School Matters 36

25

A VISITOR FROM THE 1960S

We were delighted to welcome Mr Matthew Copeland (OI, 1975) who came to revisit old haunts along with his wife Julia. Matthew joined IPS in 1968 attending as a part-time boarder, and his time covered the final years of Ibstock’s boarding provision.

Wartime aerial view of Richmond Park

WARTIME OBSERVATORY PIONEERS AT IBSTOCK PLACE

In 1975, the School began to phase out its boarding facilities to make space for the retention of pupils until the age of sixteen. Identifying himself and fellow pupils in archive photos

Mr Timothy Baker

Matthew is seated on the far right of the front row

A guest talk given by Mr Timothy Baker was delivered to scientists and historians in the Ballroom. His recent article, published in Antiquarian Astronomer , identifies the history of the first radio observatory in Britain. Erected under highly secretive conditions in Richmond Park during the Second World War, this radio observatory was crucial for discoveries made by Stanley Hey (operational leader) and his team. When Ibstock Place House was requisitioned by the Army Operational Research Group in 1942, the headquarters for the radio observatory project were moved into the house, making it the centre of this operation. Fascinatingly, the precise location of the observatory in the park has only recently been established through contemporaneous photographs and comparison of background trees. Although the project was largely unsuccessful in its original aim of offering early warning of Luftwaffe bombers approaching London, after the war the science behind the team’s efforts informed the development of radio telescopes such as the Jodrell Bank Observatory, and space age research into meteoroids, quasars, pulsars and many other cosmic phenomena. We are most grateful to Mr Baker for revealing yet another fascinating chapter in the School’s history and Ms Platt, the School’s Archivist, for organising the event.

from the 1970s, Matthew shared fond memories from his school days. He was reminded of the principles he learned in his Latin lessons, principles which subsequently enabled him to learn foreign languages quickly: a valuable skill which helped him on his extensive global travels in later life. While touring the School, Matthew reflected on the many changes to the campus since his time as a pupil. Up Main House’s grand staircase, past Reception, one presently finds administrative offices and a few classrooms. In Matthew’s day as a pupil, most of these were dormitories. In the offices to the right of the landing were the boys’ dormitories, while offices to the left past the

staircase belonged to the girls. Classroom M8 was the boys’ bathroom, as Matthew noted, and included several bathtubs against the far wall. This visit was a real treat for us, offering a glimpse to us of what life used to be like at IPS. We look forward to keeping in touch with Matthew, and eagerly anticipate future visits from more of our alumni. Ms Angela Platt, Archivist

VISIT OF MR TIM CUNIS

Former pupil and PTA chairman, Mr Tim Cunis, regaled us with stories of his attendance at IPS from 1948–1952. Whilst taking a tour around campus, Mr Cunis reflected upon how things used to be. Where Reception currently sits, he noted, used to be the entrance into Mrs Priestman’s office (the Headmistress from 1934–58). Around the corner from reception was the ‘naughty bench’: a waiting space for children bound to see the Head. Whilst exploring the Main House, Mr Cunis recollected his former classrooms, including Mr Jacob’s Form II, in which he listened to a weekly BBC Home service programme about evolution. This followed a school visit to the National History Museum which was a highlight of that year. He still has the accompanying book he picked up!

Mr Tim Cunis