by the Perry House residents  

Kath remembers her first day at school because she fell over and cut her knee and she still has the scar 88 years later! There were no school uniforms then and no school dinners. Kath used to have bread with jam or cheese to eat but most children went home to dinner. Kath’s first school was in Cheltenham but she moved home and moved school many times because of her father’s work. If the teacher caught you talking in class you got the cane on your hand.

Brenda and Sheila’s first school was Godolphin School in Slough. Sheila remembers being very excited starting school because she was with lots of children of her own age. She used to wear a pinafore dress and blouse. There were no school dinners then so they went home for dinner but they did get a small bottle of milk each morning.

Jack’s first school was St Peter’s C of E School in Burnham. The buildings have been knocked down now to make way for the houses in The Precincts. Jack remembers wearing a white shirt, short trousers, long socks and a home made jacket. He went home very happy at lunchtime on the first day – he thought school was finished so he didn’t go back in the afternoon but he had to go back the next morning!

Len remembers feeling frightened on his first day at school. His school was Woking Junior and his teacher was Mrs Phillips. He wore short trousers, long stockings and a cap. He remembers eating jam sandwiches for dinner.

Olive’s first school was Littlewick Green Infants School and her teacher was Miss Pete. She used to wear a dress to school but there was no school uniform. Girls didn’t wear trousers in those days. She was very happy to go to school because there were lots of children to play with. If your hands were dirty you had to scrub them clean and you always had to have a hanky with you. If you didn’t have a hanky the teacher gave you a piece of rag.

Fred’s first school was Burnham Infants. He wore short trousers, a jumper, long socks and boots. Like most children he used to walk home for lunch each day. He was quite happy to start school.

by the children from St Peter’s School

Laura  and Jay remember their first day at St Peter’s CE Combined School. They were 4 years old and their teacher was Miss Honeygreen. Their uniform was a blue skirt or trousers, white polo shirt and a blue jumper. They both had packed lunches and they were very happy. As well as meeting one another they met Kate, Lorna, Emily and Emma Jane. They all went home best friends and they still are now that they are ten.

Faheema remembers feeling scared when she first started at St Peter’s School but she met her friend Lorna and soon she felt happy.

Shane remembers feeling scared when he started at Nursery School. His teacher was Mrs Stanley.