In 1954, Mrs Eva Murray-Browne, who was the wife of a Doctor and lived in Stonehouse, saw that there was a need for an affordable local school which offered excellent education.

She was a mother of four children and she originally founded the school in her home which was called the Mount.

The school originally started with just fifteen pupils round the dining room table but now has more than 70 and is known by a different name - Hopelands Preparatory School.

John Tuffin attended the school from 1954 to 1956 together with his brother and sister. Here are some of his recollections from his time there.

“I have abundant memories of The Mount, as it then was. (Hopelands was the name of the house where it later moved, further up Regent Street).

"Mrs Murray-Browne was the Principal and never far away. On a day-to-day basis the school was run by two friends, Miss Gallie and Miss Bowmer. They were talented teachers. Miss Bowmer was very musical.

"Other teachers were Miss Alliston and Miss Saint. In keeping with the Parents National Education Union tradition, various mothers used to come in and help as well.

"Apart from the three Rs we learned some general culture about Roman history and Greek legends. We started French, read Bible stories, and had a lot of music.

"When I was about six, we had Picture Study. Each term we were given a book of reproductions of about 10 paintings by a single artist. Every week we spent a period looking at one of these and discussing it.

"I did Vermeer, Gozzoli and Memling. Vermeer and Gozzoli struck a particular chord with me, and I still have one of the Gozzoli reproductions.

"We also spent a lot of time with games of all sorts, drawing and painting, sewing and crafts. In the summer we played rounders outside.

"The food was excellent and abundant, and we had lunch in Mrs Murray-Browne’s dining room.

"I have only good memories of Hopelands."