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 David
I’ve just found this site whilst researching a book I’m writing for my lads.
I was Stephen Barnes when at Bow Boys from 1965 to 1970. Head boy the last year too. Mr Pyle was Head initially and then Mr Williams I believe. Having read most posts above you seem the only guy I may have attended with.
I was known as ‘Barnesy’ in those days, so I’ll sign off accordingly. Cheers
Barnesy
Yes I do Ian, she was my teacher… lovely lady
Hi All
I was here from 1980 to 85 best 5 years ever
Hi all past Bow boys , Sid Stavri here , I was there between 72 – 78 great memories of teachers and class mates . Stickings Head. , Young PE , Gibbs English . Hollingdon History , Marley Science, Hendricks Woodwork and TD
Ian,
We actually went to Old Palace Primary School together before going to Bow School
Actually, it would be really good to have a section on here for Old Palace School, which also had good teachers and pupils. Again, really good days. The 70’s and 80’s seem so long ago now.
Paul
Hi Ian,
Of course, I remember you. We spent many years as good friends, from when you were 11 until you moved away to stains(?) when you were about 18 I think. We spent years doing all sorts of things. I have a few pictures of us together along with Joe Cove and others. They were really good days. If I can send you a private message I will send you my email address. Hope all of your family are doing ok. Of course, I remember your dad, mum, sisters and Ben your baby brother. Would be good to catch up via email / WhatsApp or some other way. Must be 35+ years since I last spoke to you.
Cheers
Paul
Hello Ian,
It’s been many years since I have spoken to you! How are you?
I certainly remember Mrs lebethe.
From what I remember she was really nice, always helpful and friendly. She used to teach English and writing etc.
Cheers
Paul
Anyone remember Mrs lebethe..
Paul..don’t know if you remember me mate..used to call me e me dad was old bill
Did anyone know a lad who went to this school. His name was Romiul. He was tall 5.9-5.10” Bangladeshi. year attended would be late 80’s (1986-1990)
Hello Potsy. I was at Bow the same time as you. I remember a lot of the names. I was very sad to hear of the death of Mr Stickings.
I remember he took a science class and was very strict and punched the table and broke my pen. After the lesson he was very sorry and gave me his special pen.
I was in Lea House and remember Miss Rude and the Boxing teacher Mr Chapman.
About 15 years ago I returned to the school to help with mock interviews. I was very proud to have been to Bow. I remember James Purdy and Malcolm Gibbs. Ian Barral
Thanks for taking the time to write in Paul
Hello,
I went to Bow School between 1980 and 1985 and I have to say it was a brilliant time.
Mr Stickings was one of the best, along with Mr Williams, Mr Becker, Mr Marley, Mr Hendrix, Mr Lee (Art), Mrs Gowler, Mr Gibbs, Miss Ford, Miss H Brown (Music), Mr Vernon (French), Mr Fry, Mr Ray (Remember him by a diesel Ford Sierra), Mr Dave Horn, Mr Abrahams, Miss Hollington, Mr Vernon (Science), Mr Mark Dipple (Math/Computers), Mr Durrell and many others. Mr Young was also really decent. Can’t remember the Music teach Mr? and the Geography Teacher (He had a old orange Skoda). We Used to all sit round an old electric bar heater in Geography and he would tell us long stories)
Fantastic times. I had a lot of respect for the teachers, still got all my School reports from Bow School.
I loved doing ‘extended day’ (3:30 to 5:30), doing woodwork and Art (Mr Lee). in 1981, I made a clay house with Mr Lee, About 15″ high. I still have it now with the date painted in the front gateway. We used to make clay badges (with the pin clip on the back), one of mine was a miniature Twix Bar) Mr Lee painted it for me and I still have it now.
I think the teaches were excellent, some very strict, but that was a good thing I think at that time.
Mr Durrell (?) was a class teacher (Metalwork) very strict but he was top notch and so was Mr Hendrix and Mr Stickings.
I would love to look around the School building now. I used to always get caught going down the back staircase (Near the music Room) which was supposed to be used only by the teachers.
Good times, good memories and lots of fun.
My Mum actually went to bow School when she was little, she is now 90.
Sorry for the long post…
Paul Boorman
Just picking up on this thread and is it correct that Peter Stickings has died? If thats the case that is really sad. He was a hard teacher, but he cared about the boys and would quietly encourage boys from difficult back grounds (of whom there were loads). It was true he would ‘dead arm’ random boys. You couldn’t do that now as a teacher but then it was just accepted as part of growing up and it was also Stickings giving a little warning of what would come your way if you were really out of order. The fact that seriously tough lads respected him and would come in to see after they had left the school showed the impression he made. The boys I remember from my year; Keith James, Peter Steele, Tommy Fitzsimmons, Barry Pace, Ian Hodgson, Kerry Tydeman, Derek Waldron, Lee Arrowsmith (sure he turned up at the school gates once with a girl on each arm…probably girls from what was Bow Brook school), Ronald Strelitz, David Singh, Raymond Hyde…loads more. Teachers….Mr and Mrs Williams (Maths and RE and she was my Year 1 form teacher. Mr Durham (Science…volcanic temper), Miss Venn (art), Mr Headley (PE), Mr Young (PE-lovely bloke…I was pretty crap at sports but he never gave up on me), Mr Marley (Physics…he also taught some of us Bridge), Mr Gibbs (English), Mr Morgan (English), Mr Braidwood (maths- he was given a tough time by the lads), Mr Proust (French), Mr Butterworth (metalwork…he’d slipper boys who forgot their aprons twice)….good times….
Hi there
Big head Eddie
Not the school I remember
But I was there 1968-73 so 20 years before you
So I guess your about 46-47 now
I guess I’m from a different generation
But please don’t include Pete stickings in your rant
He was the best teacher I’ve ever had and helped me do A leave maths in one year
My best friends in class were David drew (white British) Danny brown ( Afro Caribbean) Richard cowie ( mixed race) turan armeed ( Asian)
And Grantham hall (white British)
Peter stickings treated us all the same
He was John Lennonesk
His wife was Indian
He adopted black and mixed race children
Maybe you never got to know the man as I did
We need more teachers like him and not
The politically correct snowflakes we have now
I will defend that man’s memory till the day I die
Good bless and RIP Pete stickings
88-93
Absolutely hated this school. Full of bigots and dysfunctional addicts. Thats just the teachers.
New Bangladeshi kids really took the brunt of it. From the AfroCaribs and the white kids.
They all knew each other from Roman Road and Tredegar.
The blacks were falling behind because the white sons of alchies and alcchie themselves were holding them back. The teachers treated the white boys nicer because the the fathers of these white boys had themselves attended and been taught by the same teachers.
I remember the ‘fight fight fight paki and white’ chants every break.
Stickings and son , tyrants, racists, predators of the worst kind.
Cape and Simmons, paedos (convicted}.
Hollington, Salam, Khan, Stevens , McCauley, Eastman. Thank you, you actually helped a lot of us. Wish there had been more the likes of you.
Escort, Dove, Sadler, Passmore, Giles, Bacon, Ray Shame upon them
Hi everyone
Keith Barclay hear
I was in park house we never seem to win anything 😳
But more to the point I met with Graham hatt last week the first time on 50 years we were both at bow 68-74 with Richard cowie , Danny brown,David drew , Peter kamin, Richard Fordham, Gary Baldwin , Robert Mahoney
And many more
We are trying to find as many of the old boys that went to bow 68-74 with the view of a reunion
With boys and teachers next year some time
So come everyone let’s see what we can do to make it work before we are to old 😆😆😆
Yes Vic I remember steve McCann and Colin Glen, and also we had houses, Park, Lea, Marsh and Bridge. Who can remember which house they were in?
Hi Pottsy, I remember all the names you mentioned as I was in the same class as the students . Great times , do you also remember Colin Glen , Steve McCann , Tony Marney the Cohen brothers . There was also a art teacher called John Bangs who we locked in a cupboard for a whole lesson . Happy times . Cheers
Hi pottsy and all
Sad to hear the passing of Pete stickings
I believe he was in he’s late 20’s early 30’s when I was there 68-74 so that would make him late 70’s early 80’s to young to die
I remember lots of the names you mentioned
So I guess we were there about the same time
So hears some more that you May remember
Richard cowie
Pete stickings would draw a target on he’s arse
Make him bend over draw a cross on a slipper
And run the length of the class room and we would all bet on how close to the bullseye he could get ??
Danny brown
Peter kamin
David adams
Graeme hat (know as Hattie ) very tall guy think he went on to be a cabbie
David drew
Richard Fordham
Eggeburt hart
I am sure there are more
Does anyone know if and how we can contact any of the old teachers
Would love to talk to miss Rudd
And miss Moran our music teacher
And any off the old boys that went there 68-74
Before it’s to late as I am 66 in December
So our old teachers are getting on a bit