My Secondary School Days

Mr Anthony Powell

After leaving primary school in 1961 I started my secondary school days. In those days we had a year at the Longmore School followed by a year at the Cowper School. Longmore School was in Churchfields in Hertford, more or less opposite All Saints Church. The Cowper School was, as I remember, in Old London Road in Hertford, sadly  gone today altogether. The last remaining years of secondary school were spent at Hertford Secondary School as it was known back then, today it is known as Simon Balle School, and is still in Mangrove Road in Hertford. Many, or some of my primary school pals follow onto the schools mentioned. When I say that, some went on to the Sele School in Welwyn Road Hertford, opposite Sele Farm Estate where they lived.

Going back to my time in secondary school I had some good times, one of these was my year at Longmore School on a Friday afternoon trip to the Mount Pleasant Post Office within Liverpool Street Station. As I remember, going from Hertford East Railway Station to Liverpool Street Railway Station back then, by steam train was very exciting.

In my year at Cowper School I can’t remember too many exciting times in my time there in 1962. After leaving there in 1963, for the remaining years at Hertford Secondary School I can’t remember I can remember further trips were made to the Sewage Works at Rye Meads in Hoddesdon; the Water Works which I believe was in Essendon and Tottenham Gas Works. These were all coach trips and we had to write essays on these individual trips. They were good days looking back now, and never forgotten.

Woodwork was at the Cowbridge School in Dimsdale Street, Hertford where we spent the whole morning. Alas that school closed many years ago but it is still standing empty today. I lived in the Hertsmill area of Hertford at the time.

This page was added on 09/02/2018.

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  • After leaving Morgans Walk Primary School in 1964 my first year of Secondary School was spent at Longmore. Our forms were named after the teacher’s initials and the year you were in. Thus, my form name was 1BJ after our teacher Brenda Jackson. She was young for a teacher and very attractive, an image not missed on us young lads!! Miss Jackson taught English, Miss Joly French and l think the Head Mistress, Mrs Wills, also taught occasionally if staff were short. Woodwork at Cowbridge next door to Pingy Cormacks Fish and Chips Shop. Pottery also there, but can not remember teacher’s name. Following years, at big School, Simon Balle. 2EW with Miss Watson, Geography Teacher, 3BG with Brian Gifford, History, 4 & 5GF with Gwyneth Felts, English and wife of Headmaster, Mr. Felts. Apart from first day at Primary, l loved all 3 schools, most of the teachers and all my classmates. Fellow pupils include, Nigel Skinner, Brian Hankin, Debra, Janet and Susan Marshall, Judy Goodrum, lrene Lochead, Maureen Stratton, Brian Ruskin, Beverly Cowling, Marilyn Johnson, Christine, Rowena and Patricia Neal, Helena Cox, David Jones, Stephanie Painter…… most in my year and a few below.

    By Brian (23/01/2024)
  • I too moved up to Secondary School in 1961, I did the first year at Longmores by the church as well , the Headmistress was Miss Wills and French teacher was Miss Jolly, think Mr Meade was the science teacher ??
    After the first year, I moved straight up to the main school and was in 2EW. Teachers I remember are French – Miss Ison, Maths – Len Green, MrRoe – Geography, Woodwork – Mr Burrows, Metalwork – the infamous “ minnie” Taylor, Art/Crafts – Miss Edwards & Mr Hunt, Biology – Mr Connell, Chemistry – Mr Weatherley , and last but not least Headmaster …….Mr Felts!!!!
    A few others I can remember but too many to list.
    I had a few good friends here, Peter Vogt, Dave Page, John Fishlock and Robin Smith. Had one or two crush’s one being Lesley Grant !!!
    I finally left in 1966 and moved up to Manchester to live with family and where I still am to this day

    By Barry Vaughan (25/02/2018)