SURVIVING BRIGG GRAMMAR SCHOOL DOCUMENT FROM LATE 1960S SHOWS WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE FOR NEW PUPILS

A printed document from the late 1960s which has just come to light againafter all these years gives a flavour of life at Brigg Grammar School more than half-a-century ago, and will bring back many memories for those who were pupils at this seat of learning towards the end of its lengthy tenure.
The foolscap-sized circular was posted in the summer to the parents of all boys who had passed the 11+ exam and were due to start lessons at BGS in September. It set out in nine sections what was required of all new starters, and high standards were set.
The circular began by explaining that the school had been founded in 1669 by Sir John Nelthorpe (Baronet) with Lt Col Roger Nelthorpe CBE, DSO, MC, DL & JP, of Scawby Hall, being the chairman of governors half-a-century ago. DL stood for Deputy Lieutenant (of the county); DSO (Distinguished Service Order) and MC (Military Cross) related to his Army service; JP (Justice of the Peace) referred to his work as a magistrate sitting on the Brigg court bench. We think he also held the TD award (Territorial Decoration) but this is not listed on the circular. Perhaps the honour came his way after the late 1960s?
Next to be mentioned on the printed circular was Headmaster H B Williams MA Oxon (Masters degree from Oxford University).
Section One stated: "We expect all boys to wear short trousers in their first year, and for most boys we think they are preferable in the second year."
Section Two explained that the school operated six days a week, not five, with Saturday morning lessons included (finally phased out in July 1968). "First year boys have one hour's homework a night, thereafter normally one and a half hour's homework. We hope that parents will see that this is conscientiously done."
Section Three outlined arrangements for school dinners, stressing: "We do not allow boys to have a mid-day meal in shops or restaurants, and with the exception of senior boys, no boy is allowed to leave the school grounds during the dinner hour without permission."
Section Five stressed: "A high standard of discipline is expected from boys both school and whenever in school uniform, particularly travelling to and from school." Prefects were largely responsible for maintaining disciplinary standards "and in particular for seeing that the repute of the school is not damaged." However, the circular stressed: "Corporal punishment is inflicted by the Headmaster only." Smoking was highlighted as a major disciplinary problem - pupils who did so being "likely to cause disciplinary trouble in other directions" through infringement of school rules. 

"We do not allow smoking at school or when in school uniform and parents are asked to co-operate in discouraging this," the school stressed.
Section Six explained that BGS excepted payments to be made for any breakage or damage to school property resulting from "careless behaviour" by pupils.
Section Seven outlined the sports available to pupils - participation being mandatory "unless they are exempted on medical grounds." Sports listed were football, cross-country running, athletics, cricket, hockey, tennis, basketball and rugby, with swimming in the school's own "bath" during the latter half of the summer term (heating was not installed until 1969!).
The school added: "We have introduced, for those taking part in school teams, a match fee of 6d (2½p in today's decimal currency) and one shilling for seniors (5p) to cover expenses of travel."
Section Eight sounded the right note with musical parents by outlining the availability of piano, string and wind instrument lessons "for all levels of performers." Those who did well could aspire to join the School Orchestra.
Finally, in Section Nine, it was stressed: "The Headmaster welcomes visits from parents." He was willing to see them at "any convenient time."
A further circular sent to the parents of pupils about to join BGS in the late 1960s listed compulsory items of school uniform (including cap), sports kit and art class materials that parents had to buy for their offspring from local shops. All items of clothing, even ties, had to have tags attached with the owner's name printed on them.
Two pairs of shoes had to be provided - brown to be worn inside classrooms and corridors and black at all other times. This sensible measure was intended to keep dirt and playing field mud off the floors, and it worked well.
Brigg Blog's own memories - we joined the school in 1967 - are that the recommendation for second year boys to wear short trousers was removed not long after our surviving copy of this school circular had been printed.
BGS was wound up in 1976; H B (Brian) Williams then became the first Headteacher of the newly-formed Sir John Nelthorpe (comprehensive) for a couple of years until his retirement.

PICTURED: Brigg Grammar School scenes from the late 1960s when our surviving circular was printed. The montage shows French master Vernon Atkin talking with maths master Harold Stinson; Headmaster H B Williams tending his garden - he lived next to the Boarding House; cricketers going out to bat from the wooden pavilion (since demolished); and first year pupils, in short trousers, on their way to attend Speech Day at the Corn Exchange, with some master's long-serving car (built in the 1950s?) parked by the drive.