A sense of belonging and pride
Stayed on a year
I started at Margaret Hardy in 1962 and left in 1967, having stayed on an extra year. The school had an annexe just around the corner, opposite Woolworths as I remember it was then. When I left in 1967 the school was just about to join another school. All I can remember is that it was in Ladies Mile Road.
Good memories
I have good memories of the school, especially of my form tutor Mrs Ellis-Barker who also taught us English. She was very strict but I respected her immensely. Sadly, I must now presume she is dead, as she was in her 50s then. My brother also went to Fawcett School next door but he was not happy there.
Did you attend this school? please share your memories by posting below
Snowballs with stones
I can remember the boys waiting for us girls outside with snowballs, and not nice ones either as they contained stones! The boys also sneaked over the wall and got into the girls’ toilets! My uniform was a green shirt and cherry red tie in winter and a green stripped dress in summer which we had to make ourselves.
Fashionable as Twiggy
I was very glad when Twiggy became fashionable and we all had to make straight shift dresses, so much easier. The uniform was the choice of our Indian head-teacher, Miss West. Her office was at the top of a flight of stairs and if you were called into her office, mounting those stairs was like climbing the stairs to the scaffold. I belonged to Fry House and was a prefect and house secretary.
A really good school
Our houses were all named after famous ladies. I hated school until I was 14 and then I suddenly loved it and didn’t want to leave, hence staying on an extra year. On the day I left I cried. I look back now and realise just what a good school it really was, yes, it was strict but there was a great sense of belonging and pride in what one achieved.
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I came to Margaret Hard between the years 1971/1976 and may I say I had some of my best school years at this school! Sadly I lost touch with all my friends from this era, after moving away from Brighton.
I went to this school from 1961 to ’66. Loved it. My best friend all through was Ann Poisden and she and I are great friends to this day.
I attended Maggie Hardy, best time ever! Mrs Ellis Barker was my form teacher. I would like to hear from any old classmates: Christie Carter, Janet Bacon or Jackie Nutty.
Hi, I went to Margaret Hardy from 1965-1969. Loved Mrs Ellis-Barker, she paid for my school outing – bless her -because my mum couldn’t afford it. Some of my school mates were Cheryl Hardwick, Colette Bird, Betty Lucas and Rita Regan. We all went over to Bellmans in the lunch hour to see the Love Affair, Miss West hit the backs of pupils that were late with a ruler. God, I could write a book about those days. Loved the Top Rank Suite, met my husband there and we are still together after 50 years. Not bad, eh?
Wow,still can’t believe it,’s so many years that school is behind us!!!!I am on my second marriage with a lovely man, we have been together 37 years and married for 27!! I now have 6 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.My eldest Grandson has just graduated from Northumbria Uni with a BA in Architecture,so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have so enjoyed reading these memories. I only attended Margret Hardy 1964-65. I arrived at school, after having lived in West Africa for three years, and having had little schooling of any real use.
Margret Hardy gave me the very best schooling, friends, experiences, memories, that I could have wished for. Miss West was indeed a head mistress to remember. I have my memories of those stairs to her office but, not only with shaky knees, she was instrumental to many a school outing that opened many doors for me in my future.
Hi my name then was Reynolds and I lived off the Lewes Road.I attended Margaret Hardy in “74-78 and didn’t like it at all,couldn’t wait to leave, the Head Misstress was Mrs Nagle who didn’t like me at all.I did have some great friends there Denise Evans,Caroline Adams,Shirley Oakley,Pippa Fletcher among others,unfortunately lost touch with them all some years ago.I now live in Wales.I left school without taking my exams and have never been out of work,and enjoyed my various jobs.
Hi My name is Yvette I attended Margaret Hardy in “74-78”. I was with my identical twin sister Ann. I was very naughty in those days. I remember Miss Prouse the needlework teacher (I haven’t heard her mentioned in these posts). One day the class were lining up to get into class and I was chewing gum at the time. Miss Prouse walked up to me took the gum out of my mouth and stuck it in my hair!! I also remember being ice cream monitor, I gave away more than I sold and made out the icecream had melted!! Miss Matthews the English teacher was so kind to me and I respected Mr Lacy who helped me pass my pitmans typing exam. I became a typist which has helped enormously with helping to run my husbands business. I remember being very proud when I was chosen to be one of the Kings in the nativity play. I now have been married for 30 years and have 3 great sons and have stopped being rebellious! I recognise a few names here but a good friend I have lost touch with was called Keryn she had red hair. By Yvette Denman was Filmer.
I was at the school some time in the late sixties, can’t remember teachers etc but I do remember there were three girls named Fay in my art class and its the only time in school where I ever met another Fay.
I have a very vivid memory of walking to school along the Level Park in the Autumn, the route was lined with loads of elm trees back then and I remember kicking all the leaves which were more than ankle deep and bronze and crackly.
I also remember our Head Mistress used to ride about the town on a bicycle wearing her cap and gown but I cannot remember her name, sadly.
Hi Fay,
I was at Margaret Hardy from 1964 to 1968 when I left there to go to work. Back then you left school aged 15 The head mistress was MISS WEST, she was from India I believe, extremely strict! She was there until I left, her deputy head’s name was Miss Bland she was kinder.
Gill Read nee Shephard
I was at Margaret Hardy from 1963.I think! I adored Mrs
Ellis Barker. She was so kind and I was very happy in her class. On very special days she would invite some of her” girls” for tea at her lovely house in Peacock Lane. Mrs. Room was the history teacher.I will try to remember some of the others. I do remember the head mistress. Miss West. and yes I do remember climbing those stairs with a feeling of dread!
I was at Margaret Hardy from 1963 ..I think! I adored Mrs.Ellis Barker. She was so kind and I was very happy in her class. On very special days she would invite some of her” girls” for tea at her lovely house in Peacock Lane. Mrs. Room was the history teacher..I will try to remember some of the others.. I do remember the head mistress. Miss West…and yes I do remember climbing those stairs with a feeling of dread !
I was Margaret Freeman and was at Margaret Hardy between 1960 and 1965. Miss West was lovely, as was Miss Bland. Does anybody remember the school concert when Miss Bland let down her hair (literally – from her bun) and was Gritty Beach ( as against Sandie Shaw)? I don’t remember the girl now but do remember Miss Bland telling one of our classmates that she’d taught her mother. Hope you are all keeping safe and well.
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