This is the A-level mathematics class of Dave Allison at Stockton Sixth Form College in 1975/6. Courtesy of Alan Boardman. 
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A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This is the A-level mathematics class of Dave Allison at Stockton Sixth Form College in 1975/6. Courtesy of Alan Boardman.
Can anyone please remind me of the name of the art teacher the year that the sixth form college opened?
I can remember Miss Blake, Mr. Carr, Mrs. Mallaby, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. Nuttal. Thanks very much
I went to the Sixth Form College too, leaving in 1977. I remember David Duncan (History) who had a great set of sideburns and who acted in amateur dramatics (Salad Days!); Dr. Day who taught English and also taught me to build kites and Muriel Passey who also taught English.
Interesting to read the comments about successful students who were not the cream of the class at a young age. The old 11 + had a lot to answer for in downgrading students at the tender age of 11 years, and in the worst case 10 years and 11 months, if your Birthday was in July . I am sure this rejection would give many students an inferiority complex they would carry for the rest of their years. Thank goodness in some cases it would inspire them to prove to the powers that be that their system was not infallible as they would have you believe, I am sure the modern Comprehensive System is a much better method of schooling for all students, except maybe the top 5 % who are the cream of the students, but my understanding is that today outstanding students are given special tutors to fine tune their natural ability which is well above the average. Maybe Ken Sawyer or Bill Rosser could comment on this view.
I had an interesting experience in Australia when I was looking for a High School for our eldest daughter Alison when I attended a High School open day to acquaint parents and students with their new School . The Head master stood up and in front of a very large audience and made the statement that he could pick the Captains of industry at the tender age of 11 years. also the failures could be identified at this age. I stood and said Rubbish,and made my points about my experience with late developers amongst my friends over the past decades. This did not go down very well with the Head Master and needless to say my daughter attended another school , and managed to pass her Higher School Certificate, at 11 years she was not doing very well either.
Much has depended on the stimulus and support given by teachers. I am still in touch with a former pupil at a C of E Sec Mod later retitled High School. This 11+ failure later became a University Professor, an expert in School Management & Leadership. Encouragement by teachers was the crucial factor for his achievement he says.
As an ex Teacher I can assure you that Mrs Oxley would have been delighted had you told her of your career success.
I taught a Secondary Modern in Billingham and at our parents meetings I was occasionally astounded at the eventual status , career wise, of some “no hopers” that had attended the School. Try to overcome your shyness if you meet her at a later meeting, it will probably make her day.
I went to Grangefield and remember the teachers mentioned by Alan B who transferred to the Sixth Form College. One not mentioned was the lovely Mrs Oxley who taught Human Biology. In the mid sixties I failed my O Level in this subject and she gave up her lunch times to help me revise and I passed the re-sit. That meant a lot to a girl who was not expected to do well. Many years later, at a parents evening for my son, I was pleased to see her again. I was too shy to tell her that I was then a Head Teacher.
I would agree that electronic calculators were still a bit of a novelty in 1976, but I’d describe 1976 as a transition year rather than “the pre-calculator age”. From 1974 to 1976, when I was studying for civilian qualifications at night school, in preparation for leaving the RAF in 1977, we were already allowed to use calculators in examinations. The whole night-school class assembled our own “Sinclair Cambridge Scientific” calculators from kits, so as to avoid swingeing purchase tax. However, I still work in aero-engineering and carry a six-inch “Blundell Omega” in my pocket. For those who retain the mental agility to use one, a slide rule can be much faster than a ‘scientific’ calculator.
Stockton Six Form College photos hardly figure on this site, so here is one. I scribbled the names on the back of the photograph in June 1976, but apologies for any errors. Back row from left to right, Kevin Smith, Alan Boardman, Dave Truby, Colin Stuart. Front row from left to right, Duncan Galley, Dave Allison, Linda Chapman. Mr Dave Allison was an excellent maths teacher who transferred from Grangefield Grammar Boys School to the new Sixth Form College. I also started at the college the day it opened in Tutor Group No.18 (Mr Hindson). Note the small size of the mixed class. Slide rules as illustrated and log tables were popular in this pre-calculator age, well before the computer age. Note the dubious fashions by today’s standards, flared trousers, platform shoes, enormous watchstraps, long hair and flowery shirts. Other teachers I remember from this era were Mr Ellis (Chemistry), Mrs Estruch (Physics) and Mr Carr (Principal). Mr ‘Rock’ Hudson, a Grangefield legend, spent some time at the new college taking soccer as well as his beloved rugby.