Barnes B, around 1945

[lonelymom]

I've just realised, when both Englishangel and Postwarblue say 'prep' they are talking about what I know as 'Second Form' - I didn't realise they weren't always known as that! Good job my children are more intelligent than me!

[michael scuffil]

I've just realised, when both Englishangel and Postwarblue say 'prep' they are talking about what I know as 'Second Form' - I didn't realise they weren't always known as that! Good job my children are more intelligent than me!

I don't actually think they are.
The Prep was a more or less separate insitution for 9-11 year-olds. The Second Form and the Prep co-existed for a few years in the early sixties. Before that the Second Form was called the LF (there was a Third Form below that, but it only had one stream and virtually everyone skipped it.)

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I joined(Late as explained) in the Third Form, didn't "Skip it" so spent a year before LE.
The "Prep" was what is now Leigh Hunt, and was totally separate from the rest of the School, when I joined they wore Housey Uniform, but I don't remember whether they wore"Civvies" on attaining the dizzy heights of the upper School-- Perhaps someone who was in the Prep during the War, will enlighten us ?

[Mid A 15]

I started the year before the Prep became Leigh Hunt in 1966.

At that time the Prep was separate from the main School (in the Prep block) but merged with the main School in the 3rd form. Non Prep boys (like myself) started in the 2nd form.

After 3rd form there was a "fast" stream, LE, GE (when "O" levels were taken), Deputy Grecian (Dep), Grecian.

The alternative route after 3rd form was LF, UF, GE, Dep, Grecian.

[John Knight]

>> but I don't remember whether they wore"Civvies" on attaining the dizzy heights of the upper School-- Perhaps someone who was in the Prep during the War, will enlighten us ?

I joined Prep B in 1946 and was issued with blazer and shorts because of shortage of school uniform. I was subsequently 'posted' to Barnes B in about 1948 and I don't think I received my 'Housey' uniform until about 1949.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I didn't see in the "Fast Stream" mention of the UF, which in my time was when you got your "Broadie"
If that is not a Typo, when were Broadies gained ?
On my last visit to CH, I saw somebody wearing TWO Broadie girdles -- He was obviously headed for the Stage or Politics (Same thing !)

[michael scuffil]

In the 50s and early 60s you got your broadie in the UF, which for most people was their third year in the upper (non-Prep). I've no idea what happened when forms were re-organized.

I got mine in 1957. New broadie buckles were just becoming available again after the war, they cost 30 shillings. But you could also borrow one from the House stock. They were old, and IMO looked better, so I did that, and passed it on to my swab when I left.

[J.R.]

My Mother bought mine 2nd., hand from someone connected with school.

It's still upstairs - Hall-Mark and all.

I wouldn't part with it for the world now !

[lonelymom]

They were old, and IMO looked better, so I did that, and passed it on to my swab when I left.

Your what?!! What is a 'swab'? I've heard of squits, but never swabs. (It's like a whole new language )

[englishangel]

Perhaps the better known term is a fag, as in "Tom Brown's Schooldays". Cleans your shoes, runs errands etc.

[lonelymom]

Ah, got it! Thanks for coming to my rescue again Englishangel

Am glad that, while squits still exist, swabs are no longer!

[Mid A 15]

I didn't see in the "Fast Stream" mention of the UF, which in my time was when you got your "Broadie"
If that is not a Typo, when were Broadies gained ?
On my last visit to CH, I saw somebody wearing TWO Broadie girdles -- He was obviously headed for the Stage or Politics (Same thing !)

Not a typo Neill.

We gained our Broadies in either the LE or LF which, after the abolition of the Prep, was the beginning of the third year so consistent with the UF in earlier days (third year in the Upper as Michael Scuffil mentions).

[Mid A 15]

Ah, got it! Thanks for coming to my rescue again Englishangel

Am glad that, while squits still exist, swabs are no longer!

Swabs had gone by the time I started in 1965.

[lonelymom]

Swabs had gone by the time I started in 1965.

I'm so glad!

[jhopgood]

Ah, got it! Thanks for coming to my rescue again Englishangel

Am glad that, while squits still exist, swabs are no longer!

Actually, in my opinion, being a swab was great, as you got paid for minimal effort, whereas those who did Trades, setting tables etc, got no money.
All I had to do was make his bed, clean his shoes, coat and CCF uniform, and run the occasional errand. Nothing to it.
Most people could only do it for 3 - 4 terms, but I managed 5 terms, including the last 3 for someone who had a study, meaning I could use it when he wasn't there.
Nothing like JB School Days.
Would be difficult to perform these days as the conditions are not the same.
We had houses with ages from 11 - 18, 7 house monitors (one of whom did trades), 2 with studies.
Nothing like today's Houses.