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Black Country and Staffordshire retro: 24 photos bringing school life in the 1960s and 1970s back to life

This fantastic gallery of photos will bring back memories of school life across the region in the 1960s and 1970s.

By Tania Taylor
Published
Last updated

It features plenty of young learners – and the occasional teacher – to stir memories, from Sunday School held in a condemned building, to jubilee celebrations and a teenage Lenny Henry entertaining his classmates.

Enjoy the gallery, shuffled for your viewing pleasure, and share your own memories in the comments below.

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July 1977: 'Children at Warstones Infants School were presented with their silver jubilee crowns today, and seen with some of the pupils are Councillor Mrs Violet Fletcher, chairman of the school management committee, and Mr Roger Sanders, parents' representative on the committee.'
July 1977: 'Children at Warstones Infants School were presented with their silver jubilee crowns today, and seen with some of the pupils are Councillor Mrs Violet Fletcher, chairman of the school management committee, and Mr Roger Sanders, parents' representative on the committee.'
Great Wyrley County Secondary School, October 1969: 'Fourteen-year-old Allison Roberts works with 18 boys - and she certainly knows how to make the sparks fly. But they're all friends together, for Allison is the first fourth-year girl at her school to tackle the man's job of gas welding.'
Great Wyrley County Secondary School, October 1969: 'Fourteen-year-old Allison Roberts works with 18 boys - and she certainly knows how to make the sparks fly. But they're all friends together, for Allison is the first fourth-year girl at her school to tackle the man's job of gas welding.'
March 28, 1969: 'A smiling Prince Philip chats to Miss Joan Ainsley, domestic science teacher at Darlaston Comprehensive School, during his visit to Walsall.'
March 28, 1969: 'A smiling Prince Philip chats to Miss Joan Ainsley, domestic science teacher at Darlaston Comprehensive School, during his visit to Walsall.'
The caption reads: 'Heading for stardom? These four young actresses caught our photographer's eye during the nativity play at St Giles's Nursery School, Walsall Street. They are, from left, Jasbinder Kaur (3), Radha Kumari (4), Ravinda Kaur (3) at the front, and Marie Lloyd (4)' - December 21, 1979.
The caption reads: 'Heading for stardom? These four young actresses caught our photographer's eye during the nativity play at St Giles's Nursery School, Walsall Street. They are, from left, Jasbinder Kaur (3), Radha Kumari (4), Ravinda Kaur (3) at the front, and Marie Lloyd (4)' - December 21, 1979.
nostalgia pic. Tipton. Mrs Annie Clarkson returning to her old school at Tipton in February 1976. This is a print in the Express and Star picture library (in the basement archive at Queen Street, and copied in situ on Tuesday, May 18, 2021). The story pasted on the back reads: 'Tipton was a place of fields and market gardens when widow Annie Clarkson was a girl. For more than 50 years she cherished memories of returning to the school where she spent some of the happiest days of her life. But the reality of the situation shattered her dreams, Mrs Clarkson said today. As a girl the then Annie Fagan was among the first scholars to attend the newly-built Princes End Joint Schools. And she nursed a desire to make one last visit to the haunts of her childhood. 'Now I wish I hadn't. The buildings looked horrible, surrounded by sheds like pigeon lofts. I was very disillusioned,\ said Mrs Clarkson, who lives at St Joseph's Court, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton. She is pictured outside the school. 'I could have cried when I visited the old school. When I was a pupil there the school was surrounded by fields and market gardens. We loved going to school.'\ The print has a datestamp of February 4, 1976, which is probably publication date. It has the Express and Star copyright stamp. The photographer's name is not recorded. Tipton school. The school was in Tibbington Terrace and closed in 2005. Library code: Tipton nostalgia 2021.
Mrs Annie Clarkson returning to her old school at Tipton in February 1976. The story reads: 'Tipton was a place of fields and market gardens when widow Annie Clarkson was a girl. For more than 50 years she cherished memories of returning to the school where she spent some of the happiest days of her life. But the reality of the situation shattered her dreams, Mrs Clarkson said today. As a girl the then Annie Fagan was among the first scholars to attend the newly-built Princes End Joint Schools. And she nursed a desire to make one last visit to the haunts of her childhood. 'Now I wish I hadn't. The buildings looked horrible, surrounded by sheds like pigeon lofts. I was very disillusioned,' said Mrs Clarkson, who lives at St Joseph's Court, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton. She is pictured outside the school. 'I could have cried when I visited the old school. When I was a pupil there the school was surrounded by fields and market gardens. We loved going to school.'
The Long Dorm at The Royal School, Wolverhampton, in November 1966. The caption reads: 'Now somewhat changed from the Long Dorm that some old pupils will remember, this is still the same place. A disappearing line of boys stretches for part of its length.' November 1966.
The Long Dorm at The Royal School, Wolverhampton, in November 1966. The caption reads: 'Now somewhat changed from the Long Dorm that some old pupils will remember, this is still the same place. A disappearing line of boys stretches for part of its length.' November 1966.
March 1962: The caption reads: 'Mr J. Buckley is an accomplished pianist playing both classical and jazz music. Pupils of one of his classes at Rugeley Grammar School where he is music master certainly think so. It isn't often he has the opportunity of playing on an instrument like the one pictured above. It is a square piano built by John Broadwood and Sons Ltd, of London, about the year 1*90 (middle bit missing, probably 1890). One of the few instruments of its kind in the country, the old piano was found lying on its side in a damp garage. It is on loan to the school for the school's production of Beggar's Operat to be held during the last week of March.'
March 1962: The caption reads: 'Mr J. Buckley is an accomplished pianist playing both classical and jazz music. Pupils of one of his classes at Rugeley Grammar School where he is music master certainly think so. It isn't often he has the opportunity of playing on an instrument like the one pictured above. It is a square piano built by John Broadwood and Sons Ltd, of London, about the year 1*90 (middle bit missing, probably 1890). One of the few instruments of its kind in the country, the old piano was found lying on its side in a damp garage. It is on loan to the school for the school's production of Beggar's Operat to be held during the last week of March.'
March 1974: 'A teenage Lenny Henry was content keeping school pals at Dudley’s Bluecoat secondary school amused with some hilarious impersonations of teachers. But the 16-year-old already had his sights set high. He had just landed a spot on television’s new faces show and, within a decade, had made it as one of Britain’s top comedians.'
March 1974: 'A teenage Lenny Henry was content keeping school pals at Dudley’s Bluecoat secondary school amused with some hilarious impersonations of teachers. But the 16-year-old already had his sights set high. He had just landed a spot on television’s new faces show and, within a decade, had made it as one of Britain’s top comedians.'
The caption of this June 1975 print reads: 'Equipped with paddles and lifejackets, girls from Ounsdale Comprehensive School, Wombourne, and Gnosall Comprehensive School, near Stafford, on their way to the River Treant at Great Haywood for canoe tuition. They are on a week's canoeing and camping course at Staffordshire schools' outdoor education centre at Shugborough.'
The caption of this June 1975 print reads: 'Equipped with paddles and lifejackets, girls from Ounsdale Comprehensive School, Wombourne, and Gnosall Comprehensive School, near Stafford, on their way to the River Treant at Great Haywood for canoe tuition. They are on a week's canoeing and camping course at Staffordshire schools' outdoor education centre at Shugborough.'
March 11, 1977: 'Thirteen girls from Hill Top High School, West Bromwich, today received adult St John Ambulance Brigade first aid certificates... The girls prepared for the certificates on a course at West Bromwich College of Commerce and Technology under the instruction of Mrs Christine Musgrove. They are pictured showing their certificates to Mrs Musgrove and senior master Mr Eric Holt.'
March 11, 1977: 'Thirteen girls from Hill Top High School, West Bromwich, today received adult St John Ambulance Brigade first aid certificates... The girls prepared for the certificates on a course at West Bromwich College of Commerce and Technology under the instruction of Mrs Christine Musgrove. They are pictured showing their certificates to Mrs Musgrove and senior master Mr Eric Holt.'
November 1966: 'Across the road from West Bromwich Corporation's multi-million pound municipal housing development at Glebefields, Tipton, a vicar is forced to hold Sunday school classes for 70 children in a church hall condemned 52 years ago...'
November 1966: 'Across the road from West Bromwich Corporation's multi-million pound municipal housing development at Glebefields, Tipton, a vicar is forced to hold Sunday school classes for 70 children in a church hall condemned 52 years ago...'
Some 150 children from Park Village Infants School at a jubilee party in June 1977.
Some 150 children from Park Village Infants School at a jubilee party in June 1977.
A special sub-committee set up by Wednesbury Council had chosen Diane of Crewe Road Primary School, to present a bouquet to Her Majesty the Queen during her visit. The photograph shows Diane practising her curtsey in front of her grandfather, Mayor Councillor L. V. Waldron, in May 1962.
A special sub-committee set up by Wednesbury Council had chosen Diane Waldron of Crewe Road Primary School, to present a bouquet to Her Majesty the Queen during her visit. The photograph shows Diane practising her curtsey in front of her grandfather, Mayor Councillor L. V. Waldron, in May 1962.
Identical triplets Paul, Martin and Andrew Tunney were about to start at Claregate County Primary School, Tettenhall, in August 1966, and their parents Graham and Pauline had made name badges for them.
Identical triplets Paul, Martin and Andrew Tunney were about to start at Claregate County Primary School, Tettenhall, in August 1966, and their parents Graham and Pauline had made name badges for them.
The five tall windows of the old Wolverhampton Grammar School in November 1964, with hardly a pane of glass left to be broken, dominate the scene of the desolation.
The five tall windows of the old Wolverhampton Grammar School in November 1964, with hardly a pane of glass left to be broken, dominate the scene of the desolation.
St Mary's Pipe and Drum band from Willenhall were an added treat for the youngsters at the Holy Rosery School, Hickman Avenue, Wolverhampton at their jubilee party, in June 1977.
St Mary's Pipe and Drum band from Willenhall were an added treat for the youngsters at the Holy Rosery School, Hickman Avenue, Wolverhampton at their jubilee party, in June 1977.
May 1976: '10-year-old Janet Golder recently achieved the high point in her soccer life with an appearance for her school... Janet played for the Chasetown Primary School B team and scored a goal from the wing.'
May 1976: '10-year-old Janet Golder recently achieved the high point in her soccer life with an appearance for her school... Janet played for the Chasetown Primary School B team and scored a goal from the wing.'
Pupils, parents and staff at St Thomas More Roman Catholic School, Willenhall, had raised their target of £2,600 for a new minibus in May 1977 - 'Youngsters took part in a sponsored silence as well as a sponsored walk and the parents-teachers association donates £450.'
Pupils, parents and staff at St Thomas More Roman Catholic School, Willenhall, had raised their target of £2,600 for a new minibus in May 1977 - 'Youngsters took part in a sponsored silence as well as a sponsored walk and the parents-teachers association donates £450.'
Pupils from Bilston Girls High School file into St Leonard's Church, Bilston, for a service in the 1970s.
Pupils from Bilston Girls High School file into St Leonard's Church, Bilston, for a service in the 1970s.
Teachers, parents and pupils at St Thomas More R. C. Primary School, Great Wyrley, raised more money than expected for charity, which went towards a "jumbulance" - a coach converted for taking severely physically disabled people on holidays and trips to Lourdes. The photograph shows Claire Sanderson handing a cheque to Derek Sewell of the Across Trust, in April 1979.
Teachers, parents and pupils at St Thomas More R. C. Primary School, Great Wyrley, raised more money than expected for charity, which went towards a "jumbulance" - a coach converted for taking severely physically disabled people on holidays and trips to Lourdes. The photograph shows Claire Sanderson handing a cheque to Derek Sewell of the Across Trust, in April 1979.
A group of students from Smethwick Hall Boys High School took part in a work experience programme at Hallam Hospital, West Bromwich, to bridge the gap between school and work. The photograph shows Buja Singh and Hitesh Patel examining a microscope, overseen by Mr J. S. Taylor, in February 1975.
A group of students from Smethwick Hall Boys High School took part in a work experience programme at Hallam Hospital, West Bromwich, to bridge the gap between school and work. The photograph shows Buja Singh and Hitesh Patel examining a microscope, overseen by Mr J. S. Taylor, in February 1975.
March 1975: 'Darlaston Comprehensive School has struck gold with its Duke of Edinburgh award medal scheme. For the school now has more pupils involved in the tough programme for youngsters than any other school in Walsall.'
March 1975: 'Darlaston Comprehensive School has struck gold with its Duke of Edinburgh award medal scheme. For the school now has more pupils involved in the tough programme for youngsters than any other school in Walsall.'
Chadsmoor Infants School, Cannock. The school was running a project about "people who help us" and visited ambulance headquarters in Stafford. The photograph shows Deputy Station Officer Nevil Haughton demonstrating oxygen equipment to the children, January 1974.
Chadsmoor Infants School, Cannock. The school was running a project about "people who help us" and visited ambulance headquarters in Stafford. The photograph shows Deputy Station Officer Nevil Haughton demonstrating oxygen equipment to the children, January 1974.
'Six-year-old queen for the day Mandy Lacey and her entourage at a jubilee party held at Neachell's Primary School, July 1977.'
'Six-year-old queen for the day Mandy Lacey and her entourage at a jubilee party held at Neachell's Primary School, July 1977.'

Did you go to one of the schools pictured? Tell us in the comments below...