Our History and the Old Girls' Guild

125 Year Celebration
Skipton Girls’ Endowed School 1886: Skipton Girls' High School 2011

Skipton Girls' High School celebrated their 125th year in 2011.  In the first gallery you will see how the school began; reports from the press; notes about old scholars; the school leaders; current students and activities. There is then a central section with some old photographs and portraits which we hope you will enjoy seeing. Finally, there is a short report about the modern and highly successful specialist school of Engineering, Skipton Girls’ High School in 2011.

1886 Onwards

The inauguration of the Girls Endowed School took place yesterday under most favourable auspices. There was a large attendance of parents and friends, many of whom made a tour of inspection of the school buildings, which were pronounced on every level to be commodious, handsome and admirably arranged, the architect Mr Osborne Smith having paid special attention to the lighting and ventilation of all rooms, all of which are not only bright and cheerful but have been found exceedingly comfortable and healthy for the girls to study in.
 

The Chairman of Governors commenced a lengthy address by giving to all present, on behalf of the Governors, a hearty welcome to their opening ceremony. That day he believed would be long remembered in the annals of Skipton for the refining and civilizing influences which that institution would begin to exert around it (hear, hear)
 

What, he asked, did the Governors offer to the girls that came to that school? An education equally as good, sound and thorough as that which was given at the grammar school to their brothers. And then they must remember that that admirable education was given at a ridiculously low price, the fees being £4-£6 a year for day girls and £36-£39 a year for boarders (according to age).

• Martha Featherstone 2022 - present
• Mark Turner 2019 - 2022
• Jenn Plews 2013 - 2019
• Jan Renou 2002 - 2013
• Diana Chambers 1987 - 2002
• Muriel Kent 1971 - 1987
• Olive Harries 1955 - 1971
• Enid Wise 1931 - 1955
• Jessie Broadbent 1906 - 1931
• Felicia Larner 1888 - 1906 

If you have any information about any of the photographs, the people, the buildings, events at the school at the time, and you would like to share this information then please contact us. Alternatively, you can send information by post to our address which appears on this website.