Julie Hubbard (nee Tring)

This was my school during the late 60's.The Headmaster was Mr Ashman & Deputy Head Mr Teasedale.Our class "belonged" to Mrs Hopkins, she was old school & very strict!Other teacher names that come to mind are..Mr Clarke(English)Mr Lupton(History)Mr Denby (?)Mr Champion(Music),he died very suddenly after only a short spell @ the school,he was only in his 20's.The vaccant land in the forground was the site of rows of terrace houses.

Not displayed

Mike Howgate

I went this school approx in 1965. The small building at the rear (right) was the Arts Rooms. The School was co-ed. Below the Right hand Tower was the Girls entrance and the left the boys.

Not displayed

Claire

I actually live on the street behind the school now and it has changed a bit the road going right through is no lonager there and there is a big cast iron fence all around the building

Not displayed

Billy Huggan

Armley Park was my school from 1951 - 1955. The headmaster was Mr. Prior. The deputy head was Mr. Hinchcliffe. He was my last teacher before I left school at 15 years old to start work. Mrs. Hopkins was the last year teacher for the girls. Other teachers that I can remember were - Mr Gamble (Geography) Mr. Moody (Science) Mr. Brown (English) Mr. Cole (Boys Sport and P.E.) Miss Binks (Girls Sport and P.E.) Mr. Wiles (now what did he teach, can you remember?) Mr. Capes (Woodwork) Mr. Burton (Metalwork) There was a History teacher, but the name escapes me. In those days the small building at the rear(right) was used for woodwork and metalwork classes. I lived down Armley Road at the nearby Castleton Hotel until 1953. We then moved to Headingley. For my last 2 years at Armley Park School I used to travel from Headingley on my push bike unless the weather was really bad.

Not displayed

Mel Holdsworth

To add to Billy Huggans comments - I was at Armley Park School from 1954 - 1957. Mr. Dawson was the maths teacher. A strict disciplinarian "Digger Dawson" was very handy with the cane. Mr. Moorhouse used to teach Technical Drawing. Mr. Pearson was the History teacher.

Not displayed

Edward Deighton

I was at the school from 52 to 56 Mr Wiles took us for English,I remeber the art classess,making paint bombs that stuck fast to the ceiling then dropped I think when I started it was Mr Moorhouses first term,remember his curled up brown shoes,I think he became head of Castleton School at a much later date Mr Pearson took history,then when I went to Park Lane in the early seventies he was there again,taking social history was it Ms Hopkins who took Music lessons tried to teach the class how to read music,never.

Not displayed

John Young

Battys second hand furniture, house clearance show opposite the school was owned by Ralph Batty a Middleton boy who I went to school with.

Not displayed

Percy Smithies

I transferred from Armley Council School (Clock School) in 1947 when Armley Park became a Secondary Modern School. I lived in Pickering Mount just down Armley Road. The headmaster when the School opened was Mr Smith, I started in Form 2 Upper (Miss Buckley), Form 3A (Mr Wiles), and 4 Upper (Mr Moody). Mr Hinchcliffe was Art teacher and Sports Master. Mrs Hopkins was music teacher, Mr Newman was Maths and Geometry teacher. Mr Cole took us for Physical Training and Miss Schofield was the sewing mistress. Diana Coupland was a famous pupil and starred in Bless this House with Sid James. We had a super football and cricket teams winning the Teachers Shield at Football and The James Child Memorial Shield at cricket. Mr Smith the Headmaster loaned me his cricket flannels to play in the final. In the last year of school (1950) Bill Bowes the Yorkhire and England cricketer gave all the boys a talk on cricket. Additionally, in our last year the Senior boys Exchange Woodwork for Domestic Science (Mrs Whitworth) and had a great time and we were duly photgraphed by the Daily Mirror and recorded for posterity. Some of the happiest days of my life were spent at Armley Park Secondary Modern.

dogsbodyone@gmail.com

michael mcguinness

It is not a school now it is offices and small factorys now.

Not displayed

PETER RUMSEY

I WAS AT THIS SCHOLL FROM 1964 TO 1968, THE HEADMASTER WAS MR ASHMAN, ONE OF THE SCIENCE TEACHERS WAS MISS BECKWITH (BEEKY), THE OTHER WAS MR TIDSWELL, WHO LATER BECAME DEPUTY HEAD WHEN THE THEN MR HINCHCLIFFE RETIRED, THERE WAS MR GAMBLE (GRABBER) WHO WAS THE GEOGRAPHY TEACHER, MR LUPTON TAUGHT HISTORY,MISS HOPKINS TAUGHT R.E, SHE WAS MY TEACHER AND WAS VERY VERY STRICT AS WAS ALL THE OTHER TEACHERS, MR DENBY WAS THE P.E TEACHER, MR JOHNS TAUGHT MATHS FOR A SHORT TIME UNTIL HE RETIRED, MR HARTE TAUGHT WOODWORK UP AT THE OLD BLOCK ON WESLEY ROAD IN THE GROUNDS OF THE OLD ARMLEY NASH SCHOOL, I STILL HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF ME IN THE FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE EARLY 60s ALONG WITH PEOPLE LIKE MICK HAMILTON, KEITH DAWKINS, GEOFF GOODHALL AND MANY MORE...THOSE WERE THE DAYS, I LOVED THEM. IF YOU REMEBER THESE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME..ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU ALL...PETER

peter.rumsey@ntlworld.com

Stanley Wade

I went to this school the 20ts and left atthe age of 14 in 1928.My memories of teachers was Mr Sedgwick, Mr Thornton, Miss Schofield, Mr Wiggelsworth the head teacher. My only caim to fame was in the tug of war team we came second at childrens day at Roundhay Park in my last year

Not displayed

Martin Patterson

I was at Armley Park from 1964to 1968. When l was there the small building to the right was used for our dinners,the woodwork and metalwork classes were at an annexe up Wesley rd about 200 yards from where Pete Rumsey lived.

Not displayed

Les. Emmerson

Julie, I remember your brother John,I used to live at the top of Aviary Row. Was at Armley Park from 1961 to 1965 what good times, "Paddy" Pearson, "Daddy" Gamble, Jack Berry and who could forget Ms. Smith trying to teach French. Well live in Canada now so maybe should have paid more attention. The houses that used be in the foreground where the Beeches, used to live on Beech Avenue at one time. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Andrew Slater or Brian Eager or any of the class of 65 please contact me. Thanks, Les.

Les_Emmerson@canada.com

carol

I went to this school in the mid 70's when it was a middle school. The hut at the back was our dining room. The food was disgusting with loads of gristle in the meat. Mr (Daddy) Gamble was still there teaching Geography. Mr Bostock taught music and mental/physical torture. Made my life hell and once dragged me onto stairs by my hair. My class teacher was Mr Windsor (I liked him) and I think he taught English. At some time during my years there, part of the upper hall floor collapsed onto the hall below. Does anyone else remember that?

Not displayed

K.Broadhurst

I attended this school 1951-Christmas 1956,they were wonderful years filled with good memories for me and most of the teachers were great too.In my first year Mr.Cole was my form master,he later left and went to work at Armley Jail.He was my English teacher and also taught PE.Daddy Gamble was the geography teacher,Paddy Pearson taught history.Mrs. Hopkins taught RE,she was a tartar,if you made a spelling mistake she would have you write the word 100 times!Digger Dan also taught maths in my 2nd year,he also ran the tuck shop.their was also a french teacher called Foster, he was a terrible bully and he would fly off the handle and beat kids up for very slight mistakes,He once had a kid, John Sheldon I think,put the chewing gum he was eating,into his hair and made him squash it in.Johns mother came up to the school and complained to Pobble(Mr. Prior,the Head)I dont think he stayed at the school much longer thank God!We also had a great science teacher in our third year called Sutherland.I liked him a lotThere was a teacher called Miss or Mrs Newman she also taught English.Great days ,great school,where have those days gone?

keithbroadhurst@yahoo.com

melanie from wortley

I attended this school during the mid 70's when it was called Armley Middle School. I hated every day here and I dont recall many happy memories. Mr Ashman was the headmaster and Mr Tidswell was the deputy head. I remember Miss Wren, totally mad(French), Mr Windsor (English, Mr Gamble (Geography, Mr Lupton (History), Mr Tomlinson (maths).There was also a teacher called Miss Heywood, I dont remember what she taught, but she used to drag the girls around by their hair and the lads around by their ears. Adding to Carol's comment above Mr Bostock also dragged me down the stairs once by my hair. Does anyone remember Mr Chapman who taught English, you could always distract him from lessons by getting him to talk about the war. I remember the dinner hut, it was always freezing and smelled of cabbage.

Not displayed

Derek Hindle

I attended this school during WWII from 1940 until 1943, as it was the only school I could get in after Good Shepherd, Bramley closed to become a First Aid Post. We used to go to Castleton from there for school dinners and we learned out times tables by rote and spelling was from words written on the blackboard by the teacher. I always remember that there were three Derek's in my class, so it must have been a popular name then.Can't remember a lot else about my time there. Just a bit nostaligic. Regards, Derek Hindle in Tasmania, Australia.

Not displayed

Peter

I remember going to this school. I was sent there after Green Lane School Armley was closed down After reading all your comments you all reminded me of the time I went to this school, but I can’t remember the dates (maybe by choice, lol) and I remember the teachers you have all listed. Was not the best time of my school days, plenty of bullies about when I was there. I remember the pens had nibs (which we used to use as darts) and we had ink wells when I first went there, but after a while we were “up graded” to blue torpedo like pens which did not require ink from a well, that stopped our dart games..lol We used to hop the fence at the far right of the play ground (opposite the toilets) to go to the shop, if any teachers were in the play ground we used to get the smallest kid to go as we could all gather into a small group and the one that went over the fence could not be seen that way. The shop used to sell you a single park drive cig and a match for 5p. If you were one of the ones that had a FULL 5 pack of Park Drive you were everyone’s mate (even the teachers that had left their cigs inside as they borrowed from you as well) . The outside loo was off limits to any one that didn’t smoke at certain times, so we could smoke in peace. I can remember arranging with mates who were in other classes to ask to go to loo at a specific time so we could meet up for a quick drag.. I remember poor old Tidswell having his wheel nuts removed from his wheels and his car collapsing as he was leaving the playground (was an old Morris Minor). The food was not all bad, but you was forced to eat the stuff you did not like (Sprouts, Cabbage etc) the pink custard was different though. I remember having to trek to the other units to do wood work and playing football on the park in all weathers. Despite all that I do have some fond memory’s of my time at Armley Park and some of the people/ friends I had and especially Sheila (wish I could remember her name) she was lovely and always smiling, we went out for a full 2 days..lol, there was another girl, but we never got to names, but we did get caught on the stairs kissing and I was sent to the head for 6 of the best, God those were the days.. Would love to be back there now and know what I know now.. Would never have bunked off or messed around in class, again despite all said, bring back the good old times. Thanks for the memories everyone. Peterb08@aol.com

16-Nov-2008

peterb08@aol.com

steve jennings

i also remember going to this school around 1970-72.i hated ever minuet of it.i remember we were transfered from green lane school to here.mr lupton used to offer to shake hands with you then squeez untill you were on your knees[lol].i also recall mr chapman talking about the war.mr tomlinson drove a zepher4 car.i can also recall making sea grass buffets in woodwork with mr burton and mr hart who was in the process of making a small sailing dingy.mr hinchcliff taught technical drawing in the same buildind up wesley road.PE was also an ordeal we were made to run round gotts park in freezing weather and if you said you had no kit they made you pick kit from an old box of ancient rags on the floor.i remember BILLY BOSTON been made to run round gotts park in size 11 pumps wene he only took a size 3.those were the days eh.

11-Feb-2009

stephenjenko@hotmail.com

John Atkinson

I was sentenced to time in Armley Park, although I maintain my innocence. "Mrs" Hopkins was actually Miss Hopkins ... Paddy Pearson told me that she had been stood up at the altar, hence the frozen, glacial demeanour; a highly disturbed woman. She taught religious knowledge; at the slightest hint of a problem she would glide silently from the room to return shortly with Pobble, who performed his red/purple spittle dance. Bill Johns was my final form master, who condescended to teach us maths, explaining frequently that this was only "ordinary" level, hence his boredom. His cane often went missing, and I happen to know that there was a knot hole in the floor nearby where he kept it. Mr Capes taught metalwork, Mr Burton woodwork and technical drawing. Capes was a very nice man who died suddenly. Another nice guy was Mr Wilkinson the science teacher, very quietly spoken but his classes listened. A rare gift. That contrasted with another science teacher whose name escapes me who had been a vicar who spent most of the time shouting but could never get the class to listen. Another one with the gift was Mr Winteringham who read 'The Wind In The Willows' to us, mostly with good attention. Mr Hinchcliffe also taught tech. drawing and threatening behaviour. What I remember most about many of the teachers was how bored they all were. There was a lot of very unprofessional behaviour; 'Pobble' Prior frequently exploded with rage and could be heard shouting. If Paddy was in a good mood he would leave the classroom door open so we could enjoy the ravings. If one was favoured with a personal tirade, in my case for being shy and not singing in assembly, he began calmly but his face soon became red and as he worked himself up turned purple, all the while spraying one with spittle. At the peak of the tirade, he would dramatically fling open a cupboard and point to a small pile of Mars bars, which was intended as a threat, but ones incredulity ended when he reached into the pile and pulled out his cane. I became ill towards the end of my term, which led to a great deal of distress. I had been in the top three in most subjects but when I suddenly began to fail in everything it was not remarked on and I was treated in a despicable manner. Not to be forgotten was Mr "Do you want a fight?" Collins the art teacher who was kind of OK except on one occasion when we were given water colour paints. I was given a wodge of paper on a vertical easel and all my paint ran down to a brown puddle at the bottom, to his great amusement. For those who don't know, water colour painting can only be done with the paper flat. Teachers should be auditioned and if they can't command attention they should be fired, and if they were violent as one or two were, should be used as Guys on Bonfire Night.

07-Mar-2009

ellanv@yahoo.co.uk

Sally

I was at Armley Park for the briefest time possible in 1960/1. All the things written about Mr Prior are dead right. A thoroughly nasty man. And my abiding memory of Mr Hinchcliff is of his vest sleeve dangling beneath the short sleeve of his shirt as he flung the board rubber at some hapless youth at the back of the class. Mercifully I have forgotten most of the rest. I spent a dreary few months there and was taken away, thank the lord, and attended Sandford Girls' instead. A lifesaver!

22-Apr-2009

Not displayed

simon bennett

does any one remember my late father Clive Bennett He was on the cricket team and won the 1955 wood working prize.

01-Jun-2009

simon.bennett5631@btinternet.com

Alan Mason

I was at this school from 59 to 63 and remember having to duck when Frank Hinchcliffe threw board rubbers at Brian Scott behind me during tech drawing. My father,Leslie Mason was also taught by Frank Hinchcliffe in 1929.

07-Jul-2009

Not displayed

Andrea Postle { Now Hargreaves}

I have made many comments on Leodis, and most of my comments have been positive, happy ones. I have read the previous comments from pupils of Armley Park Secondary Modern School, and have felt heartily sorry that most of them had to attend this awful school. I also attended from about 1960 to '63. The ethos was tyrannical, and would not gone amiss in Dickens days. I have a degree and say, with pride, that nothing I was taught at this school added to this degree, they taught me little, except that command is passed down from on high and it would seem that the teachers there learned everything from Mr. Prior. Even this photograph conjures up despair, and hopelessness, which is what I felt every day at this school.

22-Nov-2009

Not displayed

Frankie Flynn

I was at the park in the early 70s and daddy gamble was our form teacher as well as geography. Bring back the cane we used to see who could get it most off Mr Gamble by the end of the week. Good times;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

27-Jan-2010

frankieflynn148@aol.com

steve jennings

hey frankie flynn blast from the past hahaha you must have been there mid to late 70s ask ya sister hahaha

21-Feb-2010

Not displayed

keith b

One of the funniest thing that happened on a regular basis was when Frank Hinchcliffe who nearly always took morning Assembly,would leap up onto the stage and shout above the murmer of conversations which were going on,"Put your hand up if your talking!"As if we would own up to talking! What a laugh! There has been quite a few negative comments on the hard discipline at Armley Park but I think the volume of comments serves to indicate that this school did give quite a rounded education.There can't be many more schools on this site that have prompted people to comment in the numbers they have.

07-Mar-2010

John Sheldon

I must agree with the comments from Keith Broadhurst,I enjoyed Armley Park School.Paddy Pearson was my form teacher in my last year,1957. He also taught history,Daddy Gamble was geography, Jonesy was english,he was the only teacher I remember that called you by your first name.And then there was Mr FOSTER! GREAT TIMES!! " Anyone seen my chewing gum!?"

09-Mar-2010

j.sheldon388@btinternet.com

david kent

I went to this ABOUT 72-TO-75 i was a shy but a good kid. but i was totally destroyed by Miss hopkin see made my life a misery. i wasn't helped because my some what older brother and sister had been at the school couple of years earlier when it was 'senior school' and they had lead her a merry dance with how naughty they were. i remeber my first day, when she called my name out and looked down her glases at me 'related to james and linda kent' 'yes miss' 'I replied' she just gave this long 'mmmmmmmmmm'i remeber us visiting the main library in leeds and the whole school had to choose the books that they thought would be good for our school library. i put alot into it and one top prize. i don't blame the head master for how she was to me but that morning in assembly she went on the platform with the words 'i don't know how he's done it but Dave Kent as won' he was there when she said that. i can only assume he did nothing, because nothing changed. i was not best educated but i always gave my all. if you look at my school reports before hopkin i was probably above average, while having her as my teacher i was the worst in the class after her, I had Mrs Davies and i prospered again, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

24-Mar-2010

david.kent@bhlgroup.co.uk

Yvonne from Armley

In reply to the comment from: Mel from Wortley Miss Heywood, was the scary Art Teacher, who looked like Kate Bush and had a passion for dragging kids to the front of the class by the ear

05-Jun-2010

Not displayed

Dawn

Following comments from Melanie, Carol and Yvonne, I too went to Armley Middle School in the mid 70's. I clearly remember the roof caving in, we were all in class when it happened. We used to have split assemblies; 1st and 2nd years downstairs and 3rd and 4th years uptairs. Every break time, someone ran around the school ringing a bell. I remember Mr Chapman used to lock his classroom door during lessons and one time he closed the door on a lads finger and locked it. The poor boy screamed for what seemed like forever before he opened the door! I remember Mr Ashman (with his sandals and socks) his fluffy secretary Miss Bamford, Mr Tidswell (his son teaches now!) Mr Greenwood (art downstairs), Mrs Davis (library) Miss Howgate who got married and became Mrs Middleton (She was in the little classroom that you went down about 4 wooden steps when you got in the door). Mr Chapman, Mr Taylor (boys PE) Miss Robinson (girls PE-a bit odd she was), Miss Wren was my favourite teacher and inspired me to study French which I now teach. She was fab! Mr Windsor (could make his ears wiggle) Mr Gamble, Mr Lupton, Mr Jones(science) Miss Smelinski (Biology, she walked with a limp), Miss Heywood, Mrs Birch and I can't think of anymore. But just for those of you who were at the harsh end of Big Bum Bostocks hand, he did the stairs thing on my brother too and my Mum went mad. She went down to school and gave him the same treatment, he fell down the first flight of steps to the first landing - soft landing though because I think his bottom broke his fall!!!

07-Jun-2010

Not displayed

David Postill

Thanks for all the comments I attended this schoo 1951 - 1955 and remember quite a few names.. I also represented the school at cricket and Mr Cole was the master in charge I do not remember the name Bennett but John White was my mate and he went on to great cricketing achievements Love to all the Armley Lads from South Australia

08-Jun-2010

Not displayed