New Elementary School Erected

 On a cold wintry Wednesday afternoon in March 1928, a stone was laid which would become synonymous with good education and pastoral care in the local area right up to this present day. On that historic day 80 years ago, the honour of laying the foundation stone of the first school to be built in Spenborough since it became an educational authority was given to Sir James P. Hinchliffe, Chairman of the West Riding County Council.

Humble Beginnings

A report written in the local newspaper at that time (The Cleckheaton Advertiser and Spenborough Times) quotes Sir James as saying "I call that civic pride, civic patriotism, self-reliance, not depending upon anyone else". Sir James' words were in reference to how Heaton Avenue School came into existence - Heaton Avenue School was the first school in the area to be built out of the rates (Council Tax) in Cleckheaton after the County Authority stated they could not "afford to build one".

Pupils studying the school's foundation stone

A Grand Opening

The Right Honourable Lord Eustace Percy, MP, who was President of the Board of Education at that time, officially opened Heaton Avenue Council School on 1st March 1929. Lord Percy was received at the Westcliffe Road entrance by Councillor R M Grylls and asked to formally unlock the door.

Heaton Avenue was then deemed to be a unique example of a "building devoted to this class of children's education" (The Advertiser and Times). A notable feature of the school was the way it was set out in the shape of a letter 'E' with the main aspect facing south and all the classrooms being placed in the front position.

Even though many of the original features have (only recently) been replaced one can still find evidence of why the school was described by HMI as "the best of its type in the country".

* Archival sources courtesy of The Spenborough Guardian

Mrs Hamilton and James find evidence of the original glazed brickwork