Geoff Le Pard's reminiscences of school days

School Days, Reminiscences of Geoff Le Pard

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Welcome to the School Days, Reminiscences series in which my champion bloggers and authors share reminiscences of their school days. It’s my small way of thanking them for their support and of letting you know about their services and publications.

This week, I am pleased to introduce Geoff Le Pard, author, blogger, humourist and all-round nice guy. I met Geoff through Anne Goodwin, if I remember correctly. We engaged in conversations on Anne’s blog first, then followed each other and engaged in conversations on each other’s blogs too.

Anne and Geoff had already been lucky enough to meet in person on a writing course, but I hadn’t known either for long when I visited family in London for the first time in 2014. I very timidly emailed Geoff and asked if he’d like to meet up. (This was prior to the Bloggers’ Bash of which Geoff is now on the organising committee and I didn’t yet know of any other instances of bloggers meeting up.)

I was both anxious and thrilled when Geoff, Anne and Lisa all agreed we’d meet up at the British Library. I think we were all wondering if these ‘strangers’ were who they said they were or if they might be potential axe murderers. Fortunately, though some of us may have a been a bit stranger than others, none were axe murderers and we had a very pleasant afternoon together.

Norah, Anne, Geoff, Lisa beside the lock

Since that auspicious occasion, Geoff has entertained thousands, if not millions, of readers with his blog posts that are sometimes hilarious, sometimes serious, often compassionate and always with his own tangent on life, love and anything in between. He has published four novels, three anthologies and one memoir. I have no hesitation in recommending them to you.

But perhaps we should get to the real purpose of this post, which is to provide Geoff with an opportunity of sharing his reminiscences of school.

Before we begin the interview though, I’ll allow Geoff to tell you a little of himself:

Geoff Le Pard started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.

Welcome, Geoff.

Let’s talk school. First, could you tell us where you attended school?

My schooling started at 3 at Miss Stark’s nursery school in a large house about half a mile from home (mum walked me everyday). From there, at 5, I went to Maple Road Primary in Whyteleafe, in leafy Surrey this time about 2 miles away (I caught the bus – until I was 6 with mum, after that with my older brother (he was one year older). At 11 I moved to a local Grammar school, Purley Grammar school for boys, about 4 miles from home (I cycled) until I was 12 when the family moved to south Hampshire and joined Brockenhurst High School, also a Grammar, where I stayed until 16 when I moved into the adjacent sixth form college until 18 (the school was seven miles away and involved a daily train journey after a cycle ride).

Did you attend a government, private or independent school?

The nursery was private but the remaining schooling was Local education authority funded. Grammar schools were an attempt by the post war governments to give the best equivalent of a private education to those who couldn’t afford it. To enter you had to pass your 11 plus. I failed mine, had an interview as I was ‘borderline’ (makes it sound like it was a mental health issue) and was granted a place – I still think Paddington Bear was my saviour – this post explains my reason for thinking that.

What is the highest level of education you achieved?

I went through the sixth form, took four A levels (two maths, history and French plus S level maths – not sure what the ‘S’ stood for but it was meant to be equivalent of first or second year at uni – I managed 100% I was told – get me, much good it did me) and then attended University (Law, at Bristol University), and later in life went again for a masters (Creative Writing at Sheffield Hallam)

Geoff Le Pard's highest level of education

What work or profession did you choose after school and was there anything in school that influenced this choice?

I chose a law degree at Uni that lead to a career in the Law. I can cite the following influences from school:

  • One of my school friends had already chosen law and it sounded cool;
  • I went to a careers’ evening organised at school and the two reps from Southampton University were law lecturers and they were the coolest people there
  • My maths teacher wanted me to go to Cambridge and do maths and he was anything but cool

What is your earliest memory of school?

The sandpit at nursery and the leather indoor slide and being made to stand in the corner for running when told not to.

I recall the terror of my first day at primary school, the sun in my eyes through the high windows and all the other children; I also remember the old fashioned radio speaker on the wall – a large wooden box with a brass speaker in the middle and listening to a story on it. There was a separate playground for the first and second forms (years 1 and 2 nowadays) with a high wire fence around it, like a tennis court that we stared through, like caged animals, at the older children in their playground

What memories do you have of learning to read?

I’m pretty sure I could read before I went to primary school but unlike my older brother I didn’t really enjoy it. I have to thank him for inadvertently (in the sense that I was an irritating little shadow who he needed to rid himself of) persevering in finding me books to read and converting me to the joys of reading. This post may give you a sense of my journey

What memories do you have of learning to write?

Ah me! Handwriting has never been a strength – a school report, noted in the post above, said I achieved a B in my handwriting exam and the remark from my teacher was ‘I don’t know how he managed it’). We had lined books in which we repeated our own take in cursive writing and mine were not things of beauty – again, perhaps I should indulge another post, here with examples of my work.

What do you remember about math classes?

I was always ‘good’ at maths (if you ignore the geometry report cited above – ‘utterly confused in exam – good term’s work’). I didn’t always grasp a concept immediately like some but it didn’t take long and I generally could work back though to first principles if taught properly.  For some time it looked as if maths was my way into university until I was lucky enough to have an inspirational history teacher in the sixth form (years 11 to 13 now) who taught me to widen my horizons. He was cool.

What was your favourite subject?

History and the more modern the better.

Geoff Le Pard tells what he liked best about school

What did you like best about school?

Play time, friends, being praised, winning badges, some school dinners and certain teachers. In secondary school I would add in sport and, after the age of 14, learning.

What did you like least about school?

Geography, biology, any sense I was in trouble, shepherd’s pie, girls until I was14 (my terror was different from there on) and certain teachers.

How do you think schools have changed since your school days?

Harder work, more pressure put overtly on children to perform (we had exams that were as difficult, we just weren’t bombarded with how important they were meant to be), a more rigorous structure to what they learn, less scope for great teachers to go off topic, far more Big Brother is watching you – we had scope to break rules, places to subvert – it seems today the rule breaking has to be in public and so is more likely to be chastised. I hear evidence that in certain places behaviour has degenerated but good teachers have always controlled classes. The punishment regime is less physical today and children are believed more than before. Perhaps the biggest changes are children are listened to more and teachers have less time to teach (or should that be to educate?)

What do you think schools (in general) do well?

When they do it well they inspire lifelong learning and in my experience that comes from the spark of an individual teacher capturing a child’s imagination. They give a child tools to learn, to teach, to educate him/herself – reading and writing and, no doubt today IT skills and after that to be inquiring, not to accept what they are told is the answer but to question – the ability to frame the right question is perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can give a pupil.

Geoff Le Pard says teachers need to teach children to ask questions

How do you think schools could be improved?

They can spend more time educating and less teaching. The tyranny of the curriculum is one of teaching’s greatest challenges. The notion that if you learn to a script and regurgitate that script and you will succeed is one of life’s top five fictions; no actor worth their salt merely delivers a script – they have to understand it, live it, get beneath and inside it. That is precisely the same with learning. Get beneath the surface, go round the back, take off the lid and see the workings and that way so much joy will be had and so many avenues will be opened. Good education acknowledges the world is round and that all we can ever do is proceed to the next horizon and see what’s there; bad teachers are education’s flat earthers.

 

thank you for your participation

Thank you for sharing your reminiscences of school and thoughts about education in general, Geoff. It’s been wonderful to have you here. I learned so much I didn’t already know about you. I enjoyed hearing your perspective on education and agree with much of what you had to say about it.

Find out more about Geoff Le Pard

on his blog

TanGental: Writing, the Universe and whatever occurs to me

and his author page

Geoff Le Pard’s Amazon Author Page

 

Geoff’s Books:

My Father and Other Liars by Geoff Le Pard

My Father and Other Liars is a thriller set in the near future and takes its heroes, Maurice and Lori-Ann on a helter-skelter chase across continents.

Smashwords

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

 

Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle by Geoff Le Pard

Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle is a coming of age story. Set in 1976 the hero Harry Spittle is home from university for the holidays. He has three goals: to keep away from his family, earn money and hopefully have sex. Inevitably his summer turns out to be very different to that anticipated.

Smashwords

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Life in a Grain of Sand by Geoff Le Pard

Life in a Grain of Sand is a 30 story anthology covering many genres: fantasy, romance, humour, thriller, espionage, conspiracy theories, MG and indeed something for everyone. All the stories were written during Nano 2015

Smashwords

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Salisbury Square by Geoff Le Pard

Salisbury Square is a dark thriller set in present day London where a homeless woman and a Polish man, escaping the police at home, form an unlikely alliance to save themselves.

This is available here

Smashwords

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Buster and Moo by Geoff Le Pard

Buster & Moo is about two couples and the dog whose ownership passes from one to the other. When the couples meet, via the dog, the previously hidden cracks in their relationships surface and events begin to spiral out of control. If the relationships are to survive there is room for only one hero but who will that be?

Smashwords

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Life in a Flash by Geoff Le Pard

Life in a Flash is a set of super short fiction, flash and micro fiction that should keep you engaged and amused for ages

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Smashwords

 

Apprenticed to My Mother by Geoff Le Pard

Apprenticed To My Mother describes the period after my father died when I thought I was to play the role of dutiful son, while Mum wanted a new, improved version of her husband – a sort of Desmond 2.0. We both had a lot to learn in those five years, with a lot of laughs and a few tears as we went.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Life in a Conversation by Geoff Le Pard

Life in a Conversation is an anthology of short and super short fiction that explores connections through humour, speech and everything besides. If you enjoy the funny, the weird and the heart-rending then you’ll be sure to find something here.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

 

If you missed previous reminiscences, check them out here:

Charli Mills

Sally Cronin

Anne Goodwin

Look for future interviews in this series to be posted on Sunday evenings AEST.

Coming soon:

Hugh Roberts

Debby Gies

D. Avery

with more to follow.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your comments. Please share your thoughts.

 

134 thoughts on “School Days, Reminiscences of Geoff Le Pard”

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  15. Susan Scott

    Another gem thank you both, Norah and Geoff. I like what Geoff says about teachers to assist the pupils to frame the right questions. Half the answer is in the question –

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  21. joylennick

    Again, all most Interesting, Norah, thank you.. So VERY different from my schooling (7 years to 15) which was ‘directed’ by World War 11… Geoff had an excellent education by the sound of it and obviously did well in his chosen career and literary endeavours, so good for him. Most teachers now seem to have an avalanche of paperwork to deal with, aside from their actual teaching duties.I salute them!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      I’m looking forward to hearing more about your school days, Joy.
      I appreciate your kind words for teachers. The job never gets any easier. 🙂

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  27. Charli Mills

    British school structure is something I don’t fully understand, but it sounds like British education has evolved to too much emphasis on tests. I’ve long enjoyed Geoff’s Paddington story. I think it’s part of his author branding by now!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. TanGental

      Thanks Charli. British education is complicated with a lot of politics interfering with what teachers want and need to do. It works, often, despite rather than because… and yes that little bear and me will always be linked

      Liked by 2 people

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  28. trifflepudling

    Enjoyable and insightful Q and As, thanks!
    I think you are from Australia? When I was about 12 I had a novel called “Mad as Rabbits” set in the outback. I no longer have it as it got left on a train at some point a long time ago. I do remember there were school scenes in the book, I think, and it seemed very similar, yet quite different, to my own school experiences at that age. I really enjoyed it, but wonder if it has ended up being on a school compulsory reading book list in Australia and thus ruined forever for any schoolchild forced to read it!

    Liked by 2 people

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    2. Norah Post author

      Thanks for popping over here from Geoff’s to read. I haven’t heard of the book ‘Mad as Rabbits’. I know what you mean about compulsory reading. It is such a shame that students aren’t given more choice. The funny thing is that teachers (or perhaps not the teachers but higher authorities) who set the texts probably endured the books that were set for them to read. Maybe they feel they need to punish someone in return, so why not the kids?
      I loved your comment on Geoff’s post. I find auto-correct very frustrating at times. But then, at other times, it comes up with gems. 🙂

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thanks so much, Darlene. A good teacher makes a huge difference. I read your comment on Geoff’s blog. I think you might have some interesting school stories to tell also. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  32. Jules

    “The notion that if you learn to a script and regurgitate that script and you will succeed is one of life’s top five fictions; no actor worth their salt merely delivers a script – they have to understand it, live it, get beneath and inside it.”
    Geoff – that is a wonderful line that all teachers should have to memorize. Not everyone is the same. Molds are made to be broken! The best thing to teach is how to learn. Not just rote facts.

    Continued success in all you do. And may the force of humor remain with you! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. TanGental

      Thanks Jules. Even if my kids are grown I’m fascinated by the process of learning and how education can play a part in that. I think it was my mother who made me realise that education is a life tool, just as essential as any. Often I heard people say ‘Oh I’m not educated’ when then mean academically processed. As for humour, well, that’s an essential defence agaisnt the viscissitudes of this crazy cruel wonderful world of ours.

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      1. Norah Post author

        Your mother was a wise woman, Geoff, and your statement about the difference between educated and academic brings to mind my poem about the differences between education and schooling.
        A little humour goes a long way, and a lot of humour goes even further. Thanks for being you.

        Liked by 1 person

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  33. Jacqui Murray

    Interesting interview. Geoff, you sound like such a regular student. Who would disagree with your insights (who among us teachers!)? I think I was born a lifelong learner but most aren’t so that gift–that teachers can give students–is priceless.

    Amazing books, too. What an eclectic collection.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. TanGental

      thank you Jacqui; anything that triggers that urge to learn is a gift, isn’t it? Hooray for all teachers; it’s a crucial and tough job but I’m sure satisfying when that spark happens…

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Norah Post author

        The urge to learn is a gift. I like that, Geoff. We are all gifted it at birth, I think. Though for some it’s hidden away in the back cupboard and inaccessible – put out of reach by others, whether intentional or not.

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    2. Norah Post author

      It is an eclectic collection, Jacqui – just as is yours! 🙂
      We would have loved students like Geoff in our classes, wouldn’t we? When students are keen to learn, it makes our job so much easier.

      Liked by 1 person

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  34. calmkate

    great interview again Norah and nice to learn more about Geoff who shared some gems! That meeting in UK sounds interesting, I’ve only met Miriam so far.

    Law and maths are not the usual background to such a well published author … very versatile

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. TanGental

      thanks Kate; law and maths… yes, well, perhaps it just took me a while to find the right path… 60 years or so…! Still they do say it’s the travelling not the arriving that’s important so maybe I benefited from that journey.

      Liked by 2 people

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    2. Norah Post author

      I’m pleased you enjoyed the interview with Geoff, Kate. There were plenty of gems in there.
      How wonderful to have met Miriam. Was that before or after blogging?
      Geoff is a very versatile author with lots of experience to draw upon.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. calmkate

        He does indeed, no only knew Marion from WP but when I knew that she was travelling down the east coast I requested a meeting so had lunch with her, hubby and son … very lovely family, so genuine!

        Liked by 1 person

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  35. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist)

    Enjoyed your post, Geoff (and Norah). Well I never, a closet mathematician. We could’ve know each other earlier if we’d planned it right. 😉
    As others have said, your paragraph on what education should be like is perfect. We all lose out when these standards aren’t met.

    Liked by 2 people

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    2. Norah Post author

      A couple of British writing mathematicians! Or is that mathematical writers? Maybe just calculating writers? I’m so honoured to have met you both – in person and online!

      Liked by 2 people

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  37. thecontentedcrafter

    Always a joy to read! And hot-damn I wish I’d said this: ‘the ability to frame the right question is perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can give a pupil.’ The perfect quote to be framed and hung over the desk of every trainee teacher! Followed by an equally fine paragraph. I’m beginning to think education lost a fine chance when you chose to enter law Geoff. Thanks Norah – really enjoyed reading this with first coffee!

    Liked by 3 people

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    2. Norah Post author

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed Geoff’s reminiscences, Pauline. I don’t know why, but I think what struck me most was his honesty. I’ve never considered him dishonest of course, but he was so open about his experiences and there wasn’t a bit of flippancy in there. It is a lovely read.

      Liked by 2 people

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  38. robbiesinspiration

    I think you had a good educational opportunity, Geoff. I also did but I am not sure if the kids get the same opportunity as we had in government schools now. I have heard mixed reports about the education system in the UK and the government school here in South Africa is awful. Some of the children leave school barely able to read and write in English and doomed to a life of joblessness and poverty. I would have liked to study law but ended up choosing accountancy. If I could go back and may have rather done law although I have found the most legal part of my field to work in. A most entertaining post.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. TanGental

      ah but had you been a lawyer would you be the Robbie we know and love, huh?! Those imponderable sliding doors… the system, sadly inevitably is never perfect – too much tinkering, too little reaction to failure… it’s a constant juggle. The cost is so high if we get it wrong. When I was a young man looking back I remember being depressed by the people who felt they’d missed out at school and that was it. Now I meet people who were my age then who are reinventing themselves, not being defined by what wold have been wasted years. A certain future, not always glorious is now replaced by uncertain opportunity… I benefited from that certainty – I wasn’t good with uncertainty but for every me there are those who can make up for what might previously have been lost time. Personally I think the fact so many of us agonise about improvement means we will get better… never ‘there’ no, we will never get ‘there’ but we will approach it stealthily.

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. Norah Post author

        What an amazing view, Geoff. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. There’s so much in that response: sliding doors, missed opportunities, wasted lives, reinventing lives, uncertain opportunity . . . yep, agonising over improvement means we will get better. I guess that’s the meliorist Geoff shining through.

        Liked by 1 person

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    2. Norah Post author

      I’m pleased you enjoyed Geoff’s reminiscences, Robbie, though saddened by your thoughts about schools in the UK and South Africa. It is such tragic waste of potential. Our minds are our greatest resource and if we don’t develop them for all they’re worth, then we have lost more than can ever been calculated.

      Liked by 1 person

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  39. Chelsea Owens

    So fun to learn about, Geoff! (And to learn about Geoff.)

    I agree with your assessments of education and where it can improve: “Get beneath the surface, go round the back, take off the lid and see the workings and that way so much joy will be had and so many avenues will be opened….” I often feel that teachers are taking any possible fun out of the process.

    -and, Norah, what are the necessary qualifications for interviewing with you?

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. TanGental

      I do fear that the more prescriptive the urge to exam does exactly what you say. Targets are fine in a way to try and ensure uniform standards but they shouldn’t be the be all and end all. Thanks for joining in Chelsea

      Liked by 2 people

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    2. Norah Post author

      Thanks so much, Chelsea. I appreciate your placement of commas. They are so important to meaning. 🙂
      I know what you mean about teachers taking the fun out, Chelsea. Sadly, for many teachers, the fun is stolen from them as well. The top-down approach seems to be increasing and many are being crushed under its weight.
      Would you like to join in with reminiscences of your school days, Chelsea? That would be wonderful. Initially, I am interviewing long term supporters of my blog to thank them for their ongoing support, but I’d love to add you to the list. I really enjoy hearing everyone’s experiences. 🙂
      Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you an email.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Chelsea Owens

        I agree with your lamentations of “top-down” and fun-all-gone… My mother is a former teacher and I am good friends with current members of the profession.

        I’d love to participate, primarily because I fear I may forget any memories of childhood if I wait much longer. Hopefully, it’s short-term Mom Brain. It’s up to you, though. I didn’t want to elbow my way in our anything; I was mostly curious.

        Liked by 2 people

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        2. Norah Post author

          You never get anything if you don’t ask. I still have a few posts scheduled, Chelsea, but I’m happy to include you and will send you an email invitation in due course. 🙂 Please don’t forget in the meantime. 🙂

          Liked by 2 people

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            1. Norah Post author

              Hugh’s right. I can get your email from your comments. I have added you to the list. I am sending the invites out in batches so I can manage the responses better. You will definitely receive one in due course. 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

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    2. Norah Post author

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed Geoff’s post, Jennie. It’s such a delightful read. I love hearing about the impact school days had on everyone’s futures.

      Liked by 2 people

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  41. Hugh's Views and News

    My goodness, that high wire fence around the two playgrounds sounds awful. I guess it was a sign of the times, but does beg the question as to why children of different ages were separated at playtime?
    The big wooden speaker on the wall sounds a little like the ‘TV for Schools’ I spoke about with Anne last week. Your first day at school sounded a little like mine, Geoff. Being thrown headfirst into a brand new world without any instructions as to what to expect. Or did your older brother tell you what to expect?
    The food must have pretty good to have liked school dinners. Back then, I only enjoyed fish and chips at school, which were always served on a Friday.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. TanGental

      I think the seaweed green cabbage was hateful but that and shepherd’s pie apart I used to enjoy food… a bit of a porker in truth. My brother disowned me at gates; isn’t that what older brother’s did!? Can’t wait to see your take on how the Hugh we know and love came to be formed!!

      Liked by 3 people

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    3. Norah Post author

      Playgrounds are still separated, Hugh, not necessarily with high fences, but separated nonetheless. We don’t want those big kids falling over those little kids. I think it happens more often in bigger schools where space is an issue.
      It is interesting to compare different school experiences, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to reading yours next week, Hugh. 🙂
      We didn’t get school dinners over here. I took a vegemite sandwich to school every day. There were no cooler bags and no refrigeration (for our lunches) back then and by the time it got to lunch, the butter on our sandwiches had melted and the bread was almost toast. It wasn’t very appetising but I was hungry so I ate it anyway. I would have loved fish and chips!

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      1. Hugh's Views and News

        I had no idea they still were, Norah, but I see your point as to why they should be. At the schools I went to, children all played on the same playground, although we also had the free range of the school playing fields, and groups of children would usually split off into sections and play.

        It never crossed my mind that school dinners were not served everywhere. I started taking a packed lunch to school during my final few years at school. I can’t remember why, but it was probably because some of my friends did the same thing and didn’t want to miss out on hanging out with them over a sandwich. Back then, there were no problems with what the packed lunch consisted of. Nowadays, most schools don’t allow parents to pack chocolate bars, cakes, biscuits, fizzy drinks or crisps in a child’s packed lunch.

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        1. Norah Post author

          Thanks for adding these additional thoughts, Hugh. There are variations on a theme everywhere and with everything, it seems. It’s interesting to find out how they change over time and from place to place. There are a few different reasons for schools not allowing cakes, biscuits etc. One is for the child’s health, and one is for the health of the environment. I think it’s a good thing and fits perfectly with our education of the whole child. We all think and work better with healthy bodies as well as minds. I’m not sure I agree with the rule that says teachers can’t give children a small egg at Easter though. I think an occasional treat is okay. Back in the ‘old days’ it was traditional for teachers to have a jar of jelly beans on their desks as rewards for the children. They got replaced by stickers. Sugary treats are no longer acceptable.

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          1. Hugh's Views and News

            And I can see why the schools, these days, don’t allow those sugary snacks, Norah. In my days, before 24-hour TV, video games, iPads and technology, we’d go out to play where we’d use up a lot of energy and calories. These days, I don’t see children out playing as much as when I was at school. It’s not their fault, though. It’s the way everyday life has evolved that seems to have given them different ways to entertain themselves. I do wonder if companies should be making games for 3-years-old to be playing on an iPad. I feel like they are missing out on real childhood. Or maybe childhood has changed into something else?

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            1. Norah Post author

              I think childhood is in a constant state of flux, like everything else Hugh. It’s not that long ago that childhood, as we knew it was invented. Just a few short years before that, children were working and being sent down mines at 5 years. I think we had it good in our childhoods. 🙂

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