Stockton Grammar School erected 1863 on site of Blue Coat School. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton Grammar School erected 1863 on site of Blue Coat School.
I’m trying to find information on Mr Crampton Smith, who taught my dad somewhere around 1920. Is there anything in old school records about him?
I disagree that Ropner playing field used by Richard Hind & Stockton Grammer School was the best playing pitch in the area – Newham Grange School had their own pitch in the school grounds which was a better playing surface. Pegasus were only formed in 1948 by Oxford University A.F.C. & Cambridge Unversity A.F.C. amalgamating, a great feat winning the F.A. Amateur Cup in their third year.
As I have said elsewhere Richard Hind became involved in using the Ropner Trust grounds when Stockton Sec became Grangefield with its own grounds. With the Head, Mr Rosser, I contacted the Ropner Trust and obtained the use of the grounds taking over from the Sec. The 1st field, nearest the road, had been the Sec’s main ground, complete with rugby posts! The Grammar School had 1st claim to the 2nd field as long as I knew. I first played there in Autumn 1939 as a 1st year pupil at SGS.
The playing field at Fairfield was used by Richards Hind as well as Stockton Grammar (on a different day of the week). I know this since I migrated from Richard Hind to the Sixth Form at Stockton Grammar to do Science. As Bob Keir says, the changing facilities at Faifield were pretty rudimentary. Just a huge shed with heavy unpainted planking for the walls. During winter the football field was heavy with mud, especially round the goal mouths. There must have been a tap to clean off the mud, but I don’t remember this. The biggest difference between Richard Hind and Stockton Grammar was that the latter held an annual school run of about 3 miles round the area. I only did two of these runs, but I remember on the last one having to wade through a flooded area to get back to the start.
I was at Garbutt Street 1950-57 and thought the School was excellent – apart from the outside toilets and the small playground where the only activity was conversation – no running allowed! A rule strictly applied by Prefects. The school fields in Fairfield had the biggest and best pitch for football in the whole area, but the worst changing facilities: in good weather many of us changed outside! Room 2 was used for R.E. (called RI then, Religious Instruction) and when I arrived the teacher for both subjects was a Mr. McManus, who left at the end of my first year. He was succeeded by the Rev. Les Armstrong, curate at the Parish Church, who taught only RE and ran the School Club on a Friday evening. A great guy, with a natural Christianity. He was then followed by the Rev. Eric Colville, (1955, I think) who had played for the Pegasus Football Team that beat Bishop Auckland in the Amateur Cup at Wembley shortly before, so it was said. A top guy too. He also played for the School team against the Old Boys to give us a bit more craft and experience. The two Curates were a positive influence in my life: I eventually left teaching (Modern Languages) to enter Full-time Christian Ministry, not before I spent the final two years teaching with my old mentor, Ray Collin, at Norton School. I owe a lot to him too: he instilled in me a love of languages which eventually led to my wife, family and I leaving to be Missionaries abroad for four years. Ian Campbell – did we act in ‘Toad of Toad Hall’ together when you were in Form 5? I was in Form 3 and acted as the Policeman. Great memories! I’m thankful for the experience of SGS.
I attended SGS 1965-1970 at the Fairfield site, but as a child walked with my mum past the old school on my way to my grandmothers home in Tilery. I always had the impression it was derelict, not realising there were pupils & teachers actually inside the place!
I attended SGS from 1948 to 1953. We were the first all-scolarship entry under the post-war changes the Labour Government brought in, along with the nationalisation of the mines, railways etc, and the launching of the NHS. I, unfortunately, did not take full advantage of what was, on reflection, a wonderful education, but many of my year and subsequent years went on to high professional and academic achievements. There was no joint anything with the Queen Vic girls during my time, sadly.
I attended SGS from 1956 to 1961. The gabled block on the left was the science lab, were we were taught physics ad chemistry practical – no biology. The centre block was “Room”, mostly used for history. I can”t remember being taught any other subject there, but I probably was. The right-hand, gable-ended block was the hall. This was used for assembly, music, and doubled as a gym! There were no changing rooms, but, in an all-boys school, I don”t suppose that mattered. Any plays, concerts or film shows took place there in the evenings. It was always interesting when the school did joint plays with the Queen Vic girls ! Less fun were the GCE exams, which were held there every summer.