OSLER STREET SCHOOL

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Updated 26th October 2009

Do you have any memories or photographs of Osler Street School, then send them to

mac@oldladywood.co.uk

 

Back row - Gloria Warner, Jacqueline Moss, Christine Drew, Hazel Gill, Esther Tolley, Pat Townsend, Florence Glaze

3rd Row - Lesley Bradford, Dorothy Lilley, Carole Chamberlain, Janet Dickins, Shirley Oakley, Susan Jones, Betty Flannery,

Joyce Pemberton, Pauline Hall

2nd Row - Irene  Hall, Sheila Barnett,  Anne Whitehouse, June Girling, Jean Johnson, Valerie Ling, Jean Price, Susan Marshall

1st Row - Jennifer Jones, Vanessa Swift, Pat Winters, Jean Tummey, Pat Swinscoe, Valerie Greatrix, Janet Read, Janet Stirk,

June Attwood, Eileen Ansell

 

Teacher - Miss Charlton

Thanks to Christine Robertson, Tony Scott

 

1962 Cricket Team

 

Mr Upton  (Headmaster) and Mr Enstone (Science teacher)

 

 Standing -  ????,   ?????,   Roy Norris, John Blower,  ?????,  Peter Haynes, Alan Atkinson

 

Seated - Keith Norgrove, Dave Gordon, Raymond Read, John Haywood, John Evans,

Barrie Cowie, Michael Strawford

 

Thanks for Keith Norgrove for the names

 

Raymond Olds Leaving Certificate, 1945

Mr Marshall was the Head Teacher

 

Do you know any names or the year?

Do you know any names or the year?

 

Do you know any names or the year?

 

I was at Follett Osler up until 1969 and I know I have some photographs of stage productions.

 

I can remember nearly all  the teachers names.

Miss McLoughlin was Head Mistress

Miss ? Deputy Head

Miss Hill taught History

Miss Poole taught sewing & I think domestic science

Miss Davies Chemistry & Games

Mrs Rheinstein – Maths

Mr Hancock – Geography

Miss Erlich – English.

 

I will give you further details when I email again.

 

Kind regards

Carole

 

This photo was taken on a day out, can't remember where.

 

L - R Miss Poole or Miss Erlich?, Miss Hill, Hazel Gill, me, Esther Tolley

Front - Jean Price, Gloria Warner, Carole Chambers  

 

Happy days

 

Christine Robertson nee Drew

 

I came across the site of old Ladywood schools.

 

In the Osler Street school section there is a letter from Joe Brown, who lived at 4a Norwood Villas, Waterworks Road. Well I lived at 4 Norwood Villas and Joe’s younger brother Dennis was my best man, 51 years ago. The last I heard of Joe was he had emigrated to Australia with Joe’s elder brother Harold.

 

Joe was that little bit older than me, so his friends were not mine. Dennis was my friend. Every Sunday we would go swimming at Monument Road baths, but Dennis was a bit of a devil for getting up at 8.0am, so he used to tie a string to his toe, put the string through the window, we would come along and tug on the string to wake him up.

 

I think Joe may be wrong saying Mr Rigby was the Music Teacher. Mr Rigby was the metal work teacher and Mr Holt was the science and music teacher (I think).

 

I can remember during the war, the City of Birmingham Orchestra playing in the school hall. We used to play football along the roads to school Harold Road, Eldon Road, there were very few cars then. Occasionally Mr Davenport, walking on his way to school, would stop us but once out of sight out came the tennis ball and we would carry on playing.

 

One final memory on Norwood Villas, the lofts were interconnected and we would tell Betty, who lived at No 6, that the house was haunted. Dennis and I would go in the loft and we would make ghostly noises, whether she believed it or not, we had great fun doing it.

 

I would love Joe to get in touch with me

 

Bob Flood

 

This is a photograph of Class 2A, 1953, I think?

 

I will name as many as I can and perhaps someone else may know otherwise here goes (nk not known), cannot remember

 

Left to right  Mr. Rollinson, nk, J. Barnes, Hartland, R. Cross, Tibbet, J. Thomas, P. Clews,. my mate H. Holmes, nk, E. Harrington, head Mr. Phipps
 
nk, Brookes, A. Hill, B. Hartley, K. Adams, Scot, nk, Blunt, Cross, nk, Peter?, G. Mellor, nk, nk, nk, Carter, Hardy, nk, Crisp, nk, Fox?
 
West, nk, Ward, J. Pearsall, John Bell, R. Wilson, A. Hinton, Nelson.

 

If any one out there knows me and can correct this please do so.
 
Any emails, Mac will kindly forward on to me, cheers to all it was good fun as Jones once said “you will all one day wish you were back at school" - WELL, HAPPY DAYS, YES
 
Thank you, John Bell

 

The school photo is the Osler Street School Chess Team 1957/58.

 

 I cannot remember all of the names, but Frankie Meddings, Colin Lee, Barry Downs and possibly Ray Weldon are on the photo (and of course me). 

 

The form teacher who taught us chess was Mr Mitchell.  

 

We visited different schools in the area to play the game.  We all thoroughly enjoyed it. 

 

Dave Paddock

Osler Girls 1966

Back row from left Kathy Hunt, Valerie, my sister Ann Humphreys, Jean Harris, Silvarnie Francis, Ann Bridges, not known

Front row -  from left Veronica Clark, Susan Wills, Carol Cook, Maureen Lewis, Depo Kurr, Valerie, Susan Bevan, Susan Heart

 

Photograph courtesy of Stan Humphreys

Your website caught my attention and found it very interesting although not born in Ladywood I had several connections from around 1950. I was born in Edgbaston, my father was the verger of St James Church and caretaker of  St Luke’s School in Summer Road.

 

I went to Osler Street Junior School for the last term before going into the senior girls. At some point during these years the school was renamed The Follett Osler County Modern. I have a school day out photo taken at Hampton Court Palace date I would think around 1955.   I am on the right of the picture my face is on the left side of the notice board behind the girl with the double row of buttons on her coat.  I can only remember my friends name at the time Doris Glover.

I went to work at Ryland Garage about 1958 and was a bridesmaid to the other office member of staff Barbara when she married Peter Martin, a mechanic for Ryland Garage.   I noticed a Nick Cook sent you a story and said he worked at Ryland Garage. I don't remember anyone’s name I was there about 2 years. 

 

In 1960 I met a man called John Baume who was a proprietor at the newsagents shop just inside Monument Road at the Ivy Bush. I married him in 1962 and lived at the shop until his death in 1964 when I left the area and eventually moved away from Birmingham. 

 

Hope the school photo is of interest to your readers and someone recognises themselves

 

DOROtHIE KEMP
 

 

 

Pupils from Osler Street School, I think it is on a trip to Paris

If you know the names and year, please email me

 

My name is Arthur Lowe and Irene Lowe (with the bucket bag) is my sister.

  

I used to live in Ruston Street, Reservoir Road, Gilby Road, all Ladywood and now living Shipston on Stour, Warks.

 

 

 

************************************************************

 

The girls in the photo were from Osler Street School, they would have been there from 1949 to1954.

 

Looking at the photo and starting with the girl in the short coat on the left, her name is not known. The girl directly behind her is Pat Howard. Next one is Janet Walker. Then Irene Lowe holding the bucket bag. Sorry don't know the pilot. However the girl next to him with a scarf on is Maureen Richards.

The others are not known.

 

The destination is also not known, but it may have just been a trip to Elmdon the way they are dressed.

 

Thanks to Maureen Rudge for the information  

 

Trip to Weston Super Mare

 

Malcolm (Mac) Joseph - Derek Flynn - John Bartlam, Andrew Spencer?

 

Thanks to Roy Haycock for the missing name

 

 

A book called "Fair Stood the Wind for France" was presented for the second highest marks in the term and examinations, July 1963

 

Headteacher was Mr. Upton

Memories of Joe Brown

 

I went to Osler Street School in 1938   Left there to go to Burberry Street  down near Hockley Brook /Farm Street area,  and was living in Nursery Road .


I went to the Bell Heath camp and had a good time there, apart from the cross country runs.


While at Osler Street, I vividly recall a teacher named  Mr. Rigby, who took our music class, I think, and he played a violin at class and plucked on the strings  ..... he made us laugh a lot.

 

One of my fonder memories was going to the school playing grounds during school times on a double decker bus.   The playing fields were in Richmond Hill Road, Harborne.  I think they were also known as the Police Fields. There was a building there, which had something to do with the Police. They held a giant bonfire there on Guy Fawkes Night and dished out plenty of really good food.


Getting back to the bus trip, it loaded up in Clark Street and went down the hill to Icknield Port Road and turned right up to Monument Road and then left, up to the Ivy Bush on Hagley Road and across to Chad Road, then down past the White Swan and forked left up to the playing fields into Richmond Hill Road.


They were great days indeed.........


Another great memory was waiting till the girls came out into Clark Street once a week after cooking classes and we would walk home with them and sample some of the baking efforts as we went . . . I think when we realised that we had eaten all we were allowed, us boys would slope off to play Knock Down Cards  or a game of marbles and the girls would be forgotten about till next week.

 

The time I am talking about would have been 1938. I lived in Rann Street at that time. I later lived in Waterworks Road in Norwood Villas No 4a.

 

Daily Mail boots, dripping slices for playtime and metalwork classes, I recall well.

 

I then had to go to Burberry Street and start woodwork till we were evacuated on 1st September by train from Hockley Station.

 

My name is Gary Cox,

 

I have been looking through your website over the past few days. My father, Michael Cox, attended Osler Street Secondary Modern School, leaving in March 1950. I was interested to see that you have a picture of my father’s brother, Malcolm on the site.

 

I noticed that you had Scholars Leaving Certificates on the site, and I was wondering if you want to put my fathers certificate on.

 

He lived in Parker Street with Malcolm, his mother and father. His grandparents lived in Monument Road, along with his Great Grandparents.

 

Regards,

Gary

 

Memories of Dennis Wheatley

My name is Dennis Wheatley, I went to Osler street school, during the war years along with my brothers and sisters.

 

Apart from myself there was Margaret, Eileen, Gordon, and Keneth. The oldest teacher there was the metal work teacher Mr Rolands, he taught my father in 1908. The head teacher was Mr Vincent and the science and music teacher was a Mr Basil Holt.

 

There was also a Mr Davenport, but I think he was the head teacher of the junior school.

 

To my mind the standard of education was absolutely first class, and I consider myself very lucky to have been to that school. I am 74 this year so I don't suppose anyone remembers me, because I have never had any contact with anyone from my school days.

 

If anyone does remember me and wants to get in touch I would be delighted to here from them.

 

Memories of Melvyn Fellows

I attended Osler St School both Infants, juniors, and 1st Year Seniors between 1948 and 1955, before being relocated to Bartley Green, and do quite vividly remember some of the teachers.

Mrs Ray was, I believe one of the Infants Teachers, she was I seem to remember a nice Lady.

Among other teachers of the time were, Mr Phipps ( he was the Head ), Mr Sara ( PE ), and a Mr Enstone.

Teacher pupil relationship was nothing like it is now, these people were very strict, and punishment was dealt out on a daily basis.

As a young person you had a lot of respect for the teachers, and you dare not step out of line!

Both my brothers also attended the school previous to myself.

 

ps  A Great Web Site

 

Memories of Colin Mytton

The photo from Brian Crisp of the four teachers brought back many memories for me as I was taught by all of them at some stage or other.

 

In 1966 I was in the second year and 2A and 2B classrooms were at the 'annexe' which is the two small flat roofed buildings in St. Vincent Street opposite the shops.

 

I was in 2A, which was Mr Wilf Brenton's class. He was a Cornishman so had a strange accent to us and he always wore a three-piece check suite.

 

Next-door was Mr Parchment who took 2B but sometimes covered for Mr Brenton.

 

Next door to the block was the woodwork building, which was in the care of Mr Doble. He always wore corduroy trousers with braces and drove a Hillman Imp estate.

 

Finally, Mr Jones, who took us for art although he did have his own class, which was a first year class 1A I think. He walked with a limp, which was as a result of injuries from the war.

 

I left Osler in 1969 my last teacher, in 4A, being Mr Marsh who drove one of those lovely VW camper vans.

 

Thanks Mac for the platform to share our memories of quite a unique area.

 

Long live Ladywood

 

Colin Mytton, 103 Shakespeare Road, 1955 - 1968(with the bulldozers at the door!)

I attended Osler Street school with may happy memories and went on to be an Apprentice for Bellis & Morcom and ended up a Foreman in the 'Tubine Shop' where I was responsible for the assembly of Nordberg Crushers. I met my future wife  Yvonne at Bellis's and am, still married after 38 years.

 

I came across and old school photo of the winning Osler Street Cricket Team dating 1963 where we won the Birmingham Schools Cricket Intermediate Shield. I hope you find it interesting.

Finally, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to your site and say hello to anyone who remembers me!

 

Regards

 

Dave Wood

This photo says the camp site between Towyn and Barmouth

 

The camp site was Rhoniar, 2 miles from Aberdovey. 2 miles from Towyn on farmer Reeves land (He is still alive today)

 

From Malcolm Davis - student between 1950 - 1961

 

Certificate from Elsie Barnsley (nee Lediard)

Certificate from Ivan Barnsley, 1941

Certificate from Ivan Barnsley, Air Cadet

School Leaving Certificate for Patricia Read

School Leaving Certificate for Eric William Drew

 

Mac, this is the Egg and Spoon race in the school playground in 1953.

 

The one in front is Pat Corey, second is Dorothy Corey and third is Sandra Guppy, I do not know who the fourth one is, sorry.

 

Keith Norgrove

 

School Leaving Certificate for Dennis Aston

Swimming Proficiency Certificate for Dennis Aston

Osler Street School, 1950

Can you help with the names?

 

Hi Mac,

 

Great to see that old photo on the front of the website. I have emailed Dave Marsh. We have been in touch since about our second or third school reunion.

 

I am writing mainly to explain why we were on that "camp". It wasn't a school event. We were in the second year and one day Bill Brenton announced that our class (2A) had been chosen to go on this outward bound holiday for being of "exemplary behaviour". You can imagine how proud we all felt. The truth was, however, that we qualified simply as an inner city class. I don't know which body organised it, but it was obviously to get some kids out into the fresh air for a while. It was at Bell Heath (near Belbroughton) and when I last looked about 4 years ago, it was still there. We went in March 1960 and were there for three weeks. We had a great time. we had lessons of course but just imagine, we were out in the country!

 

We made spears, bows and arrows, rifles and all sorts. We had cross country races and did a census of cars outside the Manchester Inn! (Not one of the most exciting pastimes).  We lived in wooden lodges, slept in dormitories AND had showers.

 

I went the whole three weeks without a shower! This was because I had my right leg in plaster of paris from the ankle to the hip, due to a chipped tibia playing football. When everyone else had to walk anywhere, such as to church at Fairfield, I got a lift in the Heads car (Mr Knox I think). We had visits to all sorts of places, like Bromsgrove, Stourbridge etc. We visited a working scythe factory called Nashes, which was in Belbroughton, a lost industry. We had our first, and as I recall only, sex lesson! We found these frogs stuck together in a pond!

 

We then bombarded Mr Brenton to explain what was going on ha ha! Part way through the holiday, parents were allowed to visit. A bit difficult for some, as not many folk had cars, and it was not on a bus route. My Mom and Dad paid a friend of a friend to drive them there. One kid, Rodney Ashford (of Ashfords coal yard on Icknield Port road, whose family did have a car) had a food hamper brought him. That was the first experience for some of us to taste melon! As I recall it was a bit of a disappointment. A bit like cucumber we thought. The holiday was not without drama. Robert Morrish fell and broke his leg. We heard it snap!

 

Ugh!! He was shipped off to Bromsgrove cottage hospital. I don't think he returned.....to the camp I mean. He must have returned from the hospital as he has been to a couple of reunions!

 

No doubt other kids will have their memories, and maybe some might write in.

 

Keep up the good work, Mac.

Albert Moulsdale 

 

 

This photograph was taken about 1960 at Belbroughton Camp

 

Identification from left to right Raymond Morrell, Albert  ''Moses'' Moulsdale,

David ''Bruno'' Burness, Terry Whitehead, Rodney Ashford, Dave ''Frank'' Marsh, George ''Bigsey'' Biggs

 

We all attended Follett Osler between 1958- 1962 and five of the boys regularly attend the reunions.

Photograph courtesy of Dave Marsh

 

On the reunion photo taken in 1999  L to R Back Row - Albert Moulsdale, John England, Denis Fidler, Dave Marsh, Les Mytton, Dave Burness

 

 Front Row  John Griffiths, Terry Whitehead, George Biggs.

Photograph courtesy of Dave Marsh

Osler Infants School, 1930

Unknown date - can you identify this?

Osler Infants School, 1929

Trip to Weston Super Mare

Malcolm (Mac) Joseph - ????? - John Bartlam,

Andrew Spencer?

Osler Street Girls 1936

Osler Camp

The Camp somewhere between Towyn and Barmouth

Infant's School 1944

I found this old photo of two teachers from Follett Osler Girls School, the teacher on the left was Mrs Davies…the one on the right was Miss McKenzie.

 

I think the year was 1954, but I could be a year out either way. The trip was to a farm and the Clent Hills. It’s hard to believe these days but the trip came about after one of the teachers was amazed to learn that there were some girls who had never seen a cow.

 

It was put right and the full procedure of up-to-date mechanical milking was shown first hand at a wonderful dairy farm.

 

Regards

Pauline

 

Did you go on this trip, then why not email in and let us know

 

Osler Street school, we think it is between 1957 to 1960, on the back row second from left is my late husband Brian Webster

 

Sandra Webster

This is Class 1b, Mr Thomas was the teacher. I am 3rd on the left as you look at it, middle row, the lad to my left is David Scott. The year would be 1957; I can't recall any other names, as I was only in the class until the end of term exams. I came top and was put up to 1a, if any names spring to mind I will let you know, best wishes -

David Hollingsworth  

Osler Street Boys, 1962

Photograph courtesy of Robert Burke

Osler Street, 1953

Osler Street, 1953

Osler Street School, Class 2A

The names were all missing but thanks to John Homer we now have them

Mr. Sara, Brian Clark, David Saunders, Alan Taylor, J. Hawkes, john Homer, Robert Holmes, Norman Shaw, David Fry,

Mr. W. E. Phipps (Headmaster)

 

Ron Doody, Ray Jenkins, R. Fisher, David Freeman, George Norgrove, M. Eborne, I. Bradley, Alan Leether, A. Hill

 

James Clark, Anthony Fancoat, Frank Pumphrey, Cyril Chatfield, E. Varndall, John Holyman, Terry Webb,

Douglas Busk, A. Oliver, R. Foster, David Ealing

 

J. Powell, Colin Green, Anthony Bannister, D. Pointon, B Wrigley

Osler Street, 1930

Osler Street 1929

Osler Street Boy's, 1947

Photograph courtesy of Peter Kimber

Top row: Clive Humphries (4)

Second row

Ronnie Johnson (3); Malcolm Cox (6); ?????Sergent (7)

Third row: Peter Kimber (4) Leslie Green (7)

Fourth row: Roy Bolton (1); ???Mitchell (4); Mr. Niven (5); Michael Brain (7)

 

Osler Street Boy's, 1962

Osler Street Girl's, Class 2.1, 1959

Photograph courtesy of Pat Howkins

Osler Street Girls School, 1956

Osler Street Girls School, 1956

Pupils at Osler camp

The person to the left is John Grandy and the person standing to the furthest right is my late husband Brian Webster - Sandra Webster

 

Osler Street Cricket team 1958

My dad Kenneth Lawson is on the photograph!  He is in the front row second from the left.  He has also identified two other of his school friends on the photograph, Colin Dyson who is on the back row at the extreme right and James Espy who is situated second from right -

Sarah Lawson

Class of 1962

Osler Street 1949-1950

Osler Street School, 1959

Names so far if you know who the others are then e-mail Mac Joseph

Back row: Ken Sweetman, Stanley Greensall, Ray Carter

Front row: Dennis Mitchell, David Fidler

Photograph courtesy of Ted Rudge

League Champions, 1960-61

 

Back  row: Mr. Upton, headteacher, Sturgess, Jones, Atkinson, Haywood, Norridge, Poston, Norris, Giles, Mr. Brenton

Seated: Bevan, Gordon Strawford, Raymond Read, Wolsley, Cowie, Evans

 

 

Photo courtesy of Christopher Brayshaw

1944/45 last junior class with Mr. Davenport and Miss Watson

Some names of pupils from memory....Miss Watson, head teacher, Mr, Davenport, teacher

Boys - John Clark,Alfred, Rawlings, Fred Harding, Ken Strangward, Gordon Rowe, Gordon Cull, Ray Northwood, Ray Taylor,

Michael Mitchell, Michael Millward

Girls - Joyce Yeomans, Mavis Pountney, June Perks, June Boulton, Betty Wassell, Margaret Millward, Margaret Mitchell,

Margaret Wheeler, Brenda ?

 

Photograph kindly supplied by Val nee Powell

Osler Street Girls, 1959

Rita Maguire, Linda ??, Janet Meddings, Carol??, Christine Handley, Barbara Cowley, Barbara Bourne,; Janet Ireland, Rita ??

Gail Evans, Tina??, Jackie Hodgkiss, ??, Marjorie Weaver, Brenda Fowler, Jean Henderson, Pat Stanton

??, Janet Downes, Diane Crathorne, Valerie Watson, Judy Richards, Christine Bridgwater, Christine Gardner

Jean Hynett, Janet Tombs, Christine Kilby, Sylvia Boucher, Sandra Wilson, Sandra ??, Dotty Clarke, Janet Squires, Audrey Barlow

Osler Street, 1959-60

Mr. Padfield in the centre

Osler Street Football Team, 1959-60

Athletics Team, 1958

Enjoying the Osler Street camp at Towyn

1949

1956

Children at Osler Street in the 1920's

Osler Street Infants, Empire Day, 1929

 

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