For nearly 50 years, Forelands Middle School in Bembridge stood high above the sea, shaping generations of Isle of Wight children – a seaside school remembered with real warmth and affection.
When Forelands opened its doors on 5th November 1970, it was officially declared open by Sir Alec Rose, the celebrated British yachtsman who had sailed solo around the world. His visit set the tone for the new school – bold, adventurous and proud of its coastal roots.
Set on Walls Road with sweeping views of the Solent, Forelands quickly became part of village life. Its pupils were aged 9 to 13 – the middle years between primary and secondary – and for thousands of local families it became a second home.
One former pupil recalled:
“It always felt like a family. Someone always looked out for you. The teachers knew everyone’s name – even your siblings.”
Many remember the smell of polish and sea air that clung to the classrooms, and the long walk up the hill that seemed to grow steeper every winter. Inside, though, it was pure energy – a mix of chatter, laughter and the clatter of chairs as lessons began.
Woodwork and cookery were among the highlights. The practical rooms were alive with sawdust, chatter and the sound of hammers. Another former pupil reminisced:
“The smell of sawdust in the workshop is something I’ll never forget. It was where I first learned to build something with my own hands.”
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Others remember how proud teachers were to show off pupils’ projects at open evenings – neatly painted bird boxes, wobbly stools and the odd lopsided spice rack.
Music, drama and sport gave Forelands its spirit. The annual school plays were famous across Bembridge, often filling the hall with parents, siblings and proud grandparents. A pupil from the 1980s remembered:
“The Christmas plays were amazing. Everyone got a part. It felt magical having the hall packed with friends and family.”
Sports days on the field overlooking the sea were another highlight. Teams cheered each other on in sack races and relays, while teachers tried to keep order with a whistle that never quite worked against the wind.
And then there were the dinner ladies – the unsung heroes of every lunchtime. Pupils still talk fondly about them, always cheerful and patient, serving up hot dinners and kind smiles. One former pupil said:
“They were always laughing. If you dropped your tray, they’d just smile and say, ‘Never mind, love, we’ll sort you out.’ They made the place feel like home.”
Teachers, too, left lasting impressions. Long-serving staff are still mentioned in old reunion threads, remembered for both kindness and the occasional strict look over the top of their glasses. One student reflected:
“They were firm but fair, and you always knew they wanted you to do your best. Looking back, they cared more than we realised.”
By the 1990s, Forelands was a thriving community hub, its pupils competing in sports tournaments, taking part in school trips and representing Bembridge at island-wide events. One ex-pupil added:
“There was always something going on. It felt like the centre of everything.”
But by 2011, big changes were coming. The Isle of Wight Council’s move to a two-tier education system meant the end of all middle schools. For Forelands, it marked the close of an era.
The final term was filled with nostalgia. Former pupils and teachers returned to say goodbye, and old photos lined the corridors. A pupil who attended the closing assembly recalled:
“There were tears and laughter that last afternoon. We stayed in the playground after the final bell, not wanting to leave.”
When the gates finally closed that summer, Bembridge felt different. One local resident said:
“You used to see the kids heading to school every day, rucksacks swinging and ties half done up. When Forelands went, the village just felt quieter.”
Even now, memories of Forelands are scattered across reunion pages and photo albums. Pupils remember sports on the field overlooking the sea, wet playtimes when everyone squeezed into the hall, and the smell of fish fingers drifting through the corridors on Fridays.
An early pupil remembered:
“It was exciting being one of the first through the doors. The classrooms smelled of fresh paint, and everything felt new. It was the start of something special.”
Another former student reflected:
“Forelands wasn’t just where we learned our lessons. It’s where we learned who we were.”
For almost half a century, Forelands Middle School wasn’t just a building – it was a community. A place where laughter echoed off the walls, where friendships began, and where generations of Isle of Wight children grew up together by the sea.
Did you go to Forelands Middle School? Do you have photos or stories from your time there? Get in touch and share your memories – we’d love to hear from you.
I started at Forelands in 1970, the first intake. New school, new uniforms and new teaching methods, a brave new world, and so it was . . . memorable. I do not remember the sea breeze or views as the school was surrounded on three sides by residential buildings. The grounds backed on to Bembridge recreation ground and there was a field beyond used for sports days. No sign of the sea, no sea breeze, alas. I think AI research may have got mixed with the old Bembridge (private) school which was located off Hillway, and is now an outdoor pursuits recreation centre – now that overlooks the sea. Forelands was on the flat land close to Lane End, the Fire Station and Council housing estate. Sorry to be picky but facts matter.
Mr Baxter was the Head Teacher. Other teaching staff were, Evans, Bullimore, Reader, Martin, Cahill and Cummings. A good school for sports but the education was experimental with mostly self-learning. I hardly remember a taught lesson . . . or maybe I was not paying attention! Left for Sandown High in 1973 and a short sharp shock – back to traditional schooling! Hey Ho.