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Schools

School in Goole was cool. The school system was revamped in 1990, when the Grammar School was renamed as Vermuyden School and the four middle schools became primary schools. Of course, for the older surfers, there used to be the old Secondary Modern School (now Goole College and previously Bartholomew Middle) and the Grammar School. Here is a brief description of the four old middle schools and the Grammar School.

Goole Grammar School was described in a book, 'Puppets in Yorkshire', as 'Here in Goole has risen a most beautiful academy built in the best tradition of good greystone architecture and yet consistent with modern requirements. A dignified, inspiring building, well set among lawns and garden beds of bright flowers. It was an education in itself to pass the school'

Pupils belonged to Tudor, Windsors, Normans or Stuarts houses when it came to inter-class competitions. The highlight of the academic year was Presentation Evening where old pupils came back to collect their exam certificates.

The highlight of the sporting year was the annual cross-country run to Airmyn and back. Many runners took shortcuts across a field near Boothferry Bridge, until the teachers started inspecting boots. Anybody with muddy boots had to do it again. 

The school is now called Vermuyden School and a lot more metal fences have appeared around the building in recent years.

GGS Sports Hall GGS New Block and Science Tower The old Boothferry Road primary school

The old Bartholomew Middle School Kingsway Middle School Pasrkside Middle School

Visitor Comments

Posted by Russell Teale at 16/12/2000 08:35
Another claim to fame for Parkside School is that a Lancaster Bomber was found while they were building it!!!!
Posted by MEE!!! at 31/08/2005 15:57
I will update you the new houses going in this year aer:Air, Fire,Earth and Water
Posted by Richard lemon at 20/12/2005 11:00
What about the old schools What has happened to Alexander st Primary and the nursery next to it. Brings back fond memories of my days in goole!!!
Posted by pedro at 15/02/2006 23:39
How about the Catholic school in old Goole ST Thomas What a dump I learned more after leaving this place in 1950.
Posted by Greg at 19/03/2006 14:04
What about Pasture Primary school?
Posted by georgie at 08/06/2006 18:42
escuse me but im 11 and where is bothferry primary in goole im about to leave but is the best school in goole according to the council and im on the school council i want boothferry ere now !
Posted by Kez at 16/06/2006 22:06
Where's St Joseph's? Aww.. Put St Joseph's on! I loved that place.
Posted by k-lee at 28/06/2006 18:54
i used to go to kingsway primary school and i thought it was brilliant i loved all my teachers especially miss suggit and mrs buter field.mrs jones was ace. she left while i was in year 4 i think but she always would come back and take supply lessons i had her as my teacher when i was in year 3 and 4 she was a brilliant teacher and me and my best friend emma would always go and see her every breaktime and sometimes dinner just to help her with a few odd jobs. miss suggit was my gymnastics teacher she was brilliant she helped me so much that i was the first student to earn a gold medal in gymnastics.i really miss my primary school i loved it. i remember when we had a 50s week to celebrate the school being open for 50 years that week was really good we even had like a garden party where all the pupils and teachers had a tea party in the playing field.Then i left kingsway school and now go to vermuyden school which i dont like as much because every time you leave or enter the school theres kids smoking and it awful because i just dont see the point.when im walking around vermuyden school people just barge into you whereas when i went to kingsway i knew just about every one and used play with all the little kids and people would open the door for you. i wish i could go back to kingsway primary school as i loved it and i am only in year 8 at the minute so i only left kingsway 2 years ago so im sure it wouldnt have changed my younger brother and sister go ther now and i know they enjoy it so i wrote this letter to say that KINGSWAY PRIMARY SCHOOL IS A BRILLIANT SCHOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by emma at 03/07/2006 12:50
i used to go to kingsway primary school and i think it was good me and my mate k-lee used to be in all the same classes. my favourite teacher was mrs jones. she was really cool we used to do odd jobs for her. i loved my old school. me and kayleigh were stuck together like glue and would complain if we got split up. even though we used to fight about everything 1 time we even had a fight over a green pencil.i now go to vermuyden school and me and k-lee are still best mates. i liked kingsway better than vermuyden.
Posted by Bill at 15/08/2006 21:44
K-lee & emma, interesting comments but your education seems sadly lacking in the punctuation and grammar department. Maybe I'm getting old.
Posted by Robert Ward at 17/09/2006 17:44
Ivan - please would you email me r.d.ward@btinternet.com - I'm interested in Tasker family history.
Posted by Emma Lee at 07/10/2006 23:37
Where's Boothferry................Best school in Goole

Vermuyden Sucks!!!!!!!!!Knock it Down, don't bother rebuilding it!!!!!
Posted by charlotte at 12/10/2006 14:21
where is boothferry primary???!!! it is the best primary school like ever!!!
Posted by Brian Thompson at 13/11/2006 18:05
I attended GGS from 51-56. I was in Stuart House.I was keen on Gymnastics and was in the Display team.it would be nice to know if any one else was in class 5D.
Posted by Barbara Hudson at 18/12/2006 22:36
and there was me thinking the science block was newly built & modern!
Posted by jadeycakes at 24/12/2006 15:38
you sure vermuyden 'sucks' i'm pretty sure it doesnt ive been there for five years [im in year 11 now] and yeah ok it has its bad points but lets face it ... so does every other school! most of the teachers there are great and if you work at it you'll get really good grades... last year there was a pass rate [A* - C] of 55% now in my book thats an achievement!
stop slagging it!
Posted by Stan at 23/01/2007 20:42
Good grief! I remember the science block being built!!
Posted by Gail at 19/02/2007 16:28
I haven't any kids so I can't really say what the Vermuyden (Grammar) School is like now, but I'm delighted it's just done so well in the national league tables. I'm sceptical about league tables, but if we have to have them we might as come in the top 5%, which is what the Vermuyden's just done!
Posted by Bill Stewart at 19/03/2007 19:30
Does anyone know if Mr Teed (headmaster GGS late '60's) is still living and if so his contact details? TIA
Posted by Karin Ronis at 20/05/2007 06:59
Is there any where I could find the admission registers for schools in Goole around the early 1900's
Thanks
Karin
Darwin Australia
Posted by Sarah at 29/05/2007 12:09
Beverley Archives at the Treasure House in Beverley have admission registers for some Goole schools but not sure what date they are. They have an online catalogue on the east riding council's website.
Posted by I. Tasker at 13/06/2007 10:50
Karin, I have a cousin in Darwin, he was born in Snaith near Goole.
Posted by Janet T at 26/07/2007 19:26
Mr Teed was my headmaster in the late 60's, Mrs. Williams was the girls headmistress. I visited the old school in 2001, I did not like what had been done to it...there is something in the saying, "The Good Old Days."
Posted by charl at 05/09/2007 16:45
Where, may I ask, is Boothferry Primary School? By far, it is the best primary school in Goole. It has been voted the best by the council on numerous occasions. Honestly! Put Boothferry on this page, please? It wasn't 'chav-ridden' either.

:)
Posted by John C. Wraith at 25/09/2007 06:03
I attended Kingsway School for two years,before going to Goole Grammar School,in the latter days of Mr. Latimer and the early days of Mr.Teed.What a contrast!As I left the school,I was told that I would be a success in life,but not in the academic world...I have been a Headmaster in three different school,all in the Philippines,working in a university,etc...

Maybe a late developer? Maybe playing was more fun at school? I should love to hear from any old school mates....
Posted by Alan Anderson at 14/01/2008 22:34
Ref.Bryan Thompson,13.11.2006. Hello Bryan, Did you live in Carter St. in your school days? I think I remember you although my memory is fading by the day!!!
Posted by Mr A M Shaw at 07/03/2008 20:27
Hi,

GGS 57-60: As mentioned in the intro 'McMix' was the date of construction and not builder...
Posted by Rod Lumley at 15/04/2008 18:17
I was fascinated to watch the video of Boothferry Road School Sports Day 1962. As a teacher at the school, it was my job to organise that event & I remember to this day, the wonderful support from fellow teachers & parents and the great friendly competition among the pupils. How sad that this type of competition is so frowned upon nowadays!!!

Rod Lumley
Posted by Graham T at 11/07/2008 16:28
Re: Janet T msg on 26 Jul 2007. I too went to GGS (70-75) then went on to serve in Army (75-04). Looking back GGS was a great time and progress over time has changed the look of the school at the back, but the frontage remains the same and should do forever. The sight of GGS makes me think that wiothout that school Boothferry Road/Goole would not be the same. I had a sis who went to leave in US of A in 70ish! Do you remember old Mr Smith the History teacher, fine man or what? Mr Hall the Physics teacher, I found he had a short fuse one day, my last day in his Physics class!!
Posted by john howard at 28/08/2008 22:06
re capstan street opposite vermuyden old goole i lived there in early sixties with my parents old coal yard was opposite i used to get under gate in winter and get coal for my mum in a bucket and leave a trail in the snow to our door i was cheeky to a worker and he put me in his jcb bucket lifted me up and went for his lunch i wasnt cheeky anymore has anyone got any photos of this area around these dates 60s 70s thanks
Posted by Alan Anderson at 11/09/2008 23:15
Ref. John Howard and Capstan St. I have a map showing Capstan St. and a photo of Bridge st. in it's heyday. I can send them to you. Yours,Alan Anderson.
Posted by Miss !!!!!! at 06/10/2008 18:44
why isnt reedness primary school on there ?
Posted by john howard at 21/10/2008 02:33
cheers alan would be much appriciated mate please send to warmmale2008@yahoo.co.uk thanks again
Posted by M Roberts at 29/01/2009 14:29
Is that the Alan Anderson, who'll now be approaching late 60s and once lived opposite Shorts' Greengrocers?
Posted by Alan Anderson at 30/01/2009 22:30
Ref.M Roberts.29.1.09.
Michael Roberts, is that you from over Cheshire way,used to stay with your Grandma in Colonels Walk.??????
Posted by Alan Anderson at 12/02/2009 12:54
Hello Stuart,reference M.Roberts,"Is that Alan Anderson".If he contacts you again will you give him my E-mail Add. please,I would like to contact him again after 50yrs or more.Your 'Site' 'Keeps doing the Business!' Well done!
Posted by Alan Anderson at 14/02/2009 19:32
Thank you G O T W.I have made contact with Mike Roberts after approx.53 yrs. Great.
Posted by Kevin Whiteley at 21/02/2009 20:14
Alan Anderson did you work for Servis years ago and live or lived in Marshfield Road?
Posted by Alan Anderson at 22/02/2009 20:44
Hello Kevin,Yes thats me.I'm retired now and live at Reedness.I take it you are THE KW .Electrician and Fridge Engineer.Do you still live in this area? Alan.
Posted by bethany at 24/06/2009 18:33
I go to kingsway primary school and I'd just like to say THANK YOU KINGSWAY FOR BEING THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Tracey Worswick at 18/08/2009 16:20
When did Goole Grammar stop been an actual Grammar School?
Posted by Robert Ward at 24/08/2009 18:48
It became a comprehensive school around 1970, not sure of the exact year but it was around then. It retained the Grammar School name for some years after that though.
Posted by Graham at 24/08/2009 21:35
GGS remained a GS until September 1975, after that it converted to 'Comprehensive' status but retained the title GGS and quite rightly so too. GGS was 'the place of learning' in the area and had some fantastic teachers who really had a passion for education; ie Bongo Smith, Higgins, Gurdon, Hall, Marshall. Tweed, Heath, Hardman, Watson, Mrs Thompson, Miss Potter and the classroom assistant in Metal and Woodwork who's name I forget etc etc
Posted by John C. Wraith at 04/10/2009 10:09
That terrible metalwork shop!I used to block the fire with clinker,fill the room with smoke and be banished,yet again,to the woodwork shop!Mr. Ibbotson was very tolerant-split wood in all directions and lots of failed dove tailed joints!Needless to say,I have never been able to be practical,in the slightest-except if it involved a hammer...The beeswax was always cooking in the woodwork shop-whenever I smell a candle I think of dear old GGS.
Posted by Ian Grant at 14/10/2009 12:44
1973 ggs turned comp, us scruffy gits were first to go.
Posted by william calvert at 07/11/2009 11:48
Just seen the grammar school staff picture on the site. What happened to Miss Smith the girls sports mistress?
Posted by Sue Pinkerton at 28/11/2009 17:15
What happened to the letters after Nov 7th? Is there a second page somewhere, I can't see any links.
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 28/11/2009 19:58
Sue - try looking in the Schools page in the 'Your Memories' section
Posted by kev howard at 05/01/2010 10:13
kev GGS 70-75 here.Re; Graham 70-75 Its been a long time since we spoke mate,same class an'all.Must admit I was not a great school fan at that age but by god its true what my nan used to say about being the best days of your life,you only find this out as you get older.Good old bongo eh,not many teachers let you have a cig in there lessons now.looking back there was some good guys,Joe Higgins,Coxy and Gwen,Heathy,Grossett, Pete Hardman,Mike King,Ma Thompsom.Had a swipe off most of em but there you go.Nice to see you in print if nowt else.
Posted by kevynne at 31/01/2010 00:14
My great aunts Beatrice and Cecille Lee were teachers at Boothferry road school in the 1920,s .Does this school still exist and where would I find photos.
Thanks.
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 31/01/2010 09:00
Kevynne,

The school building does still exist although no longer used as a school. See the right-hand picture on the first row of images on this page, or use the following horrendous link:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=goole&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=20.036172,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Goole,+United+Kingdom&layer=c&cbll=53.706154,-0.880283&panoid=A6DsIAtGGp0oezN0FUPFUg&ll=53.706164,-0.880151&spn=0.004884,0.009645&z=17&cbp=12,198.16,,0,6.3
Posted by Claire at 31/01/2010 17:19
Goole Grammar School Leavers of 1990

I’m hoping you’ve heard – Mandie Purves (nee Howard)/ Sally Sneep have organised a reunion for our school year.
7pm - Saturday 6th February 2010 at The Vic Club, Carter Street, Goole.
There’s a bit of info, and Mandie’s contact details, on Friends Reunited but everyone’s invited and can just turn up on the night. Helen Lawson, Liz Walton, Janie Sherburn, Tony Clark, Graig Gelder, Shelly Marrit, Donna Moore, Jo Oswald, Simon Leech, Donna Phillpot are just a few of the names who’ve said they’re hoping to make it. It’s a great chance to meet up and find out how everyone’s doing - it would be great to see you there!
Posted by Raymond Porter at 06/02/2010 20:19
I attended Goole Grammar School from 1938 to 1943. It was a fine school. The headmaster was Mr Latimer <called Rattlesnake >by the boys, as he had the reactions of one. The Phys Ed teacher was Jack Ellis, who had played Rugby for England ,and the staff were all very fine people. During the war, there were air raid shelters covering the part of the playing fields, and some of the senior boys took turns sleeping overnight at the school, doing fire watch duty. At that time, you were in school either on a scholorship or your parents had to pay, I think that the fee was about three pounds a term. Our School Magazine was "The Viking " Have lived in Canada for the past 50 years or so, and am still enjoying life . Hello to all !!
Posted by Raymond at 08/02/2010 16:51
I can't believe how stupid I was. I always thought that MCMIX was the year 1909, when the school was built, and now I see from the Introduction to this Web site, that it was the name of the Scottish architect !!! Roman numerals were not taught in our Latin Classes !!
Posted by Graham at 09/02/2010 22:34
Hello Kevin, Long time, no see matey. I left school in 75 and left Goole that year too. Spent 29 years in Army and have now settled down in Bonny Scotland. Would be good to see all the old class of 5T (75) and the other Forms S,N and W and catch up. Maybe one day someone will pull together a reunion! What you been doing with yourself since leaving school? Are you still living in Goole? I pop down now and then to visit my sister, place has changed quite a bit since we were kids. All the best.
Posted by karen neville. nee white at 09/04/2010 03:09
goole grammar school in the 196o's
Posted by bob at 23/04/2010 12:49
goole high best
Posted by david teed at 09/06/2010 01:49
Just found this site, Bill Stewart. I went to GGS 71-78 and my dad was headmaster which had its pros and cons. He retired in 1984 first to Bristol and then to Cornwall. He is still alive if a bit doddery at 85. Personally I was very proud of what he did during his tenure at GGS 1964 to 84.
Posted by Bill at 17/06/2010 00:13
For David Teed. Some time ago I posted a message seeking contact details for Mr Teed. I simply wanted to give him my belated thanks for something he did for me. Once when I had committed some misdemeanour, can't remember what it was-possibly not attending some cultural event, your Dad summoned me to his study. I was expecting a good telling off. Instead after expressing his disappointment in my behaviour he gave me a load of books to read by American authors- James Baldwin, J D Salinger, B F Skinner, Kerouac etc. Some of it quite racy stuff for a 16 year old in Goole! Anyway I read them and the experience engendered a life long interest in American literature which has given me much enjoyment. I wanted, belatedly, to thank your Dad for that. I would appreciate it if you would pass this message on to him. I thought he was an excellent headmaster.
Regards
(Bill Stewart,GGS 1959-1967)
ps webmaster, wouldn't it be a good idea to amalgamate the two separate School sections
Posted by John Jessop at 23/06/2010 23:12
The other morning on the TV news there was a comment that the English were not producing high class tennis players because of a lack of facilities available to the young. It struck me as unfortunate that the tennis courts at GGS are now taken over as a car park.

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Last Updated: 24/02/2009

Further Links

Further Resources

School Plays View programmes from past school plays

Postcards

Video

Boothferry Road School Sports Day 1962 @ VPG