What do you recall from your first day at school?

I haunted the Catholic school at the end of the road to my home; the children played outside, and slept on little canvas cots in the afternoon. If my Mother was looking for me, I could be found swinging on the railings, longing to join in. As I could read, she persuaded the local JM &I school to take me at four, and I loved it. A new school, I was dazzled by marble stairs, parquet floors, huge windows, so much light, lots of chatter and friends to play with on that first day.

When I started school at 5 the first term I had an older teacher and she made me sit on my left hand. I was behind all the other children and 2nd term we had a new younger teacher and she asked why me snd a boy were sitting on our hands and he boy was writing upside down. The relief we both felt when she said to the whole class that anyone who wanted to use their left hand could. At least three other people swapped hands at that point so must have been doing that for at least two terms.

Me too

I was five and so remember my first day at school it was Dawson infants in
Becontree Essex my mother took me in and the head mistress was Mrs Butterworth a lovely rather plump head mistress, I was taken to a classroom where loads of children were playing. My mother left me there and I was given an overall and sat next to a square water table where we were allowed to splash and use different items to fill and pour out the water, it was a lovely time best of all I made a friend Pamela B. We stayed friends till I moved away to Plaistow east London.

I remember spending the whole day desperately trying not to pee my pants!!! Not because I wasn’t toilet trained, but I was a very nervous and shy infant and the toilets were in a separate block, on the other side of the playground to the actual school, and I was too terrified to walk that distance on my own!! Ridiculous now I think of it!

Yes one of the biggest changes then (1956) and now is that we all walked to school, gathering more children as we got closer and vice versa on the way home. Chat en route an enjoyable part of the school experience.

cornergran

Absolute terror! An only child I had lived an isolated country life until I was 5 when my Dad secured work and housing in an urban area allowing me easy access to a school. I’d never really mixed with other children, saw cousins a couple of times a year, otherwise my life was with my parents and occasional time with farm workers who all seemed to be childless.

In a strange environment, no settling in visits back then, surrounded by other children, noise and a teacher who shouted I was immediately silenced, too afraid to speak.

Things settled eventually, I could read, write and count before I arrived in school and did well academically. However the anxiety in large, noisy groups has been life long. Although I’ve learned to cope and hide my anxiety group situations have never been comfortable. I learned to act confidently, as I suspect many people do. Professionally I’ve facilitated groups, run workshops and forced myself to speak out while never being comfortable with more than a few people. I still hold back in larger groups.

This could have been written about me. I've just had a light bulb moment; "anxiety in large groups being lifelong" applies to me 100%.
Only child
Didn't attend any playgroup or nursery prior to starting school, aged 5 in those days.
Moved due to dad's job pre school-age
Only saw cousins couple of times a year
Cried for 3 weeks apparently when I did start school and was 'left' each morning.

I then absolutely loved school as it became my social life, I actually didn't like weekends as I never saw anyone. Was a voracious reader (still am) but I still mix well and choose friends very carefully, feel very anxious in unknown circles.

I recall being ushered away from my mum and told she was in the next room so not to worry.
We had to lie down after dinner on an oval coconut mat with a cushion and close our eyes.
At home time I went in the next room and my mum wasn’t there,I was heartbroken!but she was at the school gate thank goodness!

I lived in a small town where everyone knew each other so I loved my first day at school with all my friends. Mum collected me to go home for lunch and a neighbour asked ‘how was school?’ Very nice thank you I replied to which she said Cocky little toad. It still makes me laugh.

I was dying to start school months before I did. I used to watch children coming home from school and envy them. When am I starting school I would ask my DM.
My first day I remember skipping along ahead of her. I was excited to meet and make friends with other children.
I look back and feel sad for my DM, watching me running ahead. One of my grandmothers had been a primary school teacher and I’m sure she had some part in preparing me for school.
Another factor in the 60’ - I walked to and from school each day, about 2 miles including crossing a B road. That was normal in those days.
Different times.

1971 - my first day at school.
I had been hanging over the back of the sofa watching the kids walk to school wondering when it would be my turn.
The day came - I was to wear a grey duffle coat with tusks for buttons. I hated it. I cried all the way to school. I cried so much I was sick in the playground. I decided I didnt like school.
The teacher let me go inside with her. I felt a bit better.
When it was time to go home again, I noticed that all the other kids were wearing the exact same duffle coat with the same tusks for buttons.
School wasnt so bad after all.

I vividly remember running into the little wooden Wendy house set up in a corner of the classroom and being entranced by the miniature copper saucepans there. I didn’t once look back at my mother, emotional at my first foray into a world other than home. Generally I loved my first school but then we moved from the North to Cornwall where at school I was made to feel like an outsider (even by the staff!) and teased because of my slight northern accent. Luckily my parents didn’t keep me there long but unfortunately had to pay for my primary education as there were no local places. My memories from the start of the little private school I attended from 8 are those of unadulterated bliss! I found a best friend and loved the beautiful gardens which were our playground. Happy memories indeed.

I remember my first day clearly too & like big louis & salti i too also decided school wasn’t for me & planned my way out. I put my hand up & asked to go to the toilet which I’d already noticed was close to the way out. Then ran all the way home across a road & remember stretching up to knock on the door. My escape didn’t last long before the school nurse came round to take me back to the dreaded school.

Age 7 - first day - brought to the front of class and had my hand smacked 20 odd times while being told I was a “naughty naughty naughty girl” She was called Mrs Richardson, a teacher at Ilkley All Saints School. My mother had to drag me screaming to school for weeks after that assault The reason? I was talking to another girl.
I can picture the scene in my mind to this day!

I remember vividly it was 1961 and my mum took me by the hand to my classroom we found my desk it had my name on a little card, and I sat down looked all around thinking is this it! I knew a few of the other little ones , I remember one boy clinging to his mum hiding behind her skirt crying his eyes out poor Robert Howard lol my friend who lived in my road sat next to me we were quite in awe, I enjoyed my first day but was tired. Came home at lunchtime. My mum picked me up I remember saying to her I loved the orange squash that was in a milk bottle and could we buy some. I couldn’t wait to go back to school loved the infant years, was fascinated by the loud school bell

I cried and cried, all day, feeling totally bereft.

I was put with a girl called Sarah, who was really pretty, and had a ponytail that swished from side to side when she walked.

I was taken out from the dining room, as my crying so much meant I couldn't eat, and was off-putting for others.
So my lunchtimes were spent walking around with a dinner lady, holding her hand.

My teacher was called Miss Duffy, and she wore a yellow mini skirt.
She had black hair tied with a yellow chiffon scarf, and I was put to sit next to her, during lessons, as my crying was disturbing everyone.

I'd been bought a school type desk, with a lift up lid, a few months before I started school. I loved books, reading and colouring so was extremely fond of my desk.

My overriding memory of that first day was sitting in the school hall with my mum and all the other children, waiting for my name to be called out.

I was quietly worrying that I hadn't brought my desk with me, because of course you need a desk for school. I can remember the tight throat and barely held back tears at I waited to be told off for not bringing a desk.

Imagine my relief when I was shown into a classroom full of desks! I had a lovely teacher called Miss Taught, which even at that tender age I thought highly appropriate.

I loved school, I'm still at my best when I'm learning, even approaching 60.

The things I remember about my first day at infant school was being taken there by the girl next door who was the year above, and that one of the boys cried for most of the day! I thought 'What a baby' and was consequently predjudiced against anyone with the same name.
Later on I remember always having to fasten the shoes of a boy in my class who couldn't tie his laces, and being told off for opening my eyes during prayers in assembly and feeling that was unfair as having to stand up with my eyes closed made me feel dizzy.
My final memory is of coming equal top of the class in my last year. Pupils were sat in seats in order of ther test scores and the girl I came equal with already sat in the top spot so I was allocated the 2nd place! I thought that was unfair too as she lost her mark for spelling whereas my lost mark was for neatness! Some little injustices you never forget!

I'm shocked about how little I can recall. The school didnt start until 5 years old so no naps or Wendy houses. Sitting in desks in twos. I was happy there mostly. Don't recall being upset on the first day.

Like others I'd been taught to read and copy letters and basic numbers, so I recall being left to read when others were learning.

Reading was taught/advanced with the "Janet and John" books. Reading them now is quite shocking - Janet was mainly on the sidelines watching John doing things!

Yes, learning times tables by rote and the navy knickers, but there wasn't a school uniform.

At home I'd worn mostly trousers and climbed trees and such like, I recall being cross I had to wear a more restricted skirt, girls definitely weren't allowed trousers.

Recall girls doing handstands in the playground, knickers all on display, and didnt want to join in. ON wet days we read comics indoors at playtime and I remember being "poorly" to be allowed to stay in and read comics.

Junior School was tough for many as it was streamed - A to D classes. (big school!)

D classes were looked down on.

Loved my Technical High secondary school, progressive, accepting.

My grandmother took me on my first day as I was living with her at the time. No preparation or even told me where it was. We had to sit on the floor for part of the day. It was very dirty and had a bit of poo on the floor next to me. I was horrified as my grandmother was very houseproud with no dust anywhere.

I went to school just after Easter, two weeks before my 4th birthday.
I remember being told to sit at a desk - I was so bored I thought they were all a bit dim. That afternoon I was taken by the teacher's 7 year old daughter into her class - bliss. I never looked back. I didn't realise that it was unusual to be able to read and write quite well at that age I thought it was normal. Later on I met others who were the same.

I was 4yrs 9 months when I started school and have no memory of my first day at all.
However, I vividly remember 1 month later when I had appendicitis, the pain was excruciating and I had to wait outside the headteacher’s office for her to take me home. Even though it was a cold tiled corridor, I lay down and curled into a ball.
After that most of my primary school memories involve skipping, races and other games in the playground 😄

Absolute terror. Did not want to go and by all accounts I hung on to my mother's skirts screaming. The school was opposite our house and I used to come home at playtime or lunch time and have to be taken back. Sometimes I'd go for a walk around the corner to my nana's house because that delayed the being taken back to school.

Oh my God, how absolutely terrible for you, shocking.

I remember the first day, I cried until both my handkies were wet. We were told to get into a crocodile, I was terrified! We had to hold hands with another girl and walk in a long line to the field but luckily there was no crocodile.