Extension of Pendleton High School for Girls, Pendleton

Location Bolton and Occupation Roads, Pendleton, originally named Birch Mount. Currently the Sorrell Bank Medical Centre. The Benjamin Armitage referred to is probably Benjamin Armitage of Sorrell Bank. Sorrell Bank was on the corner of Eccles Old Road and Langworthy Road - now the site of the evangelical church. The stables for this house are extant to the rear of the church.

PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS - The formal opening of the extension of these schools took place yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a number of ladies and gentlemen resident in the neighbourhood. The scholars gave a very pleasing entertainment in the new schoolroom, Canon Tonge presiding. The Rev. chairman, in a statement which he made, said the school was opened five years ago as a branch the High School, in Dover Street, Manchester, and was under the superintendence of the head-mistress of that institution. It flourished, and another house in addition to that occupied was added. The first year was conducted at a cost of £573, including alterations and furnishing, which was charged the funds of the High School Trust. Various inconveniences came to be felt as the result of the institution being branch school, one of which was that only pupils up to certain age could be admitted. Eventually a new scheme was brought into force by which the Pendleton school became a second school to the High School Trust. It had become self-supporting, and whereas there were only 48 scholars in average attendance in the second year them were now 131. Hence the further extension of the school. Regarding our educational system generally he said his feeling was that with the development of the system of the higher standard of education generally, there was less personal effort amongst scholars than there used to be when was young. He trusted that the scholars would supplement the teaching they received by diligent application. [Manchester Courier - Saturday 26 September 1891 page 8]

Reference    Salford Building Control Archive. Plans dated 22 September 1891
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