Sporty South Tyneside pupils from years gone by

Ellison Junior School, Jarrow netball players, from left to right: Natalie Brown, Kay Willis, Tanya Moor, Joanna Lawson, Caroline Grief, Rachel Hudson and Samantha Fraser.

For many children, school games were a blessing, the chance to get out of the classroom and let off steam '“ for others though, they were a curse.

That’s because, while some students shone at sporting activities, such as football, netball, rounders, gymnastics and swimming, others were simply “out of their depth”.

What made matters worse was when pupils, as opposed to teachers, were allowed to pick the teams for the game in question, and the less sporty children were left kicking their heels and hoping they weren’t the last to be chosen.

Youngsters from Ellison Junior School in Jarrow playing volleyball in 1988. Did you go there?

On a more positive note, school games of old were a great way of providing much-needed exercise, something which today’s schools are not always able to do.

How many of the pupils pictured do you recognise?