Derek Jeffs |
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Surname
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Jeffs
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Forename
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Derek
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Date of recording
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June 2009
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Year of birth
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Place of Birth
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Aldeburgh
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Occupation
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Head teacher rtd
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Fathers occupation
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?
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Present Address
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Aldringham
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Location Interview
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Aldringham
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Interviewer
Summary |
Doreen Bartlett
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Duration
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59 mins
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No of tracks: 7
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This recording consists of 7 tracks.
Track 1 [20 secs] Introduction by Doreen Bartlett interviewing former Head Teacher of Aldeburgh Primary School, Derek Jeffs, on 12th June, 2009. Track 2 [10 mins] Derek Jeff mentions he was Head of Aldeburgh Primary School from 1977 to 1993. Describes how he only knew Aldeburgh because of his love of music and knew that Benjamin Britten, one of his favourites, lived here. Mentions that he saw the advert for the job in The Times Educational Supplement and he had his interview on the day of Benjamin Britten's funeral. Mentions that he had previously worked in Leicestershire, the Canaries, London, Hertfordshire and Clacton. Mentions that Aldeburgh school was built in the late 19th century, in 1870. Describes how on his pre-interview visit he was impressed by the children and the atmosphere of the school. Mentions that there was no staff room then and that the school secretary, Mrs. Cassidy worked behind what looked like a hospital screen. Also mentions Mrs. Lagrove a classroom helper. Remembers the secretary having to use a Gestetner machine for copying letters. Remembers he was interviewed in a large house opposite the Golf Course owned by Mrs. Agate. Mentions that he was surprised to be appointed as the other candidates included another Head teacher and also the Deputy Head from Aldeburgh, Chris Parfitt. Track 3 [10 mins] Mentions he could not afford to live in Aldeburgh so he bought a house in Aldringham, where he still lives today. Describes how the children at the school mainly came from the Plantation housing estate with a few children whose parents were doctors or solicitors. Mentions that although there was a contrast with the children they all got on and there was a great community atmosphere. Mentions the school governors, Mr. Cooney and a local doctor and his wife, and there were also two representatives from the Parent Teacher Association. Remembers that the Deputy Head, Chris Parfitt was very good at music and the school put on various musical productions, including the Wizard of Oz at the Jubilee Hall. Also mentions another teacher, Mrs. Barbara Maddocks. Mentions there were four classes in the school and he taught part-time with the help of a supply teacher. Mentions that he was the first teaching head, the previous head, Mr. Jack Grimwood, who was at the school for 23 years, did not teach. Also mentions that there had been only five head teachers from start of the school. Mentions the teaching assistant, Mrs. Lagrove, who helped with reading and also looked after the childrens' injuries, mentions that she was a 'Jack of all trades'. Describes how the lessons in those days were not ruled by the National Curriculum and that they had a more thematic approach to lessons. Track 4 [10 mins] Describes how the teachers used to take the children to the beach or across the salt flats for nature lessons. Mentions that many of the lessons had a nautical theme as they were next to the sea. Describes how he was always interested in pottery and introduced this to the school. Mentions that the school had a kiln that had never been used. Mentions that in those days the children did Fletcher Maths and he also talks about the reading programmes. Mentions that they had an excellent library at the school where children could borrow books. Remembers 1988 when the National Curriculum came in and talks extensively about the changes to teaching. Mentions the craft room at Aldeburgh School. This was a two storey wooden hut that was used for metalwork and woodworking classes but when the school became 5 - 9 years old only, the hut was not used and became a bit of a store room. Track 5 [10 mins] Mentions this has now been taken over by the local playgroup. Describes the portable swimming pool they had at the school and mentions that the children swam every day. Mentions that previously the children used to swim in the sea. Mentions that the teachers took the lessons after having tuition themselves from a swimming advisor. Later the children also went to the new pool at Leiston. He believes the portable pool now has a canopy over the top. Describes how the boys would walk to the playing fields to play football and the girls would play netball in the playground. Describes the annual sports days and mentions that there were four team houses in the school, two of which were called Wentworth and Crabb, he couldn't remember the other two. Mentions that there was no staff room and he and the teachers would have their meetings and coffee in the hall. However just before he left, the numbers of children dropped and the smallest classroom was taken over as a staff room. Track 6 [10 mins] Mentions the dinner ladies who helped out at lunch times, these were recruited locally and knew all the children. Describes how the school always had lunch in the school hall and this was cooked on the premises by two cooks, Mrs. Soames and Mrs. Teager. Describes how eventually this ceased and meals were brought in already cooked and served to the children. Describes what happened during 'wet lunches'. Mentions the school caretaker, John Vincent, who used to ride his bike to school. Mentions that he always wore khaki overalls and was in charge of all the cleaning and he also had to stoke the coal boiler during the winter months. Talks about discipline in the school and mentions that there was a cane and a punishment book in one of the cupboards but he never used it. Mentions that he did not really have any problems with discipline and always worked with the parents to sort things out. Mentions that most of the children walked to school and there was a crossing warden on Saxmundham Road by the roundabout to see the children from the Plantation safely across the road. Track 7 [8 mins 58 secs] Mentions that parents would come in to the school and help with the reading. There was also a very good PTA who raised money for equipment the school needed. They also helped out on sports days and any trips the school made. Mentions that most of the children came from Aldeburgh and the parents were very keen that their children should be happy at school and achieve a good standard of education. Describes that every year there would be a parents' evening when parents and teachers could discuss the child's progress. Describes the three tier system, Junior School, Middle School and Upper School. Describes when computers came into the school the first being very basic system using a tape recorder. Then they had an Amstrad and then the Research Machines. There is now a computer in every classroom. Finally talks about one occasion when he had to shut the school because of heavy snow. |