I remember in 1940 or possibly 1941 St Mark's went on to half time. The school was open all day, but some of us attended mornings and some afternoons, alternate weeks. I'm not sure if it was because we were short of teachers, or if some of our teachers had to help out at other schools, due to the influx of evacuees. we had a few at St, Mark's but not many. This situation lasted several weeks.
It was much more interesting spending the afternoons down the Raikes, on the Canal, or up on Great Lever golf links than sitting in class.
My class were about to begin Algebra lessons but due to the crisis Mr Brickles decided to
omit the subject .There was great rejoicing amongst the boy's. However, two or three years later it backfired. I attended night school at Clarendon St, school. on the very first night, to my horror, the maths teacher chalked up Algebra for homework. a few of us told him we hadn't been taught it. He tried to teach us in two minutes. It just wouldn't sink in. I never went to the maths class again. I enjoyed the science and practical drawing classes.But by missing maths it was no use sitting the end of term exam.
At work my foreman asked if I'd pass night school, I said yes, this was true I did every maths night, on my way to the Tivoli picture house.
Brian Grundy Class of 1943