Dagenham County High School

Hi Steve, what year where you at DCHS? I remember some of these names you might have been there the same year as me

Steve, are you still looking for information?

I taught briefly at DCHS as a substitute in the spring of 1963. Additional names: Mr. Bramald, E. M. Pugh, Miss Eleanor Riley, Mr. Morris, Mr. Skeels, Mr. Harper.
Corrections: Peter Cork, Holdsworth.

I have a school photo dated July 1962 – were you there then?

Jack McIntosh, Richmond, BC

hi iwas there from 1957 to 1961 or 2, name then denise ivory and I was allways in trouble, mr harper even begged my parents to let him private tutor me but they said it would do no good as I was ans still am totally horse crazy I remember mr dakin, cook, brennan, davis, many of them

there was a girl in the same year as me , Pauline who married one of the teachers, I think his name was woolaston

I was the girl that had a bunch of detentions every Friday along with roy cushway, miss riley used to grab me and hide them from mr grainger sometimes and made me serve them in her office

Hi Steve, I was there 1953-58 and live in West Vancouver, BC (1973). My favourite teachers were Mr Pugh (my house-master) and Mr Day. I wasn't a good student but the grounding given me there has proven valuable for my post secondary education and adult life.
I have been searching for any contacts, and photos, of DCHS for that era to add to my memoirs, but no luck so far.
Chester Spink

I remember these teachers. Thank you for posting their names. My name was then, Dianne Lee, 62 - 67, and I would have been in the same music class as Steve Harris with Peter Cork as teacher.

Tony Lake:
I was at DCHS 1954 - 1960 and most of the teachers mentioned in earlier comments were there.
I joined the school just as my sister was leaving.
Fortunately I have the school photo from 1960 and a couple of other teachers including Mr Buxton - Maths and Spike Hawthorne - Woodwork are also there.
Great school, great teachers, excellent sport facilities and great memories including those of Mr Pugh and his ATC holidays and Mr Cook on his Geography tours.

Hi Tony, my name is Tim Lamb and I was there 1958-1965.
I did my GCEs in 1962, and now incredibly , I need a copy of my Maths certificate (long gone).
If I can quote the Board that set the papers, I may be in with a chance.
Did you do your GCEs there (presumably so?!) and if so, do you know, recall, the name of the Examining Board? Maybe you still have your Certificate?

Hi Jack
my name is Tim Lamb and I was there 1958-1965.
I did my GCEs in 1962, and now incredibly , I need a copy of my Maths certificate (long gone).
If I can quote the Board that set the papers, I may be in with a chance.
Do you know, can you perchance recall, the name of the Examining Board for Maths GCEs at that time?

Hello, I was a pupil between 1963-70 and took part in many of the school productions., including much to my surprise, playing Helen of Troy!
There is also a Facebook DCHS page where people have been posting old photos

Hi - I was at dchs 1959-66. Would love to know what happened to Geoff Weekes, English teacher & Miss Cox, History & (I think) also English. Also Miss Attack (DS), Miss Cobb(biology) Mr & Mrs Hinchey (French) & Mr & Mrs Ranzetta - Latin & French respectively.
Does anyone remember the unofficial school song - sung to the tune of Paddy Green's Ballad of Bethnell Green - first line 'I tell a yarn of a glorified barn that stands so grim & dark. Does anyone remember the day Dudley Moore came to judge the entries in the annual music festival? Would so love to hear anyone & everyone's recollections. And if anyone is in touch with Les Higgins, ask him if he remembers the public speaking events we used to participate in under the direction of Phil Day - there were 2 other bods, but can't remember their names! Hope you are all keeping safe & well. Kind regards.
Brenda Perry nee Hollingworth. Ps oh, lord, isn't it all a long time ago!!!

Odd to see so many clear memories of the old school! I'm afraid my recollection isn't as good since my interests were mainly outside of the place but, even so, comments here have jogged a few brain cells into action. Pamela Bernstein - wow, did we all ever have a crush on you! And that list of teachers reminds me what a weird and diverse bunch they were - having an essay refused because it said Mary was pregnant with Jesus and not 'with child'; being caned (often) by The Munce; having to wear shorts and a cap as a first year; the acceptance of bullying by all and sundry; Miss Riley talking about her pet poodles instead of teaching; Dudley Moore appearing for an awards evening and duetting with Mr. Grainger ("Now is the time to say goodbye...") - I guess mostly it was pretty good being there but, honestly, I couldn't wait to get away and become a rich and famous rock musician. I most definitely was NOT a good student!

I never did make it in the music business, of course, although I've played in bands ever since.

I eventually ended up teaching and was lucky enough to do so in many countries up to my retirement here in Spain, my time spent reading, writing and birding - oh, and I'm also now a great-grandfather which begs the question - where the heck did all those years go?

Best regards to all.

Jim

Hi,
I was there 1958 - 1967 (three years in the sixth form). These were the teachers that shunted me through seven years and eventually through to university:
Mr Ranzetta (Latin and First Year History)
Miss Dickinson later Mrs Ranzetta (French)
Mrs Hinchley (French)
Miss Attack (Domestic Science ... had an amazing singing voice)
Spud Davi(e)s (Chemistry)
Jessie Cobb (Biology)
Sheila Simmons (Sixth form Biology)
Jenny Cox (English ... drove a big American car)
Mr Dakin (RI ... won Ask Me Another on the radio)
Mr Abbly (Maths ,,, big moustache)
Mrs Hall (Maths ... always wanted the windows open)
Mr Cook (Geography ... chain smoker)
Mr Weekes (English ... never taught me. I still have his Longfellow book he lent me)
Mr Harper (History ... scary man)
Miss Riley (I never was in one of her classes but in the sixth form I used to help her organise the university prospectuses ... she always had a a few issue of the Times under her arm and was constantly campaigning against boys and girls talking to each other in the corridor which she called 'mixed bathing'.
Mr Pugh (He never taught me but I think he was my form master for a while. I went to his funeral)
Munsa/Munser Grainger (Headmaster)
I was Head Girl 1966-67 and had to meet and give the thankyou speech to Dudley Moore when he came back to Prize Giving. I think that would have been 1967. He was with Suzie Kendal.
My mates were Jenny Botwright and Kate Knowles throughout school. Not many girls stayed on into the sixth form in those days. Boys in my year who stayed on included Dave Wyer, Pete Strugnell, Colin Pugh, Colin Garthwaight (spelling?), Peter Sillett and John Jarvis (who I married). My sister Pat Levy was at County High 1962 - 1969. She later returned there after university to do a few years teaching English.
I was in Parsloes House. I remember that unofficial school song, written, I think by the father of a girl in Valance. If I think really hard I can probably remember some of the words ...

'I'll tell you a yarn of a glorified barn that stands so grim and stark.
You would almost think it was Dartmoor clink n the edge of Parsloes Park.
From Nine to four they close the door so none can scamper off
And the food they cook would really look much better in a trough.

Well the teachers all get tremendous pay and they live like kings and queens,
And at four each night they're a sparkling sight in their Rolls Royce limosines..
.....??????
And we're up all night by candle light doing homework that they set

Then comes the day that's not far away when it's time to say goodbye
And we'll feel a bit sad cos it wasn't so bad at Dagenham County High.

Hi Tim Lamb. I remember your name. I took Maths 'O' level in Summer 1963 and the Examining Board was University of London. The Centre Number on my Certificate is 2389. All the O and A level certificates I have from DCHS are under the auspices of University of London. Hope that helps.

Yes, it's sad but true: I still have all my school certificates.

Hi Steve, over 50 years since we last met at Graham's place. Jon passed some years back, Graham I stayed in contact with until he also passed in 2020. Others I know nothing of.