Wondering if my secondary school was just odd, or does anyone else remember this?

[Mycatishere]

When I started secondary school (in 1992) it was expected that we would ‘back’ our exercise books. This could be in leftover wallpaper, wrapping paper, plastic covers you could get from WH Smiths. Geography books had to be backed in a map. Some kids used cling film.

I remember being annoyed with my mum for backing all my books in brown paper. I wanted something pretty.

Just me?

@Berlinlover yep still done in my kids schools! I did it one year then was so fed up of all the plastic that I just stopped. 2 books have had the cover come off in 16 years of schooling so not worth it in my view!

I'm 53 and we had to do this ...1980- 85 ish

We had to do this, mine were covered in posters from Smash Hits

We did it in the really old days,1950's.

I had to do this. At the time I thought it was a pointless exercise. I still think it was pointless..

My mum gave me left over embossed wallpaper, so hard to fold!

Yes when I started secondary in 1984 I used my fav smash hits posters 😎

It probably made sense back when books were lower quality but we had espo ones with pretty nice thick covers. I don't think it was necessary.

My DC French dept still makes them do this 😎🤣

Yes we did, I started 1995. You could get clear sticky film from WH Smiths or we used to use posters from Smash Hits.

I think I probably spent more time deciding what paper / magazine to use to back the books than I did revising for my O Levels (showing my age) / A Levels !

Best part about starting secondary school in the 1970s was backing your books 😍

We never called it "backing" but we covered our books in the 1970s, as did DD in the 2010s

80s here yep done all that used to use pages out of smash hits

snap!

Yes, I remember doing this in the 80s. I used the leftover red and white striped wallpaper from my newly decorated, very 80s bedroom!
They don't do it now at my dcs school, but judging by the state some of my dcs exercise books it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Yep we did this, started secondary school in 1998. Was one of my favourite things.