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What were classrooms like 100 years ago? What was school like for children growing up during World War One? Find out more in this KS2 Bitesize Primary guide.
Esther Pikel, local historian, talks about Westdale School.
"Upon opening in 1931, Westdale was deemed the largest composite school in the British Empire, consisting of 11.7 acres of building, grounds and athletic fields. The original building was referred to...
Feb 28, 2013 · I went to Hazel Grove junior school (up near top of Westdale lane) but do remember some of the names mentioned, so maybe they went on to Gedling School later ? where I attended from 59-63. Trevor Chaplin was my wifes younger brothers mate I think.
- Westdale Lane Juniors Recorder Group and maybe Choir ? from the same time . Many faces are the same as the class photo but there are some extra fac...
- That's me second row up second from left (Andrew Smith) Laughing as usual
- I cant see if you have a book under your arm? Or have you just negotiated a good deal on som Notts maps?
- Must have been a summertime photo as the girls are wearing sandals.
- Yes they were usually taken towards the end of Summer term . Another name I have just remembered , Paul Bakewell on the back row and the girl in th...
- As I remember he was always a happy little soul !
- Actually I bet I was wearing sandals too . Can any from that era , remember the excitement of getting a new pair of brown sandals with clean white...
- Yes Maureen and Leslie Budding were in my class at Gedling . Can't remember another brother . I have just had a note from Diane Humphrey who is on...
- No but I can remember those dreadful molded plastic sandals! Sounds like a good prospect for a lady Ex Pat member, more lady members would make Bab...
- OK Mick , I'll pass your comment on !
- What Was School Like in The 1950s Compared to Today?
- At What Age Did You Start School in The 1950s?
- What Was The School Leaving Age?
- Types of School
- What Was The Timetable like?
- School Dinners
- School Uniform
- Punishments
- Examinations
- Films About Schools in The 1950s
You could leave school at age fifteenSelection was the norm for state and independent schools in the 1950sGCSEs were called GCEs and far fewer young people took themSome children stayed at the same school from age seven to age fifteenSchool started at age five in the 1950s. Children started school at the beginning of the term in which they had their fifth birthday. So they were usually aged four when they first entered the school gates.
The school leaving age in the 1950s was fifteen. It was raised from fourteen in 1947. Children could leave school in the term following their fifteenth birthday. The last year of school was the fourth rather than the fifth year for most children. Leavers at fifteen often left school with no qualifications.
Schools were divided into the state and independent sector as today. State schools offered primary education up to age eleven and secondary education from eleven to eighteen. 1. Infant school - ages five to seven 2. Junior school - ages seven to eleven 3. Secondary schools - ages eleven-plus
Primary school
A 1950s primary school timetable might have included subjects such as: 1. Arithmetic 2. Times tables 3. English 4. Spelling 5. History 6. Geography 7. Art 8. Needlework, for girls only 9. Music 10. Singing 11. Physical training (PT)
Secondary modern schools
In secondary modern schools the emphasis was on the basics of maths and English. History and geography were often combined as one subject called 'social studies'. Languages were usually only taught to the top streams in a secondary modern. There was also a strong emphasis on preparation for work. Practical subjects, such as woodwork, metal work and technical drawing, were an important part of the curriculum for boys. For girls the emphasis was on cookery (domestic science) and sewing. Girls a...
The 1944 Education Act made it compulsory for state schools to give pupils meals. The meal had to give each child one third of their daily nutritional intake. So had to be of a highstandard but may not have been to the pupils' taste. Although the meals were served at lunchtime, they were usually known as school dinners. The schools provided the mea...
Uniform was compulsory as most state grammar schools. It was also common, but not universal, in secondary modern. The uniform comprised: 1. Boys: blazer, long or short trousers depending on age, cap, tie. 2. Girls: gymslip or skirt, blouse, tie, sometimes blazers as well, hat or beret. Eston Grammar School, Teesville, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire...
Corporal punishment was common in schools in the 1950s. Detention and lines were the other common punishments.
The Eleven-plus
The exam that was most important for children in the 1950s was the eleven-plus. The results of that exam decided whether a child went to a grammar school, a technical school or a secondary modern school. The type of examination varied from area to area. It could include questions about English, arithmetic or general questions designed to test intelligence. How successfully it differentiated pupils was a matter for debate. Although the eleven-plus had a huge impact on a child's future, the res...
School Certificate
In 1950 children still took the old School Certificate and Higher School Certificate examinations. Pupils entering for School Certificate were awarded a pass, a credit or a distinction. They needed to pass five subjects or more to get the certificate.
General Certificate of Education
The GCE replaced the school certificate in 1951. There were two levels Ordinary level (O-level) and Advanced level (A-level). Unlike the School Certificate, it was possible to take GCE O-level in single subjects. GCE required pupils to be aged 16 or over. This meant leavers at 15 would not be able to take the examination. The GCE raised the level of attainment needed over the School Certificate. A GCE O-level pass was equivalent to a credit at school certificate. GCE O-levels were just awarde...
The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954)Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957)Nov 16, 2021 · Westdale Secondary School, 1940. #HamOnt
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Sep 21, 2020 · Anne Richardson explains what life was like as a child at infant school, junior school, and gramma school in England in the 1940s and 1950s. Includes notes for teachers. Suggested level: junior, primary. Originally published: 2005.
