History
A “Winning” Approach
Winifred Lightfoot, ex pupil, teacher and school governor is testimony to the affection Barnes School engenders through the generations. Her fond memories of Barnes are recorded here.
A “Winning” Approach
Our very own Winifred Lightfoot, ex pupil, teacher and now school governor is living testimony to the affection Barnes School engenders through the generations. Her fond memories of Barnes are recorded here.
“During the War…”
Del and Rodney’s grandad might clear the pub with these words; yet Barnes can also boast about doing its bit for King and Country—in two World Wars—being a hub for community and a sturdy WW2 air raid shelter.
The ability of Barnes to attract fresh generations of pupils from within the local community is thanks to a fantastic teaching record as well as huge support from the many Friends of Barnes, ex pupils and teachers alike, passionate ambassadors for the school, sharing cherished memories in letters and pictures for future generations.
In our centenary celebrations in 2000, Barnes was fortunate enough to receive historic photos and stories from the early years of Barnes from ex pupils Maureen Downs, Vera Downs and Hilda Barclay (nee Cousins). Sadly Maureen, Vera and Hilda have since passed on, but their tales are safe with us.
The Downs Family
Pupils at Barnes School throughout the twentieth century
Roy Downs started 1925
Gordon Downs started 1926
Robert Downs started 1928
Vera Downs started 1936
Ivy Downs started 1939
My First Day at Barnes School 1936 – by Vera Downs
My first recollection of my first day at Barnes School was one of bewilderment and leaving my safe home to enter a new world of school life. My mother’s words to my brother Roy who attended the school were, “Would you take Vera up to Barnes on your way to school?” He left me at the classroom door and my teacher, Miss Border, ushered me in. In this wondrous classroom were all manner of toys but best of all were two dapple grey rocking horses in the corner of the classroom.
Opening my first writing book with double lines was a thrill for me and I clearly remember copying the same letter across the lines until they were perfect. The gold star at the end of the page was something to work hard for. Counting was introduced in a friendly way using conch shells. It seemed easy to start with five shells first taking one away, then another and writing the answers down as you counted. The feel of the shells was comforting and encouraged addition, subtraction multiplication and division without tears. Tables were another joy as we skipped with huge skipping ropes, each person running into the rope shouting, “Six sixes are thirty-six” and running out again, without the rope stopping. The unfortunate ones were the people holding each end of the rope, as they never seemed to get a turn. The playground was ideal for tops and whips with brightly coloured studs and patterns on the top. A knot in the end of the thin leather strip ensured a resounding crack as the top sped round and round. Games were interchanged through seasons of fashion. After skipping ropes came skates then ‘scraps’, when many a playtime would be spent in bargaining for a certain precious scrap picture. Everyone had a toffee tin to keep them in. Marbles were then a favourite pastime for a few weeks until tennis balls were all the rage
Empire Day was another important event in our lives. We marched into the hall to the sound of the Empire Day March. We all carried Union Jack flags and the day was filled with celebrations. May Day was celebrated with everyone dancing around a maypole. The dance was not a place for a daydreamer as they could cause chaos in the winding pattern of the ribbons.
Vera Downs.
Class Group 1926
Back row right (centre): Gordon Downs
Class Group 1932
Left to right: Roy Downs, Robert Downs, Gordon Downs,
Front: Vera Downs
Class Group 1936
Back row: 2. Vera Downs 3. Ada Bell
Bottom row: 13. Doreen Hunt 15. Ray Carty
1983
Vera Stevens (nee Downs)
B.A.(Hons) English/History – Sunderland Polytechnic
The Downs Family
Pupils at Barnes School throughout the twentieth century
Roy Downs started 1925
Gordon Downs started 1926
Robert Downs started 1928
Vera Downs started 1936
Ivy Downs started 1939
My First Day at Barnes School 1936 – by Vera Downs
My first recollection of my first day at Barnes School was one of bewilderment and leaving my safe home to enter a new world of school life. My mother’s words to my brother Roy who attended the school were, “Would you take Vera up to Barnes on your way to school?” He left me at the classroom door and my teacher, Miss Border, ushered me in. In this wondrous classroom were all manner of toys but best of all were two dapple grey rocking horses in the corner of the classroom.
Opening my first writing book with double lines was a thrill for me and I clearly remember copying the same letter across the lines until they were perfect. The gold star at the end of the page was something to work hard for. Counting was introduced in a friendly way using conch shells. It seemed easy to start with five shells first taking one away, then another and writing the answers down as you counted. The feel of the shells was comforting and encouraged addition, subtraction multiplication and division without tears. Tables were another joy as we skipped with huge skipping ropes, each person running into the rope shouting, “Six sixes are thirty-six” and running out again, without the rope stopping. The unfortunate ones were the people holding each end of the rope, as they never seemed to get a turn. The playground was ideal for tops and whips with brightly coloured studs and patterns on the top. A knot in the end of the thin leather strip ensured a resounding crack as the top sped round and round. Games were interchanged through seasons of fashion. After skipping ropes came skates then ‘scraps’, when many a playtime would be spent in bargaining for a certain precious scrap picture. Everyone had a toffee tin to keep them in. Marbles were then a favourite pastime for a few weeks until tennis balls were all the rage
Empire Day was another important event in our lives. We marched into the hall to the sound of the Empire Day March. We all carried Union Jack flags and the day was filled with celebrations. May Day was celebrated with everyone dancing around a maypole. The dance was not a place for a daydreamer as they could cause chaos in the winding pattern of the ribbons.
Vera Downs.
Class Group 1926
Back row right (centre): Gordon Downs
Class Group 1932
Left to right: Roy Downs, Robert Downs, Gordon Downs,
Front: Vera Downs
Class Group 1936
Back row: 2. Vera Downs 3. Ada Bell
Bottom row: 13. Doreen Hunt 15. Ray Carty
1983
Vera Stevens (nee Downs)
B.A.(Hons) English/History – Sunderland Polytechnic
1939
Ivy Downs
1940
Left to right: Gordon Downs, Robert Downs Roy Downs
1940
Maureen Downs
1939
Ivy Downs
1940
Left to right: Gordon Downs, Robert Downs Roy Downs
1940
Maureen Downs
Memories of Barnes School 1955 by Maureen Downs
I was at Barnes Infant School from September 1955-58 and from 1958-1962 in Barnes Junior School. I have very few memories of being in the infants as my mother, Jean died when I was seven years old. I can remember my Grandad Downs taking me up to school and helping me to jump over the paving stones. I was in a “prefab” classroom in the second year of the Junior School and then went into Mr Mitchell’s class. Many of my friends are on the class photograph.
On leaving Barnes School, I went to Bede School. After leaving school I went into the nursing profession and trained at St Leonard’s Hospital in London. I later worked for London Water Board.and the B.B.C. in London. Finally, I became owner of The Wheatsheaf Inn, an 18th century coaching inn in Wiltshire.
Class Group 1967
FRONT row: 2. Ruth Barclay, Denise Laidler, Joanne Trimble, Sandra Hopper
Memories of Barnes School 1939 by Hilda Barclay (nee Cousin).
Teachers were Miss Naisby, Miss Harper and Miss Whiting. I recall regular inspections of our nails and teeth in the primary school in order to encourage you to keep them clean. There was a very nice small garden in the centre of the schoolyard and we were taken outside from time to time for nature study.
There was also a lot of importance put on to writing and spelling and this early training never left you.
In 1939 the school children were evacuated. This was a precaution against the bombing of Sunderland. We were all lined up at Sunderland railway station to be sent to our “safe” destination. Those children who had older sisters or brothers were paired with them. We were transported by train; some to Darlington, others to Piercebridge. I can remember going to school at Aycliffe every day. Some of us, including myself, stayed only a short time, whilst others stayed much longer. My own children, Paul and Ruth were fortunate enough to attend Barnes School in the 1960s. Teachers then were Mrs Pattinson, Mrs Weldon, Mrs Allen and Miss Simpson. They were well taught and had great respect for their teachers.
— Hilda Barclay (nee Cousin).
Class Group 1936
Back row: 2. Golda Cohen 5. Peter Hetherington
Second row: 6. Dorothy Minto 9. Hazel Dagg 10. Mavis Green
Third row: 12. Alan Freeman 13. Hilda Cousin 15. Audrey Ward
Class Group 1967
Back row: 2. Mr Mitchell, Roy ? Charles ? Stuart Bona, David Barnes, Vaughan Twin, Malcolm ?
Second row: 6. ??, ?? Angela ? Vivienne, Andrea, Karen Miller, Anthony ?, Jean Farnham
Third row: 12. Ann Bart, Maureen Downs, Jean Bell, Jean Bailey, Sheila Barnes ??
Winifred Lightfoot: From Pupil to Teacher to Governor
Barnes school has played a major part in my life from the age of five years old.
A snowy day and a step into the unknown, no pre-school visits in those days. There began my love of school, learning and a life-long love of reading.
Outside learning was Nature on the timetable, in reality spending time in the garden with it’s pebbled paths and flowerbeds. So different now with our wonderful outdoor classroom.
About thirty years on and I am back in the classroom where it all began, this time the start of thirty plus years of introducing children to their future in education.
During these years my own children began their journey into learning. Of course at Barnes!
Many changes evolved and the school became the vibrant, exciting and challenging place it is today.
I now serve on the Governing Body as Vice Chair to support the current dedicated staff in their efforts to carry the Academy forward into the future.
Barnes, my forever love.
December 2019
Memories of Barnes School 1939 by Hilda Barclay (nee Cousin).
Teachers were Miss Naisby, Miss Harper and Miss Whiting. I recall regular inspections of our nails and teeth in the primary school in order to encourage you to keep them clean. There was a very nice small garden in the centre of the schoolyard and we were taken outside from time to time for nature study.
There was also a lot of importance put on to writing and spelling and this early training never left you.
In 1939 the school children were evacuated. This was a precaution against the bombing of Sunderland. We were all lined up at Sunderland railway station to be sent to our “safe” destination. Those children who had older sisters or brothers were paired with them. We were transported by train; some to Darlington, others to Piercebridge. I can remember going to school at Aycliffe every day. Some of us, including myself, stayed only a short time, whilst others stayed much longer. My own children, Paul and Ruth were fortunate enough to attend Barnes School in the 1960s. Teachers then were Mrs Pattinson, Mrs Weldon, Mrs Allen and Miss Simpson. They were well taught and had great respect for their teachers.
— Hilda Barclay (nee Cousin).
Class Group 1936
Back row: 2. Golda Cohen 5. Peter Hetherington
Second row: 6. Dorothy Minto 9. Hazel Dagg 10. Mavis Green
Third row: 12. Alan Freeman 13. Hilda Cousin 15. Audrey Ward
Class Group 1967
Back row: 2. Mr Mitchell, Roy ? Charles ? Stuart Bona, David Barnes, Vaughan Twin, Malcolm ?
Second row: 6. ??, ?? Angela ? Vivienne, Andrea, Karen Miller, Anthony ?, Jean Farnham
Third row: 12. Ann Bart, Maureen Downs, Jean Bell, Jean Bailey, Sheila Barnes ??
Winifred Lightfoot: From Pupil to Teacher to Governor
Barnes school has played a major part in my life from the age of five years old.
A snowy day and a step into the unknown, no pre-school visits in those days. There began my love of school, learning and a life-long love of reading.
Outside learning was Nature on the timetable, in reality spending time in the garden with it’s pebbled paths and flowerbeds. So different now with our wonderful outdoor classroom.
About thirty years on and I am back in the classroom where it all began, this time the start of thirty plus years of introducing children to their future in education.
During these years my own children began their journey into learning. Of course at Barnes!
Many changes evolved and the school became the vibrant, exciting and challenging place it is today.
I now serve on the Governing Body as Vice Chair to support the current dedicated staff in their efforts to carry the Academy forward into the future.
Barnes, my forever love.