A school photograph of class 3A at Newham Grange School, Stockton c1954. Photograph courtesy of Joyce French (nee Watling). 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
A school photograph of class 3A at Newham Grange School, Stockton c1954. Photograph courtesy of Joyce French (nee Watling).
I am 5th from the left in the photo. Thank you all for your surprising information, bringing back many memories.
I remember Miss Poole teaching Art and Religious Studies when I attended Newham Grange School in the early 1970s.
Some of the pupils who were in the ‘X’ class stream who did well were transferred from Newham Grange School to Grangefield Grammar School. Doreen Fowler, who is 2nd from left, middle row, her family moved into Gray Road between the path near the shops and Grangefield Road,their father was a relation of Norman Fowler.
Anon–Thats my sister Pamela Cooper, 5th from left,middle row. We lived in Grays Road.
She has lived near Madrid for last 40 odd years after returning from Australia.
Eva Raine, who has been discussed elsewhere on the site, is sat on the right hand side of the teacher, she lived in Grays Road.
I have never heard of the “X” Class but we did have an “S” class prior to 1950 when I left from class 4A which was the top class excluding the “S” class pupils who were older students from other schools as well as Newham Grange School, who went on to take their School certificate at 17 years of age whereas the normal school leaving age was 15 years at Newham Grange. Many of the Pupils who left school at 15 years, continued their education at Night School at the Stockton Billingham Technical College. Some went on to get University degrees, and technical diplomas after completing their technical education at Night School. .
Newham Grange X stream started in 1953,with Alan Povey, John(JUMBO)Tarn & ? McGregor among the first starters. French was not taught in the mainstream classes of the school.
The X classes were still around in the 1970s when I attended the school
A few more names in the photo back row 4th left, Tommy Fairhurst,middle row right,Tony Calvert,front row 3rd left,? Bateman.
I am sorry I misspelt the surname of the girl Jean Kennon that I identified,but its the same girl,she had a younger sister called Brenda & their father was the co-owner of Kennon & Watts the carpet shop in Norton Road.
I was quite excited to see the photograph of Class 3A at Newham Grange School 1953 for, although I did not attend that school, I was able to recognise several of the girls shown. If I may correct the posting by Anon. of 15/05/08, the name of the girl at 10Left in the middle row is Jean Kennon.The Kennon Family were our neighbours in Firtree Road and I grew up with Jean. She had two daughters and a son,and now lives in Winchester. We maintain contact through Christmas Cards and once a year letters. I also recognised Freda Thompson at 9left middle row, as I was best friends with her sister Barbara with whom I have lost contact. She also went to Newham Grange School. If anyone knows of her whereabouts I would be obliged if they could point me in the right direction.
Hi, I have been doing some family research and I believe Jean Kennon is my mother’s cousin. It would be great to speak to Jean if that is possible?
Jean had a younger sister called Brenda who is married to John Smith, their father was a partner in a shop in Norton Road.
Yes, that’s definitely my family. I think that had an older brother Frank. Does anyone know how to get in touch with them?
Hi Angela. So interesting to read your post of last December and yes, I do have a brother Frank (now 88!), also an older sister, Barbara and, as mentioned, Brenda, however, one correction (Anon;16/12/21) Brenda didn’t marry John Smith but Geoff Ashcroft who, sadly, died some years ago. And, yes, Dad did have a drapery business on Norton Road. Frank, Barbara and Brenda still keep in touch which is lovely. The school photograph evoked many memories and I still remember a lot of the names, namely, Freda Thompson who was my ‘best friend’ but have no news of her unfortunately. We as a family (3 children) spent some years in Africa – 1969 – 1975 but have lived in Winchester since that time. If you have any further news it would be good to hear from you.
Really excited to see this photo. Could you confirm if it is John Aldridge or John Alderton. I am John Aldridges daughter and I understand there was a John Alderton as well. Unfortunately we have no photos of my father as a youngster and not really sure if it is him. If so I would love a copy of this photo to give to him. He remembers all the names and is very well
This photo was taken before 1954,because my sister who is in the photo left school at Christmas 1953 & class 3A was only the second top class before leaving.A few more names back-row 2L John Aldridge,middle-row 10L Jean Kenyon.
Here are some further names that I can remember. Back Row. 2L-John Alderton Middle Row. 6L-Margaret Robinson,7L-Noreen Geldart,8L-Anne Clegg,9L-Freda Thompson. Front Row. 7L-Eva Raine,8L-Margaret Stainsby,9L-Anne Brown.
French was taught in the X-class stream which pupils from the area took a 13 plus entrance exam,from a least 1953.
French was taught in the “X” classes at Newham Grange School. I remember now that Mrs Carnell was indeed the French teacher. Mrs (Lilly?) Poole was the art teacher
Miss Poole taught Art until 1973 when Bishopsgarth School became established.
Yes, Mrs Carnell WAS the French teacher and she was French.
Some of the girls in the photo were in the country dancing club,when we had social sections on a Wednesday afternoon.Mrs Carnell was the art teacher,once when a girl got hit with a missile from a pea-shooter,no one owned up so she caned every boy in the class.ROUGH JUSTICE.
Although I didn`t attend Newham Grange School myself lots of my friends did. To the best of my knowledge, certainly up to 1954, French was not taught at Newham Grange.
I was at Newham Grange school from 1956 to 1960. Was Mrs Carnell the art or French teacher?
A few more names in the photo are back-row left ? Walker 5th left Ian Tate,middle-row left Alan Tweddle,Doreen Fowler,6th left ? Robinson,front-row left Pauline Nicholson,8th left ? Stainsby.
Attached is a photo of my school class 3A at Newham Grange circa 1954.I am sat front row, second from the extreme right. The teacher was Mrs Carnell but I can only remember a few other names: Ann and Betty Doyle (twins) front 2nd and 4th left were my friends and I also recognize Doreen Cann – standing behind me. I”m now a retired Grandmother living in Lincoln after travelling the World with my RAF husband (ex-Tilery Road urchin!!). Anyone recognize faces? Joyce French (nee Watling).Lincoln ps. Love the site
I read your post with interest. We must have been at Newham Grange at the same time. I was in 3x starting in 1954 and now live in Louth, only a stones throw away. You mention the twins, I recall there were two sets of twins in that year, Kind regards, John Waller.
Are the John Waller that was in the same class as Dyke Crowley, Brian Taylor & Herbie Hoggarth, from the Sedgefield area?
The very same.
So this will be you John in the Newham Grange School sports day.
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2006/01/21/newham-grange-school-sports-day-1955/
Blimey, this rolls back the years and I’ve never seen this picture before, it would be great to see the original. Bill Cowley and I Ran the Roseworth Scouts together for a few years and I’ve lost touch with him. Do You have contact with him? If so it would be great to catch up, regards, John.
I was also in that class. Mr Lofthouse was the French teacher when l was there.
David Crowley, Brian Taylor, John Waller are names I remember. My name was Valerie Lofthouse then, and my friends were Gwen Evans and Sylvia Adams. I still have the class photograph somewhere in the house. I moved to America in 1963, and now live in Mesquite Nevada, about 90 miles North of Las Vegas. If anyone reads this I would really enjoy hearing from someone back home.
Well Valerie Lofthouse, this is a pleasant surprise, I have been trying to trace old school friends and have set up a Facebook page to share memories. If you can find the Newham Grange page you’ll find lots of photos. It would be great to hear from you, best wishes, John
I think the Doyle twins left school the year before you came to the school John, my sister was in their class.
I must have been in that class 1954 because I remember the Doyle twins, Betty and Ann (not identical) and another set of twins who were identical. The names Doreen Cann and Joyce Watling, also ring a bell, I remember Mr. Lofthouse, Miss Wainsworth who taught English Literature (whom I loved) and my art teacher was a Mr. Carr, injured during the II WW. We had an art teacher who came from France, Maybe Mrs. Carnell.? I went to Stockton Technical College to do a secretarial course, then emigrated to Australia in 1956 with my parents. Since 196l I have lived in Madrid, Spain and have a Spanish family, with 4 grandchildren and 3 children. I was not taught French at school. I lived in Grays Road, near Eva Raine and perhaps Gwen, a Welsh family. Pamela Cooper (sister of Granville Cooper). (I also had a friend called Valerie who lived on Durham Road)
I loved the sports at school.