
On 15th July 2005 Tower Court, formerly All Saints Primary School was singled out for Ilkley’s fourth blue plaque recognising the town's heritage buildings. The plaque was officially unveiled by the head teacher of All Saints Primary School, Peter Marsh, accompanied by three pupils of the school.
The old school building was converted to town houses in 2004, and the work had already won acclaim from the Ilkley Civic Society. The society had cited the development, by conversion specialist The Erkulis Group, as a good example of a successful and imaginative redevelopments of older buildings in the area.
The building’s foundations start with the ending of the Old Grammar School – see Blue Plaque 5. In 1868 with the imminent closure of the Old Grammar School, Peter Wood in his book Olicana’s Children writes, ‘the Charity Commissioners proposed a scheme for re-establishing the School with the schoolmaster independent of the vicar and the level being raised by extending the range of subjects taught and imposing fees, there was immediate opposition. Public meetings were held and in October 1868 a majority of the population signed a petition saying such a scheme would be a “perversion of the founders’ intentions”. It was argued that, if everyone were charged, the children of the poor, and probably a good few more besides would be excluded from education. This was simply not acceptable and hence the proposal was dropped. Instead, energetic fund-raising through grants and subscriptions began for a National School, with a wider curriculum and superior buildings and equipment. The Ilkley Gazette lent its support, stating in 1871 that “the long felt want of school accommodation in Ilkley has, from the greatly increase population of late become a positive necessity”’.
The land for the school was purchased from William Middleton on 1 March 1871 by David Stansfeld, merchant, for £271 17s 6d. The whole containing 3,625 square yards and subsequently on 14 March 1872 he conveyed for the same amount the land to Rev. John Snowden, clerk in Holy Orders, John Milner, card maker, William Margerison, gentleman, William Dean, Nesfield, farmer, and Edward Moore, Myddelton, farmer. (These were the Vicar & Church Wardens of All Saints Church).
Bazaars were held to raise funds for the school. The first was held over three days – 7,8 & 9 July 1871. It was held on a field in Wells Road loaned by Marshall Hainsworth (owner of Wells Terrace - see Hillside Blue Plaque 16) and a marquee belonging to J Milner of Rose Mount. Over the 3 days they received £923 1s 4d. There was needlework, embroidery, dressed dolls, children’s clothes, etc for sale. Also very popular was “The Ilkley Wells Bouquet” described as a very agreeable perfume made by Rimmel of Regent Street, London.
The funds were nearly realised by mid 1871 and the school was to be designed by Messrs T.H.(Thomas) & F. (Francis) Healey, architects of Tyrrel Street, Bradford in the Gothic style. In June 1871 they started advertising for tenders to build the school. Messrs Healey as well as designing schools were known to specialise in ecclesiastical work which included in Bradford: 1874 St John the Evangelist, Great Horton Road, 1881 St Luke's Church, Manningham, and Bradford Reform Synagogue, Bowland Street
The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer on August 28, 1871 had an article about the proposed new building. The expected cost was £2,500 to accommodate about 300 children. The boys’ schoolroom to be 52ft by 20ft and the girls 50ft by 20ft separated by a partition which could be removed to make one room for public meetings. An infant school, 48ft by 20ft was to form part of the building as well as class room for older boys and girls. The new edifices to be built of local stone, hammer-dressed and the windows being ornamented by ashlar dressing. Amply play-grounds to be provided. On Saturday August 26, 1871, the Bishop of Ripon laid the foundation stone after a Ceremony at the parish Church led by Rev J Snowden and the sermon preached by the bishop. During the sermon he asked those who had the power to help to raise the remaining £388 required to complete the project. After the ceremony at the stone the bishop, the clergy, and many of the laity partook of luncheon at the Crescent Hotel.
The work was carried out by local tradespeople. Edward Dean - bricklayers and masons, William Hartley - carpenters and joiners, Thomas Hall – plumbing and glazing, Christopher Thornton – slaters and Oswald Lister - plasterers.
Peter Wood again writes ‘The new school was built and opened its doors on 22nd July 1872. Thomas Wood became the Head Master of the Boy’s National School (having previously been at the Old Grammar School) and Miss Hannah Hartley was appointed Headmistress of the Girls’ School. Mr Wood’s sense of relief at the new premises is clear from his first entry in the log book: “The new school was opened this week with 32 boys. What a change from the old one where we were so closely packed”’.
The school year was geared towards the annual visit of Her Majesty’s inspector visit and examination. The children were examined in writing, arithmetic and singing. The boys were also examined in geography and the girls in sewing. The results determined how much grant the school received.
In 1876 sickness was prevalent for at least 3 months resulting in the school closing early for the Christmas holidays. During the holidays the school was fumigated with 16lb of sulphur and all the floors and forms were scrubbed and washed with hot water and carbolic acid at a cost of £3. This happened fairly regularly. The main illnesses were scarlet fever, whooping cough, scarlatina and measles.
There were many other reasons why children were absent from school. In the 1870s & 80s boys were absent helping with the hay harvest but in 1893 the boys were absent attending the golfers or assisting at the Lawn Tennis tournament. During the same period the girls were off school either helping their mothers with young babies or with cleaning, especially around Christmas and Feast Week. During he 1890s, the girls seemed to be away for the whole “season” starting in May acting as nurse girls for the visitors. Any activity or excitement such as Ilkley Races, a circus, or equestrian troupe visiting Ilkley the attendance nearly halved. Other examples were; 20 March 1878 - Consecration of the cemetery by the Bishop of Ripon, 10 September 1879 - Consecration of St Margaret’s Church, 3 June 1886 - A fashionable wedding, 26 August 1887 - Following the otter hounds which passed down the river. An annual problem was the Sunday School treats and choir excursions from St Margaret’s Church and the chapels. The head teacher was so frustrated that he was forced to write in the Log Book on 9 August 1887, “It is a pity these festivals can not be arranged to take place during the vacations as they interfere greatly with schoolwork”.
During 1887 a new classroom was being added which meant the children had several holidays whilst the work was being carried out.
In 1888 The a new master was Robert Patterson Cragg who was there until at least 1904.
The School was known as the Ilkley Church of England School until it became All Saints C of E Primary School under the re-organisation of Bradford District schools, before the school moved to a newly-built site on Easby Drive in 2002.
This plaque is sponsored by The Erkulis Group, and developer Martin Erkulis and architect Shayne Niemen were also at the unveiling.
Ilkley Local History Hub would like to hear from people with pictures or information about Tower Court | All Saints C of E Primary School - localhistory@civicsociety.ilkley.org