St. Christopher School was established in 1915 by Dr Armstrong Smith shortly after Ebenezer Howard founded Letchworth Garden City. The school was well known for its progressive teaching methods and provided an open-air education on the verandah of the school (as can be seen in the following photo). In 1934 the school moved to the Barrington Road buildings.
Did you or anyone else you know attend St. Christopher School? Perhaps you are one of the children in these photos? If so, please leave a comment below.
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I was at St.Chris from Jan. 1952 until autumn 1956. I remember Miss Wigglesworth for one thing: she had us do an exercise (I’m still not sure what it was all about) in which we all stood in front of our desk and, raising our right arms straight out to the right, we said loudly: ”Leave the room!” Repeat: “Leave the room”. Not a pleasant or unpleasant memory, just a memory. Also, I remember we called her Wigi and since my name was Vicky, in later life Viki, my best friend in the US where I went to high school called me Wigi!!
I’m pretty sure that’s me turned round to look at the camera. I think the boy next to me is Nick Levinson, but can’t be sure, although it is likely.
I well remember the wiry Miss Wigglesworth. It was she who, one lunchtime during February 1952, announced to us that George VI had died and that now Princess Elizabeth had become our new Queen. On sports day in 1953 we were all presented with a Coronation Mug containing 6 sweets – a rare treat in those days of sweet rationing following WW2!
I attended St Christopher’s from 1959-64, the Montessori and junior schools. This photo shows the junior school classroom doors which opened outwards, I think 4 classrooms did this. I have fond memories of this school and the teachers Miss Wrigglesworth and Mrs Cook (Cookie). I was a ‘day boy’ and remember walking to school through the snow drifts of 1963 with very chapped knees. Once a year the pupils ran the assembly and school, which became a bit of a riot.
We lived in Letchworth for a few years almost next door to Mr Irvine of parachute manufacturing fame. I went to St Christopher’s School, loved it. My love for music was instilled by a young (early 20s) music teacher who was at the school only for a year or two. His name was (and is) Peter Brough. Great pianist, he used to play at assembly several times a week. For many years Peter Brough has lived in Toronto, is an internationally renowned musician both as a pianist and organist. ( Google him for more information). He was stunned when we met some years ago that I remembered him .Since then I have met him several times at a mutual friend’s house where he has played in a “pick up “ quartet. Don’t know how much of the above is of interest, but couldn’t resist telling you. Always have had a very soft warm spot in my heart for Letchworth.
There were classrooms with doors like this at the Broadway premises but also at both Arundale (Senior School) and Little Arundale (Junior School) in Barrington Road. The photograph is taken at the Junior School probably early 1950s but after I left so I recognise nobody.