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.
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.
