In 1828 Yorkshire Quarterly Meeting set up a committee to consider the educational needs of poor children who attended Quaker worship, but whose parents were not members. These were mainly the children of those disowned for 'marrying out'. An appeal for funds followed in 1829; this gathered almost 3000 in capital, as well as annual subscriptions to run the school. Premises in Rawdon were purchased in 1831 and the school opened the following year. Its first successive superintendents were James Bolton, Henry Hawley and William Rothery. Samuel Tuke, William Alexander and Joseph Rowntree served on the management committee. Initially 48 boys between eight and fourteen years of age were admitted. By 1835 girls were also admitted. The school struggled financially and received a severe setback in 1876 when a fire destroyed much of the premises. Despite special appeals and a generous legacy from Edward Burtt Woodhead in 1911, the school became too expensive to run and was closed in 1920. Some 34 pupils, the head and one of the teachers transferred to the Friends School at Great Ayton.
From the guide to the Records of Rawdon School of the Society of Friends, 1819-1928, (Leeds University Library)
From the guide to the Records of Rawdon School of the Society of Friends, 1827-1922, (Leeds University Library)
