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Living in fear of Miss Ferguson |
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From the DET - date unknown. By Peter Alan Chambers, I WAS fascinated to read Barry Muir's piece about form 5A of 1947-8 at Derby Central School. I was a member of that class and dearly remember every single face and name, but confess that I never knew Nobby Clark's real name was Robert! Other class members I recall were Peter Hanks, Gordon Warner, Roy Berkin, Gordon Humphries and Donald Dunnidiffe; and there are probably five or six who do not immediately come to mind. Sadly, Peter Cotes and Clive Anthony (Tony) Smith died some years ago but, apart from teachers, I have not heard of any other members of the class who are now deceased. With regard to English homework, what Barry failed to mention was that Miss Ferguson worked it on a sliding scale A to E. Anyone with a D or E was automatically caned with utmost relish and strength, each stroke delivered with unerring aim. Of all the teachers I knew at Central School, male or female, Miss Ferguson was the one who was feared. All the others, even those in the minority who resorted to the stick, were genuinely respected. But she was truly feared and reinforced her presence by insisting that we addressed her as not Miss, but at all times as Miss Ferguson. I wonder if there are many female teachers around nowadays who can assert that kind of power over boys. I can vouch for the fact that during my time at Derby Central School there was never the slightest hint of the disruption, dissent or anti-social behaviour that teachers have to put up with today. Our education was all the better for it and we learned willingly. Source: Barry Muir Additional note from Barry: In 1944 I found that the dreaded Miss Ferguson left on 1 Dec to take up an appointment in Devonshire and, on 2 Oct she was absent from school as she had lost her voice - returned 4 Oct. GBS took up duties as Head on 1 Dec. TIP: If you use the site Search Engine to look up Ferguson - you may be surprised what you find! |