This article dates from a school magazine in the 1920s and complements another one which speaks of the city wall One would think that every Oxford High School boy knew the old bastion which still rears its somewhat stained shattered form on the south side of the school playground; yet, strange to say, we found… Continue reading The Old Bastion
Month: November 2025
Ronnie Barker joins the school
A fascinating snippet of school history. Alan Trinder submits photos of these 2 pages of the school acceptance register for September 1940. These are fiendishly hard to read so we include a transcript of the relevant entry. If you wish to read the original then we recommend you enlarge them as much as possible on… Continue reading Ronnie Barker joins the school
Poem by Ronnie Barker
Alan Trinder has submitted the following poem by Ronnie Barker, which appeared in a school magazine in the late 1940’s. Possibly his first foray into print? It was printed originally as one long text and we have taken the liberty of dividing it up into sense groups, as this makes it easier to read on-screen.… Continue reading Poem by Ronnie Barker
The WW2 Memorial
The school’s WWII Memorial is located in the Oxford Community School (previously the Oxford School, previously to that Southfield School and now the Spires Academy). The Inscription reads: Grati Dulcem Colimus Memoriam Horum Huiusce Scholae Alumnorum Qui Pro Communi Omnium Libertate Vitam reddiderunt. MCMXXXIX – MCMXXXXV. The translation offered in the April 1966 Scvhool Magazine… Continue reading The WW2 Memorial
John Drinkwater (1899-1903)
John Drinkwater (1888-1937) was born in Leytonstone, the son of an actor. He was sent at one time to live with his grandfather in Oxford, and attended the City of Oxford School until he was 15 years old, when he began working for an insurance company in 1903. Remaining in the insurance business, Drinkwater moved… Continue reading John Drinkwater (1899-1903)
Cigarette Cards
Writer unknown: I was fascinated by Nigel Molden’s story of the cigarette card with the COS insignia. I would guess that it dates from the time before the word “High” was added to the title, which I would place some time in the 1920s or early 30s. It would be interesting to know something about… Continue reading Cigarette Cards
Memories of Masters
Writer known: “Mr Badham, Headmaster during my time at School, rarely gets a mention in the Newsletters. He was the only man I ever met who regularly wore spats. He enjoyed quoting, in his slightly old-fashioned accent. “Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh were the only two who ever got… Continue reading Memories of Masters
A different school song
by Tony Phelps (1933-41) Tony Phelps (1933-41) writes: “I was very pleased to receive Newsletter No 5, and it sparked a number of thoughts in my own brain. At the risk of wasting your time, I am putting some of them to you in this letter. The School Song Like the author of the piece… Continue reading A different school song
The School During WW2
by Don Adams (1939-45) Don Adams (1939-45) writes: I joined COHS in September 1939. The school premises were shared: COHS in the morning and Clement Danes in the afternoon. We were set 3 hours homework. Sizzy announced the fall of France on a trip to Whipsnade Zoo. Morley would “drill” us on the tarmac. Honorary Sixth:… Continue reading The School During WW2
Quality of the Teaching
Stephen Peters writes: “Further to the remarks of Colin Justin and Nigel Moulden about “Flea” Lee, another of his punishment options was to be beaten with a broken chair leg (wooden). What luxury to be able to choose between the metal pipe, the length of rubber and the chair leg!! It is of little comfort… Continue reading Quality of the Teaching