by Alan Smith (1942-48) I was one of the few ‘ working class’ boys, entering the school in 1942, and streamed into the ‘1B’ class. I was the son of a carpenter. Others included David Cripps, whose father was a postman and Gerald Webb. The three of us were moved into the ‘A’ class in… Continue reading ‘Working Class’ Boys
Tag: Grading system
Nostalgia Tempered by Realism
by Nigel Molden (1960-66) I found the article on COHS in the fifties by Mike Brogden of particular interest. It was also of the greatest credit to the Editor that he should print an article in which the nostalgia was tempered by realism. As a result it has prompted me to add some comments in… Continue reading Nostalgia Tempered by Realism
COHS in the 1950s
by Mike Brogden (1952 – 1959) A Polemical View This post caused a real stir when Mike Chew published it on the old website, and you will find several responses from other boys linked to it in later posts. The New Boy There’s a photo of me, taken just before my first day at the… Continue reading COHS in the 1950s
COHS in the 1930s
from An Oxford Childhood by Tony Phelps (1933-41) Note from Mike Chew at the time: Tony’s story runs into 54 pages. If anyone would like to read them all, please contact me. We shall “serialise” the most relevant passages. Herewith Part 1. (Ed. The other parts do not appear to have been published however)In the… Continue reading COHS in the 1930s
The Remove
by John Nettell (1941) In 1941, as far as I remember, fee-payers all started in 2A and scholarship boys in Remove. Why it was called Remove I do not know. I only remember being told “it is traditional” which was no answer. Both classes numbered about 30 boys so there must have been about as… Continue reading The Remove
When did the rot set in?
From Brian Gumm (1940-44) After reading Mike Brogden’s cynical reminiscences of COHS in 1952-59 I found it hard to reconcile his views with those of mine. Could this be the same school? Admittedly, I was there 1940-44 and the headmaster was J.E.Badham but could it have changed that much in ten years? There was certainly… Continue reading When did the rot set in?
The Grading System
by John Nettell (1941) In 1941, as far as I remember, fee-payers all started in 2A and scholarship boys in Remove. Why it was called Remove I do not know. I only remember being told “it is traditional” which was no answer. Both classes numbered about 30 boys so there must have been about as… Continue reading The Grading System
A sense of superiority
by Philip Hunt (1960-67) Encouraging the debate: Lord Philip Hunt sides with Nigel Molden (Lord) Philip Hunt (1960-67) writes: I was very interested in Nigel Molden’s piece. Some of my experience chimes with his and I thought you might be interested in some comments. I went to the school at the same time as Nigel… Continue reading A sense of superiority
The School in Wartime
Writer unknown (1941-45) When originally published Mike Chew apologised that he had temporarily mislaid the name of the author of this item, but would acknowledge its provenance in due course, which he never did. “Sua culpa”, as he said at the time.“Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the latest COSA Newsletter I was trying to remember… Continue reading The School in Wartime