IT’S how classrooms used to look – desks and chairs in neat rows, a blackboard and chalk, well-groomed children and staff, and everyone hard at work.

This was the scene in a class of eight-year-olds at Wolvercote Primary School, Oxford, in the 1946-7 school year.

Although headmaster Mr Fallows is in the picture, the class teacher was Mrs Taylor, whose maiden name was Parker.

The picture was sent in by regular contributor Val Faulkner, of Raymond Road, Bicester, who, as Valerie Drewett, is in the back row.

Mrs Faulkner, who started at the school, in First Turn, in 1943, writes: “We were taught the essentials for a good and decent life, by dedicated teachers who encouraged and cared for us as their own.

“Miss Pratt instilled a love of English Literature, and Miss Parker my great interest in natural history.

“Mr Fallows, our highly respected headmaster, was a towering figure, representing all the virtues of integrity, loyalty and responsibility.”

He also expected pupils to be punctual, as Mrs Faulkner found out.

She arrived late one morning to find the school gates locked and had to sneak through the main central doors, near the headmaster’s office.

“I went quietly through the door, into the corridor, which was empty, past the dreaded office – so far, so good, when, suddenly, from behind, a voice boomed: ‘Drewett, come here.’ “Mr Fallows had appeared as if by magic and demanded to know why I was late.

“I gave some paltry excuse, which brought a half-smile to his face.

“’Get on’, he said. ‘and don’t do it again.’ “I sped off, thinking Pop Fallows is not as strict as he would have us believe.

“I loved Wolvercote School and all who were there with me, and still do.”