography. Bongo, despite being amazingly knowledgeable about all things historic, didn't inspire me as much so I failed history A-level. Mr Heath and Miss Potter were encouraging in all things sporting and the fantastic summer camps in Kettlewell and Pateley Bridge.

The pupils I remember were David Ibbotson, Gillian Hardy, Sue Johnson (great goalie), Ricky Kay, David Hinks (fantastic runner), Judith Petch, Steven Theaker and lots of others I have forgotten the names of. Most memorable things were the hockey teams, Zigger Zagger, the assembly about a nuclear attack, the sudden death of Angus the art teacher.

Posted by Goolie Gone on 06/08/2015

I was at GGS a few years before your time there, and therefore didn't know any of the contemporaries that you mention, but I still found your post most interesting. Some of the staff would have been the same, of course, including Mr Turner. Gus was a bit scary for a callow eleven-year-old, but he was always one of my favourites there, and rather inspiring to me. As were Mr Branson and Mr Ferriman.

I didn't know what became of Gus after I left, but it seems he didn't have a long life.

Posted by Dobbie on 02/09/2015

Good to hear Gus mentioned. He was a bit scary to the uninitiated but his heart was in the right place. He was a great supporter of the rugby teams and never missed a home match.

He took quite a gang of us to Perthshire each year for the grouse beating - Lower Pitcairn Farm near Aberfeldy. Mike Staveley, Bruce Combe, Terry Dunsworth, my brother - Paul Dobson, John Armitage. We spent the best part of six weeks with Gus and his family living in a bothy on the Grantully Estate. Of course Gus didn't do any beating, he had the more illustrious position of "flanker", where he spent most of his time painting watercolours - no surprise there. Oh yes, just for the record Gus didn't live in the bothy. He lived in the farm house!

Posted by Bill on 11/12/2015

Your reference to Gus and grouse beating in Perthshire raised some memories. I went up there for a couple of seasons around 1965. Hitched-hiked all the way from Goole to Aberfeldy and back. It wasn't a problem in those days. Enjoyed discovering the Scottish Highlands. Enjoyed the independence of living in a bothy. And the pay, 30 bob a day I think.

Was appalled by the behaviour of the aristocratic fools with the guns - one of them even managed to shoot me - not seriously. Probably fuelled my subsequent dalliance with left wing politics. Can't remember too many names, I think Al Knott, (?) Strachan, "Sugar" Barley. I remember also hitching over to Perth to see the Kinks. And walking a few miles back from a distillery nursing a large glass of single malt. Hanging out in the local coffee bar with Scottish lasses - heady stuff for an impressionable provincial teenager.

Posted by Alan on 01/11/2016

I certainly do remember our Grouse beating working holiday with Gus centred on Aberfeldy - brilliant time. I seem to remember everyone smoked except me so inevitably I finished the holiday as a smoker! We beaters went on strike (or threatened to) in order to get one of us (in rotation) to stay at "home" to cook the evening meal and make the sandwiches for the following day - but still get paid - the aristocrats caved in quickly.

I remember the local coffee bar (coca cola and aspirin was tried I remember) and the local bar where we tried Green Chartreuse for the first time. Some great memories.

Posted by Simon on 20/01/2016

Just found this site and previous comments about Angus brought back a couple of memories.

He once picked on the form "hero" and made him stand on a chair and recite "Mary had a little lamb" as payment for some misdemeanour. Then he made him do it all over again "this time with feeling boy".

Another occasion when in the Sixth Form we (myself and partner in crime) were summoned in a commanding voice to go to his stockroom. In a whisper he told that a piano had been in the girls' quad for some time. He gave us a hammer and an axe and told us to go and collect the lead hammer weights and bring them back to him. In mid-task we were accosted by Arnie, undoubtedly alerted by the enormous amount of noise, who asked what we thought we were doing. "Mr Turner told us to do it sir" was enough to stem any further enquiries!"

Posted by Celia on 30/08/2017

Gus was one of my favourite teachers… along with a couple of others. One day we were sent into his stockroom to get some yellow powder paint. Oooops, it was accidentally dropped and clouds of powder filled the room. Gus was furious and locked us in the stockroom until the dust settled, we then had to clean it up. Happy days.

Posted by Steve on 05/08/2015

I was at Goole Grammar from 1965-1972 and am very familiar with many of the names people have been discussing.

I have lost touch with the people who were in my form, which causes regret, Rob Palmerone, who went on to be a clinical psychologist on Humberside; Howard Burton, whose brother Keith died tragically in a road traffic accident in the autumn half term holiday in 1965, just after being accepted to do maths at Oxford; Ruth Jackson, our illustrious Head Girl, went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music; Jane Clayton went up to university to study French, I think. Other folk who readily come to mind are Sue Whitaker, Sue Clayton, Amanda Johnson, Rob Beevers, John Torn, Mike "Yakky" Wood, Stephen Tose, Dave Brogan, Joyce Garner and many more.

Posted by Peter on 15/08/2015

Miss Coughlin took us for what was known as English Language back then (English Lit was a separate subject). In one stirring piece wot I wrote, I used the term "by sheer weight of numbers" for which Miss C docked me a mark or two. She referred to the word sheer as being slang, and therefore not acceptable for use in schoolwork. I'm sure I'd seen that term in either The Dandy or The Beano, so I remember being a bit miffed at her cavalier use of the red pen.

Does anyone know what happened to Miss Coughlin? I do hope that she had a long and happy retirement after putting up with so many philistines for so long."

Posted by Robert on 15/08/2015

Peter's question about Miss Coghlin stirred my curiosity too, so I looked her up using my genealogy subs. She lived to the age of 102. Mercy Marion Coghlin, born in the Lanchester (Durham) district, 16 May 1904, death registered in the York district, 28 June 2006.

Posted by Peter on 16/08/2015

Thank you so much for your information on Miss Coghlin. ("Further marks deducted, Kirkpatrick, for spelling my name wrongly," she might have said.) It's great to know that the formidable Miss C. lived to age 102. Good for her! It may be then, after all, the wherewithal she had to knock into shape decades of recalcitrants sent her way at GGS was what kept her going!

Posted by Wendy on 25/01/2016

I remember all of my teachers at GGS, most fondly Dorothy Thompson (art) and Julian Gurdan (pottery). I have lived in the US since 1983, this site is like a visit home for me! And how about Ian McElhiney my drama teacher now a star on "Game of Thrones"!

Posted by Lucy on 08/09/2020

Ex-drama teacher in mid-1970s Ian McElhinney still delighting TV audience in Derry Girls, GoT and some others. The whole class had a crush on him I think and to much shock and delight he used an "F" word (fart, in case you were wondering, as in "imagine someone's just farted in front of you"). Good stage prompt.

Posted by Goolie Gone on 31/01/2016

On Sundays it was school again for some of us in the early-1950s, Sunday School, ours being at the Tin Tabernacle on Bridge Street - now long gone, of course. It was on the opposite side of Bridge Street to Albert Street, near where the traffic lights are now.

In those days, about 50% of kids went to Sunday School, some of us sent there to give our mums and dads a break, Most places were closed on Sundays, and I remember that West Park was locked for the day. No Sunday football in the park back then. Still, we managed to amuse ourselves, "oot and aboot…"

Posted by Bill on 31/01/2016

Yep, I did the Sunday School thing in the 1950s - in the church hall across from the Parish Church. Although a committed atheist now, I appreciate what I learnt about the Bible stories at Sunday School. There are so many biblical references in our literature and art that, thanks to Sunday School, mean something to me - but are completely lost on subsequent generations of children. Also, I bet a lot of parents made good enjoyable use of the privacy they gained when they packed the kids off to Sunday School!

Posted by Keith on 08/02/2016

I went to the All Saints Church on Bridge Street in the 1950s. I was in the choir and so on a Sunday it was Holy Communion at 7:00, choir practice at 10:30, Sunday School at 2:00 and evening service at 6:00. Mr and Mrs Barret were the husband and wife who ran it. I remember the socials on a Wednesday night. I am not religious at all now, but thankful for the knowledge it taught me.

Posted by Neil on 08/02/2016

My late mother Joyce (nee Guylee) Young went to Goole Grammar School around 1930. I have a couple of her embroidered GGS school crests - one on a gold background, one on a navy background, two of her school ties, and two rollout black and white school photographs - one titled Goole Grammar School, the other titled Goole Secondary School 1932, and several old photographs from mum's days at school.

Mum came to Canada in October 1939. Her father (my grandfather) William Guylee was a bobby - PC Guylee, in Goole from 1922 to 1938. The family lived at 9 Percy Street.

Posted by Alan on 03/11/2016

I wish I had found this site earlier - so many familiar names of staff and pupils (Bill Stewart in particular - we were good friends in the days when trainspotting was the thing to do). Steven Hunt as well - I was in the same class as his brother Vernon and I used to go to Airmyn to ride on his scramble bike and I think we were all proud of him when he became a pilot and so shocked when he was killed). For myself I married Janet Major - also of GGS (still happily married) eventually became a chemistry teacher and then university lecturer - now mostly retired but still do some work for the OU. Still go back to Goole because Janet's mum still lives there - and I still go and watch Hull City (but I'm not sure how much longer that will last!)

Posted by Bill on 10/06/2017

I remember Vernon Hunt's scramble bike. A 350cc Royal Enfield. I also remember riding it into a barbed wire fence, which he and I were not too pleased about.

Posted by Bill on 03/04/2017

GGS and "Alta Pete" bring back fond memories. My time was 1961 to 1966. We had a bus laid on from Hook village and a long bike ride if you missed it. First Form teacher was George Stones (maths) - his immortal phrase still reverberates "Is it your homework tonight?" Games master was Postill who rode a scooter (Lambretta?). It got special treatment from some leavers on the last day of summer term (1965?). "Elvis" Hall was a great physics master; "Doc" Gray chemistry.

Posted by Celia on 30/08/2017

What a great hour I've spent read all the comments, having just discovered this site. So many happy memories of GGS came flooding back!

Who remembers Mr Parry and the production of the play "Ichabod Crane"? I think I was the front end of a horse costume… what a memory to lie dormant all these years. I was at GGS from 1960-67.

Posted by Keith on 09/09/2017

Another lesson now dropped from the school calendar, horticulture. I remember gardening taken by Mr Hutchinson at the far end of the school field. There were also animals. Again I remember feeding the pigs in the summer hols. Anyone else remember?

Posted by Corby on 09/09/2017

Still flying the flag for the other school. Mr Day taught horticulture in my time. Mr Hutchinson must have been out of his comfort zone in that job. Being a sportsman, Mr Reveley taught metalwork, then I believe was a woodwork teacher - multi-talented I think. I cannot remember my woodwork teacher but he helped to point me in the right direction as I ended up working in wood and I always got good marks at school

Posted by Keith on 09/09/2017

Possibly your woodwork teacher was Mr Richardson. Mr Revely was mine, not a very likeable teacher but he got the job done. Mr C.B. Fell (maths), another firm teacher - threw many a pupil's maths book out of the window. Mr Oliver (metalwork) another favourite teacher.

Posted by Bill on 25/10/2018

Mention of school masters at GGS reminded me of one in particular. I regret I can't remember his proper name, he was not one of my main teachers but I did meet him once or twice after I left school. Possibly he taught history - his nickname was "Bongo". He was a pleasant, intelligent, sympathetic and civilised man with some physical disability. I fear he was often teased and treated unkindly by pupils. The last I heard was that he committed suicide but I cannot vouch that this was accurate information. If so it was a tragic end. Does it ring any bells with anyone?

Posted by Peter on 25/10/2018

I remember Bongo, though I didn't attend any of his classes. My history lessons were with Bill Petch and Ma Bell. I think his name was Smith, and he joined the staff in the late-1950s. He knew his subject very well, and by all accounts his lessons were quite entertaining, if a bit unruly. He was however seen as a figure of fun, though I do hope this was nothing to do with his pronounced limp, but because he looked a bit like Phil Silvers.

Posted by Tom on 31/10/2018

Mr Smith was one of the history teachers at the Grammar School. He was a wonderful teacher and a very kind man (unlike one or two other members of staff in the 1960s). I owe Mr Smith and Mr Petch a great deal as they helped me pass my exams. Unfortunately Mr Smith had an artificial leg, I heard he lost it in an accident, however it could have been the war. I guess he was in a good deal of discomfort walking, but he was always cheerful. I was very upset to hear that he had taken his own life.

Posted by History Man on 13/11/2018

No doubt we all have our own recollections of Bongo Smith. He was indeed a kind and helpful teacher. I seem to remember that as well as his slow walk and pronounced limp he was small, wore glasses and a hearing aid and had a slight West Country accent. We didn't always behave well towards him. When annoyed he would call us "you people", and some would try to goad him further into losing his temper when he would go rigid in the face and bite his front teeth tight together, and then after holding this for several seconds he would relax and carry on as if nothing had happened. He was a modest man - he once said "Mr Hall can understand my subject but I can't understand his."

He was Ivor B. Smith, and Googling him pulls out his name on pass lists for his BA and Dip Ed at Bristol in 1943 and 1944, and his photograph, presumably in the 1950s, on the staff page of the website of Waterloo Grammar School Old Boys Association (Liverpool) where it appears he was known as "Whiss". He was however at GGS by the late-1950s and lodged near Mr Latimer in Centenary Road. I believe he moved to Guiseley near Leeds in the 1970s and was found in his car on the moors around 1973.

Posted by Geoffrey on 24/01/2019

A few memories of my time at the Modern School, 1954-56, when I left to go to the new Don Valley High School.

I recall Mr Musto, with his big red sports car, the "fire engine"; Mrs Conrad (biology); Peter Dornford May (music); Mr Reavely (woodwork), who, when I broke my arm in the playground, happened to be passing and cradled it all the way to Bartholomews; Mr Bamford (English); Mr Fell; and was it Mr Houghton who listened to the cricket test matches? Mr North (history)

Miss Cranidge at Pasture Road; "Ginger" Winn; hearing a Hawaiian guitar at what I guess was the Coronation Celebration(?). Mrs Haywood at Alexandra Street; learning bookbinding. Hopefully more memories will follow as I read further.

Fond memories of my years there and the people I met. Shame I've lost touch with everyone from that time.

Posted by Graham on 22/10/2019

I was only at Goole Grammar for the Upper Sixth. My clearest memory is the inter-house swimming gala. I had not been picked to swim as my house captain did not know me. Well on the morning of the event they came to me and said they were short of a boy to swim the last leg of the freestyle relay. I was to swim the last leg.

The race started and my team were doing badly. On the last return towards my turn to swim the others were halfway down the pool towards me. My team member was still standing there waiting for his swimmer to touch the end. At last he touched and the guy swam towards me. The others by now were on the last leg of the race and nearly halfway to the end of the last lap. My man touched my end and I dived in. We won the race.

Eric Postel asked me who the hell I was. Nobody knew I had represented Hereford and Worcester for breaststroke the previous year. More importantly - my mother's Goole Grammar free style record was broken by a girl that very same gala competition.

Posted by Peter on 02/02/2020

I used to do well when Bill Petch took us for history, and recall his sense of humour. According to Bill, Henry VIII always wore a strong belt to stop his belly from dropping down over his knees. For a couple of years Miss Bell (Ma Bell) the deputy head, took over our history lessons, and I slipped down the ratings, but moved back up when Bill took over again. Funny, that.

Posted by Liz on 07/06/2020

I was at GGS from 1959 to 1966. I remember Mr Latimer was the head when I joined, then Mr Teed succeeded him. Great to see so many teachers' names - Miss Coghlin, Mr Turner, Mr Petch, Mr Branson. Anyone remember the physics teacher (Elvis) who never marked the work? I remember the new science labs being built. They tried out the fire escapes - not great as they ended on a first floor roof!

When I joined the school the air raid shelters were still a feature on the playing fields.

I can still recite the class register (how sad is that) - Abdy, Auger, Baxter, Best, Burt, Clayton, etc. The girls included Gillian Mackinnon, Sue Elvis, Gillian Shepherd.

Posted by Goolie Gone on 17/08/2020

The other day a friend and I were on about our earliest school memories. I was still only three when I started at Old Goole County Primary in the late-1940s. In the playground was an outside toilet block, against the wall of the lane behind Beverley Street. The headmaster was a Mr Dickinson.

I was telling this friend that we used to have a nap in the afternoons on camp beds that were otherwise stored in a rack against the classroom wall. Now, this does seem a bit unlikely, so I'm wondering if somewhere along the way I've imagined it. Does anyone else remember the afternoon naps at the school? Thanks.

Posted by Keith on 17/08/2020

I remember the camp beds for sleeping in the afternoon. Pasture Road School, and before that the Alex nursery.

Posted by Jimbo on 16/02/2021

I went to Old Goole Primary School starting in 1957 as a five-year-old. The head mistress was a Mrs Higham, I think she lived somewhere top of Morley Street on Swinefleet Road. Don't remember any beds, but do remember break times when biscuits were on sale to go with the small bottle of milk we had every morning. At Christmas there was always a Christmas Fair which were always well attended and good fun.

Then at around nine years old I progressed next door to the Primary School. Dickinson was the headmaster and a right nasty piece of work, his wife also taught there. Miss Gunnill used to arrive every morning on her bike from Hook, rain or shine. Dickinson left and Jack Clift became the head, fantastic man. Mrs Gutowski taught among other things basketwork which I thought was brilliant. I played for the school football team a few times in the amber and grey shirts taking on the likes of Alex, Boothferry Road and Kingsway, usually losing I might add but all good fun. After school we would play in the school yard, plague the caretaker Mr Priestly and later Alfi Taylor (councillor) who couldn't run for anything.

Born in Percy Street the school seemed to be always there and holds a lot of memories, good and bad. I had occasion to see the old place some years back what a mess progress has made. Still we move on I suppose.

Back to Table of Contents

feedback@goole-on-the-web.org.uk