Life in the fifties at the Billericay School

Sports line-up with Ray Yardley and Ronald Eden

Schooldays sixty years ago by Cyril Drake

Although sixty years ago is such a long time ago, many people remember being a pupil at the Billericay School. Mr Ronald Eden had taken over headship in September 1950 following the death of Mr ‘Tiggy’ White. Links with the Great Burstead Junior and Mixed Infants (which later became Billericay Primary School in 1957 and later Quilters) were strong. The new head was a keen sportsman. Cricket and football teams were extremely successful due to the expertise and supervision of Ray Yardley (pictured in this line-up of pupils in 1950)  

Comments about this page

Add your own comment

  • I went to school from 1953-58. I remember Miss Killeen, Miss Norris for English and music, Mrs Kefford for games, (I remember crying saying goodbye at 15) Mr Walkey for maths, Mrs Urquhart for needlework and Mrs Andrews for ‘domestic science’ as we used to call it! I played netball and became Captain of the team. I was in Chantry house (red) , I remember Norsey (blue), Stockwell (green) and Blunts (yellow). My head girl was Eileen Webb. The school took us to see Conquest of Everest on film at the Ritz cinema. Fond memories of a good school. – typed by my granddaughter!

    By Jean Naish (nee Hammond) (21/11/2020)
  • I went to Billericay school and left in 1956. I remember Mr’s Martin, Yardley, Taylor, Rouse, Perry and Ferris, and Madame’s Croxell, Taylor, Norris, Killeen (who came to my wedding), Urquhart and Taylor. I was in the school Hockey team. I was head girl in 1953/56. Grand times with happy memories.

    By Dorothy Cullum (Dyball) (02/05/2020)
  • Hi Denis Richardson I was at Billericay school at the same time as you.I was friends with John Mc Kenna and was keen on sport. Sorry to say that I don’t remember you by name but we must have known each other. Sparrow was a nickname given to me by Billy Hughs.

    By Trevor Nightingale (22/02/2016)
  • I was so pleased to see this photo of my Dad Ray! He is still with us and talks fondly of his time at Billericay School, I also went there in the late 60’s. He had moved to Craylands by that time and then again to his final school, Appleton at Benfleet, where he was head of woodwork, metalwork & technical drawing.

    By Jan Yardley (16/08/2014)
  • My dad Ron Baines is on the top row far left, if anyone remembers him.

    By donna carr (07/11/2013)
  • I knew/know both of them. Who/where are you?

    Editors Note: We are happy to pass on details to other users, but because of our security  policy we cannot publish email addresses on the site.

    By J Sturley (26/09/2012)
  • I am trying to trace an old pupil. Richard Alfred Matthews who was close friends with Philip Parks – does anyone remember either of them? Can anyone help me trace what happened to Richard?

    By Sheree Simpson (11/11/2011)
  • I was at the school from 1951 until 1954 and if my memory serves me correct I am on the above photo,and can remember both Mr Eden and Mr Yardley well. During this period I represented the school at both football and cricket. The time spent at the school helped to put me on the road to success in later life.

    By Denis Richardson (01/11/2011)
  • I was at the school from 1946-March 1950 I was also captain of the football team. Brought back many wonderful memories. I remember some of the boys in the photo

    By jack knapp (08/04/2011)
  • I was at the school from 1946 until March 1950. I was captain of the football team and can still recall some of the boys in the photo. Incidentally Mr P.G.’Tiggy” White retired and Mr Eden replaced him as headmaster. Prior to Mr Yardley Mr ‘Trotter’ Whitworth was sports master and had a great impact on my football career.

    By Jack Knapp (08/04/2011)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.