Technical School, 20 Upper George Street, Tyldesley

COMPETITIONS. - Technical School, Tyldesley - In this competition the first premiated design is by Mr. John Holt, C.E., architect and surveyor, Exchange Buildings, 6, St. Mary’s-gate, Manchester. [Builder 15 December 1900 page 541]

A TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR TYLDESLEY - The Tyldesley District Council have decided to erect a technical school in Upper George-street, Tyldesley, on land presented to the town by the Rev. G. T. B. Ormerod. Mr. J. Holt, of Manchester, has prepared the plans, and it is estimated that the total cost will be about £4,500, of which £3,000 is expected to be raised by a levy of 1d. in the on the rates, and the remainder by public subscriptions. [Manchester Evening News 8 January 1901 page 3]

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS FOR TYLDESLEY - A new technical school, built in the Renaissance style, was opened at TyIdesley on Saturday afternoon by Mr. C Eckersley J.P. in the presence of a large gathering. One thousand scholars, each wearing a commemorative medal the members of the District Council. Education Committee, trade and friendly societies etc. made a procession through the decorated town prior to the ceremony. The building has cost over £6,000, £3,000 of which has come from the rates. The designs of the school were by Mr. J. Holt, architect, Manchester. Mr. Eckersley said Tyldesley was the pioneers of technical education in the district. He considered the Lancashire cotton operatives were superior to any in the world for intelligence, doing their work rapidly and well. (Applause) Referring to the advantages of technical education he said it was desirable that the industries of this country should be carried on with the utmost skill, and it was vital to the interests of this country that the cotton industry particularly, and other industries as well, should managed and controlled by the ablest and most intelligent minds in order to enable this country to compete with the other countries that had forged ahead of us as regarded technical education. [Manchester Courier 19 September 1904 page 6]

When the Technical School opened in 1904 its mine training suite in the basement was ‘state of the art’ and one of the earliest such schools in the northwest of England. Unfortunately the later ‘Balfour’ Education Acts took secondary education in a different direction and few technical schools had a distinguished future, Tyldesley being used for secretarial training – shorthand and typing amongst other things – and adult education of varying forms.

Formal opening 17 September 1904

Not to be confused with the now demolished British School on the adjoining site, now a public car park.

Reference    Builder 15 December 1900 page 541
Reference    Manchester Evening News 8 January 1901 page 3
Reference    Building News 21 June 1901 Page 850 - contracts
Reference    Leigh Chronicle 18 September 1903 page memorial stone
Reference    Manchester Courier 19 September 1904 page 6 - opening
Reference    Leigh Chronicle 8 September 1905 – obituary of J H Wilson