Introduction
Welcome to Thunder Raker Manor
An Introduction to the School
By Mr Trenchard, Head Teacher
Thunder Raker Manor is an exclusive school for boys and girls from 8 to 18. Some of the children come daily, some are boarders. Some of them I remember, some of them Iâer, what was I saying?
Anyway, all our students are here because their parents or guardians are connected with the Security Services. Spies and agents are happy to send their children to Thunder Raker Manor secure in the knowledge that they will be safe from any possible threats.
We teach a full curriculum at Thunder Raker, fully compliant with the National Thingummy. And alongside the English and Maths and History and Geography, our students learn skills that may just come in handy back home or in their future careersâif they have inherited their parentsâ inclinations and aptitudes.
As well as being an honorary CT (Classified Training) Academy, Thunder Raker is especially pleased with its latest SATS results. We take the Special Agent Training Standards very seriously indeed and have achieved excellent levels in Surveillance, Code-Breaking, and Sabotage.
And if the Security Services need a bit of help from some youngsters for a special mission, or if the villainous agents of that dastardly organisation known only as the Secret Partners for Undertaking Destruction (S.P.U.D.) try to take over the school or kidnap one of the teachersârest assured, every one of our students is ready and prepared.
Mr Trenchard has been the Head Teacher of Thunder Raker Manor since Mrs Muldoomâs unfortunate accident on the assault course all those years ago. He is superbly qualified and takes great pride in his work. When he can remember what it is. Very goodâcarry on. Um. Yesâ¦
Mr Trenchard
Colonel Hugh Dare-Swynneâs Class of the Week This week the Colonel focuses on Class 3D, which is taught by Miss Jones.
Miss Jones
Miss Jones says:
3D is a lovely class and works hard. This week was especially exciting for everyone as we had a new student startâAlfie (surname classified). Alfie is already settling in very well, and even has his own cover storyâsome nonsense about his father actually being a postman. As if!
Alfie
Alfie fits in well with the other children. He is nine years old, and heâs a clever, practical boy with lots of common sense. Heâs brave and loyal and fun. Though I have to say he doesnât always quite understand some of the lessons or the way we do things here at Thunder Raker. But his common sense approach is a breath of fresh air and he sees the worldâand our problemsâin a much less cluttered and complicated way than the other children..
Jack
Next up is Jack. Jackâs dad is head of the Secret Service, though of course we donât mention that. But it does explain why Jackâs a bit full of himself. He is always coming up with terrific ideas and plans, though usually they are rather impractical and just too involved ever to work.
Harry
Harryâs dad has infiltrated SPUD and sends him strange, coded text messages and letters written in invisible ink. Sometimes the children have to go and rescue or help him, which cuts into the school day. Harry isnât the brightest of the bunch by a long way, but his questions often throw up problems with Jackâs ideas. He is brave and loyal and willing and likes doing PEâon the school assault course.
Sam
Samâs mum works in Whitehall for Hush Hush, designing equipment for agents and spies. Sam uses a motorised wheelchairâwhich looks ordinary but has amazing gadgets built into it. Samâs mum made him his wheelchair because the NHS one didnât have a very good anti-missile protection system. And one of the wheels was wonky.
Chloe
Moving on to the girls, Chloe is the daughter of a renowned spy (and doesnât she know it). If you thought Jack was a bit full of himself, heâs got nothing on Chloe. She
Sarah Woodbury
June Ahern
John Wilson
Steven R. Schirripa
Anne Rainey
L. Alison Heller
M. Sembera
Sydney Addae
S. M. Lynn
Janet Woods