Your memories of Twickenham primary school.
Twickenham primary school today
Twickenham Primary school
Mrs Wilson 1937-38 infants headmistress
1942 Miss McGowan was the juniors headmistress
Memories from John Jarrett of his father Lewis Jarrett
Twickenham Primary School ca 1940’s or 1950’s. Lewis Jarrett is on the back row and towards the left. Copyright John Jarrett
PE aparatus at Twickenham Road School. 1950’s. Source unknown
Memories of Valerie Roberts
School children dressed to dance at Twickenham Primary School June, 1953. Copyright Valerie Roberts
Children from Twickenham Junior school dressed up for dancing on 14th June, 1953
I myself lived in Twickenham Rd so i attended the school in which i was in the group of Country dancers in which i loved we used to be in competition with other schools. Also i was always in the school sports as i was a good runner being chosen every time in the relay.Happy days yes they were.Although the teachers were very strict indeed.
Memories of Pauline Ravenscroft
I cannot recall there being any competions, but there may have been. We did however have a country dancing club which I think was on a Saturday afternoon and was held in Twickenham School. Children from other schools came The one thing I can remember (like many other people) is buying chocolate wagon wheels at these clubs and they seemed like about 12 inches across. Not the tiny things you get these days.
The photo you refer to was a play which we did and I seem to remember either we went to another school to do it or they came to us. It was not a speaking play it was a mime. We did a few others as well, but I have no photos of these.
There is only one girl on that photo who I am still in contact with, she is in fact my very good friend still and I did in fact see her over the New Year.
The one thing I can tell you about my Dad being caretaker of the school, and I am sure a lot of people will remember it, is him playing a musical instrument many times at assemblies and different occasions. He played a dulcimer, you may have heard of one, the one he played should have been played with hammers but he used plectrums.
I can’t remember Valerie Roberts, only a Valerie Owen, may be Roberts is her married name.
Memories of Jennifer Connor
Twickenham Road Primary school football team 1953. Copyright Jennifer Connor
Memories of Frances Fletcher
Mr Edwards and his class in 1956-57. Copyright Frances Fletcher
I started Twickenham Road when i was 4yrs old in the nursery i loved it , we played in the mornings and had a sleep on camp beds in the afternoon for an hour , I suppose that gave our teachers a rest lol.
Well we had a short sleep on fold up bed’s out side , and I was only there in the summer months i think they used to fold them up and put them in a cupboard afterwards , didn’t take much notice as i was only 4yrs old , there were not many in the nursery, they only took me on as I used to cry to go when my mom took my brother , the yr was 1951.
Then in the infants we started to read and write , and have fun, my sister Iris was a teacher then in the Junior’s , only for awhile , I can remember a couple of teacher’s in the infants Miss mc gillicuddy and miss hurrall,
Junior teacher were Mr Hill who you got the cane off if you played up , not me ,Mr Edwards everyone’s favourite teacher , Mr Ward and miss stocks, Mr Ward used to play the Violin and everyone had to sing Cherry Ripe. when my sister and brother were there it was war time and there was an airaid shelter they used to have to run too if the bomb’s were coming .
they had alittle garden patch at Twickenham school were all the children used to plant radishes and flower’s called Nastersion’s that you could eat, and look after them . then in 1953 it was the coronation there was a lovely party at school ,they had all tables put together in a long row and a buffet everyone had party’s in the street too , it was a wonderful day .
Memories of Tom Andrews from Roy Dillon.
1960’s
Class photo from Twickenham Primary school. Copyright Roy Dillon
1960’s
Class photo from Twickenham Primary school. Copyright Roy Dillon
1960’s
Class play from Twickenham Primary school. Copyright Roy Dillon
1960’s
Class photo from Twickenham Primary school. Copyright Roy Dillon
Memories of Kay Beail
Nativity play at Twickenham School in the 1960’s. Copyright Kay Beail
Voices of Kingstanding 
[…] Twickenham Road School football team photo from 1953 added. Read more… […]
By: Twickenham Road School football team photo from 1953 added « Voices of Kingstanding on May 31, 2012
at 7:30 pm
How lovely to see my first school 9it looked just as I remember it and on Roys photos I can see my grandmas house in background. I started there in 1937/38 and remember Miss Ryder and Miss McGillicuddy (my great granddaughter loves to hear that name) Miss Wilson was head mistress. I so remember the cloakroom with the iron pegs and the little washbasins and at the top of the playground the tiny toilets. There was a lovely big picture of the Madonna high above Miss Wilsons desk and in the 1st class I used to play with a rubadub tub and a mangle which I loved. I moved with my gas mask to the juniors and remember Mr Hill Miss Masterson Miss Smith (she wasin the huts) Miss McGowan was the headmistress. Miss Smith used to bring has two scottie dogs on Fridays for us all to see. Despite air raid shelters and war time I loved my school and lived at 84 & 97 Twickenham Rd. maiden name Bartram. Happy Days.
By: shirley thain on June 18, 2012
at 4:27 pm
Hi all, I went to Twickenham Rd j&i from approx. 1964 – 1970. I have little memory of the infants, but for me the best teacher I ever had inthe junior school was Mr.T.W.Smith,sheer brilliant. I have also been told that Mrs.White is still alive & living in Kingstanding.
Alfie
By: Alfie.H. on June 22, 2012
at 10:14 pm
I attended Twickenham Road nursery,Infants and Juniors and loved every minute of it.I thought that I had won an Olympic Gold medal when the letter came to say that I had passed my 11 plus.However, I hated the Grammar school and persuaded my mum to let me transfer to Warren Farm after about 6 months-so very happy there too.
I would hate to be a school student today-teachers can’t or are not allowed to nurture students in the way that ours did.So sad.
By: Dorothy Capewell on July 21, 2012
at 10:11 pm
my mom was a cleaner in the late 60`s and 70`s at twickenham school her name was sally spence. i went to the school from 1965, i remember mr smith and miss white.
By: liz martin was spence on September 5, 2012
at 3:17 pm
i was 8 when i went there mrs snow i remmber and mrs lewis i was mainly in the shed at back of playground
By: ANDREW RODGERS on January 25, 2024
at 1:37 pm
Hi ive just spotted a name i recognise ALFIE H. could this be alfie Harvey !!
do you live in parcestont crescent alfie ? I appologise if ive jumped the gun Alfie, but i think you knew my Mom and Dad Edna n Dougie Buck !! im Val ! do you have a Bro name Harry !! i hope so !! were you a window cleaner ?
Sorry if im wrong but if im right please let me know. we lived in Halsbury Grove.
By: Val Buck on September 14, 2012
at 4:17 pm
Sorry Val, I’m not the Alfie you knew. I came from Bendall Rd, & went to Kings Rise (1970 – 1975) I don’t have a brother, & I’ve never been a window cleaner.
Alfie
By: Alfie H on December 22, 2012
at 10:21 pm
Hello val its my uncles alf and harry my moms brothers, her name jean harvey
By: misty4168 on October 21, 2014
at 5:36 pm
my Dad went to twickenham road school as did all his brothers and sisters.My Dads name was Dougie Buck and he one of eleven children that lived in parkestont Crescent. his childhood friends included Alfie Harvey who lived near by in the crescent . Dad never spent much time in school,hated it and wagged it most of time.Think the truent officer was a regular visitor to their home. Dad would tell me about a teacher name Mr Hill who picked on him constantly,maybe Dad deserved it who knows ! seems pupils were verbally abused when they were kids at that time and the, teachers ruled with fear rather than with teaching skills,hence the truency !!
My uncle Reg also remembers cruel teachers so it definatley had impact on their lives.
I expect many people went to the school and enjoyed the time they spent
there,everyone is diferent at the end of the day.
I know the School is still open and has thrived which is important because Kingstanding has lost alot of its original secondary schools.
By: Val on September 16, 2012
at 2:36 pm
i new your uncle reg i was at school with him i started at twickenham in the nursary then infants then juniors untill i was nine then went to warrenfarm rd school be cause i was frightend of poppa hill a strict teacher your uncle used to play up lol and the swoffers ect. i looked very fragile and the teachers liked me they got me to sing in the big hall my email is whatson39:hotmail/com is your uncle reggy still alive
By: clement watts or clemmy on April 30, 2013
at 3:47 am
Hi Val,
Sorry to disappoint, Alfie isn’t my real name, I do not know how I got it, but I was called it in junior school & it just stuck with me right through ’til I left Kings Rise in 1975. I lived in Bendall Rd.
By: Steve Howell on December 20, 2012
at 2:22 pm
I was in your class Stephen, if I remember rightly from Mrs Beaston, Miss Hart, Miss Hawkins, Mr Smith younger, Mr Smith elder, & Mr Burton
By: Anne Murphy nee Rogers on October 8, 2013
at 5:08 pm
Hi Anne, I remember them, though I think Mrs. White is in there some where.I do remember being removed from Mr. Burtons class & being ‘down streamed’ to Mr. Smith’s (the elder). I just did not get on with Mr. Burton, & it was decided it would be better all round if I was moved. T.W.Smith, best teacher I ever had.
By: Steve Howell on May 9, 2015
at 9:37 pm
Hi
My father, Walter Frank Parsons (known as Frank) was born in 1930 and attended Twickenham Road School. He was evacuated to Ripley, Derbyshire and spent many happy years with Raymond & Doris Leary who owned the local butchers shop in the centre of Ripley. He often talks about the memories of living in Ripley
Sue
By: Sue Baum on March 16, 2013
at 6:35 pm
Hello, my name is Diane Stringer,I went to Twickenham Rd. when we moved to Shard End and the school had yet to be built.! we had to go by coach to school, I remember a few names from the coach crew, Rita Powers,Marcia Robbins, John Petts ,Tony Duggan and Alan Gardiner. I have an autograph book somewhere with the class names in from when we left to go to our New School, Alderlea Road. Shard End.I think it would be around 1955/6.
By: diane stringer on March 19, 2013
at 4:13 pm
was johny stringer any relation to you
By: clement watts or clemmy on April 30, 2013
at 3:49 am
Hi, sorry no, he wasn’t
By: diane stringer on April 30, 2013
at 5:33 pm
Hi, do you remember anyone by the name of Goodfellow?
By: Anita Woodcock on May 15, 2014
at 9:33 pm
What a pleasant surprise to see Valerie Roberts’ photo from June 1953, with many of my classmates, taken on the steps of Mr Lane’s classroom. Have lost my copy long ago. I remember the play included some alpine dancing. My friend Fay Cooke is on the left side on the end, and her brother Ian must be there too, I am third from left. Happy memories of a really happy school, and yes, the teachers very strict. I remember we did many plays, singing at Birmingham Town Hall and performing and dancing in many different places. I had the pleasure of presenting Miss McGowan with a sundial on her retirement, which is still on the outside wall of the school. Would love to hear from other classmates.
By: Glenice Clarke on April 29, 2013
at 3:28 pm
I remember when ‘The Shardenders’ came by coach to Twickenham Rd School, but can recall only one name, Trevor Quiggin. He was in the football team, may have been captain..
I was also very frightened of Mr Hill, he and Mr Wane used the cane frequently, and I thank my lucky stars they were never my form teachers. Fond memories of Miss Rental, Miss Stanley and Mr Lane among others who were great teachers.
By: Glenice Clarke on April 30, 2013
at 11:30 am
Hi. My name is Esther Bateman nee Esther Cullen. I went to Twickenham Road School from 1950 till I was 11. It was such a good school but they had issues with me because I was I was a child of Irish heritage with too many siblings. In spite of this I believe I had a good education in spite of their prejudices against my family? My mother and father were a fantastic combination of intelligence and good parenting which has resulted in them having 14 good human beings who contribute beautifully to life. How clever were they? We all are so grateful for the genes we inherited. My daughter and her 3 grandchildren will be eternal grateful for Patricia and Patrick Cullen for their attention, parenting, love and care they gave me and my siblings. Life was difficult for them and my only regret is that I didn’t take more care of them.x
By: Esther bateman on May 16, 2013
at 9:56 pm
Hello Esther, rob Scott here(Scott’y) hope your ok, you probably don’t know this but iMe pretty certain I’ve met your daughter and. Family ,any ideas? The last time I saw you was in the under pass in town, not ideal timing to speak to you!! You had a good life? How’s the rest of your family? I saw Christy a couple of times years ago, look after yourself, Rob x Ps bet you can’t think where I met your daughter? Clue – she was in nursing of some sort, and her children were boy, girl, boy, the youngest had curly hair!
By: Robert scott on October 1, 2020
at 11:28 am
I started attending twickeham infants school at the age of five (1934/5) my first day there,I and my best mate thought when it came to playtime,it was time to go home,that’s what we did,soon sent back though.
my first teacher was a Miss Edwards lovely teacher.when it became your birthday,you were given two sweets and a badge to wear for the day
Milk came in 1/3 of a pint for which we paid the princely sum of halfpenny.
Every year sports day was held on the large grass area in front of the schoolwhich was great fun.
i remember in the caretakers garden was a large model railwaywhich us lads always wanted to see it working.
Following on from the infant’s it soon meant going into the juniors, M/s Mcgowan was the head teacher,she would arrive to school ina grey Austin seven,Teachers I remember were Mr Wayne who would play his violinfor some of the lesson,’s he took,Then as already mentioned was a M/s Mc]
gillicuddy
Gilicuddy,AlsoM/s Hurrel
Gillicuddy,a Mr Hill M/s Hurell
By: DeeBee on September 15, 2013
at 4:41 pm
Dee bee, I was there from 1932 and remember all your list of teachers plus Miss Baldwin who visited me often at home in Wardour Grove when I came back from hospital after peritonitis in1934. Names that come back are Jean Luton, Pauline Atkins, Jill Doust, Stanley Rose Bobby Perry. Junior teachers Mr Hill, Mr Wayne(Violin) Ladies Spink and James. I went on to KEGS Aston in 38 and 2 and a half in the RAF before marriage and am now 92 in Walsall
By: Barrie Cross on April 26, 2020
at 5:15 pm
Hi Barrie I think my dad might have been there then do you know James (jimmy) Bradley ?
By: June Rogers on December 31, 2020
at 10:40 am
following on from the above (my PC had a funny turn) on Friday’s,we were allowed to bring comic’s and foreign stamps to exchange,during my years there war was iminent so we all had to carry our gas masks and were at times made to put them on
Soon it was time to leave good old TJS and i was off to dear old Dulwich Rd. senior boy’s school.
To be continued shortly
By: DeeBee on September 15, 2013
at 4:48 pm
I attended Twickenham Road school prob about 1955 and was in Miss Maguileyguddys class. My Dad had the same teacher when he started there as a child. We lived in Parkeston Crescent and my maiden name was June Bradley.
By: june bradley on November 14, 2013
at 8:29 am
Hi did you have a brother name Alan Bradley
By: Frances Fletcher on October 13, 2019
at 10:29 pm
Hi Francis no I don’t have a brother called Alan.
Regards June
By: June on October 14, 2019
at 3:19 pm
best school ever. love most the teachers there, Loved Mr Lane, Great memories, 6 of us sibling went there, The Browns, In the 60s x
By: julie jeffrey, was Brown on November 16, 2013
at 8:10 am
I’m sure my teachers name was Mrs Blundell at Twickenham approx 1968
By: Judie (nee Dockerill) on November 21, 2013
at 9:39 pm
My sojourn was 1939-1942,then Handsworth GS,met office,RAF then tech college lecturer in physics and applied maths.Frank was my neighbour at 152 Miss James taught us.
By: David Dean on September 14, 2014
at 7:24 pm
I attended Twickenham Road 1965 – 72. I lived in Finchley Road. Mrs White, played “Chanson de Matin” on the piano on the way into assembly every morning, takes me back whenever i hear it. I remember Mr Houchell, Mr Burton, Mr Blades was the Headmaster. Miss Burford was my very first teacher. Mr Smith was my brothers teacher. I played on the netball team. I still have a few photos from my time there and remember a few names… Deborah Langley, Sheila Mills, Maureen O ‘Neill, Deborah Murphy, Vivienne Casey, Janice Jarvis, tina ?, stephanie ?, sharon howell, amanda westmoreland, michael and gregory vaughan, stephen pitt, stephen capewell. I have our last class photo, so if anyone can fill in the blanks…. Happy times, happy memories.
By: Debbie Wenn on February 27, 2015
at 12:03 am
Hi to all my old mates at Twickenham 67-69 from Tony ( Bo) Barton…
Happy days.. happy memories.. Get in touch you lot ! x
By: Tony Barton on April 3, 2015
at 10:49 pm
Hello all Twickenham rd school chums , my name is Michael McDonnell ,
yes mr hill was our teacher back in 50ts plus , yes Paul White , John Bing ,
Roger Clayton, Brian Cunningham , and a few more , just saw Dorothy capewell on this page how time as gone by, anyway i now live in Perth Australia since 1988 love it , any one how remembers can e-mail me on
mmcdonnell1948@hotmail.com
keep happy and well , CHEERS TO ALL
MAC
By: Michael McDonnell on June 24, 2015
at 6:32 am
I am Brian cunninghams neice the daughter of Robert cunningham the grand daughter of Harold cunningham
By: Rachel cunningham on November 16, 2022
at 1:11 am
OMG my old school haven’t been there in 5 years 🙈
By: Abbie on July 4, 2015
at 9:20 pm
I went to Twickenham Road Primary, I was in the same class as Alfie H ( I had a slight crush on him if the truth be known) my name then was Anne Rogers and my mom was one of the dinner ladies. I lived at the top end of Twickenham Road and went onto Kings Rise.
By: Anne (Rogers ) on May 7, 2016
at 6:52 pm
I lived in Parkeston Crescent till 1968, taught by Miss Heart with Mrs May as the Head. My next door neighbour was Edwina Welch. I went to the nursery – Mrs Gardner used to take me . Happy days . Had a friend called Karen Edwards and Caroline Reynolds (who later went to same secondary school as me)
By: Marie Morton nee Flecknoe on November 22, 2016
at 6:46 pm
I stayed at Twickenham road school in 1958. My name was then Barbara Louth. I remember mr Blades, the head master ( you heard him before you saw him, he had metal toe caps on his shoes ) I remember Mr Smith, Miss Bayliss Mr Edwards and miss Rizvie. They were lovely teachers.
I loved going there. It’s so nice to hear from people who also went there.
By: Barbara Newton, nee Louth on January 22, 2019
at 7:55 pm
Hi Barbara,
I recognised your name reading through the messages. I attended Twickenham road from around 1958/59 until 1964 and Mr Smith was my form teacher in my final year. Lovely teacher and I had the privilege of meeting him years later when he kindly shared some school pictures with me. Loved Twickenham Road. Used to help Miss Rizvie carry books back to her home after school. Her Dad Dr. Rizvie was my GP then. Hope you are keeping well. Jeanette Millard (nee Healey).
By: Jeanette Elizabeth Millard on October 14, 2021
at 9:32 am
I was at Twickenham rd primary school & nursery. From about 1957 to1964 my name was Marilyn silver I had an older brother called Micheal & two older sisters who were twins Christine & Maureen would love to know if anyone out there remembers us.
By: Marilyn Grimmett on May 12, 2020
at 12:02 pm
Went to Twickenham Road infants and primary 1962 – 1967 Mr Trevor Smith was my form teacher he and Mr lane coached our football and cricket teams we won lots of cups over the years. Great experience and first class teachers
By: Robert Healey on September 23, 2020
at 7:45 pm
Hi Rob
Your big sister here. Good to see your post here. Great years at Twickenham Road and I remember how good you were at Cricket!
Jeanette Millard (nee Healey)
By: Jeanette Elizabeth Millard on October 14, 2021
at 9:35 am
Hi all, would anyone know if my great childhood friend Carl White is still with us? if so anyone know of his whereabouts,
Thank-You all, Tony (Anthony)
By: tpt50 on January 14, 2021
at 9:26 am
So sorry, meant to add Carl White lived in Chinley Grove Kingstanding in his earlier days,
Regards, Tony (Anthony)
By: tpt50 on January 14, 2021
at 9:28 am
Hi, best days ever ,attended 1959 – 1964 ,mr Smith was the best teacher I ever had. Mr Lane took me under his wing regarding football and played for the Aston boys . Peter Tongue , Michael Sheldon , Michael Batchelor , Soapy Hudson , we’re all in my class, ( where are they all now ? ).
By: Michael Titmus on December 6, 2022
at 9:37 pm
Have so many fond memories of Twickenham Road School. Left 1964 to go by to Warren Farm Girl’s School.
Memories of Mr Smith who was the best teacher ever. Still in touch with my old pals Madeline Staley & Catherine Crouch. Best school ever!
By: Jeanette Millard on March 20, 2023
at 11:44 pm
Hi my name is Michael Titmus I attended the school 1959-64 does anyone have any memories ?
By: Michael Titmus on December 7, 2022
at 11:51 pm