In 1949/50 some pupils who had been successful in their School Certificate examinations were approached by GBS to persuade them to continue their education to the “new” A Level.

Initially it was expected that they would transfer to the Sixth Form of one of the Grammar Schools in the town. This did not work out and GBS decided that the Central School should have its own Sixth Form.

In the event only four pupils remained. They are shown in the attached photo with Ron Cooke, the first Sixth Form master.

From left to right Barry Foster, anon (his name will not come from my memory), Ron Cooke, Ian Smith and Brian Hopkins.

After A Levels, Barry went to Keele University and Brian to Southampton University.

I had no further contact with Brian but I did meet up with Barry when he was teaching English at a school in Wirksworth.