Memories of Loxford County Secondary School, Ilford, Essex                   
In the early 1990's the school was demolished to make way for private housing.
This was captured on film by J. Barber, who lived at Dawlish Drive, Seven Kings, Ilford. He was able to get photos which are on the Friendsreunited site.                 View from Eton Road :-                           

Added by Martin Smith 

(courtesy of Friendsreunited)

I quote from his letter "unfortunately we only got 3 photos of the building actually coming down. We intended to take a series of photos at different stages of demolition, but one day the school was there and a week later it was gone completely. You would not believe such a large building could be knocked down so quickly." The School's gone now. There's a housing estate where Loxford and Woodlands school once stood, with the gym block now an Islamic community centre. This describes the end of a fine old school. Perhaps many old Loxfordonians will miss the buildings but we still have the memories.

                                             View from Staines Road :-

These two photos were taken by Victor Scott 

when he visited the school in 1980


 Alan Earwaker, Barry Hill, Neil Patten and Stewart Smith attended  Loxford County Secondary School, Eton Road, Ilford, Essex 1959 to 1964.

FORM

YEARS

FORM TEACHER

Form 1A

September 1959- July 1960

Mr. S. Hosking

Form 2A

September 1960- July 1961

Mr. K.J. Shave

Form 3A

September 1961- July 1962

Mr. J.S. White

Form 4W

September 1962- July 1963

Mr. J.S. White

5th form

September 1963- June 1964

Mr. Hutchins

Add your Loxford memories, classmate's names, (if you can remember), and photos. To add your name to this web page, please cut and paste the table below and e-mail in 'HTML' format to   earwaker(at)lineone(dot)net with anything else that you have

 YOUR FULL NAME

 

FORMS

YEARS

FORM TEACHERS

Form 1?

September 19   - July 19

Mr.

Form 2?

September 19   - July 19

Mr. 

Form 3?

September 19   - July 19

Mr. 

Form 4?

September 19   - July 19

Mr.

5th form

September 19   - June 19

Mr.

Do you remember these PUPILS in our year (September 1959 to June 1964):-.
Colin Anderson, Trevor Barnard, Andy Bird, Phil Chandler, Bob Clemence, John Dowers, Alan Earwaker, (?) Grint, Barry Hill, George Jones, Alan 'Rick' Lee, Geoff Martin, Brian McCarthy, Alan Norris, Ed Nunn, Claus Ohmke, Colin Overall, John Parrish, 'Knobby' Parsons, Neil Patten, Mick Perry, John Pitcher, (?)Pullen, Barry Richards, Colin 'Bill' Smart, Stewart Smith, Trevor Spurling, John Stanfield, Ian Stephenson, Eddie Steward, Rex Witham, Richard Wilson.
(Ken Piper, who unfortunately died in an accident while working in Australia).

I was told about the Friends Reunited site by a work colleague.  We were trying to trace a old colleague and by chance thought I would look up my old school, Loxford. I was completely amazed to find it was not only listed but to find entries from names I have been struggling to remember. I was utterly astonished to find my own name mentioned. On reading the comments by various individuals the memories came flooding back especially teachers names like Reggie Stubbs, Mr Hutchins, old Fish Plaice, Mr Foot and Jimmy Ruff. Was it him that used to use a plimsoll and delivered it by leaping in the air? (Yes it was - Alan) Although I lived in Essex all my life and as a field engineer spent a lot of time around Ilford and Barking, the last time I went past the old school it was still standing, so you can imagine how surprised I was to read it had been demolished. Same teachers as Alan with the exception of Form 4P, September 1962 - July 1963, form teacher Mr R.W Peters
I would dearly love to know what has happened to Brian McCarthy, I know his brother Keith who was a year younger and a close pal emigrated to Australia around ?1966? and we lost contact. I also seem to remember names like Barry Villars and John Knight who has a sister Linda, who went to Mount Girls school. Were they in our class or just the same years ? I remember John Stanfield and Phil Chandler. I seem to remember they Joined the Post Office engineers like me (BT nowadays) what ever happened to them, lost contact when as trainees we went to different areas. George Jones if I remember was a good violinist and wanted to make that a career. I have some photos which I will scan and send on as soon as I can I will also put my thinking cap on and add some more memories, Well all the best for the present - Rex Witham.

Can you remember anyone else?


Loxford 1963?  Added by Peter Whiffin (courtesy of Friendsreunited)

Front row, 1st from left Thomas. 3rd left, John Earwaker. 5th left, Luscombe, I think he went into the A stream in the following year.  6th left, Clive Allen, he went into the A stream the following year.
2nd row, 5th left, Teacher - Mr. Pickett. 6th left, Ray Whiffin. 7th left, Stephen Bird. 
3rd row, 2nd left, Brookes.  4th left, Richard Nelson. 5th left, Alan Sonisire. 6th left, Adrian Mc Keown, (Mac). 
4th row, 5th left, Stephen Bentley. 8th left, Richard Richardson. 9th left, John Baxter - added by Adrian Mckeown (Mac) and John Earwaker.

To see more class photos, click on the link below

http://www.earwaker.co.uk/LoxfordClasses.htm

Do you remember these Teachers:-  

R.E.-Alf Pace 1967, the discussions on religion. Also in 4S (Holmes's form) we had Rosenblatt and two other Jewish boys, they sat over on the right side of the room - Martin Smith.
Alf Pace and I never saw eye to eye. It was more like a case of "he who wins - scores a point". I know I held my own ground - Bill Vicker
He never used corporal punishment. He never needed to. Once he offered £5 to the first person who could find a mention of the 3 kings in the bible. There is no mention, but we read a lot of bible trying to win the £5 - Alan Payne
RE teacher who said he had "never ever caned a boy". Too right,  he always sent us to Hutchins to do his dirty work! - Paul Stygal.
'Holy Joe' Pace used to run the junior cricket team which I was a member of. On one occasion he took me on a Saturday to the War Museum, he must have seen the educational side of me - Barry Hill.
Remember Alf Pace RE Teacher? He used to take the 2nd year cricket team and would buy us an ice cream every time we won. We only lost one game in 1972. He retired to the Isle of Wight and helped organise the IOW Steam Railway taking school parties around the station. When I met him he remembered all the cricket team I played with. Great bloke! - Colin Edwards.

Picture of Alf Pace,  (courtesy of Friendsreunited)

 

Cricket team 1961. Donated by Paul Simpson.
Back row, left to right:- Bob Clemence, Barry Hill, Hill, Barry Shepherd, 
   Stewart Smith, David Edwards, Dave Cleary, Albert Richards, Eric Pace.
Front row:- A Gooch, Ron Ridgely, Ian Stephenson, Mick Seamans, Paul Simpson.

To see more team photos, click on the link below

http://www.earwaker.co.uk/LoxfordTeams.htm

Music - George Little I seem to recall that George Little the music teacher used to smoke about a trillion cigarettes a day and only had one lung. I remember when he used to get every boy up individually in class to sing the scales and if you cocked it up you got a burst of abuse or blackboard rubber. If you ducked the blackboard rubber or half managed the scales you were in the choir, volunteer or not. Choir practise - I was a staunch member of the school choir at treble, alto and eventually baritone.  George Little was the conductor, pianist, lyricist and chain smoker. I remember rehearsing Jericho in readiness for the school rendition at Ilford Town Hall. Baritones lead the intro. with the line "Joshua fit the battle" which was repeated about 6 or 7 times before extending to "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho". However the baritones used to adjust this line to "George has hit the bottle". We never, (well not to my remembrance), ever extended this to the live performance at Ilford Town Hall! - Barry Hill.
What about the school plays? What about them? As a pupil with a reasonable singing voice I was regularly involved in the annual production that Mr Little and Mr Liddiard were heavily involved in producing. They went on over 3 nights and as I remember the scenery was built by Mr Hutchins and painted by the art department - Eric Bamsey

Picture of Alan Earwaker(courtesy of Friendsreunited)

Added by Michael Bick
Michael Bick is on the extreme right. Alan Earwaker is on the extreme left. Bob Guy is the tall one, 2nd left. I used to love the School plays.

To see more photos of plays, click on the link below

http://www.earwaker.co.uk/LoxfordPlays.htm


George Little, I remember him throwing weighty music books at you if you were not paying attention! Great shot with the chalk if you weren't paying attention. Used to pull the most extraordinary faces while hammering out a piece on the piano - James Bush.

George Little on the left. Hutchins 2nd from the right

History - George Little, the music and History teacher - and his amazing accuracy in throwing the blackboard rubber! - Paul Stygal.


Woodwork/Technical Drawing - Mr. Hutchins was a very strong character with pock holes in his face. Remember the woodwork shop, they did not take too kindly to sawing a bit off a bench! Not too hot on finding rivets round the playground either.  Once saw him give the cane to 2 boys for having a slightly blue magazine under the desk, now in the 21st century he would have got 3 years for assault and the boys would get compensation - John Pridham.
Deputy Head Master in 1966, Technical Drawing and woodwork teacher also in charge of the School Prefects, of which I was one and later Head Prefect. Mr Hutchins was part of the School, he joined the school in the 1930's and taught my father who attended Loxford between 1935-8 and lived in Staines Road opposite the gates. He allowed me the keys to the woodwork shop to work on a project. Although he was hard on boys he was a good master. When he caned a boy it was an art, the boy with hand out stretched and Mr Hutchins adjusting the height with the cane, before moving back. Then he jumped forward and whacked the cane down hard. I still have two pieces of woodwork I made, a table and writing box. - Martin Smith.
I got 4 of the best from Mr. Hutchins. One on each hand and 2 on the posteria and he put his back into it. Old Hutchins became a Head master at Fairlop High. I met him there and he ejected me from their Friday night school disco. I would love to talk to him again. To you Hutchins and to you Foot: saluta - added by Adrian McKeown.
English - Jimmy Ruff  

What about Ruff who used to write holding a biro in clenched fist between his first and second fingers. Jimmy Ruff was probably the coolest teacher there. David Earwaker and I would occasionally see him at the Paper Makers Arms in the days we went there to play darts. He had a good attitude and knew how to communicate with his pupils. - John Jones.
Used to have a slipper in the bottom drawer of his desk which somebody purloined, (not guilty!) Had a cane called Archibald - thin bamboo and shaped like a walking stick. What about the chess tournaments which Jimmy Ruff and Ernie Peckett used to run each year. Do you remember Ruff was a miss spent cricketer - Barry Hill.
First day at Loxford. First form teacher. The immortal words he uttered "Good morning, my name is Ruff. Ruff by name & Ruff by nature". I do remember the first manned space flight when he brought in the "wireless" & during his English lesson we listened to Alan Sheppard's sub orbital 20min flight! Happy days - John Pitcher.
I remember he used to make fun of the pupils by putting make-up on them. Also he borrowed my New Musical Express to read. There was one boy who was regularly called to the front and made-up, unfortunately he died in a fire in Manor Park and the whole year attended the church on the corner of Britannia Road. It may not of happened if the teachers had not held a staff meeting and sent us home early. - Martin Smith


English - Mr. Liddiard
was in charge of the Library. He also ran the debating society. Never made prefect, managed librarian though. Only way to get ones hands on the books - Barry Hill.
Did you know that during the war (1939-45) Mr Liddiard was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy in charge of a motor Torpedo boat!!! I found this out when I (amongst others) was learning Morse code in one of Mr White's evening classes. Liddiard came in (on hearing our pathetic efforts) and showed us how to do it. Before then I saw Liddiard as a Thespian on a stage spouting Shakespeare not sitting behind a machine gun killing the enemy! - Robin Wery.
English Literature teacher, he taught in the library. The two things I can always remember about him; he wore a bow-tie and a waist coat, but what struck me more was he was out of place in the school - Martin Smith

P.E. - Mr. Roberts  a Welshman. I remember the Welsh wizard of the gym who took P.T. and he had a size 15 plimsoles. It was a big  slipper and when he whacked you it really hurt. I am sure he came to England, just to beat Englishmen's sons. I enjoyed his P.E. classes. Nothing like a good game of Pirates to get you going - Adrian Mc Keown. I dreaded PE in the freezing winter over the park - John Willis. What about the cross country runs over at Epping. The mad dash to the muddy, wet, slippery first stile and then the 4 or 5 miles to the finish. We used to get those manky lunch boxes for the trip on the coach. What about the swimming galas, what was the name of the boy that used to win all the races, brilliant swimmer used to win by miles. Reckon he had a prop up his ???? - Barry Hill. The School had a large gym with wooden wall bars which we had to climb, also ropes to climb-up and changing rooms. This was on the Oxford Road side.


Art - Mr. Dean What was the name of the art teacher? Tried to turn me into a budding artist with a cavalier painting, needless to say it didn't work - Barry Hill.
There was also an art teacher who had a beard, but his name escapes me for now. I believe he was named Mr. Dean - John Jones.
Art teacher with a beard, I can remember him especially when I recall pottery lessons. Yes I still have a piece of pottery I made. David Goodman provided the name to the beard - Martin Smith.

I was there from 1955-60. I was in the 'A' set and stayed on for 5th year. Some other names that were there then in my class:  Michael Jarvis, Keith Gardner, Dennis Masters, Keith Jarman, Keith Allen, Paul Harden (I'm struggling now).  Just looking at other messages  and Pete Harris ring a bell. Wonder if he remembers any of the names I have said.  For the life of me I cannot remember who my form masters were for any year except that Hutchins was form master for my 5th Year. If I think of anything else I will get in touch, but please keep the info coming. You are doing a great job in co-coordinating this - Bill Vicker.
I was at Loxford 1955-60 the same as Bill Vicker, who I remember. I have a school photo of form 5P taken March 1960. The form master being Mr Pickett hence the "P" In the photo are; E.Sayer, Terry Rackshaw, Tony Wyatt, Freddie Stening, Eric Barlow, Ray Frost, Dennis Masters, Jeoff Jeapes, Charlie Webb, Dave Jarman, Brian Byford, M.Cornwell, Peter Snelling, D.Baker, G.Clark and Keith Lloyd. I also have a photo taken by the Ilford Recorder of one of the trips abroad with the party, coach and masters George Little, Hutchins. Once I have found out how I will try to e-mail to you. I remember the areas out of bounds like the "wildo" the waste land between Loxford Lane and Barking Park and also the Mount School for girls !! The "tuck shop" in Staines Road by the entrance to Loxford Park also comes to mind together with our sports days in the park and at Crickelfields sports ground. I also concur with the tempers of both Hutchings during Tech Drawing if you got it wrong and George Little if you got a note wrong on your recorder Thanks for the memories and will dig out my old reports to fill in the form masters gaps - Keith Harrison


There are several names that I know from my leaving year (1959). I am looking for some photo's that I have from, I think, the 1957 or 58 school trip to Holland. I think that there are several group pictures with Messrs Lower, Hutchings and Peckett in them and also George the coach driver. When I find them I will e-mail them to you with as much detail as I can remember - David James.

I think that by now all the teachers we knew are dead - Alan Earwaker.

My name is Alfred Charles Syrett and I'm now 79 years of age.  I joined Loxford School in 1934. I was rather tubby and tall for my age and wondering what my new school would be like. It was excellent and provided me with many good friends and happy days. During my stay I saw the building of the Carpentry and Metalwork Workshops. The time spent in the Carpentry Shop has provided me with the basic grounding for both hobby and home skills which has served me well throughout my life - and continues to do so! My carpentry teacher, Mr. Hutchins - yes, the same Mr. Hutchins mentioned by other members. At that time he had no pock-marked face, quite clear in fact. As he was a Major in the army during the war and was wounded by shrapnel, this was the probable cause of the pock-marks.  He was a great teacher and a good friend to all the lads. Many of the teachers of my time served in the forces during the war with quite a number of them obtaining commissions. I am not aware of any of them failing to return. Many old scholars also joined the forces. I joined the army and served for four years till wounded during the Normandy invasion. I spent a year convalescing in hospitals in Wales before being discharged. The gymnasium was finished during my final year and therefore not used until the following school year.   I'm sure all you young sprogs would have treated it with the proper respect? The masters I remember were Mr. Fleet - our class teacher/Geography; Mr. Mervyn Jones - Phys. Ed. - who had various sizes of cut-down cricket bats to fit various sized bottoms - ouch! - Welsh rugby cap; Mr. Caplin - Music; Mr. Potter - Science who became ?County Director of Education; Mr. Lance - ?;  Mr. Barnes - History/Maths; Mr. Bowen - nasty man/English;  Mr. Hall - Crafts;  Mr. Finch - Art/History;  Mr. Marsh - Maths/Tech. Drawing. Our Head Master was Mr. Norman who I'm sure was born a Head Master. I could never imagine him doing otherwise. Yes, there was an air-raid shelter in the school and another in Loxford Park. I lived in Sandyhill Road and was a member of 6th West Essex Boy's Brigade at St. Luke's Church in Uphall Road. I emigrated to Australia in 1957 and have lived in Tasmania for 43 years. Retired and living in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Have 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Still love my woodwork as a hobby and have never really grown up - possibly the Loxford in me. Used to attend Loxford Central School, Ilford, Essex, England. Names of classmates I remember and would love to hear from/of are Dennis Whiffin, Bill Hume, Eddie Chapman, Stan Bailey, Tucker Daly, Bryn Armstrong, Claude Smith, Phillip Smith, ? Povis, Peter Carson, Frank Akers, Derek Collins. Any of these names ring bells with anyone? If any members have fathers or grandfathers I may have known, I would love to hear from them. AD ASTRA - Alf Syrett.


Mr. E.R.Lower was the head. If I remember rightly Mr Lower's first name was Ernst. Does anyone remember his School Secretary, I believe her name was Miss Griffiths, a lady then in advancing years - Eric Bamsey. I remember him well as he caned me on numerous occasions. I remember that if you were sent to Lower, you would be alright. "Thank god for that", one would utter, as one went to Mr Lower's door. When he caned you he only tapped you. It was different when a master told you to go get the 'cane and book.' I wonder what happened to that book. I would dearly love to see it? I remember his secretary that sat in the outer office and I remember the inner office. He wasn't so bad was old Mr. Lower. I met him in 1985 and he was alive and well in the better part of Dagenham - Adrian Mc Keown.
Reggie Stubbs was deputy head when we were there. Who remembers this wonderful storyteller (supposed to be a maths teacher.) We learned more about the war than anything else. As for 'Stubbsie' all I remember about him was his egg shaped head - Robin Wery. Remember the stories about his brother. He must of had about 15 in all. The Army, Navy, Air
force & goodness knows where else. What about the Maths books? - Biggs & Vidal  - John Pitcher. I particularly remember Stubbs and visualise him looking something like that bald headed sales assistant in the t.v. programme "Are you Being Served". He spoke with a whistle! His classroom had a ceiling that was covered in ink blots - remember? What about the time that some of the kids took Stubbos bike to bits. Do you remember his telegram message story about the wife who purchases a mink coat? Goes something like this:- Wife is in Paris and sees mink coat but quite pricey. Sends telegram to husband asking if she can buy it. Husband sends telegram back saying "no price too high" and not "No! Price too high." Do you remember, he must have told us about 10 to 15 times in 3 years! - Barry Hill.
Science - John White. I remember well Mr. White nearly blowing himself up using phosphorous - trying to make special effects for the school play one year.  I was working on parts for the school play for him at the back of the school lab, when it happened. I remember rushing to get other members of staff from other rooms to help. The lab being filled with smoke and poor Mr. White being rushed to hospital . But he was OK, just slightly singed - Robin Wery.
A very remarkable man who fed my interest in Science. He, together with a younger colleague Mr Nurith, spent much of their own time helping me to study for GCE Chemistry which was not offered at the school. His lessons were a joy. Much of my success in life was because of the start he provided. - Tom Short. He also taught some of us how to strip down an old Austin A30, rebuild it and then taught us to drive around the playground - until someone drove the car into the cycle sheds. We were banned from driving after that.
He showed us how to strip down an old Ford Anglia and rebuild it
1955 - 60. When finished it didn't have a body shell at all, the accelerator was a piece of string that you pushed with your foot to make it go and the fuel tank was an old tin can on the end of a pipe which we filled half way to stop spillage and would give us 2 laps round the playground. Sounds a really safe vehicle eh. Oh! the drivers seat was a piece of wood -no back. The engine was covered with 9" of shoe rack grille. He was driving a Vauxhall in those days and tried to show us how to drive on ice one year and nearly demolished the railings. He didn't try again. He was a laugh and was liked by us - Bill Vicker.
Science - Mr Nurith ran about in a bubble car.
Instructed Dave Smith, Mike Copsey and I all about the melting point of steel while watching Moultons/Harrison Gibson's burn in 195? - John Willis. 
Science - Mr. Foot We had a nickname 'F-f-foot' - Martin Smith.

Metalwork - Mr. Pickett was a sadistic burly guy. I remember him using a 6 foot metal ruler on the rear end of one class mate who promptly fainted afterwards. Imagine that happening in this day and age - John Jones.


Music - Ken Shave used to bash on the piano in assembly if fatty Little wasn't there.

P.E. - Mr Jacobs Anyone remember this Welshman . He had a black belt in Judo, you didn't mess with him! - John Wren.


P.E - Mr. Evans Remember when he was P E teacher, he was strapped to the wall bars of the gym? - Stephen Elford.
Geography - Ernie Peckett was called smelly Peckett because he was always smoking, had yellow lips from nicotine, and his breath smelt. We used to sing the hymn "Breath on me breath of {death}". Grey hair always sticking up.

French - Ernie Peckett, the hours spent trying to learn the 36 verbs in French, Je vu etc., which I never mastered, but I can speak reasonable German to get by (my wife is half German!). I heard that he died sometime ago. - Martin Smith.
1968, Form / French teacher anybody remember him giving me the cane for thumping Geoff(?) Lane in class. Going to get the cane and book was a bit of an experience. Mr Lower asked "why do you want this?" - Stephen Matthews.


Geography - Mr Norman ran the school weather bureau. Got me up on the Gym roof which was out of bounds - John Willis.
History - Mr Barker was a small 'weasely' man who always had heavily Brillcreamed hair (in the style of Hitler) and was a great one for using the cane. I was in 1B when he was the form master. He used to teach History and he had a very impish sense of humour. I can still hear his "come hear boy!" His classroom was George Little's music room - David Lee.
History - Mr. Horn for 4L, circa 1965. God bless him, he tried and he never stood a chance. That's what I call a hero, but he loved history and I have learnt to see his point of view. My fondest memory of Mr Horn was in the summer. He would open the windows, which was a bad mistake with 4L. Every time he turned to the blackboard, someone would slide out the window. The idea was that you went round and then came in the classroom door. Mr Horn would look at you as you walked in and ask you where you had been? One would reply that one had been to the toilet and that old Horn had given permission. He got very confused for a while. He must have realised in the end because we had 3 outside the classroom door, forming a line, and all tittering, waiting to go in team handed, when Hutchins bush wacked us. I got 4 of the best. One on each hand and 2 on the posteria and he put his back into it. Old Hutchins became a Head master at Fairlop High. I met him there and he ejected me from their Friday night school disco. I would love to talk to him again. To you Hutchins and to you Foot: saluta - added by Adrian McKeown.
S. Hosking Do you remember him? Anybody know what he taught?
I notice your old form teacher was 'Flogger' Hosking . All I can remember about him was how easy it was to wind him up. We tried to get as many lads as possible to stand outside the classroom door. I don't know what the record was but I think there was a danger of more than 50% of the class being outside! Anyway, it was nice to receive your 'E' mail & it certainly brought back many memories. -  Clive Burton

I'm an "old boy" of Loxford School when it was still at Eton Road. I was there from 1945 until late 1948 and my reason for contacting was the mention of old masters some of whom were quite familiar in my days. Mr Lower was the Headmaster even then, Mr Stubbs was my form master in the last two years of my time there, other name such as Mr Liddiard, Mr Hutchins (Metalwork), Mr Crowe was the Art Master, Mr Norman was responsible for teaching us Geography, maybe my reason for going into the Royal Navy for a number of years, not every thing he told us was true. Thank you for compiling the old staff list it has revived so many old memories, some of them are of course after my time. Once again many thanks - Alec Lovett


I was at Loxford, I think, if I remember rightly '47, '48 and '49.  We formed a class called 4S.  Our group left at the end of the summer term in 1949.  Our form teacher was Mr. J Stone (AKA 'Jim').  I don't know whether this 'S' group continued after our time there. Of course all this was a very long time ago,
(50+ years), but I remember that Jim Stone was an excellent teacher with a remarkable capacity for tolerance. The class members were Mike Wilson (I believe he died, reported missing in his RAF aircraft - he was a glider pilot whilst still at school), Bentley, Bemment, Bass, Pat Day, Felstead, Hoole, Norman, Page, Rush, Roche, Peebles, Smaggesgale, Rodney Stock (Hong Kong Police), Young, John Peploe, Gallagher, McCabe, Allan, John Sell, (I'm not sure but I heard he died in a road accident), Hicks and Potter.   There were others but I can't remember them all. I sometimes wonder what happened to all these old classmates - Mike Le Maistre.
School Memories
You can see a sketch of Loxford School MAP (circa 1987)  
(you will probably need to type this address into your browser if you have problems with th
e picture below:-
http://www.earwaker.co.uk/Loxfordmap.jpg).  

This shows the school as it was in 1987 when it was Loxford Comprehensive, Lower School. The first floor layout was much the same as it was  in 1950 to 1970, (most of it has been replaced by residential homes, apart from the gym area). The main assembly hall area where we had assembly every day as I remember and lunch at lunchtime. The hall contains a stage upon which many of our plays took place. To the left of the stage were cloakrooms. House shields to the right of the stage. To the right of the stage was the music room. Little would pull the piano too and fro for assemblies and music lessons.  Entrance to the back of the stage through the music room. Next to that was the R.E. room where Alf Pace would have his lessons. Next to that two general purpose classrooms. Then the drawing office which was Hutchin's domain. Next to that was the Kitchen. Upstairs there was a maze of rooms. As you went up the stairs on the left hand side there was the staff room on a mezzanine floor above the cloakrooms on the left hand side of the main courtyard. You went up a circular stair, almost scary, and the staff room ran along the back. They sat there and smoked and drank tea. First room was a small multi purpose room. Next was Stubbsie's office. There was a large Biology laboratory where Mr. Nurith had his Science lessons. Round the corner was the Physics laboratory which was also John White's form room. Prep. rooms and dark room between the Biology and Physics labs. Opposite the Physics lab. was a multipurpose room. The library occupied most of the upstairs with a library classroom between the Physics lab. and Maths room. In the corner was Stubbsie's Maths room, then Ernie Peckett's Geography room and then Jimmy Ruff's English room. Coming round the corner was a multipurpose room mainly used for evening classes. Coming down the stairs on the other side of the building to where we started was E.R.Lower's Headmaster's office, also on the mezzanine floor.
Having examined your map I originally believed that my memory was going, but I can only assume that changes happened after I left in 1960. The staff room,  (next to the stage in 1987), was in my time Mr Little's music room. When I originally joined Loxford (in 1955) the room to the right of the stage were  cloakrooms.  Also the upstairs was much different in that there was a large hall, (of a similar size to the ground floor), instead of what was there during the last days, (1990). Two classrooms were converted into what became the science lab (Mr White's domain), a new classroom was put at one end of the upper hall, (this became Mr Peckett's room), and  two dividing walls were added to form the library. Also in the map you show premises on the far side of the metal/woodwork buildings. In my time there was a caretaker's house next to them, and a dividing wall on the other-side. These premises, (as described in the previous sentence), were part of Woodland's primary school, (which I attended from 1948 to 1953), so I have distant memories of that school also - Robin Wery.
I remember the general layout of the main building, but the 1st floor library was built during my time there. Then, as I seem to remember, the building at the end of the gym was, downstairs the science lab and the art studio was above it. I seem to re-call that there was a basement under the science block where they showed films as and when. The woodwork and metalwork rooms were in the single storey building at the other end of the playground. No biology in those days. Played many games of snooker on the stage. I was there from 1955-60. Never heard of Nurith, Stubbs and Ruff (Liddiard took English then)- Bill Vicker.
Across the yard was the gym area where we were forced to perform stunts and do regular exercise. Here we would be taught by the likes of Mr. Roberts. Do you remember the continuous wooden bench seating and metal frame and grille arrangement with built in hooks, could sit both sides of it. The showers used to be communal behind that tiled wall with one mixer block for the whole lot. Seeing as there used to be about 40 in each class reckon there was two sittings for the showers. Paid to run well on the cross country running, got there early for the hot water. Remember the cross country used to take you round the back of the park through that country lane, Loxford Lane, (dump for all the local rubbish) and in the back gate of Loxford park. Seem to recall we used to climb those big trees in the back lane next to the park. Why do I remember somebody falling off the tree and impaling them selves on the park railing spikes? - bit morbid.  The gym contained access to the only changing rooms that contained showers on site. On the left of the gym were the outside toilets, boys only then. On the far side of the gym there was the clay making classes and upstairs there were Art classes.  They also had  Woodwork and Metalwork classes in large classrooms built in the playgrounds, these were led by teachers such as Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Pickett, etc. Another set of outside toilets at this end of the school. There were a set of bike sheds in them days. In the playground all the students mixed together during playtime, this is where much excitement took place, games, fights, chases etc.
Do you remember the school wall opposite the bicycle sheds that used to be used for a tennis ball game, what was the name of the game? Used to throw it against the wall above a line and on the rebound you could catch it without bounce or maximum of one bounce. Three lives and you're out. If you got the angle right you could clear the bike shed, put somebody on the roof of the toilet block or send somebody down to the gym. Talking about games, what about Bulldog, across the playground, conkers in the winter. Must have been mad playing bulldog, it was like being attacked by a herd of whirling dervishes. Talking about games, what about Jacks and marbles. I used to have this whacking great ball bearing that I used to play marbles with. Used to crush the oppositions glass marbles. Do you remember in the summer when it got really hot the tar roads used to bubble and you could peel the tar off and roll it into balls. Used to stick to the soles of your shoes as well - Barry Hill. One school playground activity was "high jimmy knacker", banned because I split my head open after hitting the wall head first, (my claim to fame) - Tom Wilson.
Near the school was Loxford Park, here we would extend some of our PE lessons as well as our school fights.  One can't forget the tuck shop 1 penny a cigarette, used to sell the Domino cigarettes, 4 in a pack. You're never alone with a Strand, oh boy how corny! Up the Roding! What were the other Houses - Abbey, Manor and Forest. Wonder how many first years caps got thrown on the roof of the outdoor toilet block, tee hee! You sat in there at your peril. There was about 2 doors and 10 sit downs. Wind used to blow through there like a gale - Barry Hill.

You may remember my dad who was park keeper in Loxford Park. He had a hump on his back from an illness, but kids being kids, took the mickey and called him 'humpy' - Bernie Marsden.

Annual School sports days in the summer at Cricklefield Sports Ground and the annual School Swimming Gala. Annual Teacher v Pupil cricket match. The School Houses - Abbey, Forest, Manor and Roding, there was competition for house points. Remember the School plays and Christmas plays and musicals (George Little at his best pounding the piano). The school had prefects, who where under the control of the head prefect, he was answerable to the Deputy Head. The Library was above the school hall and was well stocked with books. It was used by the school debating society and chess club. There were cycle sheds which were well used.

Check out these web sites:-

FriendsReunited

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/

Loxford High

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/loxford/

Alumni

http://www.alumni.net/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Ilford/Loxford_High

OldSchoolmates http://www.oldschoolmates.co.uk/

(Thanks to Eric Bamsey, Clive Burton, James Bush, John Dowers, John Earwaker, Colin Edwards, Stephen Elford, David Goodman, Timothy Farrow, Barry Hill, David James, John Jones, Alan Kooyman, David Lee, Mike LeMaistre, Alec Lovett, Bernie Marsden, Stephen Matthews, Adrian McKeown, John Oldfield, Alan Payne, John Pitcher, John Pridham, Victor Scott, Tom Short, Martin Smith, Stewart Smith, David Stafford, Paul Stygal, Alf Syrett, Bill Vicker, Robin Wery, Peter Whiffin, John Willis, Tom Wilson, Rex Witham and John Wren for their contributions.)


Please get in touch if you can add anything to these memories, mail to:-

earwaker(at)lineone(dot)net

Alan Earwaker