i left in 1976, iam wondering if i know you.

Hi I left in 1976 too I was in the same form as Dale Burrell, Anne Ladson, Monica Wilson, Genia Allen, Steve Ford, Wayne Roddis, Janet Green, Anne Launt. Cant remember any more at mo They were the best years of our luives and we hated them I saw Betty Codona the other week and she still remembered me god what a shock shes got a memory like an elephant only jokingBye the way my name is Glenda if you remember us get in touch. See ya soon.x

I was at Firth Park Grammar from 1966 to 1972. The teacher 'Pod' Harrison was there then as was the history teacher 'Spike' and geography teacher Mr Copley (very young and quiet then..) The other history teacher 'Adolf' Smith was there too and 'Duke' the Deputy Head also Roger Blades the sports master. The Head Master was Mr Wilson who still caned pupils (bring it back for Gods sake..) I remember the spiral main staircase being spooky when it was quiet and also the spooky top floor classrooms. A lot of echoes up there when no one was supposed to be about..

I also remember Jack's Ice Cream van at lunchtimes parked outside the back gates and his outrageously large cones covered in melted chocolate! There was 'Sam' Jones the French Teacher and Mr Brunt too. Also the English Teacher 'Sam' or 'Silas' Cook. Mr Parry the music teacher and Mr Bee the art master. I wasn't sorry to leave to be honest, I couldn't hack it really :-)

Boys in my class/year: John Oldfield, Steve Poulton, Andy Caban, Eric Burley, Andrew Gilling, Michael Gill, Michael Beecroft, Gary Wainwright, Kevin Steads, Mark Leeming, loads more faces I recall but alas not names. Lost touch with all of them!!

I was there from about 1970 to about 1976. I remember 'Pod' Harrison particularly well. He was pleasant enough most of the time, but nasty enough when riled. I thought most of the teachers were spectacularly ghastly. When I joined the school it was changing over from a Grammar school and becoming Comprehensive, so Firth Park was getting girls for the first time and pupils who were, let us say, not quite as sparkling as the teachers were used to dealing with.

Much of the time my classes were divided between Firth Park Brushes and Hatfield House Senior school, and so my recollections of who was where might have become dimmed with age. However, I remember Mr Renshaw, the physics teacher. In school assembly he used to sing the descant parts of the hymns. When I first heard him do this I thought he was having a stroke.

Chemistry, if I remember rightly, was a guy called Mr Upton, and then someone called Mr Prince joined the staff later. I remember the brilliant stinks from the labs. Both seemed pretty good teachers. I got my Chemistry O'level so neither of them was particularly useless.

Art was Mr Bee. And Mr Tingle. (I think that's right.) Oh, and Mr Shreeve. Again, I might be confusing some of these with teachers at Hatfield House Lane Senior.

But for certain there were a couple of unpleasant teachers, name of Alan 'Adolf' Smith (history) and a Mr Bonnet. They were always on the prowl in the corridors looking for pupils to punish.

I best not say anymore of what I thought of these two.

More later.

I was there from about 1970 to about 1976. I remember 'Pod' Harrison particularly well. He was pleasant enough most of the time, but nasty enough when riled. I thought most of the teachers were spectacularly ghastly. When I joined the school it was changing over from a Grammar school and becoming Comprehensive, so Firth Park was getting girls for the first time and pupils who were, let us say, not quite as sparkling as the teachers were used to dealing with.

Much of the time my classes were divided between Firth Park Brushes and Hatfield House Senior school, and so my recollections of who was where might have become dimmed with age. However, I remember Mr Renshaw, the physics teacher. In school assembly he used to sing the descant parts of the hymns. When I first heard him do this I thought he was having a stroke.

Chemistry, if I remember rightly, was a guy called Mr Upton, and then someone called Mr Prince joined the staff later. I remember the brilliant stinks from the labs. Both seemed pretty good teachers. I got my Chemistry O'level so neither of them was particularly useless.

Art was Mr Bee. And Mr Tingle. (I think that's right.) Oh, and Mr Shreeve. Again, I might be confusing some of these with teachers at Hatfield House Lane Senior.

But for certain there were a couple of unpleasant teachers, name of Alan 'Adolf' Smith (history) and a Mr Bonnet. They were always on the prowl in the corridors looking for pupils to punish.

I best not say anymore of what I thought of these two.

More later. Are you any relation to Mark or Norman :huh:

Hi I left in 1976 too I was in the same form as Dale Burrell, Anne Ladson, Monica Wilson, Genia Allen, Steve Ford, Wayne Roddis, Janet Green, Anne Launt. Cant remember any more at mo They were the best years of our luives and we hated them I saw Betty Codona the other week and she still remembered me god what a shock shes got a memory like an elephant only jokingBye the way my name is Glenda if you remember us get in touch. See ya soon.x

OMG wayne roddis is my dad!!!

OMG wayne roddis is my dad!!! lol he is like 48 now!!! and im 14 :P
does he have a sister called kathy???did he have a body repair shop on burton street?

does he have a sister called kathy???did he have a body repair shop on burton street?

no he didnt have a sister but he has had loads of car places i can never keep track of them :p

do you remember him?

Are you any relation to Mark or Norman

Nope. I can't think of anyone called Mark or Norman in the year I was in. There was a guy in my year called Roger Hall who was a genius on the piano. If you remember him then that'll give us a yardstick.

Did anyone out there play basketball at the school?

firth park parking, what a joke

Mark Morley (best mate and really clever lad)
Mark Butler
Simon Atwell
Russell Parker (went in Army)
Shane Shelley
Paul Arliss
Paul Ellis
Ashley Ward
Trevor Whattam
Andrew Wood
John Arthur Langley

Remember all these.
Mark, Trevor and mesen were always trying to be top in the school at the time. I remember Marks infamous story in English when he decided to write a sex scene and , due to his brilliance, got away with it. Remember he always used staedler pens, the blue ones. Always thought he would get into Oxford or Cambridge but never found out...anyone know?
Simon Atwell was the ska freak, loved madness and the specials, but especially madness.
Didn't know Russ had gone into the army...
Remember it was always between Arliss and Ellis as to who was the cock of the year, remember Paul Ellis battering someone when we were watching an end of year film. I was lucky, I knew Paul Ellis from being young. Stephen Grace was another one I remember, also Dave Barker.
I used to know Shane fairly well, didn't he have an acorn electron?????

David Bell was around at that time, also Busby....

I used to live on Perkyn Terrace...

i was in joseph at crucible we had a reyt laugh,cheers wako jako

I remember my first year being in i think? (Half a sixpence.) Very sad singing and dancing.i was in joseph at crucible we had a reyt laugh,cheers wako jako

OMG wayne roddis is my dad!!!


I remember your dad from when he went to Firshill and then to Firth Park, he still in the motor trade then coz his dad had a scrapyard and his dad knew my dad.

Anyone remember any of these characters...

Mark Morley (best mate and really clever lad)
Mark Butler
Simon Atwell
Russell Parker (went in Army)
Shane Shelley
Paul Arliss
Paul Ellis
Ashley Ward
Trevor Whattam
Andrew Wood
John Arthur Langley

We were all in same year in the 80's

That was my year. I was in the same form as some of them, I remember Paul Arliss, Paul Ellis and Mark Morley for definate. I used to hang out with Tina Shutt and Michelle Parker, oh and the Glave twins.

Hi I left in 1976 too I was in the same form as Dale Burrell, Anne Ladson, Monica Wilson, Genia Allen, Steve Ford, Wayne Roddis, Janet Green, Anne Launt. Cant remember any more at mo They were the best years of our luives and we hated them I saw Betty Codona the other week and she still remembered me god what a shock shes got a memory like an elephant only jokingBye the way my name is Glenda if you remember us get in touch. See ya soon.x
I was in the same year as steven Ford. One of his mates and mine was a lad called Mark Gooney who i still see every now and then. Also see Harry ross.

I left in 1978,I was mates with ian morris,jeff wild,paul armatage & des ellis.
I know all three of those. You must have been in my year. Do you remember a girl called Kathryn Goldie. I think she was in "F". I`m married to her now.

Hi,

Anyone Leave Firth Park School Summer 1978?
Yes i left in that year, as did my wife.

That was my year. I was in the same form as some of them, I remember Paul Arliss, Paul Ellis and Mark Morley for definate. I used to hang out with Tina Shutt and Michelle Parker, oh and the Glave twins.

I was in some of the same classes as Glave twins, remember michelle parker vaguely.

Remember all these.
Mark, Trevor and mesen were always trying to be top in the school at the time. I remember Marks infamous story in English when he decided to write a sex scene and , due to his brilliance, got away with it. Remember he always used staedler pens, the blue ones. Always thought he would get into Oxford or Cambridge but never found out...anyone know?
Simon Atwell was the ska freak, loved madness and the specials, but especially madness.
Didn't know Russ had gone into the army...
Remember it was always between Arliss and Ellis as to who was the cock of the year, remember Paul Ellis battering someone when we were watching an end of year film. I was lucky, I knew Paul Ellis from being young. Stephen Grace was another one I remember, also Dave Barker.
I used to know Shane fairly well, didn't he have an acorn electron?????

David Bell was around at that time, also Busby....

I used to live on Perkyn Terrace...

I have to say it was I who wrote the sex scene....seriously. Think it was Miss North, the English teacher. She had high hopes for me in the subject. Spot on about everything else mate. Remember it all well.

Heard on this site that Mark and his brother John emigrated to Canada. Dint Simon have big feet? His trainers were about 4 foot long!

And the Glave twins you mentioned? Michelle and Mandy was it? They were the only 2 to beat me in a mock RE exam. Was amazed I did so well. Suppose I could have become a vicar....NOT

Remember all these.
Mark, Trevor and mesen were always trying to be top in the school at the time. I remember Marks infamous story in English when he decided to write a sex scene and , due to his brilliance, got away with it. Remember he always used staedler pens, the blue ones. Always thought he would get into Oxford or Cambridge but never found out...anyone know?
Simon Atwell was the ska freak, loved madness and the specials, but especially madness.
Didn't know Russ had gone into the army...
Remember it was always between Arliss and Ellis as to who was the cock of the year, remember Paul Ellis battering someone when we were watching an end of year film. I was lucky, I knew Paul Ellis from being young. Stephen Grace was another one I remember, also Dave Barker.
I used to know Shane fairly well, didn't he have an acorn electron?????

David Bell was around at that time, also Busby....

I used to live on Perkyn Terrace...

I have to say it was I who wrote the sex scene....seriously. Think it was Miss North, the English teacher. She had high hopes for me in the subject. Spot on about everything else mate. Remember it all well.

Heard on this site that Mark and his brother John emigrated to Canada. Dint Simon have big feet? His trainers were about 4 foot long!

And the Glave twins you mentioned? Michelle and Mandy was it? They were the only 2 to beat me in a mock RE exam. Was amazed I did so well. Suppose I could have become a vicar....NOT.

Saw Russell quite a few years back in a cafe in town. Was still a soldier at that time.

That was my year. I was in the same form as some of them, I remember Paul Arliss, Paul Ellis and Mark Morley for definate. I used to hang out with Tina Shutt and Michelle Parker, oh and the Glave twins.

Might know you then fox. I remember Tina. Michelle Parker rings a bell as well.

I remember Miss North...also remember Miss Walker who I really really hated...I think the feeling was mutual.
I remember the Glave twins came back after the 6 week holidays really slim, which was a surprise. Did anyone else on here go on the trip to Russia??

I'd like to know what happened to Mark Morley.

living away from Sheffield and only getting back to the Lane means I have no idea who or what happened to people.

I remember Miss North...also remember Miss Walker who I really really hated...I think the feeling was mutual.
I remember the Glave twins came back after the 6 week holidays really slim, which was a surprise. Did anyone else on here go on the trip to Russia??

I'd like to know what happened to Mark Morley.

living away from Sheffield and only getting back to the Lane means I have no idea who or what happened to people.

Didn't go on the trip to Russia myself but fairly sure Mark did as it was one of his chosen subjects. Was it our form tutor Miss.Green who took them?
As I said before mate, was informed Mark emigrated. The beauty of the net is someday he may read this and get in touch.

It was Miss Green who took us...I only did Russian so i could go to Russia on the trip, as evidenced by my CSE grade 4.

There must be a few more of us out there...c'mon, get in touch

i was in joseph at crucible we had a reyt laugh,cheers wako jako
Me and the wife were in this too. I was in the choir. I don`t know what role she was in

I suppose someone`s mentioned it before, but what about the school cottage in grassington. Had a right laugh. Can remember going to the swimming baths and digging the hole to empty the chemical toilet in :rolleyes:

I can...trying to hold it in until you could get to the toilets in the village.

Eating crap undercooked food and wondering why you all needed the toilet at the same time....running as fast as you dare down the hill...

What about the teachers leaving at night to go down to the pub. I remember some of the girls in my class had never seen cows for real before , they were really scared.

I have bad memories of my time at camp.


I can...trying to hold it in until you could get to the toilets in the village.

Eating crap undercooked food and wondering why you all needed the toilet at the same time....running as fast as you dare down the hill...

i was there - i left in, i think, 1973. started at the "other" school in 68 because i failed the 11+ but when the school went comprehensive, i was offered the opportunity to swap because i lived closeby, actually - i lived in the houses across the road on barnsley road.
used to opt for athlectics in the cold weather instead of PE in the gym, then me and a few mates would get the keys to the pavillion, then nip over to my house instead - never got caught.

Just to let you all know i've started a facebook group called "The Brushes" This for anyone who had the pleasure of attending The Brushers or Firth Park Grammar School and Firth Park School "Each for All, All for Each" A place to meet up with former friends.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41300300569 :)

Long live The Brushes :)

It was Miss Green who took us...I only did Russian so i could go to Russia on the trip, as evidenced by my CSE grade 4.

There must be a few more of us out there...c'mon, get in touch

I went on the Russian trip. Im one of the twins - always hated being called that - what a way to be remembered - doing well in RE and coming back slim after the summer holidays (to someones surprise!). I enjoyed my time at Firth Park school most of the time, met some nice people, good memories. Ive been living in the north east for the last 15 years so lost touch with most people. Id love to hear from anyone who remembers me - Susan Pearce if you see this - get in touch, im on friends Reunited too (Mandy).

I went on the Russian trip. Im one of the twins - always hated being called that - what a way to be remembered - doing well in RE and coming back slim after the summer holidays (to someones surprise!). I enjoyed my time at Firth Park school most of the time, met some nice people, good memories. Ive been living in the north east for the last 15 years so lost touch with most people. Id love to hear from anyone who remembers me - Susan Pearce if you see this - get in touch, im on friends Reunited too (Mandy).

Hey Mandi! Its me :) you must have picked up my message on Friends Reunited :D

I saw Susan Pearce when I moved to London, we were on the same coach! (that was ages ago though)

I left in 1976 - blimey was Miss Howdle still there in 1994!:o

i never went to firthpark but my kids do and mr critchley,1 mr lockwood is still there and 1 as left and mr longley are still there

The only school trip i went on was to France and i had a fantastic time :)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41300300569 This is a site for all those who went to the Brushes :)

ii left the school in 1990 in december

to move to the falkland island

hi all who left in 1996 i was in mr pickup's class, god what a nose, but my fave teacher was mr lynn the english teacher

Hi, i left in 2007 i know that isnt long back lol neerly a year but its amazing to see how long teachers have coped with the kids in that school, like Mr Longly is still there, Mr Piper left i think 2 years ago not to sure. Mr Sherwood (P.E) Left 2 years go his retirement was soo good, every one at don vally stadium dong a sports day for him, Mr Twineum is not at firth park but at longly sixth form college he was my teacher till i dropped out of longly and transfered

Can any1 remember

Mrs Beaumont (science)
Mr Clarke (maths)
Mrs Burnage (music)
Mrs Goodwin (cooking)
Mr Buttery (woodwork)
Mrs Liverland (maths)

Were you friends with Sonia?

I went on the Russian trip. Im one of the twins - always hated being called that - what a way to be remembered - doing well in RE and coming back slim after the summer holidays (to someones surprise!). I enjoyed my time at Firth Park school most of the time, met some nice people, good memories. Ive been living in the north east for the last 15 years so lost touch with most people. Id love to hear from anyone who remembers me - Susan Pearce if you see this - get in touch, im on friends Reunited too (Mandy).

Sonia - whats your surname?

i never went to firthpark but my kids do and mr critchley,1 mr lockwood is still there and 1 as left and mr longley are still there



Mr Lockwood the metalwork teacher is not there, I left in 76 and remember him, he died though 3 years ago, I know his son Stephen

Sonia - whats your surname?

I was friends with her sister but i think i remember you.

Jon. I went there for one year-1950.What happened to 'The Brushes'?

I went to Firth Park Grammar School from 1946 to 1962.
It was a great school, both academically and sportwise.
The highlight of the sporting calendar was the annual Staff versus pupils football match.
Some of the staff were excelent footballers, particularly Mr Parry, who I understand, represented Wales in his youth.
Some of the pupils were sons and/or relatives of some famous footballers, such as Barry Blenkinsop.
We had a wonderful 1st X1 Football team going for 4 years only losing the odd match.
Anyone recall these wonderful times ?

Spike, now that name brings back memories, He was the nicest teacher ever, everyone from that era must remember spike. I remember the very first time he taught me, he caught me talking in class, picked up a slipper and took me into the next room, he then started to hit the table with it, of course all the other kids in the classroom thought he'd given me a good slippering. Everyone who was taught by spike knows he was totally incapable of any form of punishment. A dear old man who sadly is no longer with us. I left firth park in 1974, and regretably left Sheffield in 1996.

I remember Spike with great affection.
I was at Firth Park from 1946 to 1952 and, at that time it was a boys only Grammar School.
Other teachers I remember were Walter Padfield, a very strict Headmaster, who retired whilst I was there and was replaced by W.R.C. ( Arsie) Chapman, who was a puusy cat compared to Paddy.
Mr Parry was the Music Teacher and played fullback for the Masters against Pupils end of term Football Match.
Lawrence Haywood taught Russian and he too was an uncompromising Centre Half for the Staff.
Freddy Gagan was the most feared Master in the School.
We had to walk from class to class in single file and no talking.
Freddy would look down the stairs from half way up the Tower and if anyone stepped out of line or chatted between classes he uttered the feared " boy my classroom NOW"
Mr Dutton was Latin Teacher and Jock McKay the PT Teacher.
Mr Tring was the Groundsman and Football Coach and he was very good too.
Mr F.T.Wood ( Hefty ) taught English at the same time. and Dr Over taught languages.
He had a false hand and many a boy felt a clip from that.
Discipline was strict, but fair, and I havn't found it did me any harm
It taught me respect and loyalty.
Anyone else remember these times ?

I did'nt attend the school, but when I took the dreaded 11'plus exam (twice I might add) and failed, Firth Park Grammer would have been a choice of mine had I been successful. But I've got to say in my day, everybody new that school as the 'Redcaps', it was 'I've passed for the Redcaps' or 'I'm going to the Redcaps school'. I knew the area very well and I always thought what a nice location for a school, as opposed to many instituitions in and around Sheffield.

Roger1........
Ten years after you left I was there from 1962 to 1967. Still the Redcaps Grammar School.
H.J.S. Wilson was the Headmaster. Someone to fear!

Spike ,of course was still there. His ghost stories, I will never forget.

Lawrence Haywod and Mr Parry I remember too, also "Hefty". He was Dr. F.T. Wood then. (Known as "Driftwood")

Jock McKay's home town was Farfar in Scotland, and he talked about it fondly.
On the one occasion I got into a real fight with another pupil in the school yard, he was the one that stopped it.
The following day, we were to be in the school gym at lunchtime, where we could (in his words) settle our differences.
Shorts and Boxing Gloves...with him as the referee.
Oh..and as many spectators as possible in the gallery above the gym.
(I nearly pulled a sicky that day)
We knocked three bells out of each other....shook hands..showered, and
became friends.

Discipline was still strict...and fair.

It was Miss Green who took us...I only did Russian so i could go to Russia on the trip, as evidenced by my CSE grade 4.

There must be a few more of us out there...c'mon, get in touch

You lucky buggers all went on the trip, If I remember correctly, didn't you visit a tractor factory or something? couldn't afford to go and It still upsets me, probably a good job I didn't, my Russian wasn't very good, but Il oved it ,remember we all had names...I was Irina......Hello Mandy and Michelle. I used to get on really well with Mark Morley I'd love to know what he's up to now.Dosvidania!!

hi i went 2 firth park school in the 70tis wen dr hartley n mr jennings wer ther. ther was a head master b 4 dr hartley carnt remenber is name

hi i went 2 firth park school in the 70tis wen dr hartley n mr jennings wer ther. ther was a head master b 4 dr hartley carnt remenber is name


was it mr sanderson, i think he was the head when i left in 76

Went there from 45 to 50 and enjoyed the experience, unfortunately most names now escape me bar Mr's. Gagan and Haywood.
Mr Gagan apparently knew my family so got more attention " chalk and board cleaner as well as his hand" didn't do any good though, still failed.

Went there from 45 to 50 and enjoyed the experience, unfortunately most names now escape me bar Mr's. Gagan and Haywood.
Mr Gagan apparently knew my family so got more attention " chalk and board cleaner as well as his hand" didn't do any good though, still failed.

Hi I was there at the same time as you but I think a year below you.
My name is Roger Nowill, what is yours, we may well remember each other

no dont think so but i can allways recall him saying young man wen he seen u mesing about i was ther mr liverland was a art teacher n some lads in y class wer malcom wilson . allen staniland . mike warren .shid absal . dean o brian .

sorry my name his gary douglas nickname dougie

Hi Roger,

Finished in 5H, History teacher Miss ?, remember classmates "Nobby" Newsome, Clive Pick, John Grey, one called Wrigglesworth and maybe a Brian Smith.

Geograph teacher ? had a cane called quebracho (met it a lot), Chemistry teacher a portly gentleman, said a went to sleep during lessons( he was right), was the French teacher the one with the false hand? Headmaster at that time ? met him a few times in his office.

Some years ago a saw on "friendsreunited" a Old Boys Reunion, when did that start? too late now anyway.

After leaving most names I just forgot.

Barry Smith

Calling all Firth Park School pupils i have found this forum http://firthparkschool.proboards.com/for all the people who went to the school :)

Norah the Maid

Location: Sheffield - Firth Park Brushes (former school), Barnsley Road
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Twentieth century
Further Comments: The maid, who committed suicide on the site two hundred years ago, is still said to wander the area. When the high school stood on the area, cleaning staff reported lights that would turn themselves on, amongst other strange phenomena. A priest was called to exorcise the land in 2003; it is too early to say whether he was successful.

Does anyone remember the crazy, eccentric, strict (but very clever) music teacher at Firth Park, surely you do. If anyone dared to yawn in class you had to hope and prey he did not catch you or you'd be oiked out to pay a pittance of singing an octave in front of the class or a blackboard rubber thrown your way or the fact you could almost have peed yourself with his loud booming voice directed at you. The days of schooling!

Mr Jackson ?

Got to be. He hated me as i was crap at music. Thought he was having a coronary sometimes

Mr Jackson ?



Would still say the best shot with a blackboard rubber was Mr Pilley. You could see his face getting red and then at boiling point, picked up the rubber and with great accuracy hit the intended target