Harry Lucas School

[Peg Monkey]

1954, Ed? Couldn't have been HLS (didn't open as a senior school until 1958) was it Icknield St by any chance?
Peg.

[Edmund Fifield]

No Peg just comparing my school with yours

[Peg Monkey]

Life after HLS - Anyone remember their session with the career advisor? I think mine was in the 3rd year and lasted for about half an hour, I said I had ambitions to become an Architect - career advisor said forget it - you need O Levels, my second choice was Television Studio Technician, she was almost as negative about that.
I made an unsuccessful application for a place in the Lucas Apprentice School - selection process lasted all day (9-5, lunch provided) bitterly disappointed when told unsuccessful, some consolation: A best friend also failed to get in and he was much brighter than I was.
Did get a GKN Apprenticeship and studied Engineering and Management at The University of Central England, so not too bad an outcome.
Peg.

[Edmund Fifield]

Peg,Because I was very good at Maths I wanted to be an accountant,but the careers person said that they only took on people from Grammer school.So I finished up starting as a painter and decorator.Then got an apprentice as a motor Mechanic.Finished up in later life with my own Gardening Business.So profitable

[Peg Monkey]

Funny how things work out for the best, sometimes.
Peg.

[Peg Monkey]

1964 - I'm 15, in the 4th year at HLS and that's when the advert shown for a Ford Corsair Automatic below appeared. No price stated for that model but the ad says you can have a Cortina Auto for under £700 - good deal?
£700 in 1964 is worth around £9920 now, less than £10,000 for a medium sized car with an automatic gearbox? -  I'll let you decide.
Peg.

[Peg Monkey]

School dinners - I've applied similar % increase as the Cortina - for all my years at school (1954 - 1965) the cost of a school dinner was 1 shilling, 5p in today's money. 5p in 1964 is about 74p now, is that what today's children are paying for a 2-course lunch?
Peg.

[Phil]

Given that the Historic Inflation Calculator that I use says that 12d (a shilling) in 1964 is worth £2.39 today in 2018 and that School meals in Solihull cost £2.05  a day. I would say school meals as always are good value and cheaper than they were in 1964.

[Peg Monkey]

Hi Phil - School dinners, I think this supports the saying: There are lies, damn lies and statistics.
Inflation figures vary wildly (although they shouldn't) from site to site, 2 further sites I've checked state:
1 shilling (5p) in 1964 worth 70.85p now.
1 shilling (5p) in 1964 worth 99.70p now
It's also crucial to compare eggs with eggs - only roast style dinners in my day, no chips or pizzas (although I would not have minded!)
Peg.
P.S. I think the school's roast potatoes still the best I've ever eaten - but my wife doesn't need to know that.

[Phil]

The question stated 1964 not 1994 try this calculator


http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

[Peg Monkey]

Thanks Phil - slip of the finger, my figures were based on 1964 (my 4th year at HLS), my previous post corrected
Peg.