MY first prep school, Stagenhoe Park in Hertfordshire, was ghastly. It was the 1950s and lots of people were taking over country houses and turning them into boarding schools.
I remember some revolting food. I was told off for being untidy and for day-dreaming, and I remember being beaten for being facetious.
I respond when I am being challenged, and I wasn't being challenged. My parents removed me after a couple of years and I went to another prep school, Rottingdean near Brighton. It was much more enlightened, and I enjoyed it much more.
Then I went to 'big' boarding school, Bradfield College near Reading – and I had an absolute ball. I played in the school orchestra, sung in the choral society, conducted the house choir, and did some acting. I was so bad at games that they let me give up completely, so instead I would go for a cycle ride in the countryside or go into Reading to buy the latest Stones record.
I did my O-Levels – taking at least four attempts to get my maths – and A-Levels, and stayed to retake my A-Levels but ended up running away. I got fed up and walked out the door. When my mother rang to tell the school not to worry, that I had turned up at my sister's in Oxford, they said, 'oh, has he gone?'.
My mother removed me soon after. I had tuition at home and got into Durham University. There, I was thrown out after a year after I failed in two of three subjects – but I had also acted in one play and directed two others.
I still have a love of music, of theatre, and of putting on shows – and that came from my school days.
What his report said (summer term 1960 at Stagenhoe Park prep school near Hitchin, Hertfordshire):
French: A first-rate intelligent pupil but so untidy in written work.
English: He is intelligent, well-informed and at times hard-working. Unfortunately he is rather untidy.
Character: Excellent. I honestly have no criticism to make.