Leamington Spa. Shrubland Street School staff
Shrubland School staff group photograph, Leamington Spa. 1950s
IMAGE LOCATION: (Warwickshire Museums. Photographic Collections.)
Reference: C, 2986, img: 4651
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Comments
The chap third from the left in the front row is Mr Gradwell who was Headmaster of the Juniors until he retired in 1959. Next to him is the well respected Mr Micklewright. Rear left is I think Miss Slater who retired in 1960. The lady second from right in the front row could be Mrs Boyce, the Head of the Infants school. Too many people to be just Junior or Infants teachers.
Back row, first on right Mr. Barker, third from right, Mr Martin. Front row, first on left Miss Payne, (later Mrs Palmer). The lady second from right on the front row is Miss Griffith. I was in her class 3A in 1955, the year the class was moved to the Wise hall, next to St John’s Church, to ease the baby boomer overcrowding. Miss Boyce was, I think, Headmistress of the infants, a very scary lady for a 6 year old!
Mrs Griffiths, I remember her, she struck fear into me and many others. Fortunately she was with Class 3B at Wise Hall for most of the time so I did not see her too often. She lived in the block of flats on Tachbrook Rd, just by the Sun In Splendour pub. Mr Barker left in about 1960 and was replaced by Mr Runciman.
I remember Mr Gradwell, Mr Micklewright and Mr Barker very well. I was at Shrubs in the 1950s. Contacted Mr Barker years later who was living in Hampshire I think. Rita Willis
My what memories! Mr Micklewright was a great teacher, full of enthusiasm and energy, and he inspired us all to be achievers. If l remember correctly he lived in Kenilworth. Mr Gradwell was loved by all and a trip to his study to be told off was rewarded with a conversation about one of violins hanging on the wall. Miss Boyce was lovely. We had to take our reading card to her and, only when she said so, were we allowed to move on to reading a proper book. Miss Griffiths was a different story though. She would make us read out aloud, not a problem for most pupils, but l had a stammer. I never got teased by fellow pupils but my, she let rip and thoroughly enjoyed seeing me suffer. I was also taught in the Wise Hall but that was, l think, in the early 1950s, a year before l took the 11 plus. Our classroom was set up on the stage. All in all a great education at Shrubs and there were more inspiring teachers to follow at Leamington College. And yes, l cured my stutter completely and became a teacher!
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