Memories That Persist (True Life)

Further discussion must have taken place, for the headmaster decided to send me to a Special School for the Educationally Subnormal, Ten Acres, in Newton Heath. Educationally Subnormal, strong words. I think they even tried to hit me with Learning Difficulties.    
   
Of course, labels like these have the potential to spell out all sorts of problems - for example, the distinct possibility of a lifetime of struggle, in particular of low attainment in schooling and of little to look forward to in terms of employment, along with the possibility of an child-turned adult not coping with the demands of life.    
   
Soon, I found myself on the Number 2 Bus with the other Special Needs Kids each morning, going up the winding hill, headed for Harpurhey and Ten Acres school. The school building itself wasn't imposing in any way, just a typical two storey building with a lawn, or several, out by the front.      
   
Mostly, I enjoyed my two and a half years at the school, although I have dim recollections of disturbing incidents of corporal punishment taking place involving other kids there, vulnerable children, many of whom couldn't communicate sufficiently. These incidents would later raise questions in my mind. Indeed, I remember one teacher, a young woman,  screaming and swearing in front of the entire school, and I also remember hearing squeals of pain and the sounds of stinging blows coming from that same teacher's side of the classroom as she slapped a little girl again and again.    
   
Outrageous.  And evil.    
   
Anyway, up till then, I'd found reading almost impossible, but at Ten Acres I worked hard at mastering the skills and in time, I came to look forward to the lessons.    
   
One activity, though, fascinated me above the rest  singing practice, in particular, the sound of the piano. I had always longed to play the instrument. At home, sometimes, Brian, Robin and I would jam around as we listened to the Top Twenty, choosing imaginary instruments and pretending to be band members, and I would always chose the piano and never guitar or drums as most boys would have done.      
   
Now, during a singing practice at Ten Acres, I made a promise to myself: one day, I would learn to play the piano. My family didn't own a piano, and most probably could not have afforded one. If necessary, I decided as I sat in that singing practice, I would wait till adulthood and learn then.  But I would learn the piano, whatever happened.    
   
Definitely.    
   
My sense of mischief followed me to the school. During a lesson on RE, the teacher asked a question relating to the Christian faith, of which I knew little. The answer involved naming the correct New Testament character.  During the pause that followed, I tried to think of the most stupid answer while keeping a straight face.      
   
'Miss, 'I piped up.  'Is it Mary? The Virgin Mary?'    
   
Correct. The teacher looked delighted.    
I'd fooled her and kept a straight face.    
   
There were other fun moments at Ten Acres. One of the other teachers started bringing her puppy to work. The dog, Garnet, would lie on the floor at the front of class, chewing on an old shoe. I'm not sure what happened to Garnet eventually. I think the teacher had to send him away when he became too naughty.    
   
Whatever the case, naughty or not, he was a fantastic adorable-looking dog.