News@Kimberley
Founded 1925
July 2014 Issue 39#
A record of the life of the school,
its duties and pleasure, its work and play;
a chronicle of endeavour
and achievement
Head’s Lines
Thank you, Mrs McLardie!
Few people have better first-hand
experience of the changes we
have seen at our school than Mrs
McLardie, who retires this term
after many years of committed
service to the young people of
our community. I caught up
with her for an interview!
How long have you worked here?
I joined the school in 1974, one year
after it became a comprehensive. My
first classroom was in T14 which was
then a room divided into two with Food
being taught in one half and Textiles in
the other. The thinking of the time was
that I could teach both subjects at the
same time! When I arrived, all D&T
subjects were taught for either all
morning or all afternoon which was
bliss! My tutor room was the space
upstairs in Lower School which would
be at the front of room 29 and around
the lift shaft. No doors, which again
was the modern way back then.
What was the fashion when you
started? No women wore trousers to
work; they wore either a smart dress
or skirt. Fashion out of work consisted
of maxi dresses. Strange how trends
repeat themselves!
7 each morning, as I was a little afraid
of being on the bus when all the Kimberley students got on! I was only 21 it has gone from strength to strength.
at the time and a very nervous teacher. The first time one of our Food
What did you teach? I taught Home students went to university to study the
Economics and Needlework (Food and subject to degree level was also very
Textiles) to Year 7 and 8 in my first 2 memorable.
years as young teachers were not What changes have had the biggest
allowed exam classes.
effect on teaching? I can always
What was the equipment like? Basic! remember the first Head I taught
We had one food mixer in each Food under, Frank Collier, coming into my
room and one year the PTA bought lesson with a pen and a piece of paper
me a food processor which was very no bigger than A5 to ask for my
predictions about grades of my
exciting.
students. That was the extent of data
Where was the department based analysis back then!
back then? All over the school. In
Lower School, T14 was Food/ It’s very clear there have been huge
Textiles and T13 was RM. Technical changes over the years and if our
Drawing was in what is now the PE current pupils were transported back,
room and Woodwork and Metalwork there’s no doubt they would be lost –
had just moved into what is now the lost not knowing how to get around, not
Science block at the back of the knowing how to use a fountain pen and
computer rooms. The Community not having a computer to find things
Room was another Food room, as was out. The changes continue. I hope
H1. Textiles was in H5.
you have been able to see the front
Of all the recipes you’ve taught of school, much of which has been
students to cook which is your restored to what it must have looked
favourite? I used to love the like when built, but double glazed. It is
Christmas practical lessons as the certainly a transformation and I hope
emphasis in those days was the it contributes to the pride we all feel in
intricate piping on the cakes which our school for years to come. As a year
looked lovely. We would always put nine girl shouted to a visiting year two
them on show in Reception. One year last week, “It’s a great school – you’ll
though, we put the Christmas logs in love it!”
Who was at number one? Carl
Douglas with Kung Fu Fighting. Ask
your grandparents! Not my favourite,
I must admit, but looking at the charts and the weather was unseasonably
earlier in the year David Essex appears warm! You can guess the outcome.
and he was a favourite.
What’s your most memorable
How did you get to school back in moment? Introducing Health and
those days? 2 buses each way and Social Care to our school. We were
I was never late. I left home at about one of the pilot schools. Over the years
Newdigate Street
•
I wish students and their families a
restful summer, come rain or shine and
I look forward to seeing you all back
safely in September.
Kimberley • Nottingham • NG16 2NJ
www.kimberleyschool.co.uk
Chris Teal
Headteacher
•
0115 938 7000