I went from 74-79 so much later than most.
Started at Lower School (Daisy Bank Rd)
Ferguson was the Headmaster down there and Mrs Reynolds was my 2nd year form teacher and English teacher which I enjoyed.
Moved to Kirky lane and Jack Firth was my form teacher. As mentioned, he was a huge bloke with a temper and an ex boxer who had a real passion for Latin which was all but finished by then as a subject although he taught History.
My English teacher was Joe Potterton who was just brilliant. Radio 4 on in the background and a real scholar of English and Latin too. He would wear his gown regularly and anybody who had him as a teacher just knew he was something different.
He used to circle poor work with red ink then give you marks like
-1000/10 which I'd never seen before
and my very first essay was covered in red circles.
I struggled at school as I basically lost interest but I do remember Joe talking to me privately in my last year and he said if I really applied myself I could achieve a really good grade at 'O' level. It changed everything for me, just that bit of encouragement. I passed with distinction and to this day I don't remember anything about the exam at all. I just arrived, started writing and left early with him staring at me as i left the room.Cognitive flow or something but I was proud of myself and really happy for him for showing faith.
He was a bit eccentric (or so I thought but really he was a true academic). Used to ride his pushbike with the panniers on the side. Rumor was he had a weapon in one of them so he could see off any dogs that had a go at him on the way in...
Maths was Mr Acton (with his trademark pipe) and I never registered anything at all with him although he was a good teacher and taught my older brother who went on to great things in his chosen field.
Geography was Mr Bolton
Chemistry was Mr Eckersley
Physics was Mr Dickinson
I remember Mr Salmon but wasn't taught by him
Apart from Joe Potts it wasn't a great experience and the school was sadly lacking in so many areas by the time I left. Couldn't wait to leave and I'd already secured an apprenticeship so the last few weeks of 5th year I dialed it in...