Can You Help Solve Mysteries of Guildford Schools’ History?

Published on: 29 Apr, 2013
Updated on: 7 Sep, 2016

By David Rose

Here are some photos of pupils at two different Guildford schools that no longer exist. Perhaps readers may be able to help by identifying some of those featured or can add some useful details.

Pupils from Quarry House school on Pewley Down, July 30, 1934. They enjoyed a tea party there.

Pupils from Quarry House School pictured on Pewley Down, July 30, 1934. They enjoyed a tea party there.

Before we go into what is known of these two, it is interesting to note just how little information is on record about the history of many of Guildford’s schools (state or private). Granted, there is a comprehensive history of the Royal Grammar School, while Holy Trinity Schools, that celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, has gathered some fascinating details. I know that a few others have taken an interest in their development and changes over the years. Shalford School published a book about its history a few years ago, while the Send & Ripley History Society has done the same with schools in its area.

I have a sizable collection of photos of pupils from Guildford schools down the decades. Stoughton Infant and Junior Schools has been looking into its history and I have supplied it with a CD-rom of photos of pupils there which I have gathered. It also has a number of its log books which are an invaluable source of information.

Talking to the headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School the other week, I hear it has a good run of its log books (but not from its formative year), and recently a past pupil from many years ago called in with an old photo that has been copied and added to the school’s archive.

But, for example, there are few details of when many of Guildford schools, the ones dating back to the 19th century in particular, opened. I know from correspondence I had with a former pupils some years ago that today’s Weyfield Primary School (formerly Bellfields School) opened where it is now in 1929. But it was originally in a building on the corner of Old Farm Road and Woking Road (still standing), but I don’t know when that opened.

I think Westborough School opened in 1933, and Northmead Boys and Girls Schools opened at about the same time. I know when the Northmead schools changed over from being secondary to junior schools, as I was at school at the same time – moving up from Stoughton Junior to the then new Guildford CofE School (now Christ’s College) in 1971.

Perhaps somewhere there are minutes of records and details of long gone local education committees that might hold some clues. But many schools came about as church-run places of education before the days of compulsory education, which followed those important acts of parliament during the latter part of the 19th century. (You may remember learning about them during your own schooling in history lessons!) I have yet to find out if any local records survive.

Pupils from Quarry Hill School pictured in 1936. Back row, from left: unknown, George?, John Baker, John, Jill Puttock. Middle row: John Hart, unknown, Joan Newberry, Josie Salmon, David Halsey. Front row: Joyce Harris, unknown, Daphne Salmon. They are pictured in from of St Nicolas' Hall in Millmead Terrace.

Pupils from Quarry House School pictured in 1936. Back row, from left: unknown, George?, John Baker, John Foster, Jill Puttock. Middle row: John Hart, unknown, Joan Newberry, Josie Salmon, David Halsey. Front row: Joyce Harris, unknown, Daphne Salmon. They are pictured in front of St Nicolas’ Parish Hall in Millmead Terrace.

So, first up are some photos of Quarry House School that was based at St Nicolas’ Parish Hall in Millmead Terrace. The photos belong to reader John Foster who writes: “I first attended this school 80 years ago this coming September. These photos of the classes were taken in 1934/5/6. One or two of which were taken at the entrance to the hall. One was taken at the entrance to Pewley Down.”

See the caption on the picture immediately above for names known and those unknown. Does anyone recognise a face, or has any details about the school? Why was it called by that name?

Christmas party time at Quarry House School in 1934. Barbara Stroud (nee Little) is pictured on the far right with very dark hair. She lived at Millmead Terrace and also went to Bellair’s School that was at the end of the terrace.

Quarry House School pupils enjoy a picnic at Blackheath in 1935.

The former St Nicolas’ Parish Hall, more recently Bellairs Playhouse and once the home to Quarry House School. It is seen here in 2012. It is currently being converted into apartments.

Another reader and another good contact of mine on local history matters is Terry Flack, who now lives in Shamley Green. He attended what was locally known as Ludlow Road School, that was behind the former Royal Surrey County Hospital. Once again, little appears to be known about the history of this school – although I have found out a few details recently, as you will read.

This charming building survives and is currently undergoing some restoration. It comes under the umbrella of the NHS, and the annex part is occupied by staff of the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The left-hand portion of a photo showing pupils at Ludlow Road School.

Terry called in there recently and the nice staff made a copy of an old photo they have of pupils when it was a school more than 60 years ago. Terry was there during the war years, so doesn’t recognise any of the boys and girls in this photo.

The right-hand portion of the above photo.

However, I happen to have another photos of pupils from the same school and it looks as if it was taken at about the same time. Does anyone recognise anyone seen in them? When did the school close?

Another photo of Ludlow Road School pupils. I think it was taken at about the same time as the ones above. It is dated May Day 1949. It came to me via a Christine May, who is pictured on the right, third row from the left.

Another photo of Ludlow Road School pupils. I think it was taken at about the same time as the ones above. This one has been dated to May Day 1949. It came to me via a Christine May, who is pictured on the far right, third row up.

Another friend of mine, Sarah Bennett, who has also recently taken as interest in the history of locals school, alerted me to a report she has found on the internet that gives details of an architectural and build assessment report of ‘Farnham Road Hospital, Guildford, Surrey. October 2009, revised July 2010’ for the Surrey Borders and partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The building that was formerly Ludlow Road School.

In it it states that the Ludlow Road School building was “originally built as an infant school. Its architectural composition is in keeping with the rest of the hospital site but it is set at a lower level than the rest of the site so its relationship with the listed building or the rest of the blocks is constrained by the level change. It formed a separate land holding to the hospital when it was built and had no direct link to the hospital when it was built as a school. The building is known as Ludlow Road Resorce Centre and it is a locally listed building. It was built in 1890 to provide overspill for St Nicolas’ C of E Infant School. It has been attributed to Henry Woodyear, a well known architect of note who designed and restored many churches and schools. It is typical for its type and period, but of interest because of its connections with a well known architect.”

So, some of the information is out there, if one is lucky enough to come across it…

I am now building up a file on this kind of information about Guildford schools. I am, therefore, always on the lookout for more photos and information.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has pictures and snippets of information or other questions of any Guildford schools, from whenever they opened up to modern times. All of these I can share with readers of The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

Contact me on 01483 838960, or email me at drosedragon@gmail.com

Responses to Can You Help Solve Mysteries of Guildford Schools’ History?

Pauline Searle Reply

April 30, 2013 at 5:08 pm

My Brother Peter John Spry went to Ludlow Road School in 1957 and was there untill he went on to George Abbott in 1963.
Chris Townsend Reply

May 1, 2013 at 11:52 am

Appropriately, the Ludlow Road photo is of May Day celebrations, with the children carrying posies on sticks. I remember a procession in twos into the playground at the back of the school, led by the May Queen and her escort. In the fifties, there was a bluebell queen and a lilac queen, dressed in the same colour as her bouquet and flowery head-dress. The audience of mums was entertained with country dancing, while the youngest children sat at the foot of the bank. The guests of honour under the verandah usually included Miss Kemp (headmistress) and Miss Mitchell, head in my mother’s time at the school. On wet May Days, the half-glazed partitions, which separated the three classes at the front of the school, were folded back to make space for the fun. Was Mr. Dennett the photographer, perhaps?

I’m glad to read that the building is being restored.
Brian Croke Reply

July 30, 2013 at 3:01 pm

I went to Nothmead Boys’ School from 1955 to 1957 until my family moved to london. I was told the school changed over to a junior school so that the sports field could be sold for building. As a secondary modern school it was very good. It had all the facilities: metalwork, science labs, woodwork classes and printing. They even wrote and printed their own book the history of Stoughton.
Caroline Reeves Reply

August 1, 2013 at 8:06 am

Sandfield School has a very good archive of photos, reports, class lists and so on going back to when it was built over 100 years ago. They probably also cover what is now the Childrens Centre on the other side of York Road.
- Christopher Jones Reply
  
  October 1, 2023 at 3:40 pm
  
  Could someone please tell me where I can find photos of pupils at Sandfield School from 1958. That is when started school.
Christopher Fairs Reply

February 23, 2014 at 5:07 pm

I was born and lived in Guildford from 1948 to 1966. While still at school I was chosen to have a small speaking part in a production of the play, Badgers Green, at the Guildford Theatre, when it was at the top of North Street. Eric Longworth was the theatre manager and also had a part in the play. At every performance there was a woman who sat in the same seat in the front row. When I enquired about her, I was told she was a Miss Kemp, a retired local headmistress, who rarely missed any performances. This is probably the same Miss Kemp referred to by Chris Townsend, in the email of 1/5/2013. I remember Miss kemp sending me a nice note of encouragement after the last performance.
John (Henry) Strong Reply

March 3, 2015 at 1:10 pm

I lived in Hornbeam Road from the age of about two until 1956 when my family emigrated to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).

I attended Bellfields School until 1955 and then went to Northmead boys for a short period in 1956.

Does anyone have any photos of these two schools during the 1950s era?

I also cannot remember whether Bellfields School would have been my first school or whether I would have attended a separate infant school beforehand.

Does anyone have any information regarding the child age range that would have attended Bellfields School in 1950?

I am trying to write my memoirs, but my memory is not very good now.

[Ed: if anyone can help, you can email John at jhrscs@aol.com]
- Terry Ennew Reply
  
  March 1, 2017 at 9:15 pm
  
  I remember Henry Strong from Bellfields Junior School. We were good friends. I went to tea at his house and he came to mine.
  
  I was only thinking of him the other day as I went past his house. He was good at sport. I think we both played in the school football team and he was also a good runner.
  
  Teachers were Mr Cownden, Mr Jones (football), Mrs Robinson, Mrs Mcyntire and the dreaded Mrs Jenner (nee McGee). The head master was Mr Willkins. I have heard that there is going to be a reunion June 11th on the playing fields.
  
  I also remember Peter Crathen and Mr Croak.
Peter Crathern Reply

November 17, 2015 at 1:43 pm

I would welcome, via The Guildford Dragon, contact from any pupils at either Bellfields or Northmead between 1948 and 1955.
- Christine Hale Reply
  
  August 5, 2016 at 9:09 pm
  
  My name is Christine my sister Ann and brother Malcolm we all went to Bellfields school. I started, I think, in 1951 Ann and Malcolm went to Northmead afterwards while I went to Stoke school. My sister and brother are now 76 and 73. My maiden name was Burns and I lived at 25 Stoughton Road, opposite the shops in the Bellfields estate. Please reply if you would like to.
- Dave Slade formerly of Wood Street Village Reply
  
  December 2, 2016 at 12:58 am
  
  G’day.
  
  I attended Northmead Boys School from 1948-1952. Then I had an apprenticeship as a carpenter with R H Holford until I migrated, with my family to Australia. My class master was Bill Bellerby.
- Eddie Stait Reply
  
  February 3, 2021 at 2:41 pm
  
  Not sure you will ever receive this message but I was at Northmead Boys from 1951 – 1953 before moving on to the Tech.
Richard Terrell Reply

January 20, 2016 at 2:23 am

Hi, my name is Richard Terrell, born at 10 Warren Road, Guildford, 19th January, 1947.

At the age of eight in 1955 I attended Holy Trinity School, Pewley Hill.

About weekly we would walk from our school to Holy Trinity Church for a service.

My master was Mr. Gilmoor, Our headmaster was Mr. Brown.

We wore I think a brown blazer, raincoat, gloves hanging from the sleeves.

The playground was divided by railings separating boys from girls at playtime.

Behind the street wall just right of the playground gate, the boys toilets, somewhat exposed to the elements, smelly, painted black, liken a walk-in freezer in winter.

The school playground slants towards the school which sits slightly lower.

I watched boys playing marbles, five stones too, till morning whistle blew, we’d then form lines, and walk into school.

P.E., we would wiggle in hoops to get a spin on our waist.

Our classroom had small coke or coal fire to the right of Mr. Gilmoor’s desk, the side wall to the right facing his desk, had high windows, I think dividing classrooms.

Each desk had an ink pot, we’d dip the metal nib of a wood pen into black ink, endeavouring not to blot our exercise book, we had white blotting paper.

One particular hymn we would sing for assembly was,’Holy Trinity’

For school dinner, we would walk down hill then and up behind the school to a hall along the road. The kitchen at the dinner hall was to the left, as I remember the serving area to the left and long tables with gangway towards the top end.

If prunes were on the menu, one would find out whether we are a tinker, soldier or sailor, or worst beggar man or thief.

I do still have a school report for end of summer term 1955, not one of attainment as I was in difficult circumstances. Being at this school was a total new experience.

So too, was my experience of several times not bringing my football boots to school, so in assembly Mr Brown told me I would get the slipper tomorrow. However, to my supprise the following morning, I learnt I was off to Godalming, so avoided a feared punishment!

There I went to Moss Lane School, that was entirely different by the River Wey.

Interestingly, I learnt the art of joined script at Holy Trinity, only to find on reaching Moss Lane School I had to revert to unjoined script again.

I am now looking for old archives, photographs, registers but there is little I can find.

So, If anyone would like to assist, I would be interested know.

[David Rose: Thanks Richard for your comments that are very interesting. The current Holy Trinity School has a large archive of pictures and documents. You might like to contact the school to see if they can help. A history of the school is currently being written and will be published as a book at some stage.]
Jean Pile Reply

January 26, 2016 at 10:57 am

My name is Jean Pile (nee Alder) and I attended Westborough Primary School from 1945-1949.

We lived in Beckingham Road. So I have quite a few memories of the Second World War time there.

I visited Guildford yesterday and met the present occupants of my house in Beckingham Road. The house is now a student house.

I could not recognise the beautiful back garden as half of it had been built on to form a road.

I attended a VE party at Westborough School on September 8th 1945 and have photos of this group outside the school and also at tables inside eating tea.

We were all in fancy dress.

The headmistress, Miss Wilby or Willoughby came as Elizabeth I.

I also have a group photo of my class outside the front of the school, circa 1948, not long before my family left to return to Bath.

Before attending the primary school I had attended a nursery school to the left of the main school building.

One teacher I remember was called Miss Edney.

When the air-raid sirens sounded I think we had to go down into a basement shelter.
- Penny Tomkins Reply
  
  August 23, 2016 at 9:36 pm
  
  I was at Westborough School from 1945 until 1950 and I remember Miss Edney as our teacher. Would be interested in any photos that you may have.
  
  [David Rose replies: check out a new story I have wriiten featuring pictures of Westborough School: https://guildford-dragon.com/2016/08/23/westborough-school-1940s/ ]
William Voice Reply

March 21, 2016 at 7:31 pm

I was born march 1939 and lived in Roundhill Way.

I went to Westborough School and was in the nursery class with Miss Edney. During warm weather we had an afternoon nap outside on little canvas beds.

After the nursery class we went next door to Miss Salter’s class and I remember her reading us stories.

I also rememember Miss Wilbey, the headmistress, and Mr Digweed, the caretaker.

I left in 1950 to go to Onslow School and I remember the sirens and sitting on those hard wooden benches in the air raid shelters.
- Penny Tomkins Reply
  
  August 23, 2016 at 9:40 pm
  
  I was born December 1940 and lived at 125 Southway Avenue and went to Westborough School from 1945 to 1950 and then went to Onslow School.
Brian Croke Reply

August 4, 2016 at 3:19 pm

From 1956 until 1959 I was a pupil at Northfield Secondary Modern School for Boys. What ever happened to it?
- John Lomas Reply
  
  August 4, 2016 at 7:15 pm
  
  Was there a Northfield as well as a Northmead?
  Northmead was on Grange Rd.
Dianne James Reply

October 1, 2016 at 9:42 am

Does anyone know who was deputy head at Northmead Girls School in the late fifties? Miss Vine was headmistress.
- Delma Brain Reply
  
  January 1, 2017 at 1:27 am
  
  Hi, my name is Delma Brain. I went to Stoughton Infants, Juniors and Northmead Girls. I started school in 1963 or 64. I remember Miss Vine and Miss Roe for music.
- Lynne Darling Reply
  
  August 20, 2019 at 3:23 pm
  
  Miss West was the deputy head and she disliked 1st year pupils.
  
  But by my 3rd year she was a great teacher!
  
  Other teachers I can remember were Miss Vine and Miss Finnigan.
- Barbara Westlake (nee Farley) Reply
  
  April 25, 2022 at 10:51 pm
  
  Just read this. I went to Northmead Girls’ School from 1962 to 1966.
  
  If I remember correctly, the deputy headmistress was Miss West, who also taught needlework.
  
  She was a very hard taskmaster and was very strict.
  
  You probably have already found this information by now.
Marian Fripp Reply

October 3, 2016 at 8:59 pm

I went to Northmead Girls School in 1959 and Miss West was the deputy head.

We were warned in the first year that she was very strict and she was. She taught needlework as well.

The others I remember were Miss Finnegan (geography), Mrs Harris (English), Miss Daisy Isles (art), Mrs Smith (domestic science), Miss Rowe (music), Miss Brownrigg (religious instruction) Miss Winterbottom (arithmatic).

Sorry I can’t remember the name of the person who taught history – but it was boring.
- Gwyneth Parsons Reply
  
  January 31, 2017 at 9:32 am
  
  I was at Northmead Girls School from 1948 for just three years at the time when Miss Booth retired and Miss Vine came instead.
  
  It’s been interesting to read the old familiar names of the teachers and I can only surmise that our history teacher, Miss Josephine Carter, must have left before 1959 as no one could call her lessons boring. Not for her a repetition of the Tudors and Stuarts; instead it was about the times and the various revolutions that took place.
  
  My love of classical music began in Miss Roe’s class when she played recordings that we had to sit and listen to with our eyes closed. I’m glad I had that opportunity.
  - Tricia Parkinson Reply
    
    August 31, 2019 at 7:16 pm
    
    Miss Vine was our next door neighbour until 1960 and we kept in touch with her until she died. She came to my wedding in 1974. She was always quite formal and we always called her Miss Vine! She retired to Eastbourne.
Ann Sharman Reply

October 15, 2016 at 12:22 pm

I went to Northmead County Secondary School for girls from 1956 to 1959. I had passed the 13+ to go there and joined the H stream of girls who specialised in homecraft subjects ie. Needlework, cookery and domestic skills. It always seemed like a school of 2 halves as we very rarely mixed with the non H girls. Very odd. Another strange thing was that we did no science subjects.
I have discovered that Miss Hazel Brownrigg, who taught Religious Knowledge, is still alive, the last of our teachers left. I had a phone call from her a couple of years ago and also a couple of long letters.
A friend and I have been reminiscing about our time at Northmead and were remembering the music lessons and especially singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a school choirs competition in Guildford. Miss Rowe who taught music instilled in me a love of classical music which continues to this day.
We were all frightened of Miss Vine, the headmistress and I can still see her striding down the corridor with her black gown billowing around her.
Happy days.
Sara Scott Reply

October 17, 2016 at 5:55 pm

St Nicolas’ CoE School celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002. A group of parents (some of them also ex-pupils) set about researching the history of the school and presenting the findings as a series of wall displays. We were lucky enough to have access to the Headteachers’ log books dating back to the early years of the C20, and we also managed to interview a few ex-puplis who were by then in their 80’s and 90’s.

When the celebrations were finished, all the gathered information (including the log books and many photographs) were deposited at The Surrey History Centre in Woking.
Jean Cawood (nee Andrews) Reply

February 24, 2017 at 2:31 pm

In searching for information about Bellfields School I came across your website re. Guildford Schools. I have in my possession a Bellfields School booklet covering a period 1929-1935 which details a little history and various sporting achievements over that time. I would be happy to pass this on to any interested party.

Another fact is that I also attended Ludlow Road school from 1946/1947 but have little memory of that time apart from sitting on little painted chairs of 1st day of term. These chairs were not properly dry and lots of use went home with different coloured knickers! My mother was not amused.
Alan Slack Reply

March 8, 2017 at 8:17 am

For those with access to Facebook. On the Guildford Town Past & Present site, Robin Hope is looking for help with filling in names on a 1959 photo for Northmead Boys School. 1959 was my 1st year at the school having moved up from Bellfields Juniors. If you can help then please have a look.
- Chris Powell Reply
  
  September 1, 2019 at 9:13 pm
  
  Hi Alan,
  
  You were best man at my wedding with Lois.
  
  I lived in Hazel Avenue and went to Bellfields School for about two weeks when I was five, then went to Stoke Hill which had just opened.
  
  Then off to Northmead in about 1958 until until 1963-64.
  
  You lived in Willow Way where every Sunday your dear father always had the boot and bonnet up of his car.
  
  I think it was a Ford or a Hillman
  
  You had a brother with a girlfriend called Carol? He was keen on joining the RAF.
  
  Robin Hope lived in Lilac close I believe?
  
  Since I left Northmead I have not heard from anyone from the school or Bellfields.
  - Alan Slack Reply
    
    May 16, 2020 at 2:48 pm
    
    In response to Chris Powell. The answer is that it’s Ray, who was the best man, and me before I went off for 38 wonderful years in the RAF. We are still looking for help with the 1959 Northmead School photo so if you are a FaceBook user your help would be appreciated on the Guildford Town Past & Present site. I’m living in Fairford, Glos now.
Jackie Kay Reply

March 8, 2017 at 7:45 pm

Ludlow Road is now home of SABP’s community learning disability team. We’ve been here for a couple of years now
Tony Smith Reply

April 11, 2017 at 5:20 pm

Not many people will have heard of York School for Boys.

The classroom was the Baptist Church hall off of Chertsey Street. I know for certain that it was there before 20th August 1956 (my older brother’s eighth birthday) and closed at the end of the first term in 1960.

You could not join the school until your eighth birthday. I was there from 21st Jan 1959 until it closed.

There was one master, the headmaster. He taught all boys (aged between 8 and 16) all subjects and had excellent results.

If you think that the above sounds unlikely, wait for this. He was 80 or 81 years old when the school closed.

He had iron discipline and frequently used the cane – even on eight-year-old boys.

He started teaching when he was 14 years old and taught all his life.

When I was there, the fees were £6 per term.

He was famous enough to get two television screenings.

The first was screened on ‘Tonight’ with Cliff Michelmore (BBC) and was filmed at the school. There was a full face shot of me.

The second was filmed at the Allen House Grounds and screened on BBC South.

I took part in that but never got to see it because one had to reorientate the television aerial in order to receive it.

I have a newspaper cutting from the Surrey Advertiser showing him and some of the boys on a regular wednesday afternoon sports session in Stoke Park.

[David Rose replies: the headmaster you mention was John Gardiner. He had previously taught at Sandfield School. In my book Guildford Remember When, co written with Bernard Parke and published in 2007, John Gardiner is written about on pages 61 to 64. The book is still available from some bookshops and maybe online.]
Sue Roome Reply

August 9, 2017 at 8:15 am

I remember going to Ludlow Road School in September 1957 and then St John’s in Farnham Road for the juniors. After that, I went to George Abbot from 1963-1970.

I attended a private prep school for a year from 1956 for a year.

I don’t remember its name but it was in Onslow Village. Do anyone have any information about this school, I still have my school tie.
Janice Kennedy ( nee Clifton) Reply

August 11, 2017 at 12:21 pm

I lived on the Bellfields estate and went to Northmead Girls School 1963 to 1968, when my family emigrated to Australia. I remember many of the teachers including Miss Vine.

I have been trying to remember the school houses. I was in green St Francis but not sure of the others I think St George, St Hilda and St Luke. Can anyone confirm?
- Barbara Westlake (nee Farley) Reply
  
  April 25, 2022 at 11:06 pm
  
  St George – red
  St Hilda – yellow
  St Francis – green
  St Joan – blue ?
David Cooper Reply

January 1, 2018 at 8:58 pm

My father went to Shalford Mixed School from before 1934, leaving to go to the Royal Grammar School in 1935.

I have swimming and religious instruction certificates to show this. I am very interested in learning more about the school.
Delma Brain Reply

March 10, 2018 at 9:54 am

I lived in Stoughton all my school life, but I have never been able to find any history of any schools, shops, people or roads.

I have even joined a Guildford past and present group on Facebook, but they don’t have much either.

[David Rose adds: Dragon editor Martin Giles I have published the book, Stoughton A Walk Through Time. It is the third in our series, with St Catherine’s and Guildford (town) being the other two. Although they are currently out of print, we may reprint them at suitable time. Watch this space!]
Roger Edwards Reply

September 9, 2018 at 5:04 pm

I was at Stoughton Infants, Stoughton Juniors, Northmead Boys and Clark’s College between 1942 and 1953. Anyone wishing to exchange memories or anecdotes do please contact me by leaving a reply on The Dragon.
Mike Dillon Reply

September 10, 2018 at 3:34 pm

I attended the old St Josephs School when it was in The Bars, Chertsey Street, behind the old St Josephs Church from 1942/43. We joined up with another school from across Chertsey Street I think it was called St Patricks. We then moved into a large house which backed onto Foxenden Quarry. I think this would have been 1943/44.

We had our dinners in Sandfield School canteen and used Stoke Rec for our games. We also spent a few hours in an air-raid shelter further down The Bars.
Gary Brooks Reply

June 13, 2019 at 7:56 pm

I went to Bishop Reindorp School and left in 1990.

Miss Brownrigg taught me A-level RE, pretty boring yet homemade flapjack and hot chocolate always made the lessons much more enjoyable.

Heard on the grapevine that she passed away today at the age of 90. RIP Miss Brownrigg, gone but not forgotten x
Delma Brain Reply

August 13, 2019 at 6:55 pm

Where could I find photos of the schools in Stoughton in the 1950s to the 1970s, as I am trying to do a history of my life in Stoughton, Guildford?

Please help me. My email address is delma_brain@hotmail.co.uk

Or you can find me on the Facebook page Guildford Past And Present.
Tricia Parkinson Reply

August 31, 2019 at 7:21 pm

Does anyone remember The Sunshine Kindergarten in Guildford in the 1950s? It was a great school but has been demolished now. We only had school in the mornings but learnt a lot. Mrs Williams was the headmistress.
Stuart Barnes Reply

September 3, 2019 at 9:25 am

I have asked before about the history of Onslow Kindergarten and Preparatory School. I attended from about 1941 to 1945. I think it effectively was a feeder school to the grant-maintained Royal Grammar School. The Grammar School was, I believe, partly fee-paying before the disastrous comprehensive fiasco. I won a scholarship in 1945 but did not take it up because my father took us back to Middlesex in 1945 when the war ended.

I have still got a school report dated Spring 1945 when I was given the position of 3rd in Form III, out of 25.

The report says (inter alia) that my conduct is fidgety and disturbing to the class – does good work but his behaviour could improve considerably but the headmistress’s report says that he has done a good term’ work.
John Lomas Reply

September 3, 2019 at 1:14 pm

I believe this film from the BFI archives features Onslow Nursery.during the 1940s.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-double-thread-1943-online
Jose Luis González Reply

January 16, 2021 at 11:53 am

I would like to have information about the St Marys school since I studied there until 1983 when I went to Spain. If anyone could share photos or any information I would greatly appreciate it. I think I remember the director called Miss O’Kelly. Thanks a lot.
Jane Pearce Reply

October 14, 2021 at 8:20 pm

I’m trying to find out about St Joseph’s Catholic school when it was in Chertsey Street. I attended in 1960 and recall being taught by Nuns.