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Mile Oak Approved School

Demolition in 1977

By Ray Hamblett/Bernard Langrish

Photo:The former Mile Oak Junior Approved School for Boys

The website Missing Ancestors.com has a section on Industrial Schools which shows that the original name for the school was Brighton Town and London County Council Industrial School for Boys. It then became the Portslade Industrial School. From 1933 it became the Mile Oak Junior Approved School for Boys.

The Home Guard used the square rooftop parapet of the main building for air-raid watch in WWII. The photographer of these pictures Bernard Langrish was among the guard before he was called up for full active service.

I was attending the Portslade Secondary School in the High Street in the early 1970s. As part of our P.E. curriculum, groups of us were given the chance to use the small swimming pool on the site to take lessons with our sports teacher Mr Parkin. Facilities were very basic in the unheated pool area. The adjoining communal changing room was just large enough for about twenty boys to to struggle into costumes while trying to maintain some sort of male dignity

The school site was cleared in 1977 and is now an area of modern housing.

This page was added on 21/11/2007.

Comments about this page

To all concerned. I was so happy to see these photos
of Mile Oak approved school for boys. As I was there from 1945 until 1950. It brought back wonderful memories of the best years of my life. Also a tear to my eyes thinking of those
wonderful years, I only wish I could turn the clock back. I wish to thank the person for sending these pictures through. I will treasure them, for the rest of my life. My fondest regards to all, Trevor Whitworth.

By Trevor Whitworth (22/11/2007)

I was in Mile Oak approved school for some years at the start of WW2. I hear it's now destroyed, the headmaster at that time was a Mr Beal. I wonder if anyone has any pictures of the children to share_
I now live here in Switzerland.

By Jon Marshall (14/05/2009)

I do recall the Home Guard very well. They used to stay overnight in the gym, I also remember one night, one of the soldiers firing his rifle accidently. The gym was situated on the far side of a square from the front of the school.
If there is anyone who recalls these years, I would like them to please email me. Jaberwokie3@yahoo.com

By Jon Marshall (14/05/2009)

Hey Trev, its been a long time. Wouldn't change a thing of what I done.....

By Jim Riley (14/03/2011)

Hi Jim Riley. Yes it took a while for John Lomey to collect his thoughts to remember my nick name. I was in the boxing team as a reserve as I was the smallest kid in the school even a nipper when I left easter 1950. John Lomey left Christmas 1950 eight months after me. I also went to chelsea barracks with the lads Masters Chitty, yourself and John Lomey and the guy who was boxing instead of me. Mr Wilson was always matching us but the guy always beat me to the punch, but I can't remember his name. John thinks it may have been Roberts. There was a couple of other boys names I forget. Anyway I got in touch with John and lots to talk about. As there is still nothing of me still skinny with bad health. Had a bypass and lost my Thai wife to a lightning strike in 1999 which was my second wife of 12 years. Ok its always nice to hear from the old boys. I'm 75 october this year 2011 - you must be around the same age. Maybe you can remember me. Nick name Picklock & Jap. Obviously I remember the the names of the team, well some of them. Only real thing I was good at was running and gymnastics. All the best. Regards Trevor Whitworth.

By Trevor Whitworth (03/08/2011)

Hi, can anyone please help with info? What was the Industrial school, Portslade, and why would a 13 year old boy be in there in 1911?

By jackie (05/04/2013)