Do you remember the Open Air School on Blackburn Road?

Do you remember the Open Air School on Blackburn Road?

The Open Air School on Blackburn Road....that will conjure up a few memories for many readers.

   It was back in 1924 that the question of such a school being opened was first raised. Once the decision had been taken to build the school it was said from the outset that it would be as airy as possible for the children. Tenders were submitted and the final plans of  Mr E.C.Brooke were approved in 1925, with the first sod being cut not long after by Mr W.Sharpe the education committee chairman.

   The school was to initially include two classrooms to cover an age range from five to sixteen years, it would be self sufficient with a kitchen, its own staff, baths and shower facilities.

   The school was completed in 1926 and rather optimistically and with no doubt lots of wishful thinking it was first suggested that Princess Mary be asked to carry out the opening ceremony. Coming down to earth a little they settled for the Lady Mayor of Leeds on July 17th of that year.    

   I am sure the names of Miss Sanderson and Miss Branson two former head teachers will be remembered by some of the former pupils. What about the dinner ladies ?, can you remember Mrs Chatt, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Wilks, Mrs Green and Mrs Stead. Some of the teachers included Miss Hilda Brooke, Mrs Binney, Mrs Wright and Mrs Jagger.

Brighouse Open Air School the staff LOW RES 1950s

  Here are just some of the staff who worked at the school during the 1950s

Miss Branson later became Mrs Osborn and it was through her efforts that a third classroom was finally erected. It was during her headship that the children also experienced their first school trip which was an outing to a museum in York.

   One of the happiest days in the school's history was in 1952 during George Albert Stillingfleet's two year office as Mayor when they held the school's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

   With the introduction of the modern day social services after the Second World War the need for an open air type school was becoming less and less. The school finally closed its doors for the last time in 1957 and ended another chapter of Brighouse's history when the school that was described as for 'delicate' children was no longer needed.

6 comments

  • Michael Ainsworth

    Michael Ainsworth - Wednesday, 08 March 2023

    I was a pupil at the open air school in Blackburn around about 1952, I cannot remember the names of any of the staff, but I do remember how lovely and nice they were especially when we were asked to write our names, I did not know how to so I copied the name of the girl who sat next to me, when the teacher found out she just laughted. I also remember after dinner being taken to the hall and told to lie down on what appeared to be a camp bed and rest for an hour. It`s funny how some thing you can remember from your past. If any one else can fill in some other details of the Open air school I would love to hear about it.

  • Peter Reidy

    Peter Reidy - Thursday, 06 May 2021

    I was there in 1956 or 57. I remember miss Wilkinson as headmistress and Mr Harding taking over as headmaster. The teachers I remember where Miss Hut Miss Hargreaves,Miss Cain, Miss Standing. I can remember the dentist's caravan coming to the school, and having milk and malt . My best friend was Charles Chapman .

  • Trevor Sykes

    Trevor Sykes - Sunday, 14 March 2021

    Yes I do remember it - I was there about 1950.

  • Derek Norman

    Derek Norman - Sunday, 15 November 2020

    My mother who was known as Joan Counsell, attended the Blackamore open air school during the 1950's
    She is unsure of the original address. She wants to find out its original position ie. on the junction with another road.
    It would be nice to know what is there today.

    Many Thanks.
    Derek.

  • Jean Riding

    Jean Riding - Monday, 13 April 2020

    I was a pupil from 1951to1953.. I can't remember any names though sadly.. Jean Riding..

  • Trevor Whiteley

    Trevor Whiteley - Thursday, 04 July 2019

    I was a pupil at the Open Air School from 1939 until 1943. The Headmistress was Miss Sanderson and
    the other teacher was Miss Brooke. The cook was Mrs Peckover. I did little or no school work
    during my time there and spent a lot of time trying to grow vegetables in the small garden. I left when
    rather luckily I won a Governors scholarship to Hipperholme Grammar School - despite having
    failed both my County Minor exam and the entrance exam for the Central School.
    Years later for a short while I was the Leader at the Brighouse Youth Club sited at the old Open
    Air School before I moved to Bedford in 1966 in connection with my work.

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