The second half of the summer term could always prove a tad traumatic at Warwick School - as at most others presumably. 'A' and 'O' Level examinations started immediately after the half term break, and that is when 5th year boys about to start their 'O' Level exams were accorded 6th Form status. The most eagerly anticipated privilege was use of the 6th Form Common Room or "centre".
This was merely a series of three classrooms that had been knocked into one large room and refurbished with a mini kitchenette for making tea and coffee, comfortable chairs and a music centre and television. Sixth Formers could go there during break times and private study periods. There were ample opportunities for 'horseplay' and debaggings were not unheard of, although it was 3rd to 5th years who were the more favoured targets as a rule - the hapless boys ambushed in the corridor, dragged in and then divested of key items of their school uniform (or all of it !) - then rudely ejected back out into the corridor to everybody's amusement except their own of course.
This story is not about one of those incidents, rather about one 5th Year who got a bit of a rush of blood to the head when accorded 6th Form status - somewhat of a dangerous thing to happen when lots of Lower and Upper 6th form boys were still about who rather resented the influx that always occurred at this time of year. I forget the lad's name, but he had always been rather full of himself with an opinion on everything. His very presence in the 6th Form Centre became a major source of irritation, and the Lower Sixth Form boys were soon plotting a plan of action to deal with his "I own the place" attitude. He also thought of himself as a bit of a hard nut and often wore large black Doctor Marten boots to school. These boots had caught other boys' attention before and had once been taken off as I recall and 'Pig in the Middle' played with them. Strictly speaking they were within the uniform regulation, but the teachers were not too keen and the lad tried not to over do it.
It was decided to wait until the last day or at least the last week of term when all exams were over, and to deal with "Big Boots" then. Causing embarrassment was the main aim, and so a plot was hatched that he would be tied to a radiator (all switched off at that time of year) in the corridor outside of the Sixth Form Centre 'sans clothes' for all to see on the last day. I think that he was to arrogant to realise that he was unpopular as many of his kind are.
As a rule, "Big Boots" was collected from school by one of his parents, but at the end of the last but two day of the school year he was stood waiting in the queue along with 100 or so other boys for one of the many buses that used to stop and pick us up. A double decker bus arrived, and "BB" made perhaps the most stupid decision of his young life - he not only got on, but marched straight up to the top deck where many of the Lower 6th boys were also seated. Even before the bus started its journey he was spotted by Hugh Emsden and Peter Seddon - two members of the Lower 6th whom it paid not to end up on the wrong side of. There was an immediate flurry of whispering and glances to the dozen or so other boys round about. "Let's get the bastard now !" was the gist of it. "Get him back here and take his trousers off !" was the consensus.
Not much time was wasted and 2 3 boys went a few rows up and requested the pleasure of "BB's" company at the back. He declined their polite invitation, but was soon bundled out of his seat and pushed and cajoled to the back where he was dragged down on to the back seat with his legs facing down the aisle of the bus with 2 lads holding his arms shoulders on either side. His legs were lifted up in the air and his boot laces undone then tied to each rail going up to the ceiling either side of the back seat. His dark blue school blazer was being removed at this stage and the were cries of "Get his trousers down !"
BB was absolutely furious and "_f_u_c_k_ off you _f_u_c_k_ing bastards !" seemed to be the only words he was capable of as eager hands and fingers went to the top of his black school trousers and unbuckled his belt which was then pulled out of the trouser loops to much amusement. By now his blazer was off and being handed down the bus, and the lads pinning his arms and shoulders to the seat were turning their attention to his school tie. The top of his trousers were unhooked, his flies pulled down and the trousers opened to reveal his light blue underpants. The lads holding his legs began to pull the trousers along his legs, but because these were tied to the seat rail, could not get them down very far. "Get the twat's boots off so we can get his trousers off" was asked of some comrades who were very keen to oblige.
The boys near BB's ankles immediately set about unlacing the cumbersome boots which were opened and pulled off. When this procedure had been completed as far as both his feet were concerned, his legs were pushed together and his trousers pulled right down and dragged off over his ankles. There were whoops of delight from those round about as the trousers came off, and cries of "Hang them out the window !!" and even "Chuck them out the window !!" By now BB's tone had changed from one of fury to pleading; his tie was off, and his white school shirt had been totally unbuttoned and was close to coming off also. "Don't please...please" had become his mantra, but the lads at his ankles peeled his dark blue socks off, and these quickly disappeared as eager onlookers grabbed them.
His boots were not taken though, and it was becoming apparent what his fate might be...and he was realising too. His shirt was off, and Emsden and Seddon who were holding him by the shoulders and arms, started to loop his tie round his wrists which they pulled behind his head and tied to the rail just above the back seat. BB was trying to kick to prevent the inevitable, but two or three hands were already tugging at the waistband of his blue pants as the chants of "Wey Hey !!....Get 'em down !!" began. He was doomed, and there was an enormous cheer as his pants were pulled up along his legs and taken right off. His Doctor Marten boots reappeared as if by magic, and were put back on his bare feet, and the laces tied and knotted back onto the seat rail as before.
What a sight !! "Big Boots" stripped totally naked, legs tied up in the air with his bum on display to all who were sat on the top deck. His bare bum was too tempting a target for many of us, and SLAP ! after SLAP ! rained down. The good thing was that he was totally immobilised, and looked so ridiculous. Even more bad news for him was that items of his uniform were fast flying out of the window. The trousers had not hung outside long before the window was opened wide enough to see them go, and his socks, shirts and pants went out more or less immediately after they'd been taken off. He was lucky that his blazer was smuggled downstairs.
The journey must have seemed like an eternity to BB, and his bum was noticeably red after a while. Also one boy had obligingly found a bottle of Tippex, and some of this was applied to BB's bollocks - lol ! Total embarrassment - BB was finally released, and was forced to get off the bus with no clothes on. He was then given his blazer back, and went home in total ignominy. I remember being worried about the prospect of an enquiry into the incident, but the end of the school year was at hand, and BB had the sense to keep his mouth shut. He must have had a spare pair of trousers at home, because he was back at school the next day !! Life can be cruel but BB had asked for it in some ways. I love hearing about similar scenarios so let us know if you recall any !