Chalkies’ Corner

In a new section for the magazine, we caught up with a few long-serving former teachers (once known as Chalkies), to ask for their memories of Uppingham and update us on where they are now.

If you’d like us to find out what became of one of your favourite teachers, do contact the office and we’ll do our best to track them down.

Peter Lloyd

Member of Staff 1953 to 1988, Housemaster of Highfield 1962 to 1977

I knew a bit about Uppingham before I came in 1953. The OUs I had come across in my years of National Service and Cambridge were particularly pleasant and affable. The School’s reputation was significant – music, of course (in one year there were five members of the National Youth Orchestra) and academically, Science was strong, producing a number of State and Oxbridge scholars; Maths with Ted Kendall and David Dunbar, Physics with Garth Wheatley and Bob Noakes, Chemistry with Cory Cavell and Bill Pickering. French was not up to these standards, perhaps because Fred Shuffrey (for all his scholarship) never taught on Saturdays because he hunted then!

I soon found myself at home. The Common Room seemed to welcome our intake of young chalkies and were tolerant of misdemeanours. Socially we got on pretty well. The School was successful in sports and I fitted into that pattern.

I was encouraged to join the CCF (compulsory for boys), in the RAF section, with Ian Pringle (a wartime P.O.W. – although not his fault, but his navigator’s!). To be of any value to Ian, I learnt to glide, so that I could instruct on the primitive A-Frame glider we had; this was propelled by two teams pulling bungee ropes. The whole contingent ended Friday evenings with the March Past on Stockerston Road, led by the band under the musical genius of Tony Baines.

Shooting was a big thing, and with Simon Pattinson (WB 52) in the 8, the Ashburton was won in 1957 and huge celebrations followed, with the town invited to join in on the Upper. School and Town got on well, much encouraged by Martin and Kay Lloyd. There was plenty of work to be done. I was House Tutor in Lorne House, and then residentially in School House, and was probably of more value socially than pastorally. The classroom made its demands, of course, but life was rewarding and I loved it.

We are pleased to report that Peter Lloyd is well. He still lives in Uppingham and socialises with many other members of the Common Room living locally.

Peter Lloyd at Highfield, 1964

David Prince

Member of Staff 1966 to 1983, Housemaster of Brooklands 1975 to 1983

I arrived in Uppingham in September 1966 as one of, I think, nine new members of staff, appointed by John Royds. Amongst my new colleagues were John Green, Tony Land, Chris Richardson, Miles Sewter and Roy Bean. Jenny and I were housed in part of Woodfield, then the Chaplain, Humphrey Ivor-Jones’ residence and now part of the Theatre. In 1968 we moved again to one of the new Colt bungalows in Lodge Close, demolished to make way for Samworths’.

I was teaching English throughout the School, asked to run Colts cricket and the REME section of the CCF. This was housed in a very draughty hut in the carpark of the Middle playing fields. Fortunately, I was transferred to run the RN section after a couple of years in a less draughty outbuilding behind Redgate, with the assistance of CPO David Bailey, the excellent School Head Porter. I was also House Tutor to Ian Bridges in Lorne House and remained so when David Gaine took over a couple of years later.

Despite the plethora of Common Room notices, new staff were treated with great warmth and Jenny and I went to many dinner parties in our first term. Uppingham was a very social place and the boys a delight to teach. Among those was one Stephen Fry (F 70) who was a bright and rewarding presence in class.

Early in my time, Warwick Metcalfe, Head of Art, and something of a visionary, called a CR meeting to debate his concern about the steep rise in School fees. He could foresee a time when they may become £1,000 a year. Wow!

David and Jenny Prince retired to a village near Frome, Somerset, where they are close to their children and grandchildren.

Michael ‘Mike’ Gavins

Member of Staff 1968 to 1994, Housemaster of School House 1972 to 1987

I moved from Yorkshire to Uppingham in 1968 at the invitation of John Royds, the School’s Headmaster, to introduce the subject of Economics. The Common Room was a little intimidating at the time with only two of us not being graduates from Oxford or Cambridge. However, my great friends and colleagues, Malcolm Bussey and Tim Montagnon, soon allayed my fears and I settled in to life at Uppingham.

As well as teaching Economics, and later History too, I enjoyed coaching rugby at all levels through the School. Two of my favourite seasons were coaching the Colts in 1972 and 1974 which were both all-conquering sides. One of my most enjoyable memories is the final game of the 1974 team against Oakham. The master-in-charge of the Oakham team was also the Leicestershire County Coach. Despite my recommendations, none of the Uppingham team had been picked for the county, and the bulk of the Oakham Colts had. In my team talk I mentioned this, and the lads got so fired up they went on to win 86-0 – amazingly they got quicker and quicker during the match rather than tiring or taking their foot off the pedal.

Colts XV winning fixture card, 1974

I also remember some fantastic rugby tours to Grenoble, Vienne, BourgoinJallieu in France, Portugal, and a wonderful trip to Canada. I enjoyed working with Malcolm Bussey, and didn’t mind being his number two, especially in Grenoble where he stayed at the Head Coach’s house, and I was billeted at the Chairman’s Michelinstarred hotel!

French Rugby Tour poster, 1976

My career at Uppingham took a step up when I was asked to be the Housemaster of School House in 1972, the first non-Headmaster to hold that position. I moved with my family from 1 Lodge Close (now the site of Samworths’), to School House, and, at the Headmaster’s suggestion, retired from playing rugby for Leicester Tigers.

Being a Housemaster was daunting but I was very lucky that my wife Hilary had a qualification in domestic science. I looked after the academic and extra curricula activities and she headed an experienced back of house team, which included the wonderful Peggy and Freda in the kitchens. We had very happy times in School House and were immensely proud of all “our lads”.

I also enjoyed Uppingham’s music with the fantastic Chapel singing, concerts and the House Shout. The Christmas Carol service was always very special. And finally, one of my strongest non-academic, sport or house memories was being persuaded to appear in an end-of-year review in the Theatre, dancing the New York Hustle to the Bee Gees’ Night Fever. I am very grateful for what Uppingham gave me, and my family – and hope that I’ve been able to give something back in turn.

Michael moved to Wantage in 2015, nearer to his family than Uppingham, where he is living independently and, in his own words, is “plodding along”. He is well known in the town for always being smartly turned out, “gentlemanly”, and able to sing songs spontaneously on most topics.

Malcolm Tozer

Member of Staff 1966 to 1989, Housemaster of The Lodge 1979 to 1989

My first lesson in September 1966 was in the classroom behind the Porter’s Lodge: a Fourth Form set, mainly new boys but with two old hands from Shell. The lesson went without incident and at the end the old hands led other boys in a welcoming chat. After the preliminaries it went: ‘Did you go to Oxford or Cambridge, sir?’ ‘Neither’, I reply. Martin looks at Robert for inspiration. ‘St Andrew’s?’ Robert asks helpfully. ‘No,’ I reply. There is a five-second gap.

‘Do you hope to go to university, sir?’ Yes, I was part of John Royds’ new wave: 13 new teachers, new universities and new subjects. I taught Physical Education and Physics.

My timetable had several periods supervising the Lower Sixth during their study periods in the Old School Room. The late afternoon illumination was poor. I would tell the group to stop fussing but gradually the illumination got so bad that I received half-hearted complaints. Settle down, I continued to insist. Eventually it was so dim that I could not see to read so, about an hour early, I told the group to pack up and go back to their studies.

The following day a colleague pointed out the dimmer switch – conveniently placed near a pupil’s desk! At the end of my first Autumn term, I received an invitation to House Supper at Brooklands. Myles Sewter, my flatmate, had heard that it would be a black tie event and neither of us had the kit: he was going to Highfield. Before rushing out to hire from Moss Bros, we thought we’d better find out for certain. I drew the short straw and duly rang Brooklands; the phone was answered by a deep voice, and we chatted for a minute or two. I then asked Garth if I might speak to Mrs Wheatley. There was a short pause before the baritone continued – ‘This is Heather speaking.’ Believe it or not, I survived 68 more terms.

The Lodge House Photo 1979

Malcolm and Elizabeth Tozer now live in Cornwall. Malcolm is a distinguished author on Physical Education and an authority of Thring’s approach to sport. His books include Education in Manliness The Legacy of Thring’s Uppingham; Physical Education and Sport in Independent Schools, both are available online along with his other titles.

If you would like to contact any of the members of staff featured, please email ou@uppingham.co.uk or send a letter, addressed to them, c/o OU team, Uppingham School, Uppingham, LE15 9QE and we will be pleased to forward your message on.