Halifax Art School

Halifax School of Art was established by textile manufacturer and MP, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Akroyd (1810–1887) and opened on 24th January 1859. In 1896 the college consisted of 1000 students, 23 part-time teachers and one full-time teacher who may have been the Headmaste/Principal. The only Head Teacher that I have succeeded in tracing was Charles J Ryan (1834-1895) who was at the school for a brief period c. 1865. Halifax Technical College offered courses in textiles, engineering, chemistry, commerce and what was euphemistically termed ‘Women’s Work’. In 1957 the College became Percival Whitley College, and in 1988 it was renamed Calderdale College. It is now run under the auspices of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council.