Leyton Sixth Form College hosted a 50-year reunion for former grammar school students.
The building now used for the sixth form college used to be home to Leyton County High School for Boys, a grammar school for 11 to 18-year-olds.
It became Leyton Senior High School for Boys in 1968, catering for 14 to 18-year-old boys, and a sixth form college in 1993.
Former students who started at the grammar school in 1963 attended the reunion.
Dawn Hamilton-Barrett, vice principal at the sixth form college, said: “For most of the group, it was the first time they had seen the result of the recent £40m site redevelopment and many commented on how well the best of the original college buildings blended with our new facilities.”
it was still Leyton County High when i Left in 1974
I was there until early 1968 (stayed on to improve A Level results). It was definitely Leyton County High Grammar School. Letr became Comprehensive but I had moved away
Grammar School boy – but fat fingers, so mis-spelt “Later”
I remember Michael Baker I was a year younger and lived in Debden a few doors away . Mr Delgado was our rugby master ,he drove a Volkswagen Beetle one morning on his way to school he stopped his car in Queen Victoria Street London just he spotted me , they were good teachers . I worked at Bank of London and South America with Dennis Colton and Alan Absolom , we ran for the bank or at least tried to , happy days at school too!
I left in 74 and it was Leyton County High for Boys
I was there 1962-1966. Just read Alan Booth’s book about his travels in Japan. He should be worth a mention, a good books who sadly died before he gained the esteem he deserved.
Hi Nick, I’m Alan Booth’s daughter. If you remember him at all, I would love to hear any stories you have. He died when I was 7 (and was sick for awhile before that) so I never got to hear about his childhood at all. Please reach out on facebook if you can!
Dear Mirai
I was in your Dad’s year at LCHS. He was one of the stars – a brilliant actor who formed his own theatre company while at school putting on a number of plays including an unforgettable King Lear bringing a fire extinguisher on in the mad scene. I played a spear carrier without distinction. There are several contemporaries who knew your Dad well and there are probably many stories out there.
I would very much like to meet up with Gary Oliver, Tony Geddes, Steve Tongue, Alan Absolom, Alan Wimpory, Alan Hughes, Keith Ray, Tim Watts, Dave Harris, Phil Hagger and anyone who remembers me. I was at LCH from September 1962 until January 1970.
Hello Chris
Just stumbled across your entry and hope all is well with you. I live in Ottawa, Canada nowadays but hope to get back in the habit of visiting the UK every year, once Covid permits. Would love to meet up.
Take care
Phil
Just found this site.
I was there from 1962 to ’68 shared classes with many Chris mentions, Alan Absalom Steve Tongue Keith Ray Phil Haggar plus Chris Hockley Gordon Dulieu & Peter Graves.
I think Steve went into sports reporting & Gordon into acting (obvs really given the school plays he shone in) but not kept in touch with anyone otherwise.
Best wishes to all & custard pie to Phil
Bob
Hello Bob
I remember you very well and hope that life post LCHS(B) has been good to you. Not sure why I get a custard pie comment but I am sure I must have done something, sometime, to deserve it.
All the best
Phil
Hi both, I just found the site as well!
Over the years I have been (and am still) in contact with quite a few. Of those you mention: about 20 years ago Alan Absolom was in Japan (I think), more recently Alan Wimpory lives in France, Keith Ray down Bristol way, Dave Harries in the Midlands (I forget exactly where).
Having returned to Leyton for a couple of years after university, I have been ‘up North’ for 48 years.
Sadly, several I have tracked down have died over the years.
There is talk of another reunion on 9th September 2023, but I don’t yet have any details, or know if I will be able to make it.
The 9th September is now an informal pub event (which I will not be able to attend) and the ‘proper’ Reunion will be Saturday 18th May 2024.
If you are interested, the LCHS Reunion group can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/597098390352988/
HI Ken, just browsing on my PC and discovered your comment on the 7th April 2023.
I was at LCHB from 1952 for 5 years. You mention a Reunion on Sat. 18th May 2024.
Could you send we some details please/
Paul Levy. I was there from 1961-62 then I emigrated to Australia but I couldn’t keep away so I returned in November 1966 into the sixth form where I studied physics, pure and applied mathematics. I did go to an old boys’ reunion some years ago but didn’t keep in touch with anyone but I would like to hear from any former students who remember me.
I was there from 1963 – 1969. I remember some of the names mentioned, and was in the same year as Tim Watts. I live in Sydney Australia now, but would have loved to have attended the reunion. I Joined Essex Fire and Rescue in 1970, and found myself on the same team as two other ‘old boys’ – John Kennedy and Derek Musset.
Was there from 56 to 63. Left as School Captain. Can remember seeing Jacobi on stage in Hamlet. Brilliant lighting from Jack Moulden and direction from Buster Brown. After having been there have always suffered from having an excellent education.
Hi, Peter Bush.
I was there a little before you.
I was in that very production of Hamlet in 1956 playing Queen Gertrude. We later took it to the Edinburgh Festival where DJ really mad his mark. Bobby Brown was the producer, Jack Moulden as you say , was a great Stage manager.
Also involved was Harry Hawkins , box iffice and a number of others , I can’t remember.
I loved my days at LCHS and many of the teachers there…..Jo Meltzer, Ben Green , Peter Clinch , Arthur Cox. The headmaster John Cummings was fearsome though.
There still is a Peter Bush! I followed after you as Head Boy as you may recall. Left the uK in 1967 and after 21 years in Toronto headed west to Vancouver and now live up in the mountains where the air is clear. Great memories of LCHS.
Hi Pete.Got a reunion next week with Mick Wellings and Pete Andrews as well as Gill Blake recent widow of Tony .Also in touch with Keith Godsave and Dave Edis.Saw your name by chance and it would be good to get in touch. Derek Luck
I was at LCHS 1947-55, spending my first year at the Ruckholt Road Annex and one of five contemporaries who had previously attended Farmer Road Junior Mixed School viz Tony Harding, Brian Beales, Roy Jones, Georgie Saddington and myself. Save for myself, all these lads left school at 16 after taking the GCE O Level to work in various posts in the City. I entered the 6th Form in 1952 and was made Editor of the school magazine 1953-55.
The 6th Form was very small at the time, so those of us doing the A Level course on the Arts side received virtually personal tuition! Among teachers who have left a lasting impression on me figure Jack Hughes (Languages), Chas Fitz-Hugh and Joe Meltser (English), Dave Broomfield (PE), Arthur Cox, (German and RI), Victor Cohen (Civics/Economics) etc etc
After gaining my A Levels and learning Latin to O level in six months as a compulsory extra subject, I returned for a further year in the Sixth to have a shot at getting a place at Oxford. The Head, John Cumnmings, who I had only spoken to only on a couple of occasions, called me in on the first day back to inform me that I was to be School Captain (Headboy). I was stunned ! This was in succession to the Olympic swimmer, Peter Head, and a long line of distinguished previous pupils who held the position. My Vice-Captain, Brian Steer, was a Maths scholar who went on to greater achievements at Oxford U where he remains to this day tutoring PhD students. I had been a prefect for a year but had never aspired to higher office! I was no good at all at any sport though I was keenly interested in cricket and athletics. Anyway I did my very best to set an example by taking part in as many school activities as I could – even cross country running. I didn’t make the grade for Oxford alas but I went onto Birmingham U and graduated in 1959 after spending a couple of years in Spain and Portugal.
I think I owe everything to Leyton High and so do many of my contemporaries. I regret the fact that so many lads failed to make the most of the opportunity the school offered them. It was a great pity that this type of education was not available then to all secondary school pupils, male and female. I welcomed the introduction of comprehensive education when it was introduced a decade or so after I left. I was an early enthusiast for the introduction of Sixth Form Colleges and I am very impressed by reports of the amazing achievements at Leyton in recent decades. I should welcome an invitation to make a rereturn visit some time.
I have kept in contact with many Old Boys over years and attended a few reunions down to the 1990s. After moving from Leyton in 1962 for the Midlands, I lectured in FE/HE for over 30 years. Also I made three unsuccessful attempts to enter the House of Commons 1964, 1970 and 1987. A contemporary of mine, the late John Punshon, at School 1946-54, also made two attempts in 1964 and 1966. I think another lad named Bramley, rather older than us, had unfulfilled aspirations in the same direction.
I’m found my Leyton school magazine for January 1944 brought back many memories. Still friends with class mate You mentioned a master Cohen Was he known as the Bear A first class teacher who wrote his own text books Regards Ernest Outlaw
I was the there from 1957-ish to 1961-ish; didn’t shine at maths or memory. Only claim to fame is that I was in a play, Murder in The Cathedral, with the then Derek Jacobi. (He never mentions me!) I left half way through 6th form ‘coz I seemed not to fit.
Names I remember:- Philip Andrews, John Halpin, Derek Huckle, Andy Connolly, Ian Burns, David Green(also in the play) & Barry Martin, Alan Day.
Just a passing comment. The picture was taken outside our house on Wallwood Road not outside any college. The boys are my brother, Steve Beinder, Keith Carter, John Taylor and someone I can’t put a name to!
Kate Beinder.