Jane Wood's TGS 120 Chapter 

I attended Tonbridge Girls Grammar School between 1958 & 1965 – I was in Slessor House.  At that time miss Arnold was the head mistress.

Two particular incidents I remember with teachers were:

A misty morning, when I was in 2A, and PE was our first lesson the whole class disappeared to the far end of the field, overlooking the railway line and hear Miss Wood (who was probably suffering from arthritis) call out “2A, 2A, where are you 2A!”

Due to problems with my back, for some years I had to have remedial exercises and go to 2nd lunch – on one occasion the meal was Irish Stew and Miss Mallard had chosen to head the table where I was sitting amongst older girls – when I didn’t succeed in clearing my plate I was told “You deserve to live in a Refugee Camp” (this was about the time of the “Freedom from Hinger Campaign”).  Needless to say, for a somewhat shy girl this was upsetting and has been etched in my mind.

During (I think) my first year at school I was in the Slessor team for the General Knowledge House Quiz – though I had difficulty finding the room it was in and arrived late!

Outside school, I was actively involved in the 5th Tonbridge Girl Guides.

I achieved 8 O levels & 3 A levels (Pure & Applied Maths & Physics) and then attended University in Cardiff, where I studied Maths, followed by an M Phil at Queen Mary College London.   After College I joined the staff of the Bank of England and worked for them for 27 years both in Threadneedle Street, London and latterly in Gloucester. The Sections I worked on were Mathematical Techniques, Economic Forecasting, Manpower Planning, Personnel and Dividend Accounts.  While working in Personnel, I studied and became a Graduate of the Institute of Personnel Management. I became a Member of the Institute of Personnel Management in 1988.

When the Department in Gloucester closed, I was made redundant with a pension and worked voluntarily with a small Charity, Listening Post until 2020.  I now volunteer with the Gloucestershire Family History Society, where I am responsible for their Library as well as assisting visitors to the Resource Centre with their research.

Jane Wood