Corby Grammar School.

A Memory of Corby.

I stood standing, in my new school uniform, outside the doors of the new Grammar School in September 1955. I was one of the first first years who started that day. Before the school opened, the children who passed the old 11+ had to travel to Kettering where they'd go to the Girl's High School- or the Boy's High School but now Corby had its own Grammar school with the cream of Teachers from around the country and a Co -Ed one at that!! Possibly the first in the country. I remember being told that before they could teach in a Co Ed school, the Male teachers had to go and teach in a Girl's School and the Females in a Boy's school as the majority of schools were single sex back then.
The Head Master was John Kempe. A noted Mountaineer and a Fighter Pilot during WW2. We had an extra couple of weeks holiday before the school opened as Mr Kempe was climbing in South America. One thing that attracted teachers to Corby was they also got a new Council House which was a tremendous bonus for a young family man/woman after the ravages of the War.

The School has changed beyond recognition now- all glass and steel which my Grandson was very impressed with on a family "Down Memory Lane" trip a couple of years ago,

In 2005 there was a 50th year anniversary held in Corby by some of the old pupils, Two if the old Teachers attended. One of my favourites was Mr. Holmes, who taught English. There's already plans underway for a 60th Anniversary in 2015. Mr. Holmes passed away a few years after we had the 50th and I doubt if any of the teachers are still around. Their pupils are all in their 70s now.

John Kempe left Corby and took up the post of Head at Gordonstoun the School where the Queens sons all attended.