“Hymers takes girls in the Sixth Form,” was the mantra. I thought it must be strange. They must be brave or special in some way.  When I joined the Hymers Sixth Form from my all-girls’ school, it felt like I’d left one bear pit for another. From all girls to virtually all boys.

I look back on my two years at Hymers now with immense fondness. I remember isolated moments, such as the headmaster waving frantically at me across the grounds one lunchtime, as I unknowingly trashed the cricked square by walking across it in my heels.