Ivey House School

A Memory of Shepton Mallet.

After a family breakup, my mother & I moved to Shepton Mallet in the late '60's, on the Hillmead Estate. I went to Ivey House Preparatory School, as it was called. It was a funny little place in Princes Road. Mrs Jacobs was the Head. Most of the teachers were OK, although looking back on it I wonder how many were qualified. I remember Mrs Snelgrove, who used to cycle in everyday, Mrs Massey, who lived at Binegar or Gurney Slade, & a Mrs Sheppard, who was a farmers wife. They even roped in my mum to teach occasionally, as well as her duties as cleaner/gardener. Mrs Massey seemed very glamourous to us. She was blonde, taught music, & had been in a local band in the '60's.
The only games we had - for boys & girls alike - was Netball. The field opposite which we used to play on, shared with another school. is now houses. Can't really remember many of the pupils. There were a pair of twins, Adrian & Trudy Willmott. He went on to become a successful trials/scramble rider, & I think owns a haulage company. Sharon Canning, who's parents owned a local milk delivery firm. Tina Watts, who I later saw again at Whitstone School. Claire Reeves, with her long, red hair, who was probably my first crush.
The tumbledown school had obviously been quite a grand private residence at one time - I remember the stained glass & bell pulls for summoning servants were still there. At the back there was a small, tarmacked playground & an outside loo. The was a long back garden with a little wood, backing onto the field known as Barren Down.
It has now reverted to being a private house.

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