A GRAMMAR school has turned 125 years old today.

Heckmondwike Grammar School marked the milestone with several celebrations in school on Tuesday (January 17). 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Cakes were made to celebrate the dayCakes were made to celebrate the day (Image: UGC)

Back in 1898, when the school opened, it was called Heckmondwike Higher Grade School and encompassed senior and infants’ sections.

Only later, in 1929 was the school re-named Heckmondwike Grammar school.

Back then the school served a very small, close-knit textile town of Heckmondwike, where students and typically staff walked to school.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The school has had 11 headteachers in the 125 yearsThe school has had 11 headteachers in the 125 years (Image: UGC)

Now in 2023, the school serves a much wider area, with many of the 1500 plus students and more than 180 staff travelling from the outer reaches of West Yorkshire.

Over its 125 years, the school has remained on its High Street site and the original building is still fully intact.

The school has been extended to provide state-of-the-art facilities to students.

To formally mark the anniversary, the whole school community, made up of approximately 1,700 students and staff, depicted “HGS 125” on its mult-use games area.

The school was ranked second in the top 10 state secondary schools in the north in Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023.

It is also in the top 20 per cent of schools for A level results.