Comments on: The Stepney School Strike

By: Stephen Watts

Stephen Watts — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 14:43:55 +0000

Really good to think again about Chris Searle who is deeply active & supportive still. Just a note, if of interest, re. the final photograph where Chris is reading the poem with some of his old pupils in Gunthorpe Street (just by the White Hart pub). The three figures to Chris’s left, not former pupils, are Dan Jones, the poet David Amery (sadly no longer with us) & myself. Thanks & all bests

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:27:04 +0000

“Let the people know what you know.”

When people share their unique wisdom the world becomes bigger, smarter, wiser, more inclusive. Just — better. I loved learning about this inspiring teacher, and these dedicated students. I am grateful to begin my day, reading this story.

Onward and upward.

By: Maureen Buckle

Maureen Buckle — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:31:08 +0000

There were 2 teachers who wore gowns that I can remember, one was Mr Spanswick who was an Australian. He was quite amiable the other man with the cane I didn’t like very much.. I cannot remember his name. I believe the cane he used was to help him get around. Thinking back I believe he had a stroke. I left the school in 1969 but would have gone on strike had I still been there. There weren’t many teachers who would help those who weren’t very academic.

By: Cheryl Kuczynski

Cheryl Kuczynski — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:09:50 +0000

What a fascinating, uplifting piece of history. I’d love to know more about the strikers and how it, and Chris Searle, affected their lives.

By: achim

achim — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:21:42 +0000

Wonderful how the students fought for their teacher Chris Searle 54 years ago. Respect. — Here in Germany, there were and still are protests from time to time. It was once proclaimed: “Destroy what destroys you!”

In England, as we know, strikes also have a long tradition. The Welsh miners’ strike of 1985 is historic. Here is the fantastic music:
https://achimthepooh.de/media/wales_striking_miners_choir_shoulder_to_shoulder_1985.mp4

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Mathilde Grange

Mathilde Grange — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:01:35 +0000

We urgently need more children like those today, and more Chris Searles too. Thnak you, dear G.A.

By: Susan Hadley

Susan Hadley — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:27:27 +0000

What a brilliant story. It just shows the importance of an inspiring teacher.

By: ANDY STROWMAN

ANDY STROWMAN — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:20:19 +0000

Thank you Gentle Author for being the only person ever on the internet to ratify my life in photo form and prose and poetry as well as my brother Paul’s account of my Mum Rose Strowman which is available still to see on your many accounts.

By: Andy Strowman

Andy Strowman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:01:11 +0000

I owe Chris Searle a lot .
He was the first person ever to help me and help fulfil my dream and have my own book of poetry .
It sparkled and it was the first of a series to enable others to do the same.
I would like to thank Ron McCormick for allowing one of his photos to be the cover of the book .
Also Dave Swift for producing it and it was printed by John Brooks and published by Reality Press.

Chris also encouraged me and got another poem published in one of his books namely Bricklight as well as other poems in “Fire words”.

I feel sad it is so hard these days to get to read my poems in places of education . Even tough I got an enhanced DBS form. I would like to inspire people.

If any teacher is reading this my email is andy.strowman1@gmail.com

The secondary school system to me was largely a very damaging process .
I maybe wrong but I think Chris was not allowed for a time to teach again in Tower Hamlets and I met him in Brixton where he was teaching there.