John Knowles - retired headteacher

John Knowles was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1944 - lived as a child in Walthamstow, East London - went to St. Mary's CoE Infant School, Forest Road Junior School, William Morris Technical School all in Walthamstow - none of which still remain either standing or used as schools. He trained as a teacher at Norwich Teacher Training College, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich.

He taught at two Norwich schools: Clarkson Junior (later Middle) School and Colman Middle School.John became headteacher at three Norfolk schools: Topcroft Primary, Toftwood Middle, Colman Middle. Later he became an adviser for Norfolk LEA in Primary School Management.

John's interests include his grandchildren; writing; listening and playing music of all types; singing and playing in two local bands; collecting guitars; family history research; computing; British history & archaeology; collecting and reading books; the theatre and its history; the work of Noel Coward & George Orwell; sketching and painting, Just William books; politics; travel; and food and wine.

He is a writer for websites and publications

At Norwich Training College (Keswick Hall) he played with a band called 'The Bill of Rights' whose personnel changed according to the coming and going of students. They played on the same bills as Manfred Mann, The Kinks, Dave Dee etc., and Chris Farlowe. On becoming a teacher in Norwich he played in a duo for a while and later joined a band playing 40's rhythm and blues called 'The Oak Street Band', that became, at a later date, 'Zoot Suite'. Then followed 'The Mojo Band' playing unusual modern southern rock, and the 4heads a 60's band made up of those people who were at Keswick Hall College of Education with John and were members of 'The Bill of Rights'; the 4heads - all headteachers originating from Keswick Hall!

To contact John: johnknowles@hmsweb.co.uk

The 4heads - all headteachers originating from Keswick Hall. John Knowles is on the left.