Figure 1.--Trawling through my welfare file I found my first School report sent to my parents in 1941. Notice that there is no history, but French and Latin is added at the bottom.

We arrived in America just in time for school. School began only a few days after we arrived. I recall being interviewed with my brother by the Superintendent of Schools, a Mr. Manser. We had taken our English school reports with us. I recall no test though. I had wonderful teachers in America. Integration was a bit difficult. I was 9, nearly 10 years old when I went to American School. I was put in the 6th grade which was the last year of elementary or primary school as it is usually called in Britain or Europe. so the rest of my class were 2 years older. I started school in UK when I was nearly 4 years old so I had a head start. I wore my prep school suit for a few weeks until the weather turned cold and I went into longs. Socially it made life difficult, but my classmates were tolerant. I was used to having an older brother and so having twenty-five older 'brothers' and 'sisters' was not the challenge that my brother had in junior high school.

Placement

We arrived in America just in time for school. School began only a few days after we arrived. I recall being interviewed with my brother by the Superintendent of Schools, a Mr. Manser. We had taken our English school reports with us. I recall no test though.

Arrival

It was Hadley Junior School in Swampscott, Mass. That was what the Americans called an elementary school, meaning a primary. I remember clearly my first day. I was wearing my grey short trousered English Prep School suit. I was met with curiosity in the play ground. Kids gather around me and my brother, who was similarly attired. We were bombarded with questions. If we had come from outer space I don't think we could have caused any more interest. The kids were wonderful. They must have heard that there were evacuees from Europe around. They were extremely helpful. We of course had entered the boys part of the playground and I didn't meet up with the girls until we went into school.

My Teacher

I had wonderful teachers in America. And my teacher Miss Walker was one of them. She was something else. She enthused us all. I had never been in a state school before and the Elementary school was about ten times larger than any school I had attended. I loved it, except we didn't do sports.

Pledge of Allegance

I was shown my class room and the teacher Miss Walker introduced me. My first surprise was saluting the flag and reciting the pledge of allegance. We had had morning prayers as the start of the morning in England. This was quite different. In due course, I learned the words and pledged my allegance too. At first we used to salute the flag in a manner not dissimilar to the Nazi salute. When America entered the War (December 1941) or a bit before, this was changed to the hand was held across the breast, which is the custome now I believe.

Integration

Integration was a bit difficult. I was 9, nearly 10 years old when I went to American School. I was put in the 6th grade which was the last year of elementary or primary school as it is usually called in Britain or Europe. so the rest of my class were 2 years older. I started school in UK when I was nearly 4 years old so I had a head start. Socially it made life difficult, but my classmates were tolerant. I was used to having an older brother and so having twenty-five older 'brothers' and 'sisters' was not the challenge that my brother had in junior high school.

Academics

I was adhead of my age group when I went to America and although not quite 10, I entered the 6th grade. My fellow classmates were 11 and 12 years old. My subjects were a little different than that of my classmates. I was not included in the history lessons that the others in my class had. It was never explained to me just why. I have a perception that it was felt I might be upset by the American slant on the subject! I had already started French and Latin back in the U.K., so these subjects were added to my curriculum. History was lost to accommodate this change. (Back in England after I returned I entered the science stream, as medicine was my aim. Thus I never had history lesons at school after age 9 years. I am making up for it now!) Because I had already done Latin and French in England, special arrangements were made for me to cross the bridge to the Jr. High and have those lessons over there. While my classmates were taking history, I instead went to next door to take these subjects in the Jr. High. Being with 7th graders was a bit daunting at 9 going on 10 years old. I was bored as I had altready done what they were doing, and I didn't work. I didn't care for the teacher either and I switched off. I got consistent D's and E's.

Broadcast

About six in our 6th Grade class made a broadcast on local radio about the differences between American and English Schools, soon after my arrival. One of those chosen was Dick Bamforth who became one of my best friends. I have a newspaper cutting some where of us standing in the studio, which was sent to my parents. If I find it I'll send HBC a copy.

Testing

My class had standard intelligence and comprehension tests. A apparently my reading was on the eight grade level showing a reading age of 13 years 6 months. (I was 10 years old). My vocabulary was equivalent to 13 years 4 months. I was third in my class of 30. My I.Q was 130. There were two students better, two equal, twenty two below and four not tested. (This is good for my ego!)

School Clothes

I wore my prep school suit for a few weeks until the weather turned cold and I went into longs.

Letter Home

Tucked away in Dad's Deed Box I found a wonderful letter from the Deputy Headmistress of the school to father--apparently at the time letters were addressed to father. All mail from America seems to hsave been opened by the British censors. I will attach the envelope. You can see where it was opened by the censor. The letter is very fragile, being written on Air Mail paper. Air mail at the time was excpensive. As a result, it doesn't scan clearly. I may be able to tweek it up sometime. The letter which accompanied these reports explains the set up of the school, explaining that I would have most of my lessons (Latin and French excepted) with the same teacher as I was in elementary school. Graham would move from class to class for each lesson as he was plasced in the Junior High School. She explains that some marks are in grades and others in percentages. This was a statutory requirment needed for placement in High School. Although Graham was in the 8th grade he was a bit behind in Maths and used to attend both 7th and 8th grade maths classes. Apparently he got extra tutoring in the morning so he could eventually catch up. (Both of were ahead in Maths when we got back to the UK.) One passage read, "I find that Alan and Graham are a year younger than their classmates. I should be interested to know at what age they started school, and how long the school year has been. Do we have longer holidays? You can understand that we shall feel somewhat chagrined if the only explanation is the quality of the instruction!" She added that like all normal boys we both took advantages of opportunites for mischief! (This is blantant sexism!- In today's PC world)