School saved by £1m 'secret' gift

Ghyll Royd was due to shut its doors for good at the end of summer term after the owners, Michael and Eileen Shepherd, announced their retirement.

The move stunned parents who vowed to save the all-boys school which has been a feature of education in the town for 110 years.

A charitable trust was set up to raise enough cash to buy the school which, as an empty lot ripe for development, had a £1 million price tag.

To their astonishment the trust, named The Ghyll Royd School, received the answer to their prayers in the form of the six figure donation. It is believed the cash came from a UK company which has asked to remain anonymous.

In May the Ghyll Royd Association was involved in "positive" negotiating with the owners to secure the future of the school.

A spokesman then said: "With a strong dynamic team at the helm, Ghyll Royd will continue to provide the best standards of education to turn out well-rounded young boys prepared for new challenges at senior school."

With news of the £1 million gift, the school's future has been secured. Jennifer Bonner, who took over as head teacher at the school from Mrs Shepherd, said she was delighted with the outcome.

"It is absolutely amazing. We are over the moon," she said. Mrs Bonner paid tribute to the resilience of parents at Ghyll Royd, which caters for three to 11-year-olds.

"They were so determined to keep the school open.

"Generations and grandfathers, fathers and sons have attended Ghyll Royd."

Sport features strongly in the curriculum and the school has contacts with local tennis and gold clubs.

Professional golfer Colin Montgomerie is a former pupil.

Mrs Bonner added that around 60 boys were on the register at present as some parents had removed pupils when it was first threatened with the axe.

However, she hopes the roll will spiral upwards now the school's future is secure.

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