SCHOLARSHIPS, SUBSIDIES

So chaps, when did fees actually cease? Was this another factor in the gradual "descent" of the school from the mid-60's onward? I am (almost) sure there was no fee-paying in my time. Re. the use of the term 'getting a scholarship, it was still, I think, a common way of saying 'passed the 11+' in the late forties and fifties. (John Bailey)

Subsidies/Scholarships in the '50's: Andy mentioned subsidies for expenditures such as travel. I recall that I myself was issued with a pass for the train from Chadwell Heath to Gidea Park. One applied for this at the station and upon resentation of proof that one actually did attend a school in another district, a rail pass would be issued. These were year round passes and could be used during holidays etc. In the summer months when the pool was open, it was a relief not having to cycle up to Gidea Park and one could take the train and arrive quickly and safely to take up ones task as Life Saver. (Mike Merry)

If you lived a certain distance from the school the education dept paid for your season ticket I came up from shenfield on the train.free school meals were provided for those whose parents were out of work and a supply of plimsolls were made available at the beginning of term to those who did not have their own, my parents could not afford to get me fashionable shoes so I had to have those that were guaranteed for 6months-Bata specials. (Brian Mutton)

When I joined the school in '65, the rule was that if you lived 3 miles or more from the school (walking distance)then you had a free bus pass.  This was irrespective of your wealth.

I lived 3.1 miles away by car, but was refused on the basis that if I walked through Rise Park, and ran the gauntlet of Eastern Evenue (there was no footbridge in those days) then it was only 2.9 miles.  The council even sent a man with a little wheel to verify this.

I didn't fancy walking 6 miles every day with a heavy brief case and took the bus.  Did any of you walk a long distance to school? (Vince Leatt)

Curiously, I too ran afoul of the little man with the wheel. When I started at RLS in '56 he measured the distance from 74 Clockhouse Lane and found it a gnat's fart under three miles. They thus refused my mother's application for a bus pass for me. We pointed out that my older brother had been getting the free pass for six years and his bed was three feet nearer to the school. What was more to the point, Andrew McWhirter who lived 50 metres nearer, around the corner in Burland Road, also received it. With ill grace the authorities relented. The money was important for my mother, bringing up three kids after the death of my father in '55 (thank you HMG/BAT). (Peter Moulds)