School History

We are currently in the process of establishing a Gospel Oak School archive and would be very grateful for any photos, memories, articles or artefacts - anything with a connection to the school that you think may be of interest!

If you, or anyone you know, can contribute please contact the history coordinator Amanda Harris on 020 7485 7435 or email a.harris@gospeloak.camden.sch.uk

The original Gospel Oak

The present building was opened in the early 1950s, replacing the original Victorian building which was bombed during the war. It stands at the southern edge of Hampstead Heath in an area of mixed private and social housing and the school's intake reflects this good social and ethnic mix.

In April 2000 the school took possession of a new classroom block for Reception and Year 6 children and it also has a purpose built Nursery just across the road in Savernake Road. There are two large playgrounds in the main school and a separate play area for Reception children. The school makes good use of its proximity to the Heath.

Click on the links below to view the images:

Ham and High

Images of original article from Ham and High - 29th August 1952

Click on the links below to view the images:

Memorabilia

Click on the links below to view the images:

Back in the ' 60's last day "autograph" sheets were all the thing. These are examples of Chris Brick's in 1968:

Memories

Memories of Gospel Oak - A poem by Julia Wortley (1969-1976)


The 1970s - no school uniform... no grammar nor syntax neither Miss Door's knee high boots - red
'Start Right' sandals - any colour so long as it's brown.
Mrs. Conrad's nature table - leaves, feathers,

Marcus, you must pull your socks up!' - so he did.
Swimming at the Prince of Wales baths - cold;
Hiding my Timex watch in a shoe to stop would be thieves.
Swimming in my brother's pyjamas - Bronze, Silver, Gold.
Somebody jumped in wearing pyjamas... but no swimming costume.

A boy with a hole in his heart - Jimmy? - years older than us, but in our class ...until he died - he left a hole in my heart.
Being kicked under the table until my shins were black and blue.
School meals, custard with everything - potato stuck to the ceiling.
Milk cartons piled high under the stairs - sour milk smell and thin white rivers.
Playtime - wartime - ball games - 'May I play football with you?’ 'No, you're a girl.'
Summers when the sun never stopped shining,
1976 when the sun truly never stopped shining - so hot the Heath cracked open and I thought I was going to die on the long walk home.
Rounders in the NEW junior playground - trains passing by
Scratching holes in the sand stone wall with the wire mesh fence - mining for gold.
Sports day - the three legged race - two strides and the string broke,
Those green bean bags made of cloth.
One year, school sports day at the racing track on Hampstead Heath.
Rugby lessons from Alan Muxworthy - lesson 1 always wear a gum shield! Singing lessons beside the old piano that really was tuned by a blind piano tuner.
'Concerts', that were musicals (of a fashion) - Robin Hood - watching my brother on stage - so proud and yet anxious for him.
The school orchestra - anyone was in, whether they could play or not.
Music and movement - stop and listen - please choose me to play the drum - but you never did.
School journeys - Isle of Wight - the colours blurring in the sands of my memory
Cornwall too - Walls ice cream on the beach - up to the top of a light house -
How easily the ton of light turned on its mercury bed.
Playing marbles in the playground - fishing deep in the drains for lost ones.
Gonks - remember them?
Skipping with my friends...'on a mountain stands a lady...'
'Topic work' - insatiable - give me more to do and more again.
Handwriting cards.
Annual spelling test - tricky until Harriet taught me how to diagnose pneumonia.
Quadratic equations in the classroom - O Level by 11 year olds.
Colour coded tables - I was on 'pink' for a time - triangular pencils.
Portacabins as classrooms - hot in summer, cold in winter
Miss Healey reading us a story - was it 101 Dalmatians?
Wet play inside the hall - old board games with pieces missing - old bored games.
Things made of resin and tie die tee shirts.
Making peppermints and things out of condensed milk
Cross stitch - book marks and strangely shaped animals made of clay.
The class rabbit - bringing it home for the holidays - or was that a hamster?

Mrs Giles - large and frightening - didn't want to provoke her wrath - cross stitch!
She told us 'There is no point in having a good brain unless you use it'
Modern style assemblies - 'trendy' hymns on the overhead projector - 'so high you cant get round of it...' Oh the buzzing of the bees in the cigarette trees...'
I wrote a song for assembly 'Three Fat Birds...' proud when everyone was singing it.
PE in the hall. Hanging from the Wall bars. Trying to jump the horse - couldn't do it.
'A few less potatoes for your Sunday dinner Miss Wortley' - how those words stung.
42 children in my class - where are you all now apart from in my photo album?
Have you children of your own, maybe even grandchildren?
Friends and friendships - still remaining - some withered.
Poetry without rhyme, rhythm or reason.

1973 - 1977

Pictures of one class from year 2 to year 6 (1973-1977) check out the flares and big collars.

Click on the links below to view the images:

Letter from the Queen

Click on the links below to view the letter:

Staff photos

Click on the links below to view the images:

School's 50th year celebrations

Click on the link below to view: