Oak Bank School, Seal, Nr Sevenoaks, Kent

A Memory of Seal.

Oak Bank Open-Air School was the first of its kind in England and opened in 1954 by C. Mitcheson, although the school may date back to the 1930's.
I was an inmate in the mid 1950's aged 8. Mrs Hardy was principal and Nurse Spice dominated the dormitories. Three of us 'ran-away'; headed through the woods and onto the main road where those searching for us picked us up in a car. Where we were going I have no idea, but it seemed like fun at the time. As a punishment were had to move beds into the tiny tots dormitory and spent what seemed like an eternity standing outside the headmistresses office facing the wall. We were also banned from attending the weekly Cub Scout group. If I remember correctly the other culprits in the 'crime' were Billy Buddle and Alastair Kerr.
Our very caring teacher was Ms Pearce. Caretaker was Mr Hoy.
Had a girl friend; Susan Hurst, she was probably a year, or maybe two, older than me. We always used to hold hands on the Sunday walk to church. I have never forgotten her; I can clearly see her face even now, 65 years later. Fond memories of the Oak Bank School, an impressionable time for me.

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