The Schools

 
One day, a little girl whose mother played the lute on the radio, danced a little ballet for us, often repeating the performance to the enjoyment of us all. (This little girl was Celia Poulton).
 
Twice a week I had to take the top class for PT on the Green, which served as our playground. This was because the Head wouldn't go out in the cold and the pupils would not stay to take part. I loved PT and, bless their hearts, they would stay for me.
 
Ours was a church school and everything seemed to revolve around the church. The other teacher and I had to attend funerals, supply a choir, attend Mother's Union services and sing solos in church. It didn't matter if you had a date with your boyfriend or anyone else - if the Rector said you had to sing - you sang.
 
One day when the Head was shouting more than ever there was a commotion followed by silence - I was asked to go and help her. I found her lying on the floor looking dead. But I saw she was alive and somehow managed to get her onto a chair while the doctor was sent for. She was transferred to the schoolhouse (a cottage opposite the school) and we never saw her again.
Supply teachers came and went but, finally Mr Watson arrived. He recognised a lot of potential in the school. He organised, with the other teacher, a super entertainment, while I supplied the music.
 
One girl, who came from a very large family, had beautiful diction, and so Mr watson entered her for the recital of a poem in which she came first. He also arranged an exhibition of school work which delighted all the parents. Denys Hutchings, a member of my class, was not very academic, so I gave him all the drawing paper he wanted, plus some coloured pencils. He depicted a panorama of a holiday he had spent with his mother. We put it all round the village room. His mother came and saw it and was amazed as she could recognize the view straight away. I like to think this encouraged him and led to his illustrations in this Heyshott Book.
 
Another big event was the Sports Day. Great care was taken to do all the right things and Mrs Fisher Cobden Unwin was invited. She arrived in a large black taxi and was soon admiring the prowess of the competitors. Suddenly, she left and we only later discovered that it was because she was disgusted by glimpses of the girls' knickers as they did cartwheels.