This Mr. Bill Crozier was the headmaster of the little Primary school I attended from about 1950 until about 1956 and who at the tender age of 8 years old yanked me out of class and caned the hell out of my right hand. The welt across my palm was so swollen I was unable to close my hand. Every morning he had a line up of small children in the assembly hall shaking in fear waiting to be caned ( for simply being late). I learned many years later that he had worked at a Borstal before coming to Swalwell. If I remember correctly, he lived at Chester or Chester Lea St. He was sadistic, the nastiest, meanest person I have ever come across and even the teachers were afraid of him. I am now 65 years old and memories of this animal still haunt me.
Mr. Smith I think was my medical doctor. I was born in May 1945 and left Swalwell in about 1956.

Many ex-pupils will remember headmaster Percy (not Bill) Crozier.

I agree with the previous comment. He had a kindred spirit in Mr Smith. This man seemed at his happiest pulling pupils out of their seats by their ears or sideburns and throwing wooden blackboard rubbers inflicting pain and instilling fear in everyone. When at a morning assembly it was announced Mr Smith had died suddenly there were quite a few relieved pupils, their ordeal was over! Although no one dared show any emotion of that kind as you would be caned.
I am sure these two “teachers” held back and stifled many pupils with potential.