Crossley and Porter School

In 1857 Joseph, Frank and John Crossley, the Halifax carpet manufacturers who ran Dean Clough Mills, established the Crossley Orphanage at Savile Park, Halifax. This institution cared for many orphaned children from the Halifax district over the years and provided them with a good education. In 1887 Mr Thomas Porter, another philanthropist, contributed £50,000 towards the cost of the orphanage and schools on condition that his name was added to the title of the establishment which became known as the Crossley and Porter Orphanage and School.

With the passing of time the need for an orphanage decreased and it eventually took on the sole function of a school, becoming a grammar school for both boys and girls which for many years rivalled Heath Grammar School, and boys of the two schools regularly contested for leadership in rugby football matches.

In 1988 Heath Grammar School and Crossley and Porter Schools amalgamated to form Crossley Heath School which is based at the former Crossley and Porter site, Heath Grammar School now being used as a training and development centre for education.

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