The cane, Scottish dancing and a freezing walk across the schoolyard to the toilet

Yet they were days that so many of you still remember and many with fondness.

They were recalled by Hartlepool Mail readers when we asked them what they remembered of Lister Street School. We featured a photograph of it on social media.

Les Lord Wallis had particular memories of those times and recalled a teacher who “regularly rapped pupils across the knuckles with a ruler. I remember having to cross the yard to go to the toilets. I remember being a milk monitor too.”

Lesley Hill said it was “my school” and added: “Lived over the road on Osborne Road so was a couple of minutes into the school yard before school lol.

“Can only remember a few of the teachers now.”

Helen Lisa recalled: “Spelks in ye bum when you sat down too fast lol.”

And Margaret Wall remembered: “The cane across my hand and the slipper for not doing Scottish dancing, or talking in assembly.”

Our thanks also go to Barbara Duffy who had some great memories of the area even though she did not go to the school. “I lived in a nearby street but went to a Catholic school.

“However the school was open certain nights for children to use the playground.”

She also recalled: “A paper shop called Orams was on the corner of Osbourne Road. I am 76 years October. I had my hair done in the hairdressers corner of Osborne Road the morning I was married.”

She also told us that she lived in Benson Street.

A string of other followers also got in touch including David Wheelhouse who said: “Went there with the new starters in September 1971 from West Park while the school was getting finished. Was only at Lister Street for about 5-6 months till West Park was ready.”

Jodi Leigh Hargie remembered “being freezing in class,” while JackieAnd Brian Smith told us: “I went there but over 60 years ago lol xxx.”

Lister Street School opened in 1899 and remained open until 1989. Lots of you told us that the site is now a housing area and Karen Foster said: “My aunt had one x.” Amanda Hansford chipped in and said: “We live on the old site now.”

Among those who liked the story were John Myers, Stuart Spurs, Sharon Shadforth, Brian Hart Jason Waite, Karen Foster, Helen Lisa, Darren Robson, and Debbie Tyreman.

We thank them all for showing an interest and would love to hear from more people with schoolday memories.

Get in touch by emailing [email protected]. Let’s share those wonderful reminders of times gone by.