Obviously the boys school. Mile Oak Secondary Modern, girls netball team played the Knoll girls on several occasions, the place was off Hangleton Road on the left, really cold in winter.

Nice to see an unblemished copy (my own copy was mischievously defaced at the time) it would be even better if a higher resolution image could be accessed on enlargement, thus enabling identifications, at the moment it is just too soft.

Ian’s critical eye has not entirely dampened my enthusiasm for this tapestry of the massed ranks of the Knoll Academy for Young Gentlemen (thanks, James). Certainly, though, I had difficulty actually identifying many of those faces from the past. However, some were easy. Ironically, the first boy I identified was Ian himself -it must have been cold sitting cross-legged on the playground, and in late autumn in short trousers (ouch!), because surely this photo was taken about November if it was from 1959. The teachers are easy -got nearly every one of them -but does anyone know who that man with the Dracula haircut and sardonic look is. I can't place him. Bill Griffin looks marvelous -like one of those philosophers from the 1930s. And there's Ma Collings -ooooh. I haven't seen this photo in over 40 years I guess -it is one of those things I had completely forgotten about (so it must be when we were in 2G). And yet there I am; at least there I seem to be (how could I have forgotten?) -maybe someone could vouch for it. I found Alan and Colin Taylor and, I think, William Warwick and Gordon Hepworth, Michael Wood (I think), Barry Tutte (I think he's the one whose face appears to be half hidden by a tuft of hair from the boy in front), Wigley (not sure about his first name -William?), Hubert Osgood (I think), John Caldicott (definitely), and several others (Richard Montier, I think). But I can't see James for sure and I'm not sure if Geoff Stimpson is there, because the one I think he might be seems to be standing in the wrong row. Howard -can't see you -stand up, boy! Maybe someone out there has an undefiled copy bearing a full list of names. Looking forward to further comments.

Dont forget the AIR RAID PRECAUTION FILM filmed at the Knoll school at the beginning of WW2

Just found this page. I was at the Knoll from 1967 to 1972 so different era but same teachers! Bill Griffin taught french in the "new" language lab. My only memory of it was a magazine called Ca Va and playing Alright now by Free hence CSE grade 5 which my mum thought was good! I often quote " the Knoll Academy for Young Gentleman" to my grown up kids. Didn't know it came from Ben Gooders. We had a student teacher Jed Carwin who had a booming voice but no control. He said that normally phosphorous should be cut in water but as a small piece he wouldn't. Well of course a small explosion and loads of 15 year olds undoing the doors to the corridors and climbing out of windows. We ran into Gooders who said "you are meant to be the cream of the 4th year" and marched us back. Basil Whymark was our form teacher in 1st year and before you could sit down in the morning, he used to create a mathematical question which he threw at each boy and the next boy then had to add, subtract multiply, square root etc. If you got it wrong you got whacked on the hand with his music baton. Harvey was maths and he hated us cos of long hair in those days and we were not the brightest maths pupils. He became our form master in 4th year and we dreaded it but he was great to us and he was the one who got me the O Level. Sherwood well you got whacked with the slipper if last out of changing rooms which on reflection meant he whacked someone every PE lesson! He kicked me in the deep end at King Alfred swimming pool and I still can't swim. Lumsden for woodwork and Townsend for metalwork that consisted of countersinking holes in metal. Cooke for art who famously in our 1st year 1967 in 1st term said" listen to this lads" and played Sergeant Pepper album. Brilliant. Deputy head was Mutton. Dad Davies when retired worked for Inland Revenue doing the filing when I joined along with John Steer and Gary Pearson from same class. He was so proud of us and we played a friendly cricket match and he played and we had a great time. Remember the road runs and cross country around back of Greenleas. Road runs up Hangleton Rd to Grenadier along Nevill Ave to dog stadium and back along Old Shoreham Rd. Best time when we beat Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar at both football and cricket in same year. Boy, were they unhappy.

Rod wrote "But I can't see James".... Back row directly above Bill Griffin and Mr. Coop, standing next to Bernard Court :)

The "Dracula" man, if I have it correct, is Mr Chapple our form master 3G. He had the last classroom on the west corridor just by the music room.

Just found this page AND also my diary for 1959 and what information is hidden. I was at the Knoll from 1955 until 24 July 1959, as the diary says. The photo was taken on 30 April 1959 and, using my mate Barrie Tutte (I have just found out he died quite young in Saudi Arabia) as a fixed point, I have tried to name some of the guys, from memory. From his right starting with me, then Maurice Lloyd, Ken Feek, Chris Cole, unknown, Paul Ashenden, unknown, Richard Skipper, unknown, ? Tredgett, David (Sid) Ellis. Please accept my apologies if you are an "unknown" and please send me an email to correct it. If we all band together we should be able to name everybody including the teachers - a big challenge. I mentioned I left the Knoll on 24 July 1959 and, after saying farewell to teachers and mates, I walked home with Barrie Tutte as he lived on my way and, unfortunately, never saw him again. That email is : mrhookham@yahoo.co.uk

On Monday 7 November 2011. You are all very welcome to the next meeting of The Knollites Group held at St. Richards's Hall, Egmont Road, Hove (1400 -1600). £2 will welcome you with tea and biscuits and a talk about Magnus Volk. Please bring any photos with you of the the time and of you and your famlies. See you there.

My god, this is turning the clock back, I recognise myself in the second photo second from right, second row at front. Also Jack Liddell the PE teacher, Basil Whymark (music), John Prieme (can't remember what he taught but nice bloke anyway) and of course Eric Dellar. I remember well Derek Lawrence (Maths teacher) and John Gooders (metalwork and deputy head). I met John Gooders many years later and we had a long chat about the "old days" It would be nice if somehow we could get a full size copy of this photo, any suggestions anybody? 

FAO Peter Wyles and All. I have an original of the school photograph which is on loan to me from my school mate Chris Cole. Are you local? I will bring it for you and anybody else to see if you can make it (Knollites Group Meeting - details below) and for us all also the photos of the "play" with Chris Cole, Jeremy Kemp and ? Morgan et al, plus Basil Waymarks' Recorder Group 1959. Also the Rock Group "The Devils" (eat your heart out Michael Hall). See all you Guys and Girls at the next meeting on Monday 26th March of The Knollites Group at St Richards Hall, Egmont Road, Hove (14.00 - 16.00). £3 will get you a cup of tea or coffee and a talk of local interest plus you can exchange hundreds of memories. See you there.