Bow School recently held a heritage day at the school in recognition of the 100 years of its existence. It was a celebration of its past and of its future – this year it moves to a state-of-the-art new school building in Twelve Trees Crescent.
Up to two hundred past and present students turned to enjoy the day. You can see pics and quotes from the day in the school magazine.
OurBow and the Geezers were on hand to video some of the ex-students about their memories of the school, and over the next few weeks we will be posting these videos on the site.
We are starting with Alex Stratton who was at the school from 1946-1950 . After school Alex started work as an indentured apprentice, and after further study, finished his working life heading up a 14-strong team of work study officers in a London Borough.
Hi Judith, I must have just missed your husband. I started there in 1965, I was wondering why your husbands name wasn’t familiar. I remember at 11 years old crying on the first day because I heard it was a rough school and the first year students get their heads put down the toilet. My mum sent me wearing a school uniform which wasn’t compulsory. It wasn’t until Mr Pyle took over as head master that things changed. I can’t say I enjoyed my time there,I was a bit of a loner. Someone mentioned about any teacher that are still with us. It would be good to know there experience of the old day. There wasn’t any female teacher when I first went there but that changed when Miss Rudd and Miss Moran started. Sorry to hear about your husband. I’m 71 and wonder where the years have gone. It was interesting reading your post. Ex Bow Boy.
Hi everyone, I attended Bow school I think 1965 the same time a Steve Barnes, he’s the only name I remember. You didn’t have to wear a school uniform in those days but my mum insisted that I go in one. The head master was Mr Pile he hadn’t long been there. That’s when things changed. There weren’t any female teachers either. Mr Stickings was my form teacher. I remember Miss Rudd and Brenda Moran, Mr King was the history teacher. The following term it would be made compulsory for school uniforms. We used to call the science teacher Sammy the bug for some reason. I can’t say it was the best time of my life. The school was a bit rough. This was in a time when you could be assaulted by your teacher. I’m sure if there can be some sort of a reunion I would recognise the faces.
I was searching for a school for my boy and I see that the old Bow Boys has closed / moved.
I was there in 1986 before going to Raines (which has also now closed). I remember Mr Stickings giving me a whack on the head for no particular reason – just to let us know who was running the place I think! Chips at lunch time, “killer can” and running away from 2nd and 3rd years, fights in the classroom, my form teacher Miss H Tagg, and the stunning French teacher. A big character older lad was Gary Dodd. A pupil from nowadays wouldn’t last a day there would they? Haha. I am so glad to see here that some lads did well after going there because the odds were against it, let’s be honest. Music artists Wiley and maybe Dizzee Rascal went there I think.
Hi Wayne
I was Stephen Barnes (Barnesy), when I attended Bow Boys in autumn 1965. I was in ‘Bridge House’. I remember all those excellent. tolerate and professional teachers you name. But you forgot Mr. King, our History lead. I was Head Boy in my final year after being a ‘Prefect’ for several years. Like you my GSE’s were pitiful, however I have just retired from a 52 year career as an HSQE & Safety International Railway consultant, having spent the last 27 years travelling and living abroad and finally in Saudi Arabia on their new High Speed railway. All possible with the dedicated personnel at Bow Boys Paton Close. Perhaps we can remember each other? Others too maybe? Regards, Stephen Bradbury-Knight. 17 October 2024.
I just came across this tribute to Bow Boys school and its a pity I missed out on the Heritage day. I actually went to the school between 1966-1971, and that photograph of the old school, brings back lots of memories. The name of the headmaster at the time I recall was Mr Pyle, and I also remember Mr Stickens, Mr and Mrs Williams, Mr Young (PE) Mr Sissions ( a Chelsea fanatic) Mr Frosh ( Judo) and Ms Rudd – the name of the other teachers escapes me. A few school friends I can remember at the time were David Wiiliams, David Issac, David O’dell, Dereck Rae, Timothy Agustine, Lloyd Pettigrew, Terry Sullivan, Tommy Old, Memhet Izzit, Amet Waugh- there were more pupils I associated with, but my memory fades me. It was a interesting and pleasant time I had at Bow Boys even though I left with minimal CSE’s, nothing to do with the teaching I hasten to add, but it was due to sports being my main interest rather than academia. My lack of CSE’s found me moving from one menial job to another, so I went back to evening classes to study O level and A level subjects, then went onto North East London Polytechnic (NELP) cum East London University and ended up with a career in Law and became a solicitor – who would have ever thought it 🙂
Hello, anyone know of a Barry gray and David gray ? From 1971 to 1974.
Yes remember her well .