Bourne Senior

Comments from a former pupil

This is the Bourne that was in operation during the war years at Ruislip Gardens, based in what is today Ruislip Gardens primary school.. I attended during the 40s and left in 1945.

The Headmaster at that time was Mr G,G.( Horsey) Walker. Other teachers were Mr Tibbles a very big man ,ex Army Sergeant Major who always walked the school with a cane tucked up his sleeve. He taught maths and music. Mrs Tibbles his wife who taught English Literature. Mr Griggs. Sport. Miss Milburn who took P.E. The boys eyes used to pop out when she appeared in her shorts. Mrs Gould who taught Art, Mr Omant? who taught science and always nodded off during lessons and Miss Warner who claimed she could always tell who was playing up when she was facing the blackboard, as it showed in reflection on her glasses. She was a dead shot with chalk that was thrown at the culprit.

Other memories were diving for the air raid shelters when the air raid siren sounded. They were more like concrete tunnels with wooden seating. Many hours were spent in them and taking classes was very difficult. There was no facilities for the boys to take woodwork so once a week we had to attend the Manor school where they had a woodwork class set up. The Master was Mr Cox a very religious man
who gave us a good half hour of scripture before the carpentry lesson, In those days during the playground periods the favourites were Five Stones. Conkers (in season) marbles and a fairly dangerous game called Bung the Barrel. I might add that at that time we were 60 in a class which was hard on the teachers.

The picture below is that of an exercise book (now over 60 years old) that I was issued with as were all pupils.

They were all the same and each subject was written on the front. The word Knight referred to the house we were
in. The reason for various houses now escapes me.

 

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