ROGER EVANS

Whatever I did, I had to pass my 11 plus. If you went to the grammar school you were sure to get a good job and the rest of your life would be all rainbows.

- 

WHEN I look back over my school days, which I occasionally do, my best years were in the junior section of my school. During the years when I was aged about seven until 11, I was at my best and most successful.

I can’t remember all of it but I was a quiet, solitary child. What I can remember is that in one class you had to add up some numbers and if you thought you could do that then you had to take your book up to the teacher and she would test you. I didn’t find this particularly hard but I just progressed enough so that I didn’t draw any attention to myself.

I don't know what happened but one day I found it all quite easy so I went up to the teacher several times. In one morning I went from bottom 10% to the top of the class. The teacher announced my elevation to the whole class. This wasn’t what I was looking for.