The Second Article about Trinity written in 1977 by Lou Warwick

Trinity School  -  Some New Ideas....

Was the new Grammar School inferior to the old one?  In the first article I recalled the debate which went on over the identity and status of the Northampton boys' grammar establishment, with four centuries of history and tradition behind it, and the Northampton Trinity mixed grammar school, which survived little more than four years under the title of "grammar", a name achieved only after controversy and almost immediately lost with the introduction of the comprehensive system.  Today the debate which went on seems, to coin a phrase, almost academic and to have happened more like a century ago than a mere handful of years.

With the start of the new comprehensive system there came to an end that celebrated agonising period for parents and children as they waited to see whether 11-year-old Jimmy or Jane had passed the examination which opened the door to one of the town's three grammar schools.

But at the same time a new worry was introduced for many parents. Now, in theory at least, they had choice - and the responsibility which goes with it. My wife and I faced this situation a couple of years ago. Should our son go to the old ex-grammar school in Billing Road or to the new ex-grammar school just round the corner in Trinity Avenue? Our limited knowledge of the Trinity school was clouded by the confusion to which I referred last month. Whereas, as a semi-old-boy, I had some personal knowledge of the Grammar School in Billing Road.

"Semi-old-boy"? I must explain that one.  From Stimpson Avenue School at 11 I had gained the much desired scholarship to Billing Road but my parents left it to me as to whether I accepted it. And being a bit odd I decided not to.  What one of today's educational psychologists might make of it I do not know but the fact is that, being a shy violet, I just could not face up to the obligatory summer headgear of a straw hat.

In those days, happily, there was another alternative - the two intermediate schools which the town then included in its educational tiers, half-way houses between the senior schools (which later became secondary moderns) and the grammars. I opted for Campbell Square Intermediate School and, under that magnificent headmaster Arthur Poulton, studied there for three years. I never regretted the choice, illogical though the reason for it might appear to have been, and could still make out a case that this type of school was better than either of the other two.

But at 14, by gaining sufficient passes in the then Oxford Junior examination I gained a second chance scholarship to Billing Road and this time I took it, spending two years there just before war broke out and scuppered my ambition to enter the Civil Service (all exams being cancelled).

I paint in this background to illustrate the problem I faced, in substitution for 11-plus trauma, regarding my own son. I knew the 400-year-old school and asked myself: would it face more problems in shedding its ancient traditions than the almost brand new one? I fancied that it would but my wife and I went along as prospective parents to both schools.

At Billing Road we listened to the brand new head, Dr. David Abbott, whose predecessor had left in disgust rather than preside over what he regarded as the emasculation of his school. At Trinity we listened to Mr. Derek R. Cummings, equally new as a Northampton head.  Back home we discussed our impressions but just could not make up our minds - and when I say we, I mean the three of us.  Remembering how my own parents had allowed me personal choice at a mere 11, I wanted my son, at a much more mature 13, to have his say. But still we could not decide. As D-Day approached we were in more of a lather than if we had been awaiting 11-plus results.

This is, of course, the great age of Choice and Consultation so I decided to try out the system, by asking for a chat with the Trinity head.  It was so late that there was not even the time to be courteous and ring up for an appointment.  I just walked into the school and the patient Mr. Cummings asked me into his sanctum and talked about the way he saw his school, though he could not, of course, discuss the alternative.

But I already had my own personal reservations about my old school in Billing Road and the unfortunate subsequent two years there have only served to prove that my misgivings were correct (though at present anew, new start is being made there in more promising fashion) and, to cut short this over-long personal introduction, the decision was for Trinity.

I found Mr. Cummings to be a very firm believer in the comprehensive principle but not one of those modernists who believe in the floppy idea that children should do as they like and work as hard as they like.

This I have been able to see at close hand as a member of the Parent-Teacher body at the school. I am a great believer in these organisations, considering that if parent power had been more in evidence throughout the land, some of the more floppy heads would not have been allowed such free rein in that minority of schools which have had such grave problems of near-illiteracy and indiscipline.  In my view parents should talk at these meetings about the fundamentals of school - how the new style Sixth is getting on or why the Spanish marks are universally low in Class X - rather than (or at least, as well as) such events as the fete in the grounds or the controlled volume disco in the school hall - though both these types of functions operate to the school's advantage at Trinity. Headmasters of the calibre and approach of Mr. Cummings are quite prepared to discuss the real nuts and bolts if only parents are bold enough to raise the basic issues.

It has to be admitted, however, that the fete and disco appear to be the most effective means of getting parents to venture into the school.  At Trinity the P.T.A. tried something special. Each member of the committee took away a list of other parents and called on them personally at their homes to tell them that consumer advice, including dealing with queries or complaints, was available through the P.T.A. 

The immediate response was disappointing, as also are the numbers who go along to special evenings to ask questions of a panel of teachers and others or hear careers talks from representatives of local firms and services. The head recently deplored the fact that three per cent had attended one such event. But that does not necessarily mean that the idea of the door stepping exercise is unsound. It's also an education for those making the calls to realise what a wide variety of parents are involved. And in a surprising number of cases to find that the reason for not turning up at evening events is that father or mother is at work at the time.

When the interim period of pre-comprehensive change began at Trinity in September 1972, with boys and girls entering the school at 13-plus instead of 11 -plus, there were 500 pupils of whom 40 per cent were in the Sixth Form. That year work began on extensions to provide the present Sixth Form block, a swimming pool etc.

With the anticipated birth rate and the intended level of the expansion of Northampton it was planned that numbers should rise to 1,100 with intakes of 300 each year in 10 classes of 30. In fact the number of pupils is stabilising at around 900, because both birth rate and expansion have levelled off.

Even so the school still has space problems, reflected in the number of mobile classrooms which have appeared on the tarmac of what we used to call the playground, but which is known as the "upper quadrangle" - "Quadrangle sounds a bit posh put playground is too childish for the pupils of today," commented Mr. Cummings, glancing out of his study window at the crowds of pupils who had just emerged into the quadrangle at break time. Among them were many six-footers. The "lower quadrangle", by the way is the pleasant courtyard of grass between the square of the main buildings of the school, in which a willow stands, and where an evening concert was held in July.

But in the field of accommodation help is at hand. "We are taking over what used to be the science block of the adjacent school which formerly housed the School for Girls" said Mr. Cummings. "After being converted to our needs it will be used for home economies and commerce subjects. We had our fingers crossed whether, in view of the current economy drive, the work would be cut from the estimates but in fact it is proceeding and we hope to have the block in use early next year."

The former girls' school has become the new Kingsley Park Middle School and shares the gymnasium with Trinity. Trinity has also shared its swimming pool with a number of other establishments including the former girls' school and some middle and lower schools.

"The new block will release the two rooms at present used for home economics, which are really part of our science accommodation," he continued, "and this will allow us to extend our facilities for biology which has never been adequately catered for, being at present in what was designed as a workshop. There has been an enormous increase in interest in biology recently."

Within the confines of a magazine article it is not possible to go into detail as regards all the many subjects in a curriculum which is very wide ranging - the larger the school the more subjects can be embraced, in this field, however, theory and practice do not always equate, especially when money and space are at a premium. There is also the problem inherent in the comprehensive system of catering for a wide range of ability. I remember one parents' evening at which Mr. Cummings told us about the differences between streaming, banding and setting, with the aim of getting the pupil in the right group to meet varying abilities in the various subjects. The new techniques are essential if the maximum achievement is to be attained by each pupil but it makes the task of working out the timetable a massive one, and choice of subjects has to be restricted to a degree.

The headmaster told me of two aspects of his school which are not universal:

With the knowledge that the head is a firm believer in discipline I commented: "A sort of disciplined democracy, or perhaps a democratic discipline ... ?"

"I don't think I would use the word democracy," he replied. "After all the final responsibility must always be that of the headmaster. If something goes wrong you can't turn round and say 'But the Third Form suggested that!' But I do like to hear the children's opinions and consider their suggestions. By no means every proposal can be accepted but when it can't at least we can explain why not. Quite a few changes have, in fact, been made. And more than once my reaction has been 'That's a good idea . . . why didn't we think of it first?".

One subject debated by the pupils during the past two years has been the dress to be worn, especially by Sixth Formers. The outcome of this has been that as from the present term girls may for the first time wear trousers and the boys may wear roll-neck sweaters in grey or green (not black as I stated in error last month) instead of collar-and-tie. A small proportion of pupils are now exercising this option - "They look very smart, don't you think?" said Mr. Cummings.

The Sixth now have much wider freedom in clothing. They can either continue wearing uniform (and many do) or they can wear (great thought went into the phrasing of this), any clothes suitable for a semi-formal working situation". This is for a trial period. What is acceptable within this definition? Well some jeans are 0.K. but not when worn with a blazer - the two don't match. And shirts with messages emblazoned on them are out. It is interesting to note that the adjacent new Middle School has adopted roll-neck sweaters as part of its uniform.

It is also pertinent to recall that when an exchange took place between Trinity and a United States high school in 1971 several of the Americans expressed surprise at the English school's formality of dress. Said Catherine Wayner: "At home we can wear sloppy clothes to class like sweatshirts, jeans and sneakers - at least people do feel like individuals." Trinity pupils of the day explained to their guests from the Rippowan High School, Stanford, Connecticut, that they regarded uniform as a class equaliser. A couple of years ago Trinity's Sixth voted against departing from uniform: the new rule came after they changed their collective minds.

To revert to the question of accommodation, another hoped-for change is the extension of the library into what is now the music room, which would be moved elsewhere.

With Mr. Stephen Meakins in charge, music is well catered for at Trinity and packed audiences (not to mention the youthful cast) will long remember the production in the school hall earlier this year of "West Side Story", produced by Mr. Gordon Owen, one of the physical education masters, and with choreography by Miss Moyra Tebbutt. There is scarcely another musical which is so well suited to the age range of the school and yet scarcely one which is so formidable in the complexity of its tempos and stage movement. The cast of boys, girls and teachers rose admirably to the occasion, backed with great panache by a guest orchestra of no fewer than 31 players, levied from among his friends in the musical fraternity of Northampton by Mr. Meakins, who acted as musical director.

It is pleasing in a number of cases to find all round artistic ability among the pupils. For instance the two gang leaders, of the "Jets" and "Sharks", who fought so realistically with knives in the show were engaged else where the day I called to complete my story. Howard Hughes and John Brown had an appointment to discuss the 10' X 8' mural they are to provide for the waiting room in the new orthodontics wing at Northampton General Hospital, their joint entry in a competition open to schools in the borough having won first prize.

There are several examples of musical versatility. Simon Roberts, who sang "Maria" so delightfully in the show, turned up playing the trombone (from "Scarborough Fair" to "That's a Plenty") at the "Around the Willow" evening and also sang on that occasion with the Northampton Music School Choir. Another member of that choir, David Bellham, also played the double bass in a Bach string quintet and performed a Beethoven minuet on the piano.

Each summer the English department sponsors an artistic venture. In South Brent, Devon, two years ago pupils made a film of Thomas Hardy's "The Withered Arm". Last year a party visited Weston Park, a stately home in Shropshire, performing a Tudor piece, "Play of the Weather", in nearby church halls and schools. This year, in an appropriate setting near Hay-on-Wye, a film was made on an original script concerning an imagined incident in the Monmouth rebellion, two local primary schools joining in.

In 1975 a group of Trinity students showed that they can be business-like as well as artistic when they turned an imaginary £20,000into £36,800 by Stock Exchange 'dealings' over a period of eight months - a considerable feat in view of the conditions then obtaining in the Market. This was in a competition open to schools in the county and won the school a cup presented by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Born in Oxford Mr. Cummings gained a first class honours degree in languages at the University of Wales and, as an R.A.F. officer, became a modern languages tutor at R.A.F., Cranwell. His previous school posts were at Ecclesfield Grammar School, Henbury School at Bristol, and Kingsbridge School, Devon. He scarcely ever uses the lift in the tower block which is a distinctive feature of the school, preferring the stairs. In some ways a lift is a mixed blessing for a school and he commented: "I know many schools which were designed to have lifts but which have not in fact got them, the lift having been cut out as an economy measure." He and his wife have two children, their home being at Church Brampton. At present he cycles to school, for exercise.

The key question as regards comprehensives is, of course: do they lead to a failing off in opportunities for and standards achieved by the more able pupils? With the system in its infancy in Northampton it is too early to pass any final judgment and lessons are no doubt still being learned both by the teachers and by the administrators, and will continue to be learned for some years to come. For instance it may be that the liaison between middle and upper schools could be improved, to ensure continuity in education. Without prejudging the issue it must be a fact that the first wave of pupils now beginning to emerge from the new system must to some extent have been guinea pigs.

Mr. Cummings considers that some of the criticism of education which has been made recently is unfair - and said so at this year's prize-giving, an event into which he has introduced a more informal atmosphere, with refreshments served by girl cookery students, and greater opportunity for parents to meet teachers and governors.

How does he regard the opportunities now available at Trinity, in the fifth year since it began changing its guise? "My concern as a comprehensive school headmaster must be with every child who crosses our threshold, whatever his or her ability. As far as the most able children are concerned we currently offer Fourth Form pupils the opportunity to take a maximum of nine 0 Levels, or 10 by special arrangement, and our academic Sixth Formers have a choice of 18 subjects to A Level."

One aspect of the upheaval which has taken place at the school, consequent upon the change of system, has particularly pleased the headmaster - the great stability of the staff. "Almost everything has changed or been modified during the past three years and it has been an exhausting time for all of us," he said. "Yet of the present 24 senior staff 20 were here when I arrived. This is extremely gratifying to me."

A number of the staff are of long service with Trinity, dating back to the time when, under its then name of the Technical High School, it shared premises with the College of Technology. Among these are the deputy headmaster, Mr. L. W. Timms, and the school bursar, Miss M. Wilkinson.

Another is Mr. H. Hartwell who leads a team of three careers teachers and who has built up an excellent relationship with local firms, notably British Timken who some years ago created a precedent by lending one of their science men to teach at the school, to fill a temporary gap. Trinity was the first school in Northampton to offer a careers guidance service and Mr. Hartwell is one of the county's most experienced teachers in this field.

A third Trinity veteran is Mr. L. G. A. Clarke, who joined the school as a woodwork master, also taking technical drawing and metalwork. Today he is head of the 110-strong Sixth Form.

"Change had to come about in our educational system," he told me, "and in many respects it has been for the better. I find the new era very stimulating and challenging. "Five years ago Mr. Clarke set himself a personal challenge by commencing studies for a degree of the Open University. "This meant a minimum of three hours of work most evenings and of 12 hours at week-ends." But two years ago he gained his B.A. - a fine example of application to the Sixth Formers?

In the school's "Guide to Sixth Form Courses" 'Mr. Cummings writes of the changed status of this part of the school: "No longer is it the exclusive territory of an intellectual few heading for a university degree . . . the doors are open to any boy or girl who can benefit from an extra year or two years at school in an atmosphere which is very different from that of the main school. It is NOT necessary to be aiming for higher education to benefit from time in the Sixth Form: we shall, of course, continue to send pupils to Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, but many others will leave to go straight into employment with the benefit of extra qualifications and maturity."

Finally Mr. Cummings made a striking comment to me on the manner in which Trinity staff have met the challenge of new situations. "Perhaps if British industry had been as adaptable, as prepared to accept innovation and give new ideas a go, our economy today might be up to Japanese standards!"