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I was at Maple Road School from about 1955 until 1960, when I went to Purley Grammar School. I very narrowly passed the 11 plus exam! I remember Mrs Prickett, Miss Hazel, Miss Taylor, Miss Warmington, Mr Masani (a lovely man who gave me extra coaching in Maths for the 11+), Mr Morris and a music teacher, Mr Henderson. It was the last-named who made we want to take piano lessons, and after that I was eventually fortunate enough to become, and remain, a professional musician. Seeds sown unseen... Miss Taylor could be quite fierce. My father attended a parents evening when I was in her class and, while waiting his turn, started to look at the discredit book. Remember that!? Miss Taylor quickly removed it from him. Guilty conscience? I once had 2 discredits at once for throwing pieces of coal up at the trains. Houses were Darling, Nightingale and Livingstone - colonial heritage eh?

All in all, I think it was a happy place. We knew where we stood in terms of discipline and I think Mr Morris was a kind, fair man.