Central School, Lowestoft, Whapload Road, Central Council, No. 15A

Introduction
This journey began when I was asked to look into the life of one extraordinary teacher, Miss Ivy Irene Lowman, who taught at Central School in Lowestoft between 1939 and 1942. It ended with realising that all of the Central School teachers were extraordinary in their own, make-do, carry-on, don't grumble way. Miss Lowman earned medals; the others did not, but they all deserved them.

The story of Miss Lowman and the teachers and children of Central School, Lowestoft, is hidden in a logbook of day to day activities. A fat, business-like ledger, it's buried in the Lowestoft Records Office and is one of those dusty remnants of bureaucracy that in the last 77 year probably hasn't been off the shelf longer than it took to dust it and put it back. As a retired teacher, I can read the rhythms of the school, I can hear the children, and most of all, I can read between the lines and feel the pride, the fear, the profound sense of responsibility and love these teachers had for their children. The children are the focus of the teachers, but the story is about the teachers themselves.

This extract is short. It's only 50 pages spanning 1939 to 1942 and the cursive hand is large and sure of itself. There is only one misspelled word and no blots. It is in turn funny, frustrating, heartbreaking and, most of all, courageous. I challenge you to read the first 10 pages and then I defy you to stop reading.

We will start with Miss Lowman....

- A. Taylor, 2019

Ivy Irene Lowman →