Banstead Village

Hi Mr Hayes was a child abuser. I was beaten by him with a cane for no reason. If that had happened today he would be be answerable to criminal charges so please don’t kid people has was strict but fair. We should not pretend things like this didn’t happen and sweep it under the carpet. Allan

Note from LNW: This contributor's comments express his own view and BHRG is in no position to confirm them or otherwise. It should be noted however that historically, the cane was an acceptable method of maintaining discipline, and its use at the time was not considered as abuse.

The new block was actually in use before 1976. My year was the first year to stay the extra year: 1973/4. However, the building was not ready for Sept 1973, so we spent the first autumn term at White Lodge in The Drive, the Red Cross hut I believe.

I remember Mr Hayes, indeed in my final year at the school 1955-6 I was the 'Headmaster's Monitor'. This meant a bell would ring in Form 1 classroom from time to time and I had to immediately stop what I was doing and go to Mr Hayes to complete some task. The cane was certainly in use in the school, as was normal (and legal) at the time, but fortunately I never experienced it and don't remember any complaints about its excessive use.

I certainly remember Mr Hayes the headmaster of the Banstead Junior School whose lash of tongue I experienced to set my opinion of him and his methods. Back in 1956 we school children were directed towards a garden area at the rear of the Police Station to engage in a lesson entitled ‘gardening’. This activity must have been on the curriculum for the best part of the school year and I imagine involved several classes at different times. Our basic function was to tilth and cultivate this rough area ready for planting out vegetables, for whom the produce was grown, I do not know but could reasonably guess. During the course of one session, hardly a lesson, the question was asked, to all of us by our esteemed headmaster to identify a disagreeable plant that was quite close to me....there was a silence and thought I would answer ... a ‘stinger Sir’ I responded , which I now bitterly regret. Hayes complexion changed twofold, one with the cold we were enduring being outside and secondly my answer. ‘STINGING NETTLE’ he bawled several times each with increased volume and nearing my location with each step.
This was 65 years ago and I still vividly remember the incident. Understandably my confidence reached a nadir that took some time to recover. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to rediscover my confidence and enjoy a career in management and quite honestly Hayes and his methods would have been shown the door before the morning had ended along with Fenton whose interest in the girls attending his class was unhealthy to say the least.

NOTE FROM LNW: The 'stinger' story and many any others are retold in a BHRG publication by Peter Wells titled Banstead Urchins. Visit the main BHRG site (www.bansteadhistory.com) and follow the publications link.

I remember Mr Hayes with great fondness. I received the cane several times and it was always dealt with reluctance and I always felt I had let him down. He WAS fair, but strict, and he allowed his staff a lot of freedom for progressive teaching. Take John Soper's gospel Lords Prayer at morning assembly for example. He was most proud when our sports teams performed well. I refute the claims he was abusing his position in any way. Those years were tough, but you had opportunities. I was sad when he retired just after our trip to Skipton in Yorkshire and was lucky we had him. Mr Norris at Nork Park was the other extreme...drunk at 9am😂

Henry Charles Hayes was headmaster of the Junior School in Banstead between 1953 and 1978, so that includes two years (1953-55) when I was there. Anyone of my generation will remember that corporal punishment was the done thing at the time, and it was practised widely at Banstead County Secondary School in Picquets Way throughout my stay there between 1955 and 1960.

Judging by the Banstead County Junior School daily log (which is held in the BHRG archive), Mr Hayes seems to have been popular enough. Take, for example, these three entries which were written as he was about to retire in 1978:

13 and 14 July 1978: Musical concerts were held on these evenings. Mr Wallis, Area Education Officer, attended on Thursday evening. On Friday evening, “This is Your Life, Mr Hayes”, a tribute from the children and staff, was substituted for the printed programme.

22nd July 1978: An informal gathering of past and present members of staff, parents, former pupils and friends was held in the school this evening. Presentations were made to Mr and Mrs Hayes and the gifts included a greenhouse, chain saw, camera, binoculars and a tea trolley and electric kettle. Tributes were paid by Miss Carter, Deputy Head, by Mr Gowers (representing parents), Mr T Jones (former member of staff), and by Mrs Ledwich, chairman of managers, and Mr T Cooper, former pupil.

28th July 1978: During morning assembly further presentations were made to the retiring headmaster by the children. These consisted of colour slides of school activities, books, a cheque and a book containing self-portraits of all the children. This is the last active day’s service for Mr H.C. Hayes and Mrs E. Hayes. School closes today until September 5th, when Mr Stevens will take over the headship of the school.

Incredible that the comments on this page don't mention another famous BMS senior year teacher who had more than a passing penchant for young girls. I should probably say infamous, in truth. My wife was one of many who felt his hand going up her leg. The girls in her year were so spooked by him that they barracaded their bedroom door on a school "away trip". It's always amazed me that more has not been said of this person's behaviour since the #metoo movement. Perhaps the girls who's lives he touched - no pun intended - would rather let his memory fade, especially as he's been dead some years.

Hi,

Is the "Banstead County Junior School daily log" available online? I've had a long but cannot locate it. Thank you.

Response from LNW: Tim, no the log is not publicly available online but can be accessed by Banstead History members for research purposes.

Thank you LNW - I should look at joining BH.

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