Leodis - a photographic archive of Leeds

Aerial View, West Leeds High School

Description:
Undated, Aerial view of West Leeds High School. This shows the boys school. Town Street runs diagonally across the top left corner with Whingate running from left to right directly behind the school. On the left is Heights Lane separating the main playing field from the cricket field. On the corner of the field is the Kindergarten with the main school building in the centre. West Leeds High School still exists although is now based at different premises nearby. The building in view is in the process of being converted for residential uses.

User Comments:

Name:

C E Vary

Comment:

I was a pupil at the schol from Sep 53 to July 61. My sister and younger brother followed me there, from our primary school, the Upper Armley Church of England Primary School. The headmaster throughout our period at WLBHS was Mr Barnshaw. I was in the RAF section of the CCF, and much against Mr Barnshaw's advice I became an RAF pilot, finally retiring as a Wing Commander from the Directorate of Joint Warfare in MOD. The boy's section of the school is the left hand part of the building as seen in the picture, with the Girls occupying the right hand side. All lessons were segregated, but mixing was permitted in the breaks, usually spent around the cricket pitch. The tree to the left of the main cricket square was a noted natural hazard. Along the length of the building, on each floor, ran central corridors with large, high ceilinged classrooms to right and left. On most floors, doors separated the Boys and Girls halves, but on the upper floor (Music, Art and Library?) a white paint line across the corridor marked the boundary. The small triangular green just behind the school in the picture (in effect, outside the front entrance) was called Charley Cake Park. Trams ran along the road separating the school and the park, climbing a steep rise to the left of the picture and terminating at a small hospital at the top, where there was also a large pub called, appropriately, the Traveller's Rest.

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Name:

Chris Hough

Comment:

Iwas a pupil at West Leeds from 1964-1969 following the second world war there was a large brick air raid shelter on the edge of the cricket field nearest the school buildings. This would indicate that the picture dates from before the war. In my time at the school the old kindergarten building was used as the music department The music masters during my time were Mr Norcliffe and then Mr Galloway

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Name:

Jack

Comment:

I was at WLHS from 1942 to 1945 and I am sure from the size of the beech tree in your picture that it dates from before the war. The head then was Mr. Thomas Curzon (old Thos). He was a great teacher whose influence could be seen in Alex Lyon M.P. Dr. Barnshaw arrived while I was still there.

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Name:

michael mcguinness

Comment:

Old West Leeds School is now fully converted into flats, though they have not sold them all yet (2006).

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michael_1938@live.co.uk

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Name:

michael mcguinness

Comment:

West Leeds High School is the very first night school I used to go to, this would have been in 1953.

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michael_1938@live.co.uk

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Name:

John Clayton

Comment:

I was at the school from 1958-63 during Mr Barnshaw's reign. I seem to remember that the boys/ girls break times and start/ finish times were staggered so we didn't mix! There were bike sheds at one end of the school to the right of the photo and more behind the kindergarten (KG) accessed from Heights Lane.I used to cycle to/from school twice every day from Amen Corner in Kirkstall up Armley Ridge Road past Gotts Park. It was a problem if you got your bike tyres caught in the tram lines on Whingate. There was a tuck shop 100yds down Whingate (might just be on the photo at the end of the terrace houses in the top right)on the left where you could buy fresh home baked cream scones for 2d or 3d if jam was added! Owned I believe by a lovely lady affectionately known as 'Old Ma Pearson'

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Terry Smith

Comment:

I was a pupil at West Leeds from 1952-57. The tree to the left of the cricket square was felled in 1956. A bench was made from the timber by Bob Stead the woodwork master and put at the top of the terrace overlooking the cricket pitch. I wonder what happened to that bench when the school was closed?

Email:

teryasmith@hotmail.co.uk

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Name:

lewis carter

Comment:

i went to west leeds and i loved it!!

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Pauline Brook {Nee Senior}

Comment:

I attended the scool from 1948 to 1954 spending my first year there in the kindergarten building. The Headmisstress was a Miss Guest at that time and my first form teacher was a Miss Padman {affectionatley nicknamed Paddy). I would love to here from any former classmates.

Email:

pbrook1638@talktalk.net

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Name:

M Haywood

Comment:

I attended West Leeds Girls High School from 1956 until 1961 during which time we moved into the new school. I remember the gym in the basement and the smell of rotten eggs after the boys had had chemistry lessons! Our science block was in the grounds just below the steps on the right of the picture and the sports field was in the centre of the grassed area with a running track and sand pits, its a shame schools no longer have the land available with such outdoor facilities.

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Denis Thornton

Comment:

My memories of the mid-30's was going down the lane alongside the school (possibly known as Heights Lane) to "ogle" (as kids do !) at the Spanish Civil War refugee families living in a big house on the right hand side of the lane

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Ron (Ronnie) Bannister

Comment:

This too was my first night school in 1941. Did classes in the basement when the sirens sounded.

Email:

ron@bannister509.freeserve.co.uk

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Name:

Brian Gaunt

Comment:

I was interested to read Wing Commander Vary's comments.I was a pupil at the school from September 1946 until July 1952 when I was awarded a scholarship to study at Leeds College of Art.Mr Curzon was the headmaster when I first went to the school and later he was succeeded by Mr Barnshaw.Many memories spring to mind as I look at this photograph and many are the names of boys whom I knew.David A. Robinson(my best pal and fellow aeromodeller.We went on to do National Service in the Royal Air Force),Ken Westoby,Peter Burrow,Derek Cook,Gerald Hatton and Clifford Wells(a fellow art student)to name but a few.Where are they now,what have they been doing in the last 56 years? Teachers names are remembered too,especially those whose subjects I particularly liked Messrs.Mounsdon(Art)Stead(Woodwork)Tamlyn(French)Kerrison(History)Griffiths(Geography)Stan Wilson(PE&Games).I still have all my school reports(good and bad!)and a class photograph taken in 1950 of Form 5G with our form master,Mr Watts("Chunky" as he was affectionately nicknamed).I wish I had a staff photo from that time.The winter of 1947 was severe(as were subsequent winters)and the schoolyard and field was covered with snow and ice.A long slide was quickly made on the compacted snow all the way from the steps at the edge of the yard across to near the cricket square.We were all hugely impressed to see some members of staff joining in the fun.The sight of Messrs.Stead and Mounsdon expertly sliding has stuck in my memory ever since.Some of the teachers certainly enhanced their reputations that day!In those days schoolmasters did not do that kind of thing.Huge snowballs were rolled into position to build a breastwork behind which the sixth formers would attempt to beat off attacks by hordes of yelling younger pupils.Suddenly a snatch party of sixth formers would sally forth and grab some of the attackers.The fate of those captured was to be rubbed in the snow!All good healthy schoolboy fun,nobody moaning about Health and Safety and we were a lot better for it!I recall strolling round the school field at lunchtimes and as we got older we hoped to catch the eye of that particular girl whom one had taken a fancy to.Sometimes we played the"OWZAT"cricket game on the big square stone tops of the school wall and played knockabout cricket on the field.We always looked forward to the arrival of "Fusco" with his ice cream van in Heights Lane near the kindergarten huts.Even though it was "Verboten" we would often sneak out of school at breaktime to dash over Whingate to buy freshly baked loaves which we would smuggle back shoved up our jumpers and blazers.We were hungry lads and needed to supplement our school dinners!I had my "ups and downs"but I loved the old school and I shall always be grateful that I was able to receive a first class education.I was glad when the building was saved and I can still admire it as I drive down Hilltop Road.I eventually became a teacher in 1959 and taught Art to high school pupils for 33years.

Email:

briangaunt@talktalk.net

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Name:

Robert Jones

Comment:

I was at WLHS from 1950-1955 and went into form 1b; the form-master was Icky Gould, who also taught History. Maths was taught by someone nicknamed Fritz and the Gymnmaster was Stan Wilson. I will never forget Mr Stead's favourite expression of "You must be daft,lad" My best friend there was Cedric Harrison

Date:

05-Oct-2008

Email:

bob.sue89@tiscali.co.uk

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Name:

Robert Jones

Comment:

Two further points:- The School motto was NON SIBI SED LUDO (Not for oneself but for the School) There were four houses HOOK - red De LACY - purple OSTLER - green PRIESTLEY - blue

Date:

20-Oct-2008

Email:

bob.sue89@tiscali.co.uk

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Name:

Alan Bailey

Comment:

I was a pupil at West Leeds from 1957-62 and in my first year, the school was split by a 'Berlin Wall' on all but the basement corridor. This was to keep the boys and girls separate but they were removed when the Girls went to the new buildings across the railway. I now live in Whingate Close which occupies the area just to right of the school in the photo. For all I was at the school for 5 Years, I find it hard to visualise what was there until 1966 when the houses were built - This shot shows there was a large house with sizeable gardens and allotments. The school was converted into trendy apartments with new houses on the cricket field about 2001/2 but in the process lost its distinctive weather vane.

Date:

19-Nov-2008

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Name:

Brian French

Comment:

Interesting,my school life at West Leeds was from 43 to 48. There were 11 Brians in my form.I used to cycle from the stanningley border and home for lunch. My mother used to let me keep the 2d a day I saved on the Tram and bus fare. The cycling stood me in good stead for after moving to Liverpool in 1948 I started club riding and cycle racing which sport I enjoyed until I married. Well remember the Rugby matches and I had to keep quiet about going with some of my school pals to have a trial for Bramley Rugby League team. We had to keep very quiet about that for the school was strictly Union

Date:

16-Jan-2009

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Name:

Keith Glover

Comment:

Interesting to read Ted Vary's comments as I took over from him as Flight Sergeant in the RAF section of the CCF being a year behind him in school. The RAF section was run by the chemistry master Mr. Duncan, known for some reason as "Chez" and the Army section by a master called Grey. Nice to see that Ted ended up as a Wing Commander. I seem to remember another pupil in his year by the mane of Moorhouse who also joined the RAF but in the Engineering area.Most of the staff mentioned by Brian Gould were still there in my day apart from the French master who in my time was a Mr.Otter. Most of the playing fields are now covered in housing and when passing last Sunday, after visiting my Aunt, now 93 and who took woodwork night school lessons from Bob Stead,I saw that more of the fields to the left of the photo are now a building site.

Date:

03-Feb-2009

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Name:

Andrew Johnson

Comment:

I attended WLHS from 1953 to 1960, a contemporary of Edwin Vary who I remember well; when (to the amazement of staff and pupils) I got a place at St Andrews to study medicine. Unlike Edwin Vary I was in the Army cadets, commanded by Capt., later Major, ‘Titch’ Grey (French and German) and Lieut. Frank 'Norman' Naylor (French). I have happy memories of learning field craft, and map reading, shooting .303 Lee Enfield rifles on the range and going on exercises and summer camps. We were taught by some rather severe schoolmasters, many of whom wore black gowns. Overall I think we received a good traditional education at a time before authority was regularly questioned. At a time too before the dangers of cigarette smoking was generally realised; if you knocked on the staff room door at dinner time, the master who opened it was enveloped in a choking cloud of smoke.

Date:

26-Oct-2009

Email:

andrew.d.johnson@btinternet.com

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Name:

Andrew Johnson

Comment:

This photograph stimulated me to do some research about the elm tree in the centre of the cricket square. I unearthed my copy of the history of WLHS, written in 1957 to commemorate the Schools Golden Jubilee. It tells how the tree was uprooted and dismembered in 1950 and after seasoning was turned into a seat by Mr Stead in 1954. I went back to West Leeds a few years ago, when the school was being turned into flats, and felt sad to see the cricket square filled with houses. I can however remember the field as it was with absolute clarity and can recall walking round the perimeter track at lunchtimes on fine summer days.

Date:

28-Oct-2009

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Dave & Moira Emmett

Comment:

We have just come across this website and discover ourselves in some sort of time warp. Moira and I were at West leeds from 1953 to 1960,.We met there, Moira from Wyther Park me from Cross Flatts in South leeds. Despite demarcation lines around the school and the different break times we managed to get together and here we are, retired from our lives in teaching and having a wonderful time. I clearly remember my first day at West leeds, the lining up in the school yard and the reading of the names to go the different clases, a, b, or c. I was allocated to Jock, 'Icky' Gould's class and sat in strictly alphabetical order, Dave Dobson in front Peter Fryer behind. Moira still goes to her class reunions organised by Pat Pemberton, pieces of information about our year surface at regular intervals. I remember Charly Vary's ambitions to fly, although then I thought of them as from as a commercial pilot. I remember his close friends, Alan Hearn and Peter Moorhouse. We did a sort of cycling expedition to East keswick with one or two others. I left in 1960 and did Teacher Traing at Loughborough. I then went back to West Leeds, teaching Woodwork with Bob Stead until 1971. I then went on teaching in Leeds schools until I retired. If anyone is interested Moira and I are still ecstatically in love with each other and have had, and are still enjoying, the most amazing life together. To Andrew Johnson, I remember his wry humour and along with many others, Nev. Smith, Michael Webster and loads of others, his ability to make us laugh,

Date:

24-Nov-2009

Email:

davemoira@talktalk.net

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Name:

Colin Mason

Comment:

Isn't it amazing how things do a full circle! I attended WLBHS from September 1953 to July 1961 - I have found this website over the past few weeks. I remember well Edwin (Edward?) Vary, Andrew Johnson and Dave Emmett, in fact, I believe we were in the same form (1B,2B,3B, etc.). I also recall many of the staff mentioned,- Messrs. Mounsdon, Grey, Naylor, Kerrison, "Long John" Wilson and Stan Wilson. My main inspiration came from Mr. H ("Chunky") Watts, who actually persuaded me that I could do Maths, to the extent that I took a Maths degree, and taught the subject up to 'A'-level for 44 years! My other great inspiration came from our Music master, Mr. Basil Kirker, who again took my (so-called) talents to heart that I became a parish church organist for the same 44 years! A number of years after I left, I met Messrs. Grey and Kirker on the SAME cross-channel ferry!! I have spent most of my working life in South-west London, (Croydon, Sutton, Kingston), apart from a brief spell in North Wales - my two children were born in Chester but consider themselves Southerners! Good luck to everone in retirement, I'm enjoying mine.

Date:

30-Nov-2009

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Name:

Brian Gaunt

Comment:

Although it was some years later than the Brian Gaunt previous ( who may also have lived on Tong Road Near the Frionor fish shop, I too remember Mr Mounnsden, Mr Stead ( who both retired whilst I was there ! ^^-72 loved it, such a small school compared to now, all boys 550 tops I think, Mr Stead, Taffy Thomas, Grundy, Denison , Mrs Clues, (Arthur Clues GB Rugby,s wife ) Stan Wilson Trev Emmott seemed bad at time but, And Joe Lund - you were right mate, work for theesen, thas a salesman.

Date:

09-Mar-2010

Email:

brian.gaunt@btinternet.com

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Name:

Lynden Flint

Comment:

WLHS was a very fine grammar school. I attended 1941/48 though far from an ideal pupil. Frequently late and a regular attender in detention after school in room 4. Caned by the headmaster, Toss Curzon for climbing the cherry tree at the rear of the school and eating the cherries. Two strokes of the cane. the first stroke was OK but the second hurt like hell if it hit the same place. Usually near the bottom of the class but I came good for school cert and entered the VIth form science. left to join the RAF and finished up at Leeds university with a teaching qualification too. Most of the teachers were fine though some could have been better. J.H.Tamlyn was a real fine teacher as was Long John Wilson. Sadly when comprehension took over and it entered a less scholastic existence its fortunes faded. But I remember it with much affectio.

Date:

06-Jun-2010

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Name:

Patrick Johnson

Comment:

I attended West Leeds 1953 - 58 and remember many of the teachers mentioned in earlier postings. I wonder if people are aware of the following website which is dedicated to WLHS: http://www.wlbhs.110mb.com/Frameset5.htm It is well worth a visit.

Date:

29-Dec-2010

Email:

pw1341Jhnson@aol.com

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Name:

stewart blair

Comment:

hi, dos any1 knw wot year this photo was taken? i also went 2 west leeds boys,,,,, seems so so long ago now, BUT DO WISH I WOZ BACK THERE :(

Date:

20-Jan-2011

Email:

sj_blair@hotmail.co.uk

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Name:

GEORGE BERRY

Comment:

I attended this school from 1947 to Dec 1951having been transferred from Leeds Central High School.I went straight into class 4c and joined Brian Gaunt and the others mentioned.Have fond memories of "JIT" Tamlyn,Chunky Watts and Wilson the science teacher.Not so good memories of "Tojo"Moundsdon,the art teacher,who also took us for swimming lesons.His methods of teaching means I never have been able to swim due to the large pole which he pushed you under the water" Throwing the board duster was also a speciailty of his.I was particularly friendly with Duncan Osborne,Ben Lyon,Raymond Longster and John Cashmore who went on to singing fame in London.I left school without taking exams as "Chunky" Watts found me a position in an accountancy firm in Leeds.Did National Service 1953-55 mainly in Kenya fighting the Mau Mau.Wouldn't have missed it for the world

Date:

31-Mar-2011

Email:

georgeberry34@sky.com

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Name:

Brian

Comment:

There is an excellent class photo from 1959 in this months Down Your Way magazine , August 2012 No 176 . No doubt some of you people will recognise yourselves or friends .

Date:

13-Aug-2012

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Name:

Pat Burns

Comment:

my brother was a teacher at west leeds in the early 7s

Date:

23-Sep-2012

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Name:

Bob Wormald (John Robert)

Comment:

I was a pupil at WLHS from 1937-1946 (37-40 at Kindergarten.) On 3rd September 1939, I was evacuated by bus in a school party to Tadcaster. We returned to Leeds early in 1940. My teachers at the senior school (that I remember) were Messrs Cox, Dacre, Firth, Bainbridge and Tamln - they were all excellent. My comtemporary pupils were: Cornish, Shankland, Johns, Walker, Hirst Nelson and Thackeray (who got a place at Cambridge). I was in De Lacy House. I left in 1946 to go to a Methodist Boarding School - The Leys School Cambridge. There I was judged to be at least one year ahead academically, thanks to WLHS teaching.

Date:

17-Oct-2012

Email:

kamcgrath@btopenworld.com

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Name:

Trevor England

Comment:

I attended WLHS briefly from 1952-55 before my family emigrated to New Zealnd

Date:

30-Dec-2013

Email:

trev@catraining.co.nz

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Name:

David Handforth

Comment:

Very good to read these recollections, many of which echo my own. I was at West Leeds from 1948-1954. It was a very fine school indeed. I also was flight sergeant in the air section of the CCF under Mr Hiscox. I'm still in touch with three or four of my contemporaries. West Leeds, largely thanks to Pop Harland and Geoffrey Rans, got me into Cambridge. But there were many masters there who were first class and who influenced my life profoundly - 'Curly Bill' Savage; 'Nunc' Fox, one of the lasting influences in my life; the mathematician, Mr Harper, only there for couple of years, I think, but excellent and my form-master at a critical time; Kerrison, who in addition to teaching history and junior French, ran the dramatic society; the music master, Basil Kirker, not ideal in some respects but a first-class music teacher with a wonderful ability to bridge music from Elizabethan madrigal to post-war British and European composers; Bob Stead, a bit gruff, but a good craftsman and good teacher if you could adapt to his manner. The rather dry Northumbrian, Mr Pearson. We called him what I understood to be 'Pierrot' but was probably really 'Pearo'. There were many more. It was a golden age in many ways. My contemporaries and friends included Michael Howden, Derek Cook, Adrian Allen, Gordon Burgess, John Lyon (younger brother of 'our Alec'), Jack Smirfitt, Eddie Wilcox, Peter Spawforth, Tony Dean, David Robinson (there was more than one but this one was in the army section and a fine woodworker - I still have the bookshelves you made for me if you happen to read this! - and I wonder if you remember catching the pike when we camped at Hempstead in Norfolk in .. ?'1952?. I remember Clifford Wells, though he was a year or two senior to me, and I came across him in the 1980s when he was living (and still doing amateur acting) in Hamburg. Should be intrigued to hear from contemporaries through the social media if anyone's interested.

Date:

27-Dec-2014

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Name:

George Carr

Comment:

I was at WLBHS From 63 to 66. I was in priestly house I remember mr Norcliffe who was our music teacher and also the choirmaster at st bartholemews. Mr Reader who was our English teacher. Mr burgess and an old Latin teacher who was incapable of maintaining order.cant remember his name. It was a great school and the 3 years I had set me up for the rest of my education. I have an old school year mag from 66-67 which has a poem of mine in it. I remember Mcmeakin great at sports and a real character. We used to wave at the girls who were the other side of a rail cutting when I was there. The rugby fuels were behind the wooden music hut across a lane to the left of the picture.

Date:

13-Jan-2015

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Name:

Paul (Nutsy) Hudson

Comment:

I was at WLBHS from 59 to 65. The latin teacher referred to above by George Carr unable to keep control was "Ben" Baldry - always used to wear the cap and gown. Basil Kirker was still the music teacher, famous for using the slipper! Stan Wilson for games, ?? Taylor for maths, Harry Leverton for french. Mr Barnshaw was the headmaster. I used to cycle daily from Rodley, about 3 miles away. Played rugby and cricket for the school, and also swam in the school team. If anyone that remembers me sees this, please do get in touch (I don't do facebook etc).

Date:

11-Nov-2015

Email:

paul@beechamcottage.com

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Name:

Brian Lee

Comment:

I attended WLHS from 1952 to 1959. Captained the School 2nd X1 cricket team in 1958 and 1959. Indeed I have the original cricket score books for 1958 and 1959. First match was on 26th April 1958 at WLHS we played West Park and scored 61 then skittled out West Park for 21 . Watson got 7 wickets for 10 runs and Bentley got 3 for 11 . The WLHS team was Bucktrout, Dunhill, Bentley Farr, Norbury,Me,Armitage,Watson, Loomes, Newton and Dawson

Date:

11-Dec-2015

Email:

brianlee9999@tiscali.co.uk

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Name:

Brian Rodney Harwood

Comment:

The small dark area at the bottom RH edge of the cricket-field is a small copse then known as Spook's Nook - pronounced Spook Snook. One of the first things that Barnshaw did after he arrived to replace Mr Curzon, was to have it demolished.

Date:

24-Oct-2016

Email:

brianrodney@hotmail.com

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Name:

C E VARY

Comment:

I will be happy for you to display my e-mail address

Date:

14-Aug-2017

Email:

tv1@btinternet.com

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Name:

Peter Spawforth

Comment:

Fascinating to read here of several school friends. I was at WLHS 1947 to 1953 and went on to Leeds College of Art, with some named here, to become an architect. Brilliant teachers and great times. Thank you all.

Date:

09-Feb-2018

Email:

peter@spawforth.com

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Name:

susan kirkby

Comment:

i never went to any other school but west leeds i went to the kindergarten i remember miss padman passed my 11 plus and carried on at that school i left in 1954 my name then was Susan Riley

Date:

14-Apr-2018

Email:

sbkirkby@hotmail.co.uk

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