The educational needs of poor Friends' children were discussed at Quarterly Meeting in 1770, and Brighouse Monthly Meeting expressed interest in establishing a school. A subscription was raised by Friends in the West Riding, and the appointed cashiers, John Elam and John Jowitt, purchased a farm near Gildersome in 1772 which was adapted for the purpose. Brighouse Monthly Meeting contributed towards the expenses of setting up the school and stocking its farm, but otherwise annual subscriptions were raised from Preparative Meetings. John Ellis (1745-1828), a schoolteacher from High Flatts, was appointed headmaster and the school opened in September 1772. The school took boys and girls of poor Friends, from within the Monthly Meeting and further afield. It accommodated c.60 boarders and a number of day scholars. As well as reading and writing, boys were taught aspects of woollen manufacturing and husbandry, whilst girls were taught spinning, knitting and sewing. In 1796 the management of the school was devolved to John Ellis, who reported to the Gildersome School Fund Committee. This arrangement continued until 1815, when Ellis retired and the school closed. The Fund (renamed the Monthly Meeting School Fund) continues to support the education of poor children, such as by funding places at Ackworth School, to this day. In many ways, the school acted as a small-scale model for Ackworth School.
From the guide to the Records of Gildersome School of the Society of Friends, 1772-1935, (GB 206 Leeds University Library)
