Chris Snuggs: "Leslie was a huge contributor to and influence on the development of WHS. Throughout the first decade he provided tremendous moral, intellectual and practical support to Mr Smitherman, not least in dramatic productions. He was a towering presence and conributed massively to the success of WHS..

There was a rumour that when Mr Smitherman decided to leave he had hoped to replace him, but was passed over, and soon left to take up a headship at Cheadle Hulme School. Mr Bailey was an inspired choice, but Mr Johnston's departure was a big loss for the school. He was my first latin teacher, and I'll never forget our first lesson. He strode majestically into the classroom, hardly said a word, just wrote the declension of 'insula' on the board and made us recite it for 20 minutes - OLD SCHOOL STYLE!. But I never forgot it!"