Pupils were ‘part of an experiment’
A PHOTOGRAPH sent in by Brian Cornes of himself and his old classmates at Loughborough College School in 1956 has seen former pupils get in touch.
Brian is pictured on the second row from the front, far right, holding the books.
Among others, he can also name the two girls on the same row as Christine Spencer and Anne Flynn.
David Knowles, who was at the school from 1955 to 1962 wrote in to say the photo: “Is of my own Loughborough College School form called “Remove B”. I have a copy dated 1957.
“We were 23 pupils chosen to pre- pare for GCE “0 level” in a year less than usual. Not an academic success for some of us!
“Nevertheless, the group’s eventual careers included teaching, gas company senior management, magistrates’ clerk, medicine’s company world-wide sales director, public relations executive, the law including a solicitor who rose to be a deputy judge, and a financial director of a major car manufacturer. One has served since 1999 as a Deputy Lieutenant for Leicestershire.
“The photo was taken by our English master, Mr J.Robertson the year we had transferred to the Thorpe Hill campus from the school’s original base in the complex of Loughborough College buildings (some underground) in William Street and Frederick Street, with some classes using the Fearon Hall, Rectory Road.
“Some of us remain in touch and meet twice a year.
“The photo show the full class, left to right:
Back row: David Frost, David Knowles, David Woolley, Martyn Baum, Michael Perry, T.Foster, Charles Hammersley, Christopher Deavin, and David Ayres,
Middle row: Dave Branscombe, F.E.Crofts, P.E.Emmett, Christine Spencer, Anne Flynn, Graham Pervin, Martin Cox, W. Spencer, Alan Pierrepoint, and Brian Cornes
Front row: W.G. Norton, J.de Wiele, J.Cartland, and Graham Brewin
David Frost also got in contact to say: “It was a nice surprise to see the picture sent in by Brian Cornes of my former classmates in 1956 at LCS.
David also confirmed the names and the class name Remove B: “Part of an experimental acceleration programme at the time to achieve GCE “O” level in four years instead of the normal five. The boarders were accommodated at Field House.”
Another David, Dave Woolley, also contacted us saying: “Visiting my daughter in Hathern (I live in Stafford) I saw the photos of Loughborough College School submitted by Brian Cornes. I have the unmistakeable head of blond hair - now sadly grey and sparse - on the back row.
“I think the photo must have been one of the first to be taken at the new school at Thorpe Acre, after we were transferred from the William Street huts and air-raid shelter playground.”
• Do you have any memories of the school? Please contact Andy Rush at Looking Back on 01509 635 802. E-mail andy.rush@reachplc.com