Henry Harbin - The Student Experience
School Structure and the School Day
Later on, the school increasingly focused on technical subjects but between the 1960s and the 1990s there was still an emphasis on vocational subjects. In the mid-1980s, every student was expected to undertake at least one practical subject ranging from woodwork to metallurgy and cooking.
The nature and structure of the school day changed as time went on. During the 1980s, the school timetable was split into two-hour sessions, broken up by breaktime, and later lunchtime. Overall, the school day consisted of around five to six hours of lessons.
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In their free time, students were prohibited from loitering in the school corridors. Few exceptions were made, with the library being one of the few open indoor areas. Here, students would spend their time reading, catching up on homework, or playing chess. The library helped act as a place of safety for those who would otherwise have been victimized during the periods of free time. Bullying is discussed further below.
Student Participation
Prefects and head boys played an important role in the school. They were required to attend Speech Days in the presence of the headteacher and the mayor. This was recorded in the 1963 The Harbinger school magazine by head boy S. Archer.
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There were high expectations for talented students. For instance, one girl gained an A level at the age of 16 around 1987 thanks to the encouragement of the school. This tradition began earlier, as Henry Harbin Boys' School had sponsored a student to undertake physics at Bournemouth College in the 1960s.
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Interaction with teachers extended beyond the classroom, with students encountering their music teacher, Mr Lewin, playing Jazz at Damerham near Fordingbridge. Even then, he would encourage the students to participate. This love of music was infectious according to many first-hand accounts from other students. In 1984 he organised the visit of American jazz musician Kenny Davern. Spontaneously, Mr Lewin, Mr Davern, and student Shelly Mckon began to play their instruments in unison.
This passion in their subjects continued to be fostered by teachers such as Mr Lewin. Overall, there was widespread enthusiasm to participate in plays and concerts. As shown with the school choir, during the mid 1960s many students participated.
This is an extract from the 1965 The Harbinger school magazine which demonstrates the widespread passion that existed for participation in music based productions.
With thanks to Dr I.Smith for their permission to reproduce this photograph of Lolanthe.
School Plays and Concerts
School plays were a considerable part of the musical and creative arm of Henry Harbin School. One fantastic example of the lengths that students went to for the best visual effects and authenticity is when they had their hair styled to look like girls for their production of Lolanthe.
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After the merger, these school plays and concerts continued with boys and girls participating together in musical performances. This is well demonstrated in the 1985 An Evening of Music concert programme, with the post-interval performance list demonstrating the joint venture.
School Trips and Extracurricular Activities
School trips remain an important part of the school experience.
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Recent popular destinations include France, Italy, and the United States. Previously, destinations included Belgium, Germany and places as far off as Israel. During the 1960s, according to The Harbinger magazine, several European tours took place which covered great distances through countries such as France and then later Switzerland.
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After school clubs also played an important role. There was a History Club which undertook its own trips to places of historical interest. Destinations included Hampton Court Palace and H.M.S Victory in Portsmouth.
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There was also a Canoeing Club. Students participated in camping, hikes and water-based activities. Impressively, the club created its own canoes.
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There were a lot of school sporting clubs, with football and rugby remaining longstanding favourites. Interestingly, boxing was a popular sport between schoolboys in 1963. Henry Harbin boxing boys were extremely successful, being county champions.
Bullying
Bullying was experienced by students at Henry Harbin. This became especially problematic during the mid-1980s. Interestingly, this was not long before the desire to change the school name and status by John Short. One of his reasons was to help shake off the label of 'Secondary Modern,' as the term had become viewed in an increasingly negative manner.
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As expected, teachers did their best to act when and where bullying became obvious, with particular members of staff such as Mr Thurlow making clear his attitude of zero tolerance towards would-be victimizers.
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It appears that cases of bullying have reduced in number greatly over time. This is thanks to both the high expectations of staff and the opportunities that arise from the presence of a sixth form and many school clubs. Yet, as with every other school, Poole High is now having to contend with bullying and other significant issues within the digital sphere.
Attached is a small clip from an interview with a Henry Harbin student who expierenced bullying.