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Gallions Mount School
Gallions Mount School has been in
Purrett Road, although once under a different
name (Purrett Road School) since 1887.
Gallions Mount School is a non
selective primary school is South east London on
the borders of Kent. It is situated near the top
of the hill which over looks Gallions Reach
across the Thames, thus being called Gallions
Mount. When founded it was initially an all
girls' school, but since being rebuilt (in 1977)
it now accepts girls and boys. (Wikipedia)

Gallions Mount School - 1947 Photo:
Alan Putt.
(Click on photo for a much larger view)
This is a picture of, I think, Form
3b in 1947. This was the year that one left the
school to go on to whatever your eleven-plus
results had got you to.
I cannot remember too many names but
on the far left front is David Edwards. Behind
him is Dorothy Robinson, fifth from the left in
the back row is Stewart Manley. I am third from
the left in the front row and Roy Catton is
immediately behind me. Anyone recognise anyone
else??

Photo: Terry Byatt
(Click on photo for a larger view)
This is of the Gallions Mount school
play. Taken around 1955 (I think). Sorry I can’t
identify anybody other than me (middle of back
row above crossed swords) - Terry Byatt
The following is an extract from a
story by Jennifer Mellor (nee Batcock) entitled;
'Growing
Up In Plumstead During The War Years'.
Once I reached seven years of age I
started going to Purrett Road School, now called
Gallions Mount. I have a feeling that we either
went for just mornings or just afternoons. I
can’t remember who the Head teacher was then;
whether it was a man or a woman, I haven’t a
clue; but I do remember some of the teachers.
One was Mr. Paton, who had his
favourites, but I do remember he used to read to
us “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” and made
it sound so exciting that it instilled in me a
love of books and reading that has lasted all my
life, so I am grateful to him for that. Another
teacher I remember was a Mrs. Murgatroyd, who
was a bit formidable. I particularly remember
Miss Stephenson, who was strict, but fair.
Gallions Mount School was in those days (I don’t
know if it has been rebuilt now) a large
Victorian building with big classrooms with very
high ceilings, and the floor was staggered with
wide shallow steps in rows where the desks
stood. The naughty boys always used to sit at
the back and if any of them were behaving badly
and didn’t take any notice of her first warning,
Miss Stephenson would march to the back of the
room, drag the offending boy down to the front
by his ear, and bash his head against the
blackboard. She wouldn’t get away with it now;
she would be sued by the parents and probably be
dismissed.
In the basement of Gallions Mount
School during the War years was a Rescue Centre
set up to shelter the people who had been bombed
out of their homes. I don’t think it was called
a Rescue Centre then, the proper term evades me,
but that is what it was. There were lots of
mattresses and blankets there, and I believe
refreshments could be obtained. I do remember us
all taking shelter there when there were air
raids. The girls’ playground seemed huge to me
then. On one side there was a very high brick
wall, and believe it or not, there was a farm
the other side. I don’t think there were
animals, but there were orchards. The toilets in
the playground never failed to freeze up every
winter.'
Gallions Mount School class photos 1958-65
wanted
Sue Thynne asks:
I am true Plumstead born and bread.
I was born in 1953 and went to school at
Gallions Mount Primary School, in Purrett Road.
My partner was also at this school
as well, we had a very good 50th reunion, with
12 of our class friends.
We all recognised each other, even
after so many years.
We had a few pictures of each
other, but we are trying to find a
class picture from the time we were there,
from 1958 to 1965, but with no avail.
We also have spoken to one of the
teachers who came on the school journey with us
to Broadstaires in Kent. He took a video of us
all, but this was lent to a parent and never
returned. We are desperate for some help to
locate these pictures and the video.
If anyone can help in locating any
photo(s) and or the video, please contact Pete.
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