I failed my 11-plus and went to a comprehensive. Maths was my most hated subject, when along came a gifted teacher who saw something in me. Grade A at O-level and two Bs at A-level. Mrs Hall, you changed my life, thank you.
Gary Lock, Dorking, Surrey
Always loved my physics classes. I had a succession of great teachers helping guide my development towards a career in education. I’d amalgamate religious education with history, as that is where I’d like all religions to be relegated.
Chris Elliot, West Midlands
Applied science was as useful as a chocolate teapot when I transitioned into A-level physics and biology. If I had completed a more standardised GCSE it could have made that transition far more comfortable. Simplification of the curriculum seems a step in the right direction.
Adam Cox, Nottingham
Art was the best, I enjoyed that. Latin was awful but the best bit of that was scoring six in a test and having to say ‘sex’ out loud. The master always came back with “Said with undue relish, boy”.
Geoff Miles, Poole, Dorset
I found applied mechanics interesting but the lecturer got off to a shaky start when he first walked into the room and started to write his name on the chalkboard. He got halfway through, rubbed it out and started again, to which one student exclaimed “he can’t even spell his own name”.
Ken Stonehouse, Chelmsford
Chemistry – which often turned into practical aspects of explosives – with an enthusiastic young teacher was a sixth-form highlight. Could never understand RE and loathed the way English literature was taught – at least the “unclassified” does not feature on a certificate!
Roger John, Bridgend
I went to a grammar school and I will never forget my ‘careers’ advice that I was too clever to be an engineer! As a result, all the vocational subjects I did were in my own time – ludicrous.
David Waters, Isle of Man
Engineering-related topics are a fond memory but less so politics and religion. It is surprising where those that followed the latter topics are in societal terms when compared to those who continued with the former subjects.
Paul Harper, Isle of Man
Favourite: unquestionably physics because it was such a wonderful exploration of how the universe and everything works, and so logical. Least favourite: history – just getting stuffed full of facts. Did it matter why King Henry the Whicheveritwas fought the Battle of Agincourt?
Paul Russenberger, London
Loved maths and physics. I detested PE, and avoided it for two years by hiding in the school library reading engineering books.
Ron Pursell, Flookburgh, Cumbria
I detested Latin and art. It is only now that I begin to fully appreciate the complications that the snobbery of a classical education have created in medicine and biology by insisting on pseudo-Latin names.
Colin Devereux, Bristol
I studied ancient Greek for a while. The only benefit has been to remember the Greek alphabet, which has been useful for mathematics and engineering later in life. I also fondly recall woodwork classes. It means I can cut bread straighter than my wife.
Nick Schulkins, Winchester
I fondly recall technical drawing, metalwork and woodwork, where a real appreciation of how things work and can be made are learnt. This intellectual property has been part of the UK’s success and we must retain this in the future.
Glyn Norris, Bristol
I fondly remember maths, physics and chemistry as A-levels and believe that these core subjects are vital for engineering. I despair of the number of frivolous subjects now available: how these equip young people to deal with the demands of a real and valuable job escapes me.
Kate Hunt, Hampshire
I remember all science lessons as being interesting. You were allowed to touch things and do experiments then. In wood/metalwork you were allowed to use machine tools and welding sets – not just a blunt craft knife. But Shakespeare was a complete waste of time.
John Green, Darlington
Latin to O-level was one of the worst experiences of my life. At least thermodynamics has some use (I was hopeless at that too).
Roger Best, Kingsclere
Mathematics was my favourite. I liked the challenge of solving problems. Physics could have been made much more interesting – the quality of the teacher is important.
Chris Lowther, Alton, Hants
My school days are so long ago that all of the subjects are suffused with the glow via rose-tinted spectacles.
Geoff Buck, Newton Abbot
The most useless subjects are sociology, media studies, and personal, social, health and economic education. More useful subjects (science, electronics etc) will be sacrificed to reduce costs and to satisfy this government’s desire for a nation of politically correct, TV-watching morons!
Steve Collinge, Derby
Now we have satellites and satnav, can they drop geography?
Clive Scott, Manchester