Respected historian sheds new light on daily life in Victorian Harrogate in new book

A treasure trove of rare and unseen photographs of Harrogate schools in the 19th century has been unearthed by a local historian for his new book.

The beautifully illustrated Schools and Schooldays in 19th Century Harrogate by popular Harrogate author and historian Paul Jennings sheds new light on the history of education in Victorian Harrogate.

Deeply researched but readable, the book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of both education and the town of Harrogate and anyone who is interested in schools which still exist today, from Grove Road Primary School to Harrogate Ladies College.

As well as the extraordinary pictures of pupils and teachers at the town’s schools taken nearly 150 years ago, Schools and Schooldays in 19th Century Harrogate also tells the story of how and why things changed for youngsters during the reign of Queen Victoria.

In particular, this fascinating book reveals how class, religion and gender largely determined the type and quality of the provision of learning.

"I wanted to show how and what children in Harrogate were taught and what their daily routine was,” said Paul Jennings who is much in-demand as a public speaker.

"But I also wanted to examine why different social groups had different experiences of education when they were growing up.

"For example, while working class boys and girls in the 19th century in Harrogate were taught together in elementary schools, middle class girls attended separate schools.”

Published by Carnegie, an imprint of Palatine Books, Schools and Schooldays in 19th Century Harrogate is published in paperback with 284 pages and 70 illustrations.

In the course of his research, which included some very old copies of the Harrogate Advertiser’s antecedant the Harrogate Herald. Paul Jennings discovered that, as with much of Harrogate’s history, its spa heritage also had an influence on the path the town’s education took.

"Harrogate’s health resort status led to the creation of an unusually high number of private schools,” said Paul.

"This was partly because fee-paying parents were assured that their children would benefit from the especially healthy surroundings.”

The author’s previous book, Gin and the English - An Illustrated History, received widespread acclaim in 2024 when it was published by Historic England.

His latest book – Schools and Schooldays in 19th Century Harrogate – was launched with a series of public talks by Paul Jennings, including at Harrogate Library which is also hosting an exhibition devoted to Paul’s work which will run until June 29.

It is hoped that the exhibition will then transfer to West Park Centre.

Paul Jenning’s book ends at the First World War but this highly respected local historian says the biggest changes were actually the result of the Second World War.

“Harrogate’s education system changed little until the Education Act of 1944,” he said.

"But after the Second World War, there was a big expansion in the number of schools, including in Bilton.”

Schools and Schooldays in 19th Century Harrogate by Paul Jennings is available in local bookshops, or direct from the publishers with a 10% discount at : www.carnegiepublishing.com

Or call 01524 840111.