RGS SIXTH FORM MEDICALS T H E E A R LY D AY S BY STANLEY ASHMAN (41-52) Having successfully negotiated the O Level examinations, or School Certificate, as they were called in my days, the choices for those continuing at School were to enter the Arts, Science or Medical Sixth forms. Those opting for the Medical Sixth were the boys (RGS in that era being an exclusively boys’ school) who wished to follow a career in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary surgery. In addition to RGS boys, I recall, the class was occasionally joined by pupils from other schools, which did not offer courses leading to medicine.
The 2015 Penrith Reunion. Stanley in the front row, fourth from right
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he course of six terms duration consisted of Chemistry, Physics, Botany and Zoology. After the first three terms, the Subsidiary School Certificate (now A Level) was taken in Physics and if successful, the subject was discontinued. The latter three terms were devoted to those remaining three subjects alone. There was also a weekly lesson conducted by the Headmaster, Mr Mitchell after 1948 until I left school, when all manner of subjects from politics to philosophical matters and what might be described as ‘lifesmanship’ was discussed in groups. In addition, it was expected that the Medicals should take part in other school activities such as sport, intellectual games like Chess, the Debating Society, the Combined Cadet Force and others. From the 1940s to 1950s the Chemistry masters (their title in those days!) were Charles George and David Layton (49-60); Physics was taught by George Dean (24-67); Botany and Geology by George Pallister (26-66). These men were all talented teachers and when examinations came along, success was assured if you had a perfect knowledge of Mr Pallister’s notes. Botany and Zoology took up a large part of our time and was taught in the building on the south side of the school field, also housing the Woodwork and Metalwork classrooms, as well as Donald Meakin’s (24-65) Geography classroom. Next to this large block was the Rifle Range, the base of the CCF. These buildings were swept away to allow for construction of the City Centre by-pass.
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