Photograph - Mono (Document ID: 100743)
Exterior of Rishworth School, Chapel Shaw Lane, Rishworth, nr Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Author: Unknown
Date: not dated
Location: Rishworth
Format: Photograph - Mono
Document ID: 100743
Library ID: 033184
The photograph shows the exterior of the present Rishworth School.
Rishworth School was founded and endowed by John Wheelwright on his death in 1724. Wheelwright of Goathouse, Rishworth was a salt-duty collector who once lived in Clay House, West Vale, and came from North Shields in Northumberland. His endowment provided for the education of 20 boys and girls, children of the workers on his estate, and in 1725 a grammar school was built. Wheelwright left his home as accommodation for staff and pupils. A new school was built in 1824-5, with additions in 1930 and 1933. In 1950, nearby Heathfield Mansion was acquired as a junior school.
The 1825 building is Grade II listed; the following is from Calderdale Council's Listed Buildings description:
School, 1824-5. Ashlar plinth, hammer dressed stone, hipped slate roofs. 21 bay symmetrical facade, A BC B A, with 1st floor sill band. Outer pavilion blocks (A) of 3 storeys with 3 bays of windows. B is 2 storeys and of 4 bays and slightly set back. Central block (C) of 7 bays with parapet and triangular pediment set over central 3 bays with window set in the tympanum. All windows have gauged lintels and retain 12-paned glazed sashes. 8-bay return. Rear forms U-shape. Central block has main feature of colonnade with square pillars, impost and segmental arches, similar windows to 1st floor with short attic lights to 2nd floor. Several stacks. Main range has tall weather-vane. The school was endowed by John Wheelwright in 1725. The chapel of 1725, Rishworth New Road, was originally the school house. N. Pevsner, Yorkshire: West Riding, London (1967), p414.
The old school is now used as a chapel for the new school. It is a Grade II listed building; the following is from Calderdale Council's Listed Buildings description:
School house of 1725. Now chapel for Rishworth School, Oldham Road, with added porch and skilful extension of added bay for sanctuary entirely in keeping reusing gable window, c.1961. Ashlar, stone slate roof. Gabled porch has Tudor arched doorway to left of 5 bays of double chamfered mullioned and transomed windows of 8 lights. Set under window of 1st bay and above weathered plinth is tablet inscribed "John Wheelwright of North Shields in Northumberland. Gentleman Founded and endowed this School For the Education of his Tenants Children for ever Anno Domini 1725 "Semper honos nomenque tuum laudesque bunt" Left hand return wall in hammer dressed stone with quoins has coped gable with kneelers and stack. Right hand return wall has 16-light double chamfered mullioned and transomed with king mullion, coped gable with carved pierced cross as finial. Rear has 2 bays of double chamfered mullioned and transomed windows of 12 lights. Interior altered for church use but preserves original fireplace of simple design with monolithic jambs. Built in the vernacular tradition of the C17. N. Pevsner, Yorkshire, West Riding, (London 1967), p 414.
