MOSAIC
2013
CELEBRATING THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK: THE COLLEGE YEARS 1948-1978
65
Teacher training and education at Warwick is 65 years old. To mark this milestone we have
produced this special commemorative edition of Mosaic. For many Mosaic was the College
magazine. We hope that this special edition will be something of a trip down memory lane
as well as an opportunity to learn something new.
The City of Coventry Training College was born out of the shortage of teachers caused by
the Second World War. The baby boom meant that more teachers were needed urgently
and the huge increase in young children required more infant school teachers. In those
days it was expected that infant teaching would be done by women. That is why for the
first years of its existence the College was women-only. Those first few women were
true pioneers. They arrived in a city still recovering from the war and created an enduring
educational institution out of very little. Under the inspirational guidance of Joan Browne
(and later Gordon Lawrence) the College survived and thrived until its merger with the
University of Warwick in 1978.
ends
Sheila Lewis (r) with fri
Contents
03 ......The Early Years
04 ......The Changing
Student Experience
12 ......Tributes
15 ......Classnotes
Contact
External Affairs Office
University of Warwick
University House
Coventry CV4 8UW
T: +44 (0)24 7657 4036
E: alumni@warwick.ac.uk
W: warwick.ac.uk/alumni
2
The Early Years
Those first students arrived on
a campus that bore very little
resemblance to what the College
would eventually become. These
photos give some idea of life at
College over the first few years
of its existence.
(r)
rley
pa pe
and friend 1948-50
Gillian Haughton + future husband
This magazine celebrates the ‘College’ years of teacher training and education from 1948 to
1978. It has come a long way since that time. A lot has changed. In fact almost everything
has changed; from the buildings on the campus to the content of the training to the
schools in which our graduates teach. Teaching itself has changed out of all recognition in
those 65 years. One thing which has not changed though is the commitment to equipping
our students with the skills to be the best teachers possible. Whether the name above the
door is City of Coventry Training College, Coventry College of Education, Warwick Institute
of Education or the University of Warwick, that commitment will never change.
Thanks to the spirit created at the College, there is a thriving alumni community and
reunions take place on a regular basis. We would encourage any alumni to consider
putting together their own reunion event. For more information on doing this please
email alumni@warwick.ac.uk Building this alumni community has been a challenge.
College records were only recently rediscovered and from as little as 88 names, Juliet Amery
(née Leeson Certificate in Education 1955-57) has now tracked down over 2,100 education
alumni and former staff. Without her efforts, this celebration would not be happening.
M
Reaching the 65th anniversary of anything deserves celebration – not just of the endurance
of that institution but of the people who created, inspired and maintained it. When those
65 years have been full of success and achievement, recognition is due to all those involved.
CCTC looking towards Charter Avenue entrance 1948-49
M ar
garet
Celebrating the 65th anniversary of teacher training and education at Warwick
Student Bedroom 1948-49
CCTC 1948-49 library
Margaret Mapperley and friends 1948-50
The Westwood Archives include
two films featuring the ‘College’.
The first, a silent movie made in
1947, is of the men’s Emergency
Training College, the second made
in the 1950s as a recruitment film
for the City of Coventry Training
College. Both films are available on
DVD (£10) including postage.
Orders for copies can be made by
contacting the External Affairs
Office on +44(0)24 7657 4036 or at
alumni@warwick.ac.uk
Even as we celebrate this anniversary we look to the future. Education at Warwick is
going to change and arrangements for education will see the Institute of Education being
succeeded by a new Centre for Professional Education and a new Centre for Education
Studies. However, change has always been a very important part of our success and we
look forward to many more years of teacher training at Warwick. More information about
these changes can be found on the website: warwick.ac.uk/go/education65
Weaving room
Best wishes
CCTC entrance 1948-9
Claudie Combelas, Head of Alumni Engagement
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
Dining Hall
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
3
1940s
Changing student experience
The City of Coventry Training College for Women was born out of the
1944 Education Act which highlighted the need to increase the number
of trained teachers. The College was established in 1948 to provide
a two-year Certificate in Education. With little more than a former
industrial workers’ hostel (which had been used as an Emergency
Training College for Men) to call home, the 180 women in the first
intake took up residence in 1949 and were real pioneers.
Eileen King (née Noble Certificate in
Education 1948-50) describes life as a
student after the war:
“Having replied to an advertisement in the
national press for trainee teachers I was
interviewed by Miss Browne in County Hall,
Westminster and offered a place at the
soon to be opened City of Coventry Training
College for Women. As our accommodation
was still occupied by the male students from
the Emergency Training College we were
given placements at our local schools until
Christmas. We were overseen by the heads of
the appointed school with occasional visits
from College lecturers.
Arriving in Coventry by train from
Chelmsford, I took the bus to the
College, carrying my suitcase and
most importantly, my ration book!
Eileen Noble (l), Sylvia Park (centre)
My father was a market gardener at that
time and because of Dutch imports was not
doing too well. The government therefore
paid for my education and keep, also giving
me a cheque for £72 for my spending money.
In return I was required to teach in Essex for
one year once I had qualified.
On arrival I met the girls of Block Z3 who were
to be my friends for the next two years. We
each had a room about 10 feet square with a
washbasin, a bed with Dunlopillo mattress, a
wardrobe, a dressing table, a table at which
to work and a chair. Shared facilities for 12
students were one bathroom, an ironing
room with washing machine and kettle, a
toilet and a common room.
Rooms were professionally cleaned and
three cooked meals a day were prepared
4
by a trained chef. The meals were super!
Lectures finished at 4.30pm each day when
tea and cakes were provided in the Junior
Common Room after which it was study
time. We had no free periods during the week
but all weekends were free unless we were
competing in sports teams.
My first big purchase was a state–of-the-artbicycle, not quite top of the range but costing
£22 - a very important purchase as it took me
everywhere during my training. After leaving
College I gave up my bicycle for a James
motorbike and later a small car.
Communication home was by letter as
phoning was more expensive. There were
no male students so guests at our dances
came from local sports clubs along with
apprentices from local companies. On one
occasion our hockey team played Coventry’s
rugby team which was quite hilarious.
My combined course was ‘Environmental
Studies’ - a new subject in those days giving me a great opportunity to get out
and about, exploring around Coventry and
Warwickshire. My project was the farm that
I worked on during holidays when at home.
My subject course was Craft, specialising in
pottery with much of my potting done after
my evening meal. Required information
came from books in the library or those
we were asked to purchase - no internet in
those days! If not playing in sports teams at
weekends, many of us would cycle and walk,
staying away in YHA accommodation.
I enjoyed every minute of my time
at Coventry - finally receiving
notification of my specific grades in
2012!”
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
Unlike Eileen King who went to
the College at the age of 18 Sylvia
Parkinson (née Park Certificate in
Education 1948-50) was 21 when she
began her teacher training.
Sylvia was a pupil at Northampton Girls’
Grammar School studying for her School
Certificate, alongside undertaking the
practical training to become a nurse, via the
Technical College.
The year was 1946 when personnel from
the armed forces visited the school as part
of the government ‘calling up’ procedure to
recruit officers. However any girl who had
worked with children (Sylvia was a Brownie,
Girl Guide and helped the Guide leaders)
was directed into teaching as an unqualified
teacher. The following Monday, Sylvia aged 18
was sent to assist a 70 year old teacher with
a class of 72 children. Most women teachers
were around 70 years old, owing to the rule
they could not get married as they must
devote all their time to teaching - not being a
wife and mother as well.
After three weeks Sylvia had to move to
another school, cycling or walking the five
miles. On her first day she had a police escort
as she neared the school to ensure her safe
arrival, the policeman helping her to clean,
lay and light the fire before lessons started.
Sylvia now had her own class of 50 children,
between the ages of six to eight.
Two and a half years later a local vicar
suggested to Sylvia that she should consider
becoming a qualified teacher as she had
already gained practical experience. She
applied to the soon to be opened City of
Coventry Training College. Sylvia went on to
teach for 32 years. During those years Sylvia
taught all age groups from 5 to 16 - in large
town schools, small village schools, industrial
areas and seaside villages.
Sylvia Parkinson (née Park)
During the last term of college, two
representatives from Australia spoke to
the college leavers regarding teaching
in Australia. As they were now qualified
teachers the Australian government
would pay for their passage, one year’s
accommodation and full salary for one
year.
One such student was Sheila Wood (née
Lewis Certificate in Education 194850) who, on leaving College, emigrated
to Australia as a ‘£10 pommie migrant’,
setting sail in October. She had her 21st
birthday on board the ship arriving in
Melbourne in November. Her fiancée,
having emigrated earlier, was there to
meet her. He got a special licence and
they were married in December. She
started teaching three days later - all
very exciting! Sheila taught for four
years in primary schools, retrained as
a kindergarten teacher and taught for
a further 20+ years. Sheila has made
several visits to the University in recent
years and has enjoyed revisiting the
College campus, now Westwood.
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
5
1950s
The 1950s were a time of expansion and consolidation. The College
developed its own identity - new residences, lecture rooms, gymnasia,
swimming pool and library. Mature students were recruited and the
first resident men arrived in 1958. Student numbers gradually increased
to 430 by 1959 with one year supplementary courses in Mathematics or
PE becoming available.
Olwen Offord (née Nunn,
Certificate in Education 1955-57 and
Supplementary Certificate in PE 195758) applied for teacher training when
she was in the Sixth Form:
“I chose Coventry as, in addition to the
professional courses, I could specialise in PE
and Environmental Studies. These interests
I have maintained - cycling regularly, playing
tennis and researching and recording local
history.
cleaning and full board were free. For a
packet of cigarettes Chef would make a
birthday cake and provide basic food.
Miss Hanks was my Secondary Education
tutor and we had teaching practices in
November, May and finals the following
January. PE students also did some regular
group teaching. The school where I did Finals
invited me to assist at their residential week
at Lilleshall.
Mr Hilton was my personal tutor in K2 - a
prefabricated building with single rooms,
concrete floors covered with lino, thin walls
but with central heating which was fed by
huge black pipes visibly snaking around the
campus. Near K2’s entrance were unheated
toilets and bathrooms.
I enjoyed visits to the Belgrade Theatre
and the Hippodrome in Coventry but sport
occupied most of my spare time. Once I
played hockey in the same team as the
England captain - Barbara Rylands. In
the 2nd year I was hockey captain, NUT
representative and on the Staff Student
Committee.
K1 was parallel with K2 and joined to it by a
common room, which doubled as a lecture
room in some blocks. During my second
year I moved to Bericote – a new, spacious
hall of residence. Being ‘under age’ (21) we
had to sign in every night at 10.30pm*!
Accommodation, tuition, laundry, room
Building the new Coventry Cathedral began
at this time and sometimes I climbed the
old tower to photograph its development.
Some students attended the laying of
the foundation stone. The architect, Sir
Basil Spence, visited the College and I was
privileged to meet and talk to him.
Bericote
K2
6
Ann Jenkins (l) with her pupils
Ann Jenkins (née Edwards Certificate
in Education 1957-59) remembers
arriving at College:
I stayed on for a supplementary PE year,
joining ex-students from Coventry and other
colleges. We lived in Z3 and studied PE in
greater detail; learnt new skills (lacrosse);
explored related subjects (drama and music);
gained more qualifications (umpiring
and swimming) and had more teaching
experience. As a group we experienced
mountain and rock climbing in north Wales
and in small groups organised camping
weekends. During spring 1958 Asian ‘flu
hit the College. Sick bay was soon full and
‘victims’ were isolated in their own rooms,
regularly visited by Matron.
On leaving I had a choice of three secondary
schools in which to be Head of PE. When
I married I left and taught in a College of
Further Education. With two young children
I taught at the village junior school and
then spent 20 years in a new high school
becoming a House Head, teaching Maths
and some PE. Three months after ‘retiring’
I became a Middle School supply teacher,
finally retiring as Acting Head of Design &
Technology in 2010. Since then I have worked
voluntarily at the village school, where I
taught 40 years ago.”
“I was ‘sent to Coventry’ in 1957 where I
spent a very happy two years on a course
for primary education. When I arrived I was
a very quiet country girl who had not been
away from home before; consequently I was
home sick at first. However there were eight
of us in R1 Block and we soon became great
friends. A song was composed by us for
entertainment; can anyone remember how
it went?
I decided to take needlework as my main
subject, so while all my friends were busy
writing essays I was stitching away on my
sewing machine in the needlework room.
At the end of the course I had several new
outfits, a real bonus.
It was a very practical
course and I had help
at home to make a
vivarium, a Wendy house
and a ‘ten box’ with strips
of painted wood which
displayed numbers to 10.
In addition to studying
child development
we wrote stories and
poems, painted visual aid
pictures and did PE and
movement.
There were also three school practices, what
hard work! Early mornings to catch buses
to our various schools were followed by late
nights having to stay up writing lesson notes
or making apparatus for the next day.
Weekends included a special treat. If you
could get your name on the list there would
be a coach ride to another college for a dance
on Saturday nights. I particularly enjoyed my
visits to Loughborough as that was where I
met my husband to be.
All this training stood me in good stead for
my first teaching job. I applied to Shropshire
and was appointed assistant teacher at an
isolated, rural school. There were 27 children
in the school. I had 13 and the head teacher
14. My class age span was five to eight when
they moved on to the big class room next
door. It was a sheet iron building and toilets
were outside across the playground. There
was no secretary, no phone, only a kiosk on
the roadside. Dinners in tins were delivered
from a central kitchen but if I served food I
could have a free lunch so needless to say I
served most days.
I bought myself a brand new minivan for £320
to travel the 14 miles to school. Previously
I had cycled three miles morning and night
to meet my head teacher each day. When I
obtained my van we took it in turns to drive.
We waved and acknowledged everyone when
travelling in case we needed them to push us
in winter time.
There was no electricity in the school and
the heating in my classroom was a coal fire.
Eventually by afternoon the room would be
very hot. Layered clothing was the order of
the day. One Monday morning I found my
two goldfish frozen solid in their tank.
Now at the age of 73 I still enjoy my visits to
Orleton School where every Tuesday I have
helped with reading for several years in Class
One. So thank you City of Coventry Training
College for preparing me so well for my varied
and satisfying career.
If any of R1 Block are still around I would
love to hear from you. So Gill, Kate, Mary,
Pat, Sheila, Barbara and Janet, please get in
touch.”
*As verified by Miss Tiley 1952-1977
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
7
1960s
BEd group 1969
The 1960s were a time of enormous change and the College was not
exempt. Over the decade it expanded and refurbished and led the way
on the use of educational technology. In 1964 it changed its name to
Coventry College of Education. In 1965 it launched its first four year
BEd course and in 1966 the first all-ages PGCE course. At the end of the
decade in 1969 student numbers had increased to 1,350 and the first
BEd degrees were awarded to College students by the University of
Warwick.
Terry Kenny (Certificate in Education 1960-63) remembers that:
Thieves Carnival, 1961 – Terry, left
“Attending Coventry Training College in
September 1960 to start the new three year
course was an exciting time - a new city,
new people, a different experience. The men
were a mixed bunch, ranging in ages from
18 to late 20s. Accommodation for us was
behind schedule so the men either doubled
up in Bericote or lived in ‘A’ block, the last
of the original buildings for residential use.
Today only the brick built ‘sick bay’ remains
of the original structures, although serving a
different role.
Reality was teaching practice, one in
each year making 14 weeks overall. These
were supplemented by group practices
linked to Education and specialist subject.
Students attended schools in Coventry
and Warwickshire. Trooping out on a cold
January morning to board the buses lined
up in Charter Avenue was pretty dispiriting.
The winter of 1962/3 was one of the coldest.
I used to arrive at school and wrap myself
round the nearest radiator. Needless to say
the school never closed.
The college was still in the process of being
rebuilt around us, something to which Miss
Browne wished she had never agreed. Our
Education room was shrouded at one end by
a giant tarpaulin as the building was being
extended. The heart of the complex was
the central block, housing the ‘Crush Hall’,
senior and junior common rooms, main hall,
dining room, library and senior staff offices.
Senior academic and admin staff eventually
moved to new accommodation attached to
the music and drama suites but the building
retained its key role until its demolition in the
early 80s, leaving not just a physical space on
the site.
One of the most memorable occasions of
those three years was the Consecration of
the new Cathedral in 1962 with celebrations
throughout the Diocese. The college played
host to the tapestry weavers and as students
we were involved in the Coventry Pageant
playing vikings, nuns and characters from
Shakespeare.
The curriculum and timetable were full
and wide ranging. Principles of Education
were central, the student groups reflecting
targeted age ranges from infant to
secondary. ‘Education’ encompassed its
history, practice, child development and
learning as its core. In the first two years, we
studied two academic subjects specialising
in the third year. Professional courses ranged
from RE to PE with practical courses linked to
the main subject studied.
8
As today, students were responsible for their
own cultural, sporting and social activities.
Balls at the Matrix and Locarno Ballrooms, as
well as in college; reviews, plays for the NUS
drama festivals and Coventry’s own one-act
play festival; teams competing against other
colleges in the region at a variety of sports,
all added to the rich tapestry of student life.
We took part in Coventry’s Carnival and even
had our own embryonic carnival as part of a
rag week.
For three years, time paused.
Suddenly it was all over and we
resumed life in the wider world.
Now I look back wondering just
where it all went.”
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
Roger Johnson (BEd 1965- 69) had
always wanted to be a teacher and
chose Coventry College of Education
for a number of reasons:
“It had an excellent reputation, there was a
real likelihood of it being one of first colleges
in the country to offer a BEd course – and it
also had a swimming pool, my chosen sport!
I was dropped off by my parents on Thursday
23rd September 1965 and found that I would
be sharing room in Knightcote with David
Bishop. There was no time to be homesick
surrounded by so many other students, many
of whom became lifelong friends - or in the
case of Babs Arrandale, my future wife!
We had a wonderful time at College - even
the early-morning starts during teaching
practices were fun, with bleary-eyed students
stumbling into coaches to be taken all over
Coventry & Warwickshire. I was in Colin
Kefford’s Education group (programmed
learning, anyone??) but my main subject
was Geography, which was really
enjoyable – especially the field
trips! There was also a great
social scene and very good sports
facilities and we know that we
were very, very fortunate in so
many ways.
There was considerable interest
in the new BEd degree, which
would be three years for a
Certificate of Education and an extra year
for the degree. Interestingly our certificates
were awarded by Birmingham University and
our degrees by the newly-opened University
of Warwick.
The selection process was rather fraught,
rather like the Grand National with some
falling at the first and subsequent hurdles.
Over 100 of us were chosen and as the first
BEd cohort, it was made very plain to us that
standards would be high in order to establish
it as a truly worthwhile degree. There would
be very few honours awarded - most
candidates would simply get pass degrees
- and some would fail. Our fourth year was
much more academically based, with no
teaching practice and finals week came as a
real shock – seven three-hour exams in five
days, including five in two-and-a-half days!
Graduation day for the fortunate 41 was
at Coventry Cathedral and was a truly
memorable experience. Both Babs and I
continued teaching for many years and still
look back on our time at Coventry with great
affection.”
Why not organise a reunion?
Geoff Cox (Certificate in Education 1962-65)
reports that September 2012 marked 50 years
since the 1962 intake joined the College. Fifty three
former students, staff and their guests came back
to campus to attend a reunion event which had
involved almost two years of preparation.
Those who hadn’t been back to the site were
struck by the changes which had taken place in
the intervening years. No longer are there broad
sweeps of lawns interspersed with young saplings
but the site is now full of huge well developed
trees. A few of the buildings have disappeared
including the old assembly hall and the gym block
including, surprisingly, the ‘new’ gym.
The day was over all too quickly. Some old
friendships had been re-established and others
re-confirmed. If you are interested in organising a
reunion of your classmates, email the alumni team
for help and advice (alumni@warwick.ac.uk)
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
9
1970s
After the innovation of the 1960s, the 1970s were a time of
upheaval. Questions were being asked on a national level about
the purpose and quality of teacher training which would have an
impact locally. It became clear teacher training would have to
become more closely aligned with the higher education sector.
Following long discussions, and not without a little pain, the
decision was taken to merge with the University of Warwick in
1978 and become the Faculty of Educational Studies with around
1200 students.
Louise MacCarthy (née Hogarth Certificate in Education 1972-75) has happy
memories of College:
“It was a good grounding for my career; I
thoroughly enjoyed my time and loved the
opportunities we had such as the Hillfields
volunteering programme where we helped
in a school that was short on teachers.
Thanks to the University’s location, I had
the opportunity to go into both an inner city
school and a country school.
The facilities at Coventry were particularly
appealing to me as it was one of the few
teacher training colleges with a pool
and music facilities. These in particular
supported my main interests outside
teaching. Also appealing to me were the
catered halls which were very self-contained
and had everything we needed. As young
people we did not feel totally abandoned at
College; when we arrived we were assigned
a ‘college mum’ from the year above to
welcome and advise us.
enabled me to become head teacher
at my current school in Birmingham
city centre.
Teaching has changed so much since leaving
College. Now teachers need to know how
to deal with parents and children who
treat everyone on the same authoritative
level. Also needed are IT skills. On the plus
side, when we started we had to provide
everything ourselves when on a placement
in a school. Now resources can be
requisitioned.
My advice to those thinking of going into
teaching today is to think hard about
whether they really want to do it. Teaching is
difficult. It should not just be a career option
because of not knowing what else to do. It is
important to be totally committed.”
I loved the College grounds and that
there was enough accommodation
for everyone to be on campus. I
remember social events which took
place as they were all held in one big
hall and brought everyone together.
My first teaching post was in
Wednesbury, Sandwell and then
after having two children I moved
to Whitecrest Primary in Great Barr,
Birmingham. I gained my PG SEN and
MPQH qualifications later which have
10
Louise – 3rd from left, top row
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
Bond and Mrs Tucker, our Education tutors.
We received a grant that just covered our
costs and also travelling allowances.
June Rowe (née Strong Certificate
in Education 1972 – 75), at the age
of 28, decided to apply for teacher
training at Coventry College of
Education:
“Following my interview with Miss Browne
I met three other mature students who
lived in Burbage, Leicestershire. We decided
to travel into college together each day.
It was a ‘bulge’ year for mature students –
two groups of 30, led by Mr Lawson, Jean
My main subject was English Literature
taught by a team of four – Andrew
Davies, George Moore, John McLaren
and David Hooley. My second subject
was Science taught by Mr & Mrs Hilton.
Professional courses included English,
Mathematics, Physical Education,
Arts & Crafts, Music, Drama, Religious
Education, Humanities and New Media.
As mature students we had very busy
lives. We all had children of similar ages
and we arranged, between ourselves,
to care for them on a rota basis
during school holidays. Our children
occasionally joined in our lectures so
that we could see at first-hand how they
reacted to specific methods of teaching.
Our lecturers were very accommodating
as College hours fitted in well with home
life and of course, we had the holidays!
We all had previous professions and
qualifications before applying to College
and ranged in age between 26 and 40
years old. Many of us went on to teach
in secondary schools as there was not a
pool for primary teachers in 1975. I later
went back to teach in primary schools.
Some of us went back to Warwick
to take a degree. We did this in the
evenings after teaching all day. One of
my B. Phil modules was ‘management
in education’. After teaching for four
Local Education Authorities I became a
Head Teacher in Coventry for 13 years –
retiring four years ago.
I thoroughly enjoyed my chosen
vocation and received a great deal of job
satisfaction.”
Heather Gotting (née Joy BA (Qualified Teacher Status) [Arts Education]
1976- 80) chose Coventry of Education as it was one of the first colleges to
offer the relatively new BEd qualification:
“I did a four year honours course. Coventry
was also recommended by my mother,
Marjorie Joy (née Peart), who was part of
the very first intake in 1948. Furthermore I
was attracted by the exchange programme
run with Eastern Michigan University in
Ypsilanti, Michigan. I was lucky enough
to be chosen to take part and spent the
autumn semester of 1977 studying and
travelling in the USA. It was a fantastic
experience.
I returned to some uncertainty about the
future of the College. For reasons unknown
to the students we had to merge with a
larger institution. It was originally proposed
that we would merge with Lanchester
Polytechnic, now Coventry University. The
decision was finally made that we would
merge with the University of Warwick
which made more sense as we were already
doing a degree course approved by Warwick
and our physical proximity to the University
made for natural expansion.
I remember our lecturers being very
unsettled as they were probably having
to re-apply for their jobs. As students we
were largely unaffected and continued
fraternising with the largely male
population of the University. Our college
was largely female and all my group of
friends, me included, met and subsequently
married students from Warwick.
I am still teaching after 33 years. I look back
with nostalgia to the relatively care-free
days of university life and teaching in the
late 70s/early 80’s - little government
interference and student grants! Teaching
Heather in shopping trolley
jobs however were difficult to find due to
a falling birth rate and many of my fellow
students found employment outside
teaching. I eventually found employment
in London.”
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
11
Gordon Lawrence
1923-2011: a tribute
Rita Hiscox (née Human)
1916-2012: a tribute
‘A genuine friend to many
and a wonderful citizen’
Gordon Lawrence, Principal of Coventry
Training College of Education and first
Director of the Institute of Education, was
recruited in 1967 from Leeds Institute of
Education - initially as Vice-Principal. His role
was to develop the new BEd courses which
were to be validated by the University. In this
capacity he was very persuasive and actively
encouraged the 1965-69 cohort of BEd
undergraduates to aim high.
Warwick alumnus David Bishop (BEd 1965-69)
remembered that ’he never underestimated
our potential and fought hard to ensure
that new Warwick BEd degree should be
fully classified’.
In 1975 Gordon became Principal of the
College and following the merger of the
College with the University of Warwick in
1978 he was the first Director of the new
Institute of Education, remaining in post
until his retirement in 1984.
Under Gordon’s guidance the Faculty of
Education continued to be innovative and
successful with the first Higher Degree
being offered in 1980. Gordon enjoyed his
time at Warwick and was always a staunch
supporter of the Westwood Former Students’
Association. His interest, guidance and
enthusiasm continued throughout his
retirement.
12
This ensured that the Association merged
seamlessly with the Warwick Graduates’
Association in 1998 so that today thousands
of trained teachers enjoy a close relationship
with the University of Warwick.
In his retirement Gordon was Academic
Secretary of the Universities’ Council for
the Education of Teachers from 1984-88
during which time, along with a former
colleague, George Raper, he worked with
the London Stock Exchange developing a
scheme providing bursaries and workplace
experience for PGCE Physics trainee teachers.
Gordon was a governor of Worcester Sixth
Form College between 1989 and 2004,
serving as Chairman from 1991 until 2000. He
is well remembered by John Treadwell, former
Principal, Worcester Sixth Form College for
his skills in ‘focusing on the important and
tolerated but not animated, by the routine!’
Privately Gordon was a devoted family man,
showing a great devotion and loyalty for his
first wife, Audrey, during her final illness. He
subsequently enjoyed 19 years of happiness
with his second wife, Julia and built up
a strong relationship with his two stepdaughters, Alice and Charlotte.
‘More than a teacher, a real friend’
Jim Campbell,
Emeritus Professor of
Education, describes
Gordon’s special
characteristics:
The thing I remember most about
Gordon was his unfailing kindness, to
colleagues and students, his modesty
and his apparently inexhaustible
charm. I recall how, as a young
newly appointed lecturer, I found him
genuinely concerned that I should settle
into the College and offering me all the
support and advice that he could.
He was a great host at parties, mixing
a mean gin and tonic and creating
a sociable and friendly atmosphere.
Looking back I guess Gordon was
Director of the Institute of Education at
a difficult time – a time of uncertainty
for the College, its staff and its
students and it is a great tribute to his
judgement and fabled charm that the
transition of the College to a Faculty of
Education in one of the most innovative
universities in the country, worked out
so well. Like those who knew him,
I remember him with affection and
gratitude.
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
Known to generations of students as ‘Miss
Human’, Rita Hiscox was an early appointee
to the City of Coventry Training College
in 1949. She was born in Battersea and
moved to Derbyshire around 1920. Having
completed her education at Chesterfield Girls’
High School she obtained her first position as
a governess in Ashover. During World War II
she trained to be a teacher, gaining a diploma
at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She then spent six years teaching English at
Maidstone Grammar School.
Moving into teacher training, Rita lectured
in English and Drama before retiring in 1980.
She was a much loved lecturer and personal
tutor, being strict - expecting work to be
done correctly and on time. Her pastoral
domains were ‘H’ block, then Dunsmere and
all who passed there on their way to and
from the central buildings always received a
cheery greeting as Rita took her dogs on their
daily exercise. As a school practice supervisor
she was always interested and most
importantly, supportive. Rita also chaired the
Staff/Student Committee, listening intently
to student requests before sometimes
announcing a surprising decision.
The Committee of the Former Students’
Association could not have wished for a more
involved staff representative. Rita attended
all their events continuing to do so after her
retirement until her health began to cause
concern.
In 1998, aged almost 82 Rita decided to
marry for the first time. Sadly her husband,
Gaius, a retired and decorated wartime Royal
Navy pilot, died only three years later. Rita
continued to live in her beautiful home in
Leamington until 2009 before moving to St.
Leonard’s-on-Sea to be nearer her nephew
and nieces.
Contributors: Nigel Human, nephew, Terry
Kenny (Certificate in Education 1960-63),
Anne Kenny (née Blurton) (Certificate in
Education 1961-64), Maureen Fletcher (née
Fawcett) (Certificate in Education 1956-58),
Juliet Amery (Certificate in Education 195557) and Richard Digby Day (Certificate in
Education 1958-60).
The following tribute written by Beryl Saunders, a former
colleague, encapsulates so well Rita’s impact on others:
“Rita’s natural rapport with young adults and her ability to
engage their confidences, allied to her wide interest in the Arts
generally and drama and theatre in particular, ensured her
popularity as a tutor and mentor, amply demonstrated by the number of former
students who still visited and wrote to her long after her retirement.
“‘Many will remember plays and festivals in which she was involved as advisor,
organizer or director but she was also happy to perform in staff/student
productions as she did memorably as Hesione in Shaw’s Heartbreak House and
Margaret in Christopher Fry’s The Lady’s not for Burning.
“‘As a member of a large team of tutors in the drama department Rita contributed
specialist interest in Restoration drama, the works of Shaw and in later years,
Pinter. Her love of theatre was wider than the literary or academic; it embraced
both music and dance as exemplified by a collaborative presentation by staff and
students from the wider arts of a ‘jazz cantata’ in Coventry Cathedral.
“A prominent member of Leamington’s literary and musical circles, Rita will be
remembered as unfailingly gracious and charming - and with dachshunds at
heel.”
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
13
We take great pride in the achievements and success of our alumni.
We asked them to share in their successes, career changes and
promotions and we were inundated. In fact we had so many that
we could not fit them all into the magazine. We have included a
very small selection here but more information about what other
College alumni have been up to since qualifying can be found on
our website: warwick.ac.uk/alumni/ouralumni/classnotes/
Charles Basham
1928-2012: a tribute
‘A gentleman, a scholar
and an inspiring teacher’
Charles Basham was a member of staff of the
City of Coventry Training College/Coventry
College of Education and the University
of Warwick from 1961-1985. Initially Head
of English and subsequently Head of Arts
Education. Wonderful tributes have been
made about Charles both from his students
and colleagues. Here former students Joyce
Miller (BEd 1965-69, MA Arts Education 198992, EdD 1996-2010), Peter Crampton, Midge
McCormack (née Elcoate) (both Certificate
in Education 1962-65) and Beryl Saunders, a
former colleague, share some memories.
14
Along with Margaret, his wife, Charles was
very involved in numerous charities. They
supported the Boys & Girls Towns in southern
India started by Joe Homan – a Warwick
honorary graduate – visiting them many
times. They spent several months each year
working in orphanages in Romania playing,
teaching and taking out the very deprived
children. Charles’ love of animals was
reflected in his support of animal charities
and Guide Dogs for the Blind. They were
great travellers and enthusiastic members
of the University of Warwick Chorus both at
Warwick and on tour. Over many years both
Charles and Margaret were a tremendous
help to the Alumni Engagement team in
enabling the University to keep in touch with
former Education students and staff.
Joyce Miller remembers him as “the quiet,
courteous and scholarly Head of what was a
large, energetic and thriving department. I
also knew him because from time to time, he
led morning assemblies in the Main Hall. It
was always a pleasure to talk to Charles, his erudition, his love
of learning and literature and his dry humour shone through all
his conversations.
Midge McCormack remembers that “Charles’ lectures were full
of humour, interesting, critical and inspirational. As a result of
his tutoring I became a life-long bookworm and my enthusiasm
enabled me to instil a love of books in my primary school pupils.
Now I am retired I often meet ex-pupils. I am delighted when
they tell me how much they remember my encouragement to
read - how lovely that Charles was responsible for so many
readers.”
“One of Charles’ most obvious qualities was his modesty.
He politely but firmly pushed aside any attempt to pay
compliments or offer praise. It was only through other sources
that his wife, Margaret, learned that his was the best poetry
lesson HMI had ever seen, when he was still a teacher at a boys’
grammar school in London. It was also through finding some
evaluation sheets from students in Michigan, USA, where he
had been a visiting lecturer that she learned that they wanted
to ‘keep this guy’.”
Peter Crampton remembers his former personal tutor as being
“very popular with students who studied English, admired for
his thoughtfulness and willingness to listen.”
Charles is remembered for ‘his iron fist in a velvet glove’.
However, Beryl Saunders recalls appreciating “the vein of irony
and wit that was part of Charles’ personality. He was never the
noisiest contributor to discussions but was certainly one of the
most pertinent and articulate and his judgements were always
respected.”
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
If you do not have
internet access a
print out of these
classnotes can be
provided. See back
page for contact
details.
Harold Lingard • Certificate in Education 1946-47
1940s
Harold, who died in 1912 aged 96, was proud to be the oldest recorded alumnus. Following his time as signal
man in the Royal Navy, Harold trained as a teacher at the Emergency Training College for Men, the forerunner to
the City of Coventry Training College. He had a varied teaching career as well as dedicating his life to the people
in Cumbria. Those attending the 60th Anniversary of teacher training and education at Warwick in 2008 will
remember Harold for his spirited appearance when cutting the ‘birthday’ cake.
Richard Digby Day • Certificate in Education 1958-60
1950s
Since Coventry and a year’s teaching at Shipston-on-Stour High School (1960-61), Richard has been a Leverhulme
Scholar, the first student of education at RADA and director of five British regional theatres including York,
Exeter and Nottingham. He has been artistic director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and worked extensively
in Canada, Ireland, Denmark and the US (where he was director of the National Theatre Institute 1990-98). He
has directed in the West End and all over the UK and directed and taught at many theatre schools. He was also
Chairman of RADA’s Associates and has served on many committees for art organisations. He continues to
work…
Joyce Miller • BEd 1965-69, MA 1989-92, EdD 1996-2010
1960s
As her various courses show, Joyce hasn’t strayed very far away from Warwick and she is currently an Associate
Fellow in the Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit in the Institute of Education. The most exciting
recent project she has been involved in has been co-editing a book in honour of Professor Robert Jackson,
written by 14 of his former doctoral students. It is published by Routledge and is entitled ‘Religion in Education:
Innovation in international research’.
Joyce has worked in religious education throughout her career, latterly in Bradford where she also had
responsibility for community cohesion and race equality in schools. Her doctoral research was focused in that
area and she has now moved on to researching religiously-inspired violent extremism and RE.
Hilary Matheson • BEd 1972-76
1970s
After teaching for a number of years Hilary returned to university in the States to complete her Masters and
PhD in Sport Psychology. Following this training Hilary returned to the UK and taught at the University of
Wolverhampton and then Newport University in Wales. After being Dean of School of Humanities & Social
Sciences for a number of years and following restructure, she completed her academic career as Head of Health
& Sport. A belated gap year with her partner saw her forget about work and they now enjoy the winter months
in Florida and summer months in Wales! Great combination.
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF TEACHER TRAINING & EDUCATION AT WARWICK • 1948 - 1978
15
The changing
face of Mosaic
Contact
External Affairs Office
University of Warwick
University House
Coventry CV4 8UW
T: +44 (0)24 7657 4036
E: alumni@warwick.ac.uk
W: warwick.ac.uk/alumni