Book celebrates history of Burley school

As the row over the loss of church status rages at Burley C of E First School, this would seem an ideal time to bring out a book documenting the history of the village's schools.

Margaret and Dennis Warwick, of The Copse, believe so. The couple have written Our Schools - A History of Schools in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Primarily it has been written to celebrate the centenary of the rebuilding of Burley National School in 1898 in Aireville Terrace.

The book traces the history of all the village schools from the beginning of the 19th century.

Some have long since closed, three now remain. Burley C of E First School, known at its foundation as the National School, is featured on the front cover.

This school's days on its present site are numbered. This book could well be one of the few places to see it and capture its atmosphere once Bradford Council's schools review is adopted.

Mrs And Mrs Warwick have clearly spent considerable time studying all available resources and the book deals with the founders, the teachers, the children and their education.

The reader is given a fascinating insight into life at the four village schools in the 1870s, these being the Burley National School, Greenholme Mills School, Burley Township School and Burley Woodhead School.

A Burley-in-Wharfedale man can take credit for providing the nation's youngsters with a right to education.

W E Forster, Burley's millionaire mill owner, was responsible for The Education Act of 1870.

He believed that more technical education was required if Britain was to compete with other industrial nations.

Discipline was an important factor as education progressed in the village. Youngsters had to watch their step at St Mary's National School (between what is now Wharfe Court and the village green).

Mr J Leathley was not a man to mess with in 1875. Mr Warwick and his wife reveal: "F J Fox was severely thrashed for talking. As he continued crying loudly for longer than was thought necessary and after repeated requests to desist, he was taken from his class and soundly thrashed again."

The book provides the reader with some interesting sketches and photographs of village school life in the 19th and 20th centuries.

It reveals the relatively short lives of independent schools in the village and the process of the West Riding 'takeover.'

Education issues have rarely been off the pages of this newspaper in recent months - it was no different 100 years ago.

The religion versus secular debate raged on. Church affiliation was a big issue, well dealt with by Mr and Mrs Warwick in this new book.

The cost of building a school has changed considerably since 1898. When the National School opened its doors (amid much controversy) on October 24, it had cost £3,450.

The book deals with the respective head teachers of the Burley National School.

The more senior members of the Burley-in-Wharfedale community may remember Richard Gossop.

The book reveals: "Memories of him recall someone who was rather aloof. He was always smartly dressed and would regularly check the pupils to see if they were untidy or had dirty shoes. Girls in his class would often be left to get on with some writing or reading, while he took the boys into the extensive school garden to tend the vegetables."

Albert Simmons steered the school through the 1939-45 War.

School inspectors praised Mr Simmons' period at the top. A report in 1957 read: "A man of the highest principles, he will be remembered for his succesful office of tenure, and his leaving will be a matter of regret to all concerned."

Following the 'caretaker' headship of Mr Ronald Jackman, former pupil Frank Newbould took over on November 1, 1957.

Two major changes which took place during his tenure were the replacement of the selection exams for grammar schools and then the abandonment of selection for secondary schools.

Mr Newbould's retirement in 1973 produced glowing tributes from colleagues and parents.

Teacher Kathleen Tate spoke of Mr Newbould's sincerity and help in dealing with colleagues, and Mr Armistead (chairman of governors) referred to the high example of good teaching and school administration Mr Newbould had always given.

Mr and Mrs Warwick also feature present head teacher, Glynne Edwards, who succeeded Mr Newbould in 1973.

We learn Mr Edwards has had a hectic 25 years in the job. The book tells us: "Glynne's tenure has been a period of probably unprecedented change, mostly caused by the directives of central bureaucracy as successive governments attempted to deal with national fiscal and economic crises."

Mr Edwards faces another busy period with the implementation of Bradford Council's school review - and having to cope with the loss of church status.

This book provides an interesting account of the rich school history in Burley-in-Wharfedale, examining the past, the present, but also the future.

l Our Schools can be obtained from the publishers (Burley-in-Wharfedale Local History Group Publications) at 15 The Copse, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, LS29 7QY (telephone 01943 863019). It is priced £7 (£8 by post to any part of the UK).

During the centenary celebrations and at Burley summer fete and Burley Show, it will be on sale for £5.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.