Cotham Grammar school in the 1940s and 1950s was often referred to as Bristol's best school; it was certainly the jewel in the crown of the Bristol Education Committee which in those days administered free state education and awarded scholarships to university for all qualified students. It was the school that educated the Nobel Prize-winning physicists: Paul Dirac and Peter Higgs, and shared with Eton College the distinction of having three old-boys in the England cricket team. In the development of mind and body, Cotham Grammar School rivalled the best schools in the land.
Cotham possessed a state-of-the-art building and extensive grounds of historical interest, but its true glory lay in the quality of its teachers. The all-male team was led by Mr Woods, known by the boys as 'Splinter.' The Head Master was smaller than average, of slim build and white complexion. He maintained strict discipline and was both feared and respected, resorting occasionally to the use of the cane, but to the final-year science class he revealed a great breadth of knowledge, taking special lessons covering philosophy, economics and politics.
The deputy head master was Mr Hinton, a mathematician who also lectured at Bristol University. Rather more robust and verbose than the laconic head master, the bespectacled deputy played a full part in maintaining a benevolent but disciplined regime. The man who may have taught physics to Paul Dirac and almost certainly taught Peter Higgs was Mr Marsden, a wartime radar expert, who could explain the most complex concepts in slow precise steps that even the dullest boys could follow.
The senior chemistry master was Mr Harding, remembered as one of the friendlier teachers. He always took his packed lunch in the chemistry laboratory and invariably ate a banana, often advocating the fruit's nutritional benefits. Playing the violin in the school orchestra, Mr Harding strongly supported Mr Phillips, the teacher of religious knowledge, who served as conductor and manager. Known to the boys as Flop, Mr Phillips did sterling work in maintaining what was widely regarded as the best schools orchestra in the city and one which provided the backbone of the Bristol schools' orchestra.
The school did not only excel in music. Its Combined Cadet Corps, commanded by Major Statton proudly wore the uniform of the Gloucestershire Regiment, the 'Glorious Glosters' of Korea and many ancient conflicts. Its RAF section under Flight Lieutenant Wilkinson produced several boys who won Flying Scholarships and held private pilots licences while still at school. The Judo club under Jerry Hicks, the art master, was the first school judo club in Bristol and achieved distinction by beating the team of Bristol University. The school's prowess in rugby was recognised by a visit to the school by the entire New Zealand rugby team, the famous All-Blacks.
Cotham Grammar School strove for excellence in every area. It provided first-class free education to able students from all backgrounds, an elevator that lifted able children from the humblest homes to the greatest heights. It was swept away by the Wilson reforms of the 1960s, and one must wonder if its like will ever be seen again.
Cotham possessed a state-of-the-art building and extensive grounds of historical interest, but its true glory lay in the quality of its teachers. The all-male team was led by Mr Woods, known by the boys as 'Splinter.' The Head Master was smaller than average, of slim build and white complexion. He maintained strict discipline and was both feared and respected, resorting occasionally to the use of the cane, but to the final-year science class he revealed a great breadth of knowledge, taking special lessons covering philosophy, economics and politics.
The deputy head master was Mr Hinton, a mathematician who also lectured at Bristol University. Rather more robust and verbose than the laconic head master, the bespectacled deputy played a full part in maintaining a benevolent but disciplined regime. The man who may have taught physics to Paul Dirac and almost certainly taught Peter Higgs was Mr Marsden, a wartime radar expert, who could explain the most complex concepts in slow precise steps that even the dullest boys could follow.
The senior chemistry master was Mr Harding, remembered as one of the friendlier teachers. He always took his packed lunch in the chemistry laboratory and invariably ate a banana, often advocating the fruit's nutritional benefits. Playing the violin in the school orchestra, Mr Harding strongly supported Mr Phillips, the teacher of religious knowledge, who served as conductor and manager. Known to the boys as Flop, Mr Phillips did sterling work in maintaining what was widely regarded as the best schools orchestra in the city and one which provided the backbone of the Bristol schools' orchestra.
The school did not only excel in music. Its Combined Cadet Corps, commanded by Major Statton proudly wore the uniform of the Gloucestershire Regiment, the 'Glorious Glosters' of Korea and many ancient conflicts. Its RAF section under Flight Lieutenant Wilkinson produced several boys who won Flying Scholarships and held private pilots licences while still at school. The Judo club under Jerry Hicks, the art master, was the first school judo club in Bristol and achieved distinction by beating the team of Bristol University. The school's prowess in rugby was recognised by a visit to the school by the entire New Zealand rugby team, the famous All-Blacks.
Cotham Grammar School strove for excellence in every area. It provided first-class free education to able students from all backgrounds, an elevator that lifted able children from the humblest homes to the greatest heights. It was swept away by the Wilson reforms of the 1960s, and one must wonder if its like will ever be seen again.
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