Former pupils expected to gather for launch of new old girls' association

MEMORIES of pranks on teachers and sleeping in classrooms during the war will be shared when former pupils of a Derbyshire school are reunited on Saturday.

Dozens of ex-pupils from Ockbrook School are expected to attend the relaunch of its old girls' association.

The birth of the new Ockbrook School Leavers' Association began in January when sixth-form head Christine Saunders began circulating little pink cards inviting former pupils to get in touch.

The previous association had folded after the woman who ran it gave up the job.

Since then, the association has had responses from more than 150 former pupils, including teenagers who recently left the school and pupils who were educated during the Second World War.

Mrs Saunders said: "We've heard about the time when pupils were only allowed two baths a week in only five inches of water and when pupils had to sleep in classrooms during the Second World War to be nearer the shelters in the case of an air raid.

"We've also heard some funny stories of old pranks including the classic balancing of a bucket of water across the top of a door, which was meant to fall on matron but drenched a teacher instead."

Among those planning to attend the event is Anne Bailey, who is hoping to meet old friends from her time at the school during the 1950s.

Mrs Bailey, who started at the school aged 10, travelled every day from her home in Ilkeston to her lessons.

But as a day pupil, she always envied the girls who boarded there and had chance to live in the 200-year-old building in The Settlement.

Mrs Bailey said: "I adored my school days at Ockbrook and two years ago I wrote a book about my time there.

"I remember the old girls' association and went to quite a few reunions but the lady who ran it gave up when she reached quite an old age and it fell by the wayside."

Mrs Bailey still keeps contact with some of her old school friends and attends various functions at the school because she lives in the village.

She said: "I recall we were always looking for secret passages because that's what pupils did in storybook schools and it was great fun when we managed to sneak into the school's cellar."

Former pupils involved in putting the reunion together are Sarah Haynes, 24, Lexi Rudd, 24, Rebecca Barrowcliffe, 23, and Caroline Mitchell, 21.

Miss Barrowcliffe said: "I have such happy memories from my time at Ockbrook School and can't wait to meet all the other past pupils educated there to swap stories and find out more about how the school used to be."

Saturday's event runs from 10.30am to 4pm and includes a tour and lunch, price £12.50.

More information from www.ockbrook.derby.sch.uk and on Derby 673532.