Glossop Grammar School, Talbot Street

Glossop Grammar School, Talbot Street.

The notes on these pages have been put together from various sources. A fuller history of the school can be found in the book "A Very Special School, Glossop Grammar School 1901-1965" by Jack Holden, former pupil and teacher (published 1994).

The Early Days. Hamnett wrote, in one of his newspaper articles, that on 4 January, 1897, Sir Robert Ball gave a lecture in Victoria Hall on “A Universe in Motion." Lord Howard presided, and at the close of the lecture, in the course of his remarks, said: "That large audience showed that the people of Glossop took great interest in technical education, and from what he saw that night and had been told, he believed that technical education was on the increase. That building on which they were assembled was not erected for that particular branch of study, and it was very inadequate for the purpose, and an idea struck him some time ago that he should have pleasure in offering to the town of Glossop are building for a Technical School. Having said that, of course, they might think it was just at that moment he had made up his mind to do so. Well, it was the last straw that night that had quite settle the matter, and he intended to do so. He had been for some time talking the matter over with his Agent, and he had already arranged where the building should be, and had gone so far as to appoint the architect."
The announcement was, a great, agreeable and welcome surprise to the audience.
The day following the Mayor received a letter from Lord Howard's agent, the following of which is a copy:-
“The Howard Estate Office, January 5, 1897
Dear Sir, - I have much pleasure in writing to acquaint you that it is Lord Howard's intention to erect, upon an eligible site, a building suitable for technical education purposes, and to present it to the inhabitants of the Borough of Glossop. His Lordship indeed stated as much at a "Gilchrist Lecture" held last night in the Victoria Hall. I now formally address his Lordship's intention, and state that with pleasure he makes this presentation. I may, perhaps, add that for reasons imposed by the "Glossop Estates' Act," the site will have to be held upon lease, but at a peppercorn rent. His Lordship assumes that upon completion of the building it will be taken over and maintained at the expense of the Borough, in the same manner followed in the matter of the Park and Baths.
I am, sir, your truly,
C. A. Abraham"
Building operations commenced in November following, and on the 23rd March, 1898, the Council formally accepted the gift. The Draft Deed of Gift was accepted on 3 April 1901, and the technical school formally handed over on the 11th.
A casket, value Ł75 and an illuminated address on vellum, which cost Ł6, was presented to his Lordship some time afterwards.
The stone used in the building came from the Mouslow Quarries.
The basement is used for weaving and other trades. On the ground floor are various laboratories, secretary's office, and other rooms. The upper floor is mainly used for art teaching. It is a handsome building.
The furnishing of the Technical School cost Ł1,974 3s. 0d., towards which the Derby County Council contributed Ł600. Ł1,200 was borrowed from the Public Works Loan Commissioners.

Technical School Group.	On September 24th 1901 the new school opened with 37 pupils. The first Headmaster was Ralph Hubert Dickinson, who had also been Headmaster of the Wesleyan Day School on High Street West; his assistant was Mr W H N James. The head of the independent Art School was Mr J J Connor, who remained at the school throughout its transmission from Technical to Secondary to Grammar, until his retirement in 1930. The subjects taught in the first year were Art, Cotton Spinning, Cotton Weaving, and Masonry & Brickwork.	Girls Hockey Team with R.H.Dickinson

The 1902 Balfour Education Act altered the direction and purpose of the school, when the control passed from the Glossop Higher Education Authority to the County Authority. It was no longer a Technical school, the looms being removed, and it became a Secondary School. The subjects now taught were English Grammar & Composition, French, Mathematics, Chemistry, Art, Domestic Subjects and Manual Instruction.

A growing group of pupils in 1908.

In 1913 when the Pikes Lane Council School, later to be known as West End, together with the earlier Hadfield Council School, later to be known as Castle School, provided a form of education, in the Borough, which permitted the specialist kind of education which would allow the Talbot Street school the title of Grammar School. The first mention of Glossop Grammar School was made in a return to the County Authority in 1916.

Boys Cricket Team, 1913

	Mr R H Dickinson died on 21st July 1944; he was Headmaster for 26 years until his retirement in December 1927. When his successor, Mr C H Chambers took over the role there were 264 pupils and 19 staff.
Girls Cricket Team, 1913.

	Charles Hartland Chambers died on 4th January 1953; he was a teacher at the school from 1903 to 1937, 25 years as Senior Assistant and 9 years as Headmaster. Cecil Lord succeeded Mr Chambers as Headmaster and served for 23 years until his retirement in 1960.
C H Chambers.		One of Mr Prellberg's tea parties, 1922. He was affectionately known as "Prelly".


Two early Grammar School class groups. The one on the left is dated 4th August 1915; third from the right is Mabel Hyde. The right hand photo also features Mabel Hyde, in the front row, third from left. More photos and details of Mabel can be found here.

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Last updated: 16 November 2021