[Brighton] Big fire at Blatchington Mill school

[lasvegan]

When did you leave? I left in 76 (after A levels).

I left in 76 (before A levels). Technically I left in 74…

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Duplicate. (see above) - but had popped into say as well that yes, same site. The Nevill and HCGSFB were two neighbouring sites which merged to become Blatchington Mill in 1979. I was there 1977-82.

My parents tried to get me in there 1978 when I moved to Secondary. I presume the thinking was that it would still retain elements of the Grammar even though it was on in its way to becoming a Comprehensive. Anyway, we were out of the catchment area so it didn’t happen. Very different to now when it doesn’t seem to matter where you live for choice of school.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I left in 76 (before A levels). Technically I left in 74…

A wee nipper

You would have been in my brother Graham's year.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

My parents tried to get me in there 1978 when I moved to Secondary. I presume the thinking was that it would still retain elements of the Grammar even though it was on in its way to becoming a Comprehensive. Anyway, we were out of the catchment area so it didn’t happen. Very different to now when it doesn’t seem to matter where you live for choice of school.

The 11 plus was standard in 69 when I took it. We lived in Portslade. My middle brother was allowed to take the 11 plus in around 71 only after my parents kicked up a massive fuss. Most of the kids were shunted directly to Mile Oak. By 1974 when my youngest brother was 11 they were told he absolutely could not sit the 11 plus and he was sent to Mile Oak. The 'powers that be' were very high handed back then.

In Faversham we still have the 11 plus but if a kid fails or doesn't take it there are schools in Canterbury and Whitstable they can apply for. Decent Comps. Our nipper goes to one in Canterbury. A bit of a schlep, but fine.

 

[WATFORD zero]

When did you leave? I left in 76 (after A levels).

So you and me (after GCEs in my case) were both released onto an unsuspecting world that glorious summer of 76. Must have been one of HGSB's finest moments

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

So you and me (after GCEs in my case) were both released onto an unsuspecting world that glorious summer of 76. Must have been one of HGSB's finest moments

So you also were in my middle brother's year. Although you also were presumably not in his class. If you were in the first eleven (footy_ you would have known him though.

 

[LamieRobertson]

The 11 plus was standard in 69 when I took it. We lived in Portslade. My middle brother was allowed to take the 11 plus in around 71 only after my parents kicked up a massive fuss. Most of the kids were shunted directly to Mile Oak. By 1974 when my youngest brother was 11 they were told he absolutely could not sit the 11 plus and he was sent to Mile Oak. The 'powers that be' were very high handed back then.

In Faversham we still have the 11 plus but if a kid fails or doesn't take it there are schools in Canterbury and Whitstable they can apply for. Decent Comps. Our nipper goes to one in Canterbury. A bit of a schlep, but fine.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard that word…..

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

The 11 plus was standard in 69 when I took it. We lived in Portslade. My middle brother was allowed to take the 11 plus in around 71 only after my parents kicked up a massive fuss. Most of the kids were shunted directly to Mile Oak. By 1974 when my youngest brother was 11 they were told he absolutely could not sit the 11 plus and he was sent to Mile Oak. The 'powers that be' were very high handed back then.

In Faversham we still have the 11 plus but if a kid fails or doesn't take it there are schools in Canterbury and Whitstable they can apply for. Decent Comps. Our nipper goes to one in Canterbury. A bit of a schlep, but fine.

My Dad lived in the sticks so his journey in to school at Hove Grammar took an hour and a half door to door. That involved walking and buses. His parents didn’t own a car so he had no choice. It was his Mum who supported him in passing the 11 + and she and they were very proud that he was the first kid from his village school to do so. Also the first in the family to go to University. All of that left a big impression and he wanted the same for me. Unfortunately with no 11+ to take I ended up doing the easiest entry exams you have ever seen to several very cheap private schools and having one of those chosen for me instead.

 

[Mancgull]

It definitely looks like the old Nevill buildings to me.

They always looked a bit like an Eastern European architect’s dream to me, the Hove Grammar buildings were a much nicer design from a previous era. I was there at the time it merged to become Blatchington Mill. The buildings were separate for ages and then they built something in between them to effectively join them together, I think it’s where the old tennis courts used to be.

They painted over the mural on the stairs, can’t remember what with. Peter Brackley’s mum, Gwen, worked there when I was there.

Also there when the schools merged.

 

[ozzygull]

We were in catchment area for both Blachington Mill and Hove Park, I was pleased my mum picked Hove Park as the uniform was blue and the upper school was close to the Goldstone ground. Left in 1988 to do a HND in computer science at Brighton technical college. Happy days

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

My Dad lived in the sticks so his journey in to school at Hove Grammar took an hour and a half door to door. That involved walking and buses. His parents didn’t own a car so he had no choice. It was his Mum who supported him in passing the 11 + and she and they were very proud that he was the first kid from his village school to do so. Also the first in the family to go to University. All of that left a big impression and he wanted the same for me. Unfortunately with no 11+ to take I ended up doing the easiest entry exams you have ever seen to several very cheap private schools and having one of those chosen for me instead.

Interesting. I thought you were a bit older than you probably are. I was the first of the family to get to uni. At HGSB there were lots of boys who came in from the wilds of Sussex. Burgess Hill in particular. One, Neil Brand was in my class. He's now a famous curator of film music and had a TV series only about a year ago. I was in a band with him in the early 70s, and we had practice every week in the United Reformed Church Hall in Wivelsfield. It was half midnight by the time I got home to Portslade, so I appreciate what a bastard it must have been commuting to school from there.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

We were in catchment area for both Blachington Mill and Hove Park, I was pleased my mum picked Hove Park as the uniform was blue and the upper school was close to the Goldstone ground. Left in 1998 to do a HND in computer science at Brighton technical college. Happy days

I was there when it was still HCSG 59-64. We had girls coming in from Burgess Hill, Hurspierpoint, and Hassocks to Aldrington, the train girls.
I lived in Portslade catching the 15 bus opposite the Battle of Trafalgar. I caught the same bus to go to football.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Interesting. I thought you were a bit older than you probably are. I was the first of the family to get to uni. At HGSB there were lots of boys who came in from the wilds of Sussex. Burgess Hill in particular. One, Neil Brand was in my class. He's now a famous curator of film music and had a TV series only about a year ago. I was in a band with him in the early 70s, and we had practice every week in the United Reformed Church Hall in Wivelsfield. It was half midnight by the time I got home to Portslade, so I appreciate what a bastard it must have been commuting to school from there.

I’m 57 so moved on to secondary school in 1978 around the time of Grammar Schools being phased out in Sussex. Dad was born and grew up in Twineham and would have been at Hove Grammar 1950 to 1957 I think. It would be nice to be able to speak to him about it but he died 15 years ago so that opportunity has gone.

 

[Triggaaar]

If I could get away with it I'd torch Longhill Secondary literally to ashes.

Same, but I've finally found someone to pin it on

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I’m 57 so moved on to secondary school in 1978 around the time of Grammar Schools being phased out in Sussex. Dad was born and grew up in Twineham and would have been at Hove Grammar 1950 to 1957 I think.

I see. That all adds up

Twineham.....lovely but very much out of the way. I seem to recall there being some sort of sandy hilly bit near there....

 

[raymondo]

Hove Grammar School for Boys was located nearby. According to my memories of my school days.

I hope the mural with Tabritt and other cane-wielding psychos is intact. Or burned to dust. One or the other. Fence.

Ah yes, the days of the cane and the slipper. I was at Hove Grammar until about '72. I escaped it myself but there was caning from time to time, plus lifting boys onto their tip toes by their sideboards...I don't mean the furniture - that was a specialty of the maths teacher Jack Liddell. Worst I got (I was a 'good' pupil) was a large piece of chalk from a teacher that smacked me on the Adam's Apple ...not nice.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I remember that one over the main staircase (that we were never allowed to use, only side staircases) and what I assumed to be an attempt at the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of the art room (1971-76)

The ceiling in the art room was definitely painted over when I was there - 1973-80, which was a shame as some of it was quite good. No idea about the mural on the main staircase. I never know who anyone was on that, as it predated me. The only time I ever used the main stairs was after everyone else had gone home as I had a late clarinet lesson after school once a week for a bit. Even then I crept down in case anyone saw me - it felt highly dangerous.

The year of the merger was my last year there and it was a total shambles. The Neville teachers didn't seem to have a clue, and lots of the Grammar staff had left.

 

[raymondo]

The ceiling in the art room was definitely painted over when I was there - 1973-80, which was a shame as some of it was quite good. No idea about the mural on the main staircase. I never know who anyone was on that, as it predated me. The only time I ever used the main stairs was after everyone else had gone home as I had a late clarinet lesson after school once a week for a bit. Even then I crept down in case anyone saw me - it felt highly dangerous.

The year of the merger was my last year there and it was a total shambles. The Neville teachers didn't seem to have a clue, and lots of the Grammar staff had left.

It WAS highly dangerous when I was there...a pretty certain caning.

 

[The Oldman]

I was at HCGS 53 - 58. I think it was when I was in the third form the mural on the staircase was painted by a young art master . Cannot recall his name,
Had the Tabrett's cane a couple of times . As for the stairs, in 54 I broke my leg playing football and attended school on crutches and was given permission to use the stairs. Headmaster then was Greatwood and I thought he was one of the better ones as were Ken Garland and Willie Pope. Hepburn was a nasty one though.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Ah yes, the days of the cane and the slipper. I was at Hove Grammar until about '72. I escaped it myself but there was caning from time to time, plus lifting boys onto their tip toes by their sideboards...I don't mean the furniture - that was a specialty of the maths teacher Jack Liddell. Worst I got (I was a 'good' pupil) was a large piece of chalk from a teacher that smacked me on the Adam's Apple ...not nice.

I left in 72 as well. Jack Liddell was pretty brutal but he got results. I had no idea about maths but somehow got a decent O Level.

On the subject of the mural, I recognised Tabrett, Ned Land and Poxy Baxter but the others were probably from the 50s or early 60s?