HISTORY
Ripon Girls High School opened on 21st July 1909. It was originally known as Ripon Girls' Secondary School, but the name was soon changed as the word 'secondary' was thought by some of the faculty at the time to be derogatory. Although the building was built and maintained at public expense, it was the understanding from the start that parents would pay fees for their daughters to attend the school. As well as these fees, parents were also expected to provide the books and any other equipment.
The timetable for the opening year of operation consisted of four morning lessons of academic subjects with ten minutes drill, and a 15 minute break in the middle. After a dinner break from 12.30 to 2.15pm, the afternoon subjects were usually less academic and included needlework, singing, cookery, drawing and games. By the end of the opening year there were only 33 pupils enrolled. The schools headmistress, Minnie Davie, apparently disapproved of examinations. Her attitude led to some disagreements with the Mayor of Ripon and residents.
Ripon Girl’s High School remained open for 53 years until it merged with Ripon Grammar School in 1962. It would then be known as Ripons Old Lecture Block and later became the Ripon Lifelong Learning Centre in 2003, before closing soon after.
Ripon Civic Society have campaigned vigorously against the number of proposals for the buildings demolition over the years, as property developers want to pull down the century old school and build new residential homes on the site. The developers have also been accused of intentionally causing damage to the buildings roof to speed up its deterioration,
an accusation they have strongly denied.
EXPLORE
Setting off on a wet overcast day i wanted the dull lighting to give a moody atmosphere to the images i wanted to capture. On arrival it seemed fenced off but on further inspection it wasn't hard to bypass and turned out to be a walk in. On entering the first hallway it was clear the natural decay in this place would make for some great pictures (giving it that EERIE, HAUNTED, CREEPY vibe haha only joking that's all bollocks). For only a small portion ofthe left over school there was quite a lot of original features to see, along with some weird lawn mower spaceship looking thing that turned out to be a gravel spreader. The ceramic shop in the basement was also a nice feature with all the baking kilns left over, And the clay extruder. Over all a decent mooch but i believe its been sealed freshly now.
WARNING, PIK HEAVY SORRY!!!!!
Ripon Girls High School opened on 21st July 1909. It was originally known as Ripon Girls' Secondary School, but the name was soon changed as the word 'secondary' was thought by some of the faculty at the time to be derogatory. Although the building was built and maintained at public expense, it was the understanding from the start that parents would pay fees for their daughters to attend the school. As well as these fees, parents were also expected to provide the books and any other equipment.
The timetable for the opening year of operation consisted of four morning lessons of academic subjects with ten minutes drill, and a 15 minute break in the middle. After a dinner break from 12.30 to 2.15pm, the afternoon subjects were usually less academic and included needlework, singing, cookery, drawing and games. By the end of the opening year there were only 33 pupils enrolled. The schools headmistress, Minnie Davie, apparently disapproved of examinations. Her attitude led to some disagreements with the Mayor of Ripon and residents.
Ripon Girl’s High School remained open for 53 years until it merged with Ripon Grammar School in 1962. It would then be known as Ripons Old Lecture Block and later became the Ripon Lifelong Learning Centre in 2003, before closing soon after.
Ripon Civic Society have campaigned vigorously against the number of proposals for the buildings demolition over the years, as property developers want to pull down the century old school and build new residential homes on the site. The developers have also been accused of intentionally causing damage to the buildings roof to speed up its deterioration,
an accusation they have strongly denied.
EXPLORE
Setting off on a wet overcast day i wanted the dull lighting to give a moody atmosphere to the images i wanted to capture. On arrival it seemed fenced off but on further inspection it wasn't hard to bypass and turned out to be a walk in. On entering the first hallway it was clear the natural decay in this place would make for some great pictures (giving it that EERIE, HAUNTED, CREEPY vibe haha only joking that's all bollocks). For only a small portion ofthe left over school there was quite a lot of original features to see, along with some weird lawn mower spaceship looking thing that turned out to be a gravel spreader. The ceramic shop in the basement was also a nice feature with all the baking kilns left over, And the clay extruder. Over all a decent mooch but i believe its been sealed freshly now.
WARNING, PIK HEAVY SORRY!!!!!
