Fairfield's Infant And Junior School.

A Memory of Basingstoke.

I started at Fairfield's Infant School as a 5 year old in 1958. I think my teacher was a Mrs Spicer, and I was always thankful it wasn't Miss Mole, who was a 'terror'. My name than was Janice Catherine Brown, and my Mum June Brown was a dinner lady at the school. Mr Thomas I seem to remember was the Headmaster of both Infant and junior schools, strict but fair! I later attended the junior school, and remember Miss Foster and later Mrs Prowse were my teachers. What I do remember was that when I was in Mrs Prowel's class, another class was specifically coached for the 11 plus, whereas my class wasn't. I well remember going to the Shrubbery Girls School to take my 11 plus still aged only 10, and missing out on a High School place by 1 point. It seemed in those days that your parents occupation made a difference to which class you were put in (the more well off being the ones in the class being coached for the 11 plus!). I was generally happy at the schools, and did well in my schooling. Only downside was being a victim of the school bully - a girl and her pals!