Terror Of Chamberlayne Road Boys School

I too went to Chamberlayne Road Boys School, but a little before your time. I started in September 1939 - just as WWII began. I have much fonder memories of my time at the school. Mr. Shotton was the headmaster and I can still remember the teachers' names in their order - Miss Stockley, Miss Russell, Mrs. King, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Treacher, Mrs. Russell, Mr. Kerridge and Mr. Davies. I rate Mr. Kerridge as one of the finest educators with whom I ever had contact. I still remain close friends with two boys with whom I started at this school back in 1939 - even though 6000 miles now separate us.

When Mr.Shooton left the new Headmaster Varco Bayliss arrived and he was from a naval background and told teaching staff he wanted to ,ore discipline in the school. I remember that it started with how we treated our books, kept the classrooms clean and assembled in rows at the start of the day in the playground. He was a stickler for obedience. I was caned by him for calling a teacher by her first name - I thought I was being friendly- and also there was a regime that was very strict. Even the teachers had to comply to these new demands. Some of the teachers were very kind and supportive but I know what you're saying is true. Many teachers felt the regime was 'too hard' for small children and notably uneccessary. They did speak up to him and there was a rebellion by some staff

I went to the school in the 1960s my bayliss was the head master at the time . I remember a teacher call mr morn , he was very old but a great shot with a board duster . you know the solid hard ones . if you were quick it would hit you not the lad he was aiming at . he had a habit of lifting you by twisting your ear and lifting you . he kept a Pym sol in the cupboard . he wouldn't send you to the head master . if you were talking or some thing he would use it himself . had a catch fraze come hither boy .. on the subject of mr baylis . there were I think about 8 of us who could not read and we were 10 getting ready for alderman quilly . mr baylis him self took action and we had lessons with him in his office up stairs . we read the janet and john books later peter and jane . from book 1a right though . due to him I was able to reed when I left . later in life I found out I was dysletic . as I think you can see from my spelling . for the first week I ran home twice and was marched back to school by my mother :-) it was a hard school but I remember one day I don't know why or who started it but a chant went around the school .we want a riot bayliss need a diet . lol I had no idea what one was but we sang out anyway . he came down and in to the play ground very quick .

I remember Bayliss's cane too