The prefects of North Kensington Central School with the Head Teacher in 1927. My mother, Mary Horwood is in the back row with the long ringlets.
A school play at North Kensington Central School in 1927.
My mother Mary Horwood (born in 1911) attended Portobello Road School, which along with the other Board Schools in London provided education up to age fourteen. However at aged 11 she passed an exam that allowed her to move on to the Central School on St Mark’s Road (just north of the roundabout by St Helen’s Church). There, along with the usual academic subjects she was taught office skills, typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. The boys were taught technical drawing. The head teacher also made sure that they all learned to speak properly, without their London cockney accents. According to my mother, every day they all had to recite “Round the ragged rocks the ragged rascal ran the rural race” and “How now brown cow”. They were taught ballroom dancing and mixed dances were held monthly at the school. They were all being trained to work in the new offices that were opening up between the wars. Employers recruited the students directly from the school. My mother left aged sixteen to work as a bookkeeper in the City. She spent her first pay packet on cutting off her long old fashioned ringlets.
In the postwar years in the 1940s, North Kensington Central moved into the old Portobello Road School building (now the Isaac Newton Centre, entrance on Lancaster Road).
Mary Horwood’s school report, 1926
Head Teacher Mr Dumville with a class, late 1920s
A class in the late 1920s
Form 3B with their teacher, Miss Fincham in 1930. Mary Osborn is the first girl on the left, in the row behind the boys.
An outing to perhaps the White City?
With thanks to A.Jones and E.Godin for the photos.
Sue Snyder 2013
The school building on St Mark’s Road continued to be used for education and in 1960 was known as St Quintin Park Secondary School.
Following are Barbara Tyrrell’s memories of the school in 1960 and its change to Ladbroke Upper.
The school was known as St Quintin Park Secondary School and was situated in St Marks Road opposite St Quintin Memorial Park and next door to St Charles hospital. It was an all girl’s school and I attended there in 1960. The uniform was lovely. It consisted of a pink and white striped blouse, a pink bow tie, pink beret along with a navy blue skirt or gymslip, navy blue blazer and a navy blue coat. The uniform must have been expensive, how my mother could afford it I will never know, as I was the eldest then of six children!
Unfortunately, the following year 1961 the school changed from St Quintin Park School to Ladbroke School. There were two school buildings one in Lancaster Road which became Ladbroke Lower School and the original school opposite St Quintin Park became Ladbroke Upper School. The uniform for this school was bottle green, ugh. Green beret, green blazer, green skirt white blouse and green and white striped tie.
I must say when I attended this school the education we received was good. Apart from the ordinary subjects of English, Maths, RE Art etc., we were taught Sewing, Cooking, Laundry, and Child Care. I didn’t have to do Child Care as I already knew how to feed and bath a baby, so they gave me Laundry classes instead.
Today this may seem quite sexist as we were being shown how to become future home makers for our future husbands. But for me personally, it did help me as I love to bake and sew. If you wanted to learn how to type, it was only for those who were staying at school until they were 16. I had to leave school at 15 and go out to work to help bring in some money to help my mum.
Girls in pink berets
North Kensington Histories 
I attended North Kensington Central School in Portobello Road from 1950 to 1955. The school curriculum still at that time offered office skills and technical drawing. I left and went to work in a city stockbrokers. The education I had received was of the highest quality. I failed my eleven plus and never made it to the local grammar schools. On reflection, I think I faired better than most children my age from poor backgrounds in the post war era.
Hello Diana, My Mum also went to the school around this time. Her Name was Veronica Fairbrass, Did you know her by any chance?
HI
1952-1953
.
I WAS ONLY THERE FOR TWO YEARS DUE TO DADS JOB, I WAS IN THE A STREAM BUT HAD MEASLES WHEN FIRST EXAMS, SO WAS RELEGATED TO THE B CLASS WHO HAD TOO MANY, THE TEACHER ASK FOR A VOLUNTEER, I DID NOT KNOW ANYONE SO VOLUNTEERED TO GO TO 3C, I THINK THE TEACHER WAS A MR JONES, MADAME BESENOF BEING THE FRENCH TEACHER, AT THAT TIME. I NOW LIVE IN WALES 19TH MOVE SINCE BIRTH. I REMEMBER MARY GOODIE WHO WAS VERY BRIGHT, OTHER CLASS MEMBERS, THE BUCKLE TWINS, BURGESS-ALLEN,CADBURY, DODDS, ENGLAND, FRANKLIN, GOODIE HARDING (ME) I’VE FORGOTTEN THE REST
Hello James. I have only just come across this site. I was at North Kensington Central School from 1952-1957 when I left to go to Secretarial College. I remember Mr Jones and Madame Besenof. Also Mr Hogan who taught RE. I was friends with Mary Goodie and remember the Buckle Twins. We had a Headmaster and Headmistress but I can’t remember their names. I only remember the Headmaster because he seemed to get pleasure from caning boys. I lived in Blechynden Street. My Dad was born in the house we lived in. I think the Buckle Twins lived around the corner in Mersey Street? Anyway, good to see your post. I live in Somerset now. Be good to hear from you with any memories you have of the school around that time. Gillian Kneebone (nee Allum).
I too attended N.K. Central from 1950 to 1956. Subsequently, I went to work for Longmans Green Publishers who were then in The Bond Street area. I did eventually become a Primary School teacher but found my Mathematic skills sorely lacking and needed pre-college basics. I wish the curriculum at N.Kensington had concentrated on bringing all students up to complete numeracy.
Valerie Shaw [Flynn].
Maureen Barnett (Moloney)
I attended N. Ken Central for the last year it was open in 1957 I enjoyed the school very much until it was changed and we had to move schools I then went to Holland Park.
Hi Maureen,
I also attended North Ken Central during the last year, 1957. I then stayed at the school when it became Isaac Newton. I remember Frank Pescod being there, the rest is rather a blank! If you were in my class then you may remember me as the kid who went to hospital with alcohol poisoning! Now living in Perth WA.
Les Farrell
Hi Les, my name is David Walker I hope I’ve remembered you correctly. Wasn’t you the Les who lived in Rillington Place? If you are we were in the same class at North Ken Central before it closed and I went on to Issac Newton in Wornington Road. Hope you are keeping well.
Hi David, I do remember you! Yes we lived in Ruston Close, Rillington Place as was. Vague recollections of North Ken school. I remember the French teacher, but that is all. A few more memories of Isaac Newton. I still see Frank Pescod occasionally, but no-one else from my school days. I have lived in Australia for the last 38 years.
Keep in touch. Les
Hi Les Great to hear from you. it’s amazing how sites like this exist and it certainly makes the old grey matter whirl remembering our school days. Yes, I do remember the French teacher but unfortunately not her name a bit excentric she used to ride her bike into the Ladbroke Grove end playground shouting “bonjour mes enfants” ( that’s the only French I remembered ). Frank Pescod name sounds familiar. Forgive my memory, did you go on like me to the Upper School in Wornington Rd or off to Holland Park. And did we go over one time to the Scrubs exploring the derelict army barracks and end up having a punch up with some of the kids from the White City Estate?? Apologies if not but my memory and lost tooth on the day seems to link your name to that event.
I also moved away from the area in the late 60s. I did go back a few times over the years but the extended family has all moved out toward Uxbridge and Ruislip. So it’s just only now the odd nostalgic pass by St Marks Road Ladbroke Grove etc if traveling through. Things have changed so much over the years I sometimes get lost. I now lived for the last 30 years on the North East Coast near Whitley Bay a bit colder from the old stomping ground but a great relaxed way of life. Strange when I saw you now live in Perth W.A. my wife has connections there in Morley. Small world.
Cheers Dave
Hi Dave,
Yes, I attended Isaac Newton in Wornington Road, my last year was in class 5T.
As for the Scrubs incident, I don’t remember being with you specifically, but I do recall having a tussle with some other kids there. Did you live somewhere near the Scrubs, perhaps in a cul-de-sac?
I was actually born in Benwell in Newcastle. My parents left there when I was one year old. I have been back several times to visit cousins, along with my phrase book!
Your wife’s connections would know Sorrento and North Beach where we lived until recently. We are now in Mindarie. All suburbs around Perth.
I have two siblings living in Perth and one in Basingstoke.
Have you kept in touch with any others from our school days?
You can contact me on les2697@bigpond.com.
Good to hear from you, Les
Hello Maureen
I also went to North Ken Central in it’s last year, then on to Isaac Newton.
I have lived in Melbourne, Australia since 1974. As Les Farrell commented, we see each other occasionally.
Regards
Frank Pescod
I meant to mention that Les Farrell & I see each other only occasionally as Les lives in Perth & I live in Melbourne which is about 3500 kilometres apart.
I did enjoy reading all posts regarding North Ken Central. I attended in the late forties after failing my eleven plus exams. My best friend passed her exam & went on to Burlington School, we were never close after that & I felt a bit inferior because I envied her obvious higher education.
N. Ken was a good school with emphasis on shorthand typing classes for girls, I was doing quite well with those subjects, but my family moved to a council estate in Harrow in 1947, so I had to cut short those studies. I could have stayed on and commuted as some others in my class, instead I went to a school in Harrow Weald which were far behind N. Ken. I lost interest & was glad to leave school at the tender age of fifteen.
I went to North Kensington Central from 1954-1958 then went on to Holland Park for first year it opened. I vividly remember the headmaster a short chap Mr Davies who was welsh. and Miss Edwards was the deputy head mainly for the girl students. .Does anyone remember using the domestic science block in the playground ? The girls in my year that I remember were Jean Chappell ,Linda Murray .Pat Bagel. Doreen Woolfe .Eileen Moore. Janet King. Rosalin Cohen . Does anyone else know of the girls in the same year. Fond memories at North Ken.
Barbara Young nee Pithers living in Exeter. Devon
I was in the same. Lads as you. Pamela edwards. I am Welsh I remember you well.
Do you remember Carole Linpow. Patricia Rise Linda Randall Jeanette Wheeler.
How interesting to find this website, I went to North Kent from 1955 to 1957, My best friend was Eileen Edwards and my other best friend was Jeanette Wheeler but she did not attend North Kensington School.
Hello Barbara,just looked up the old school and read your post.This is Pat Bagel .My bestie was Jean Chappell.I think we had a good education at that school. I live near Brighton , my no is 07740102420 would love to go over old times with you .
l remember Linda Murray, Mr Davis and Miss Edwards,l was there when Solomon Wolfsson School closed down and the pupils moved to our school..remember Dorothea Franklyn, Gloria Mannering and Edwin Bennett my name the was Maureen Kirkum…so many memories flooding back. Where has the time gone? Also Mr Griswood the Art teacher.
Hello Maureen.
Maureen did your family live in Walmer Road. ? I remember a Mr Mrs Kirkham that lived near Maybanks (Tiddy) the newsagent/confectioners and the Milk shop. I also remember Linda Murray she was in my year at North Kensington Central School in Lancaster Road opposite the Library. Also remember Miss Edwards the headmistress and Miss Edwards the geograohy/PE teacher. Do you remember Mr Hogan who had to use a walking stick to get around
Have you read the two books that Alan Johnson’s the MP has written the first one is about when he lived in Walmer Road along by Berrimans the corner grocer store and the book names manyof the places around Walmer Road, Silchester Road.i
Barbara Young nee Pithers
Hi Barbara, I remember you. We were in the same class. I came up from Wales. Pamela Edwards.I have been trying to find out a bit about what happened to the school. I hope you are well.
Hi Pamela. Thankyou. Yes I do remember you. Didn’t your parents own a shoe shop in the Golborne Road? I have happy memories at NKCS. I went onto Holland Park (its first year) for my last year of schooling. I believe that NKCS became a boys only school after NKCS closed.
Wouldn’t it be great if some of the “old girls” could meet up.
Lovely to hear from you. Barbara
Hello Maureen. I have just come across the North Kensington Central School posts. I remember you as we were at the school at the same time. If my memory serves me right we were friends? I also remember Linda Murray and Gloria Mannering.I lived in Blechynden Street and moved from there when I was about 16 to Hounslow, to be near my Granny. I remember Mr Hogan. Don’t remember the headmistresses name but she had short cropped hair and always walked around the school with her hands behind her back, looking very menacing.
Gillian Kneebone nee Allum
hello gillian i left ladbroke upper school 1960 the head mistress name was miss michall she was very strict at assembly she used to say good morning girls good morring teachers every day .sandra dibble re mills
Dear Maureen,
The horrible fire a couple of weeks ago started me thinking of my schooldays in the area, North Kensington Central 1953-58. My name was Margaret Geaney and I remember your name, Maureen Kirkham. I also remember Dorothea Franklyn, Gloria Mannering, Edwin Bennett, June Balcon, Cynthia Woolf. I also remember my particular friends June Cousins, Rosemary Mayes, Linda Jordan (from the Pie & Eel shop next door), and another Linda whose surname I sadly forget – but she lived really close to Portobello Road. Other remembered names are Violet Pugh (family were Coal Merchants), Denis Kelleher (very good at art), Michael and Robert Driver. Teachers: Mr. Griswood (Art), Mr. Wilcox (History), Mr. Hogan (English), Miss Boxall (English Grammar), Miss McIntosh (P.E.) & Mrs. Wilson (French), And I remember Mr. Davis (Headmaster) and Miss Edwards (Deputy Head). I would very much like to hear from June Cousins, if she picks up on this. Also, I remember Domestic Science in the building in the playground!
Hi, I also attended North Kensington Central School at that time, and remember quite a few of the people mentioned. For my last year of school we were transferred to Holland Park Comprehensive, where the typewriters were all modern (I was in the Commercial Course learning Shorthand and Typiing)
Hi all you Girls from North Kensington Central in St Marks Rd, I thought that was a Girls only school, I do not ever recall boys coming out of there, I went to the Boys Catholic school round the corner Cardinal Manning, I met my wife while walking down to the park opposite your school, Linda Foxley a student from that school, does any one remember her.
Hi. Yes I only remember it being all girls. I was there in 1957. There were no boys. And unless I’m going total dooo laly, it was called St Quintin’s.
I can only recall a Linda Randal.
I was there in 1951 to 1955 as you say then it was an all girls school, and called St Quintin although do remember some of us called it St Marks after the road name
I was there until 1954 All girls school….. Faced a park called St Marks when I started there in 1950 then St Quintin…great little school. I remember a Heidi Pancow Joy Compton Brenda Abrahams
Dear Gerald,
What years are you referring to when your wife was at North Kensington Central?
I think my mum may have attended this school from the mid thirties through to the mid forties, her name was Eileen Ashford & her siblings were Jeanie, John & Roy, I would love to hear from anyone who knew her.
Was the school ever called St. Mark’s school for girls in 1940-50?
I was there in 1957 But I always thought it was St Quintin’s. Guess I’m loosing the plot.
I went to that school in 1948-1952-3 and I’m sure it was called St.Marks school for girls. The headmistress was a mrs.snellgrove, and one of the teacher then was a Mrs.Steinke, you can well imagine what we called her. If anyone else remembers it called St.Marks, please let me know. I lived at 322 Latimer Road, W.10 with my father, brother and sister. My surname then was PAUL.
My name was Lillian Young I lived at 78 Chesterton Rd. N.Kensington and went to St Marks School in 1947-1950 and it was an all girls school then.
Hi Carole , my name was Sandra Mills. I went to St. Quintins when I was 11. It was just off of Golborne rd. Then we were sent to Labroke Lower School. Then Ladbroke Upper School which was opposite St Marks Park was an all girls school. All the time I was there we wore bottle green uniform. I left there in 1960 when I was 15. SANDRA
It was called Quintin Park. But because it was in St Marks Road we just called it St Marks. I was there 1951 to 1955.
I was there from 1951-1955 Doreen Fresco……travelled from Hammersmith
Yes it was called St Marks then St Quintins…I was there from 1950 -1954 travelled from Hammersmith…
I started at North Ken Central in 1955. I remember Frank Pugh but I didn’t know he had a sister. I remember going down to St Mary’s bay in Kent with Mr Williams and staying in an old army camp for two weeks each year I was at the school. I also remember going to Lancaster Rd baths first thing one morning each week and walking to school afterwards, which meant we missed assembly that day.
I think I’m in that photo Pink berets. My memory says Patricia Pope, Linda Randal, I think Jean Kerr, Jeanette Wheeler. Be nice if they are still around.
I remember going to St Marks school, from 1953-1957. The girls I remember are Brenda Page, Barbara Howe, Irene Stratton, Sylvia Clifford. My name was Pauline Hitch, I lived in the Suttons. It would be nice if they are still around. I have been living in Florida, US, since 1969.
Yes I remember St Quintin. Pink beret bow tie. It was very smart. I along with others went on to Holland Park. Also a very good school.
I was also at St Quintin Park girls school pink berets & darl pink bow ties!! I was then Dorothy Trattles. I remember Carol Roberts was my best friend, Mrs Thurgood was our form teacher and we had to call all the teachers Madam!! Just imagine.
Does anyone remember Ladbroke lower girls school? I went there 1962-66
Hi I went to St Quintins in 1954. The headmistress was Miss Snell. I liked my pink uniform. But until I got to St Marks Rd. that when I put my beret on. Great school. Lessons in the morning. Typing etc in the afternoon at Florence Gladstone school. Great school dinners cooked on the premises. Great school chums. Still hear from a couple of them.
What was the Florence Gladstone School? I haven’t heard of that before.
I left the school in St Marks Rd 1950/51 girls school uniform navy and white went there with my two cousins Maureen Salter and Pauline Crook…my name then was Doreen Fresco…
I lived in W.10 Kelfield Gardens and went to Convent of Sacred Heath, Hammersmith ..Had friends at Burlington and the St Clemend Danes…. in the forties.
I went to the school in St Marks Road 1950 -1955 but lived in Hammersmith….knew the Sacred Heart Convent well my next door neighbour went to Sacred Heart Danuta Strabinska….lovely Blue uniform.
I went to St. Marks school from 1947 till 1950.. it was an all girls school then. I do remember a male teacher Mr Fryer. He was the math teacher.. Miss Snell was a teacher too.
I live in Alberta Canada.
I started school at st. MarksI think it was 1947 till 1950. It was all girls.
I think St Quintins was a boys school. I am sure it was by theHammersmith hospital.
Reading these posts have left me a little confused, I started out with North Kensington Central School In Lancaster road, with an entrance in Portobello road, I was a pupil there from1948 to 1951, my brother was there from 1951 to 1954, the Headmaster was named Markham, always rattling his change in his pocket during assembly, I remember Mr Wilcox and Mr Porter the woodwork teacher, My particular friends were Clive Butler, Ronnie Young Arnold Ward, I am Roy Farndale, may have also been known as Fadger in those days. The education I recieved at that school was quite adequate to go out into the world of work. In all I have fond memories of my years there.I used to travel there by bike or walking from Oldham road, so not for to go to school.
Hello, I am Pat (Patrick) Phillips I attended North Kensington Central, twixt 1947(?) and left in 1952 to start work. I remember Mr Markham the head Master and waiting outside his office to get the cane. But the most vicious canings I got, was from Mr Wilcox, the stutterer! I used to have big dark blood blisters on my fingers. When I showed ‘them to dear old mum, she used to say. “You should behave yourself. I wasn’t a criminal, but just a fun loving youngster. My Mum used to call me, “You soppy ha’peth.” Not with the back of her hand, but always with a smile on her face! If it had been in more modern times, Mr Willcox would have been charged with criminal assault! However, I did enjoy most of my time North Ken Central.
I attended Florence Gladstone School, 1955/1956 to 1957/1958 until it changed to Isaac Newton Boys School. The school was in Wornington Road, W10. It was a Secondary Modern. Due to the school changing, I spent my last year at Ladbroke Upper School.
I went to North Kensington (Central) School from 1953 to 1957. Our uniform was green with the badge of St.Mark. Mr Armstrong was the Headmaster when I first went there, to be replaced by Mr Davies. I remember all the afore mentioned teachers of the time Mr Stone Mr’s Gristwood, Wilcox, Hogan, Mrs Wilson. I remember attending the Domestic Science classroom in the playground. They were good years and stood me in good stead for the future. The year after I left it became the Isaac Newton School for boys.
Val Bristow (Nee Clark)
I went to St Marks Rd school approx 1950 -1955 later it became St Quintins Pk I remember a miss Snell Miss Griffiths and a Miss Steert. Good little school