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Schools
Kindergarten
I started my school life in a
German Kindergarten not far
from Dusseldorf. We were
taught in English and German
which was not a problem.
The big problem was that I’m
left-handed. The local
teachers insisted on trying to
make me write with my right
hand. My first brush with
authority I guess! I still write
left-handed!
Schools
College
After Grammar School came a
quiet rebellion. I’d had enough
of education and wanted to get
on with life and earn some
money. In a few years I
realised that if I wanted to
progress I’d have to take
Further Education. This led me
to a five year long endurance
of part time college education.
I spent long evenings in college
listening to lecturers who didn’t
really know their subject. If only
I’d been given some guidance
at the time of decision on
Universities.
I suppose this shaped my
whole outlook on providing
leadership and support to
young men in youth
organisations.
Progress needs guidance or
people will lose their way.
Schools
Secondary
I had the luck to pass the “Eleven+” exams, despite the prediction of my primary school teacher, and gained
entrance to the local grammar school in Buckinghamshire. This was an ancient and excellent school, but
unfortunately I was not an inspired pupil. It was my first exposure to wealth and privilege. Many of the
pupils were boarders, but I was a lowly day boy.
My family moved again and I was moved to a large grammar school in Nottingham, it was three times the
size of the previous school. For some reason I was inspired by the teaching and worked hard to gain good
qualifications. I even organised a large charity event involving hundreds of pupils.
Primary
For me it seemed to be a time of constant change as the family kept
moving home. First in Germany, then back in Kent in England
(walking through Dover Castle to get to school). Then two schools in
Berkshire followed by a move to Buckinghamshire for a couple of
years then on to my final primary school in Buckinghamshire. This
was an idyllic life in a small country village where the total number of
pupils was no greater than thirty boys and girls.
The village was isolated. We were cut off for a week in the winter of
1963.
Schools