St Gregory's Central School: The Early Years

Foundation and finance

On 12th May 1922, Canon Rothwell, parish priest of St Edward’s, Rusholme, wrote a letter to the Right Rev. Louis Charles Casartelli, the Bishop of Salford, in which he noted the forthcoming auction of the Manchester Ardwick Industrial School. Just over a week later, on 22nd May, a meeting of Manchester clergy was held at Bishop’s House, St Bede’s College, Whalley Range. Canon O’Toole, of Birkenhead, spoke about a scheme his clergy had undertaken to fund a central school. With one exception, the clergy agreed to initiate the provision of a central school for Manchester boys. The bishop, a staunch advocate of central schools, added a note expressing his strong approval. They authorised the purchase of the former Industrial School for a sum not exceeding £15,000 and undertook to meet all liabilities in their entirety. The purchase was made, although the actual purchase price was £10,000. A further £10,000 was thought necessary to adapt and equip the buildings.

The next step was to begin the process of applying to establish the new Central school. In that year, 1922, proposals had also been put forward for the establishment of two other Catholic schools in Manchester, namely:

(i) A school [St Dunstan’s] in Moston for 200 Mixed and 100 Infants  

        (approved October 1922)

(ii) St Joseph’s R.C. “Central” School for 300 girls

       (approved December 1922)

The case for a Central Boys’ school at Ardwick

A Roman Catholic Acting Committee had been set up to deal with the proposals of the new Central Schools, with Fr H. Roche, rector of St Aloysius’ Church, acting as its secretary and dealing with correspondence with the Local Education Authority and Mr H. Allsopp, a local HMI (His Majesty’s Inspector). Fr Roche submitted an application to Mr Spurley Hey, Director of Education of the Manchester Education Authority, for the purpose of proposing the establishment of the new school at Ardwick for 400 boys. His committee gave the following reasons in support of the application for the new school: 

1. The number of boys in Manchester whose parents desire to give them a higher education than can be got in an ordinary elementary school exceeds very much the number of school places in all the higher schools for boys in the city.

2. There is not at present in the city one school of this class where Catholic parents find the type of education which they desire and have a right to demand for their older boys.

3. The site of the proposed new school has exceptional advantages: it is near five main roads, and stands so far back as to escape the great noise of a main road. There are no large works near it. It faces a park: Ardwick Green. It is accessible from all directions. It would be hard to select in the whole town a more central position.

4. Such an opportunity of acquiring a central site with school buildings already erected will never occur again.

5. Nearly all the Catholic schools are now overcrowded. It is very difficult, in many cases impossible, to obtain the funds for extensions. This school will at once relieve the pressure in several schools.

The above arguments formed much of the case put by Mr Spurley Hey in his submission to the Board of Education in Whitehall, London. He also informed the Board that “the premises [for the proposed school] have been purchased by the Catholic Body of Manchester for the purpose”. Plans of the scheme were also included in the submission. That was in November 1922. From the outset the Board was sympathetic to the proposals and noted that: “The conditions in Manchester show a prima facie case for this [type of school].” The Board also referred to the Ardwick proposal as being “a particularly suitable site”.

In addition, HMI Mr H. Allsopp, working on behalf of the Manchester Education Authority, provided statistical evidence to the Board of Education to show that all the Catholic schools (both boys and mixed) in the centre of the city most affected by the proposals were overcrowded – in most cases very much so. He also stated that: “… the number of pupils on the books were lower now [November 1922] than for many years past owing to the very strong pressure put on the Managers [of the schools] by the L.E.A. and myself [Mr Allsopp] to restrict admissions.”

Mr Allsopp provided the following figures for the week ending 24/11/1922.

In fact, Mr Allsopp reminded the Board that these figures “under-rated the urgency because the number of infants on roll in Infant departments is lowest in the autumn term”. As infant numbers tended to increase as the school year progressed, the accommodation problem worsened.

HMI made the point that, in the case of the Holy Name, the school was using “very poor temporary premises”. As for St Anne’s, there were “very poor premises”. Similar comments were made of other schools.

Mr Allsopp had stated that: “…there is no intention of starting the Ardwick school as a full-blown Central School. It is to be a ‘selective Upper Standard school’ for a few years.” It was understood by all concerned, including the Managers, that, for financial and other reasons, the proposed school would not be fully organised as a Central School at once. Instead, it would develop gradually into a Central School.

Mr Allsopp noted at the time that he had put forward a good case in support of the proposals and that he was anxious for their success. He wrote in December 1922: “On the whole I am more anxious for the success of these proposals [St Joseph’s and the new Ardwick school] than for anything yet put forward from this District in my time.”

Fr Roche, writing in December 1922, hoped that the new boys’ school would be opened “not later than after midsummer [1923]”. In fact, he wanted the pupils for the new school to take the Manchester examinations in April in order to select entrants – otherwise another examination would have to be organised.

Principles

The Managers of the two proposed R.C. Central Schools – St Joseph’s and Ardwick – agreed with the LEA that the schools should be based upon the principles underlying the conduct and administration of the existing central schools in Manchester. The two important principles were: -

(1) selective admission on the conditions of the existing scheme in Manchester for the examination of children between 11 and 13 years of age; and

(2) a four-years’ course from the age of 11 or 12.

There was an understanding between the Board and the Local Authority that such an undertaking by the Roman Catholic Managers as outlined above should be maintained, “and that no steps should be taken at any time to allow the Managers to depart from such undertaking”. 

It was recognised that these schools would not be able to commence upon these two principles from the outset, and that, during the first two or even three years, children over 11 or 12 years of age may have to be admitted. (That was certainly the case with St Gregory’s.)

Extract from the Board of Education, December 1922

The following extract, part of a note written by the Board of Education, details aspects of the Board’s thinking and policies with regard to the proposals to set up St Joseph’s and the Ardwick School. (By the way, it appears that the proposed boys’ school had not yet been given a name: it was always referred to as the ‘school at Ardwick’.)

“It will be understood that in the present financial circumstances the Board [of Education] would be unable to sanction the expenditure involved in the staffing and equipment of the school as a fully organised Central School and that the organisation of the school as a Central School must necessarily be in existing conditions a matter of gradual development. The Board understands, however, that it is the intention of the Managers as well as of the L.E.A. that this [Ardwick] school (and the proposed St Joseph’s R.C. School for Girls) shall provide for that part of the school population concerned such courses of advanced instruction for the older or more intelligent children as are contemplated in par. 20(ii) of the Education Act 1921 (par. 2 (1) (a) (ii) of the Education Act 1918, for which under that Section it will be the duty of the L.E.A. to make, or secure, provision. They therefore assume that this [Ardwick] school and the proposed St Joseph’s R.C. School for Girls will become fully organised Central Schools, forming an integral part of the provision for Central Schools in the area, as soon as circumstances permit.

At present in Manchester the Authority has good Central Schools and it is time that the R.C. children had similar advantages.

…I have no hesitation in recommending that the Board should gladly agree to this further step [of approving the Ardwick proposal] towards getting the accommodation in R.C. schools in Manchester into a better condition.”

Public Notice, 22nd December 1922

The next step in the process was the issuing of a public Notice in accordance with the Education Act of 1921. Publication had to be made by an advertisement inserted in at least one newspaper circulating in the district in which the proposed school would be situated. The Notice appeared in the Manchester Guardian on 22nd December, the day after the official document was signed by the Managers. Copies of the Notice were required to be exhibited “at all usual and convenient public places throughout the area served by the School”. It was also a legal requirement that “copies should be forwarded to the Board of Education, to the Local Education Authority, to the Managers of all Public Elementary Schools within two miles of the School, and to minor Local Authority or Authorities for the said area”.

A period of three months from the first date of publication was allowed for any appeals against the proposed new school. Throughout this time correspondence from the Board continued to indicate its support for the new school. At the expiration of this period, and with no appeals or objections having been received, the Board gave its official approval to the granting of the proposals. This, however, was on the understanding that a minor technical problem was corrected, namely, that the premises will be adequately heated by hot water.

Speaking of hot water, it was now a matter of “full steam ahead”, as it were. HMI Mr Allsopp had the task of certifying that the new school was “adequately staffed, furnished and equipped, and qualified in these respects for recognition as a Public Elementary School”. Plans of changes and improvements to the premises had already been submitted to the authorities and adaptations made. An Architect’s Certificate had been obtained with respect to the completion of the new school.

Original draft plans

Long before the Board had given its official approval for the establishment of the new school, plans had been drafted as to the layout and use of the three-storey building. The original rough plans, detailed below, were intended to provide the following accommodation:

It was questionable at the time whether approval could be granted for so many special rooms in a Central School.  Doubts were also raised about the cloakroom and lavatory accommodation but it was felt that “it would suffice for a boys’ school in an existing building”. There was also some concern about the playground space being below recognition but it was noted that “for a school in Manchester and for such a large number, the area provided is quite good”. What was now needed was a request for full plans showing exact details of elevations, heights of the rooms, height of the window sills from the floor, sizes of the windows, floor areas, the means of ventilation, the heating arrangements, the system of drainage and other relevant information.

As previously stated, the new school was never intended to be fully operational immediately. It would develop gradually, both in terms of staffing and facilities. For financial and other reasons, the new school when opened may well have differed from the plans shown above both in the use and dimensions of the rooms.

Architect’s Certificate, 1923

The final plans and specifications were eventually approved by the Board of Education and were, in all respects, completed in accordance therewith. The dimensions given in the architect’s Schedule are shown below and were accurate for the reasons as actually completed.

Update

A letter from Fr Henry Roche, parish priest of St Aloysius’, to Canon Rowntree, dated 14th May, 1923, stated the following:

“The new Catholic Central School for Boys in the premises lately acquired by the diocese, 75 and 77 Ardwick Green N., will be opened at the end of August. It will be carried on according to the regulations of the Manchester Education Committee for Central Schools. NO FEES ARE CHARGED.

Those boys who have passed the recent Examination for Central Schools are eligible for this School.

The Education Committee will also hold a special Examination in June, at a date which they will announce.

Boys who would not go to a non-Catholic Higher School will now be able to continue their education in this Catholic School.”

(In fact, the examination was held in August and the new school opened in September.)

Name

It is probable that the new school was given the name “St Gregory’s R.C. Central School for Boys” some time from May 1923. Exactly when this was done is not clear. Also unclear is who decided on the name “Gregory” and why was it chosen?

Examination, August 1923

The first intake of boys – 220 of them – had been selected by examination held in St Aloysius’ School, Park (later Harkness) Street, on Monday, 27th August and conducted under the direction of the Manchester Education Authority. This examination had decided the fate of the new boys.

Opening

The new school opened on Monday, 10th September 1923, when the 220 boys entered its door for the first time. That rather narrow entrance facing Ardwick Green was to become the first impression of a four-year education for generations of Gregorians in the years to come.

There to meet them at St Gregory’s were five teachers: Mr Wilfrid Holmes (Headmaster), aged 36, and his four assistants, Mr Walter Clift, 24, Mr George Coggins, 31, Mr Edward Corney, 28, and Mr Joseph O’Connor, 37. That was it – five staff, all of whom were born in the nineteenth century.

Parts of the building were not very old. The south wing, facing the park, was about 64 years old, and parts of the east and west wings were about forty years old. How badly discoloured the brickwork was through decades of pollution is not known. However, one new 11-year-old boy by the name of Larry Nolan would later describe the school as “a very extensive three-storey red-brick building”.

The original teaching staff: some background notes

1. Mr Wilfrid Holmes (Headmaster)

Born in 1887, Mr Holmes served as a pupil teacher at St Edmund’s School from 1901 to 1905. From 1906 to1909 he studied at Manchester University, obtaining a B.A. in 1909, an M.A. in 1910 and a B. Comm. in 1915. He was also awarded a Teacher’s Certificate. Prior to his appointment to St Gregory’s, he had been teaching at Heywood Secondary School, Manchester. His engagement at St Gregory’s began on 10th September, 1923, and, at that time, he lived on Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath.

2 Mr Joseph O’Connor

Born in 1886, Mr O’Connor worked as a pupil teacher from 1900 to 1904 at St Alexander’s School, Kirkdale, Liverpool. He studied at St Mary’s College, Hammersmith, London, from 1905 to 1907, obtaining a Teacher’s Certificate. Prior to his appointment to St Gregory’s, he taught at St Willibrord’s, Clayton, from June 1921 to August 1923. Mr O’Connor resided in Droylsden.

3. Mr Edward Corney

Born in 1895, Mr Corney was a pupil teacher from 1911 to 1913 at Corpus Christi School in Miles Platting. Between 1913 and 1915 he studied at St Mary’s College, Hammersmith, where he was awarded a Teacher’s Certificate.  Prior to his appointment to St Gregory’s, he taught at St Patrick’s Senior Boys’ School from September 1919 to 9th September, 1923. At this time he resided in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

4. Mr Walter Clift

Born in 1899, Mr Clift served as a student teacher at St Richard’s School, Atherton, near Wigan. From 1917 to 1919 he studied at St Mary’s College, Hammersmith, where he obtained a Teacher’s Certificate. Prior to his appointment to St Gregory’s, he taught at St Michael’s Boys’ School, George Leigh Street, Ancoats, from 1919 to 9th September, 1923. At this time Mr Clift lived in Atherton.

5. Mr George A. Coggins

Born in 1892, Mr Coggins attended Parrs Wood Training College, Manchester. He served at a Day Continuation School and obtained a Diploma and Elementary School Certificate. Prior to his appointment to St Gregory’s, he taught at Openshaw Junior Technical from 1921 to 9th September, 1923. He resided in Wigan.

Status

In a letter from the Board of Education, dated 21st January 1924, the Board expressed the view that it was satisfied that the work at the school was really effective and of an advanced character and that the school should be “put on the List straight away as a Central School”.   The school was to be placed “on the List…as from 10/9/23, which was the date of its opening”.  This step also enabled approval to be given with regard to special payments to teachers. The quality of the teachers was an issue after 1923, with HMIs visiting the school from time to time to inspect and assess teachers in order to ensure that the school was providing the kind of teaching required for advanced and intelligent boys, and to ensure that teachers were suitably qualified. 

Clergy meeting, September 1923

A meeting – to which the parish priests of Manchester, Salford, Stretford and Stockport had been invited – was held at Ardwick on 26th September 1923. Five resolutions were carried: the area to be served by the school was limited to the Manchester rating area; the Manchester parish priests held themselves responsible for meeting the capital debt incurred; the first £10,000 would be distributed equally as a capital debt shared by all the parishes; parishes actually having boys at the school would pay the interest on all other expenses; and parishes beyond the Manchester area sending pupils would be charged 50% more per capita. Bishop Casartelli added a note expressing his strong approval.

The original per capita payment decision was later rescinded. The new arrangement was that half the debt (£10,000) be divided equally among the Manchester parishes, and the remainder be met by a per capita charge. The diocesan chancellor would add it to the capital debt of the parishes concerned at a charge of 4% per annum, provided the clergy agreed. This should ensure that no single parish would have more than £500 added to its capital debt.

Bishop Casartelli later relieved the Board of Management from all responsibility regarding the purchase money but expected it to carry on the school as a going concern. Each parish priest was asked for £1 for each pupil attending the school from his parish. Lists of pupils were provided. The priest remained free to make any private arrangements he wished with the individual parents.

In a circular from Fr Feeney – one of the school’s managers -  to the clergy, the following message was given regarding the new boys’ school: “We are sure you will appreciate the vital importance of this decision, and the Board look forward with complete confidence to your whole-hearted cooperation with them in making the school what we intend – the Catholic boys’ charter for a higher education – that will enable our deserving boys to reap the advantages of a better social position in spite of initial lack of financial advantages on the part of their parents.” 

In spite of this, difficulties developed with both St Gregory’s and St Joseph’s schools mainly owing to the “selfishness” of certain elementary school head-teachers who were unwilling to let suitable children attend, with consequent financial implications. It is understood some heads were reluctant to lose their brightest pupils to the new schools.

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