Royal Park Primary School
Amongst the rows of late Victorian and Edwardian back-to-back terraces of Hyde Park, the Royal Park Primary School building occupies a central space. Many Leeds-based folk will be familiar with the building’s recent history and the well publicised struggle to save it for community use following its closure in 2004. However, its fascinating past along with the history of this area of Leeds, has been somewhat obscured by its reported declination.
Opened as Queens Road School on the 28th September 1892, as a mixed junior and infants school. A ‘strong Victorian building, built to last’, it helped to define the area as industrial and proud, an effect of the Industrial Revolution which saw Leeds develop into a major centre for industry. This growth was consolidated when in the following year, Leeds became a city by Royal Charter. Although the population was little more than one-third of what it is today, people were housed much closer together, and the resulting built-up nature of the city was definitely experienced in Hyde Park. The demand for housing was so great that it could barely be met . The city’s population had doubled in the second half of the 19th Century and showed no signs of slowing down, growing by 4000 per year in the 1890’s; therefore back-to-back houses were favourable as they could be quickly erected and allowed densities as high as 80-90 houses per acre.
A typical classroom in Queen's Road School, 1929 (image courtesy of School Centenary: The history of Queen's Road/Royal Park)
It was the post-war years that saw a further population increase which caused the school to grow, as teacher and former pupil at Mr Bill Turner recalled:
I first entered Queen’s Road School in 1950. The school was rapidly expanding to cater for the post-war bulge. An exceptional number of children were conceived during the war, and immediately afterwards. They were now becoming of school age.
By 1949, the school building was too small for the number of pupils and the nearby All Hallows Institute was allocated for use by two classes. Such a population rise meant that by 1954 Queen’s Road School was the largest primary school in the city. The school went on to serve as a centre of the community and lead in developments to school and education services. In the 1960’s Queen’s Road School became pioneers of a holiday scheme for children, who would attend on weekdays for a month during the Summer to enjoy leisure pursuits, craft activities and outings. Headteacher Mrs Stella Hirst (1967-72) also remembered:
We were the first school in North-West Leeds to be changed from the normal Schools’ Meal Service to frozen school meals, which were delivered weekly in refrigerated containers, and then freshly cooked each day in newly installed special ovens – a forerunner to today’s microwave ovens.
23rd December 1968. Looking east along Royal Park Road across Queens Road towards Woodhouse Moor. People can be seen getting on a number 56 bus. R.H. Williams newsagent is on the left, and Queen's Road school can be seen on the right (image courtesy of Leodis Photographic Archive)
- The school adapted to educational requirements when in 1972 Leeds Education Authority which decided to introduce the 3 tier system of Primary, Middle and High Schools, this meaning that Queen’s Road Infants’ School would be no more and instead Royal Park Middle School would take its place. Whilst the Government’s Helestine package saw work begin to transform the old Victorian interior into a modern and lighter place in 1983, the exterior remained iconic and unchanged. In July 1992, it underwent a further reorganisation to become Royal Park Primary School, teaching children from the ages of 5 to 11 instead of 9 to 13.
Although the school celebrated its centenary in 1992, the 1990’s saw increasing change in the environment around the school. The decline of industry in the city with the move to financial and commercial services saw the gradual transformation of the area, no longer being ‘working class’ by label. As industry declined and adapted, their became fewer industrial workers and families living in the area which was traditionally built with the purpose of housing the surplus of workers. Although already a culturally diverse space, Hyde Park faced an increasing imbalance between demographics, particularly via the impact of ‘studentification’. The back-to-back housing once favoured by the working classes became an increasingly attractive area for landlords looking to let to students of the city’s universities.
With student numbers on the increase, families began to leave the area. Today, Hyde Park is the most crowded area in Leeds, with an average population density of 186 people per hectare, when the average in Leeds over all is 12 people per hectare. Over 80% of the population in Hyde Park is aged 16-29, a quarter of the population leaves the area every year to be replaced with newcomers. Surplus classroom places at Royal Park and two other nearby primary schools became a problem for the local authority, and as early as 1992, there had been discussion of its closure – which was met by strong local opposition.
In 1997, more than 100 Hyde Park parents met governors at the school to organise their campaign:
The meeting unanimously passed a resolution opposing closure, which it said would damage not only the education of the School’s pupils, but also the community spirit of Hyde Park. (Yorkshire Evening Post 10/07/97)
Later that year, a petition calling for the school to remain open was signed by more than 2500 people. As tensions increased in the area, it was reported as “a district which has faced more than its fair share of troubles in recent years, including riots, arson and drug dealing” (Yorkshire Evening Post 1/04/98). Although the closure of the school was evaded by local opposition, the school remained under-subscribed, and as a result, was closed in 2004, with the Council’s promise that the building would be preserved for community use.
However, residents were worried by rumours that the site was to be the location of a new supermarket or used as a space to build student flats, a feeling which further invoked local pride for the building and the memories which it held for the community.
The Royal Park Community Consortium (RPCC) formed in 2005 as a response to resident’s increasing concerns about the building and its future. Their vision for the Royal Park School building is for it to be a community hub, ” a building with a history, an exemplar for the future.” They have submitted several bids to Leeds City Council – in 2005, 2007, 2009 and January 2010 – for permission to transform the building into a community centre, and want to foster a sense of local ownership of the project, a catalyst for increased social cohesion.
Members of the community clean-up on the site, October 2010 (image courtesy of Jon Vernon)
After years of tireless campaigning, fundraising and help from so many passionate volunteers and residents within the community, the RPCC were able to announce the success of their bid to redevelop the disused school into a Community Hub for the people of Hyde Park in January 2011. They have been given 9 months to raise £750,000 towards the project and although they have been recently granted a provisional cash boost of £823,000 by The Communitybuilders Fund there is still a long way to go in meeting the £3million target required to fund the project.
image courtesy of RPCC http://www.royalparkschool.org
RPCC business development co-ordinator and campaigner Jake England-Johns told the Guardian Leeds:
The commitment from Communitybuilders to back the project sends a message of hope out to the community in uncertain times. We still have some tough hills to climb and will need the support of Leeds council more than ever if we are going to succeed in our efforts.
Locals can get involved in this exciting community development by attending the RPCC’s meetings which are held every Tuesday at 7pm at the Burley Lodge Centre. For more information on ways to get involved or to become a patron or sponsor of the new community centre, visit http://www.royalparkschool.org/
Although the building no longer serves the same function as it once did, it still stands today as a landmark within Hyde Park. Upon the school’s centenary in 1992, a statement from Rev Stanley R. Baxter, Chair of the Board of Governors said: “A good school will seek to be part of the community which it serves, enriching and supporting it” and Royal Park was a school that “has launched thousands of children on their lives’ journey and holds a special place of affection in their hearts. Despite the great changes that the area has experienced in the past century, with the help of the RPCC, Royal Park School will hopefully provide a central service for a vibrant community once again.
Selected bibliography
- Chartres, John and Katrina Honeyman eds., Leeds City Business 1893-1993: essays marking the centenary of the incorporation (Leeds: Leeds University Press, 1993)
- A School Centenury: The History of Queen’s Road/Royal Park
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds
- Yorkshire Evening Post archives – Leeds Local and Family History Library
civicleeds 
Jul 31, 2011 @ 15:22:42
This is really fascinating. I followed this link via Twitter and I had absolutely no idea about Royal Park School, even though it was down the road from my house! You’ve done some really great work and this page has really made the school come alive for me – it’s no longer just an abandoned site I walk past on the way to Sainsburys Local.
May 21, 2012 @ 23:07:10
I went to school there in 1985 and 1986 and though I had to leave the school (my family moved to Peru), I have very fond and clear memories of the place and the teachers, the students, the activities we did there.
Jun 16, 2012 @ 22:02:57
I went to visit my old school this week – nostagic time for me.
Have very fond and happy memories of my schooling at Royal Park and annexe. So many changes.
Left at 13 years of age in 1976.
Moved to London at 19. First visit back since then. Sad and surprised at it’s closure.
Oct 08, 2012 @ 09:52:32
Very happy memories for me too…i left at the age of 13 in 1973 !!!
Feb 28, 2013 @ 10:27:41
Hello Drain pipe’i read your comments with great interest and was just wondering your real name as we may have known each other at the school.I would have been there about the same time as you were there.
Let me know if you would if you remember me 😉
Many thanks
Kevin Rickett
Jul 12, 2020 @ 08:46:24
hi kevin did you happen to be in mr hardys class, i was there from 1969 till 1978 oh and i was called maria basnett back then,
Aug 22, 2013 @ 12:16:22
hi was a pupil from 69 to74 does anyone remember susan whip and henry stuart…..used to play rugby for school..happy days ..saturday morning pictures with my mate henry….was in the captain mallory group…….not many asians at the school in the old days….everyone was nice…no name callling…spent early part at smaller school down the road then moved to middle school…teachers were great …i remember one female teacher,cannot remember name..would split my apple with her hands….school plays on the wooden stage…..free milk with a biscuit…….lived on hyde park road..my dad owned a v.g.store…..groceries etc….i think the school had a slopeing playground…………little sweet shop opposite school on the corner….bowling green on other side where we had rugby practice….
Jan 19, 2020 @ 02:15:33
Hello. I have very fond memories at the school. I learnt so much, best education. I left in 1975 & went onto Silver Royd Girls High. Moved to London in 1984. Rama xx
Jan 19, 2020 @ 14:31:58
Hi Rama.. Great days.. what a school we had.. I wish we could go back to the good old days.left about 74…Leeds United were the top team in them days. Happy memories Rama.. 😊Cheers
May 21, 2021 @ 09:03:40
Hi
I remember your name, but can’t remember your face. Henry Stuart I remember. I was prefect in 3c on rainy days and was supposed to keep an eye on you!😂
Comics everywhere.
Mar 13, 2022 @ 17:16:00
Eh up,, Carol cheers for the reply,, you must have a good memory if you can remember my name,, yes happy times for me,, I remember the wooden stage in the hall,, Christmas plays,,, do you remember the sweet shop opposite the school?,, my best mate was Henry,,, 🙂,,
Mar 13, 2022 @ 17:31:25
Forgot to mention Carol everybody wanted to be a prefect,, you must have been a goody 2 shoes to get the job😅😅,, cheers Laks
Mar 15, 2022 @ 18:19:53
I remember remember Susan Whip and Henry Stuart but only by name,it has been a long time though
I was at the school from around 1972 till 1977 and loved it.I was at the annex previous to that
Mar 19, 2022 @ 17:04:30
Hello there,,, I’m pretty sure Susan Whip was a blonde hair lass,,, Henry was West Indian descendant,, good mate of mine at school,,, great days,, cheers
Oct 08, 2012 @ 09:55:09
Mr Hall..our head teacher..was a trogen !!
Feb 28, 2013 @ 11:16:06
You spelt Trogen wrong! it’s correct spelling is (Trojan)
Oct 19, 2012 @ 00:42:34
I went to this school from 1958 till 1963. Started as a newly arrived immigrant in 1958 in the Infants School — couldn’t speak a word of English. I may have been one of the very first, if not the first, Pakistani children at this school Teacher was Mrs Goodman and the Head Mistress was Miss Burnley.When I came into the Junior School, the Head Master changed from Mr Smith to Mr Hall. Teachers I remember well are Mrs Perkins, Mrs Thompson, Mr. Sinclair (deputy head), Mr Cole, Miss Holt.Mr Hall used to organise hiking trips (Bolton Abbey, Malham, Ilkley Moors etc.) regularly and I tried to go every time. These trips gave me a deep appreciation of the beauty and love of the countryside. I had a good friend throughout these years, Paul Anderson, with whom I have lost touch. I remember Williams’s across the road beside the bus stop where I would sometimes go at lunch time for a sweet or a chocolate.
These were wonderful years for me in terms of learning – the formal learning and the informal.
Feb 28, 2013 @ 10:21:27
What a great and fantastic shool it was in it’s day’well it was for anyway.Many happy memories those school days hold and also the wonderful teachers we had including Mr Cohen our gym teacher/Mrs Spencer french teacher/Mr Hall the headmaster followed by Mr Thornton.
First went to Royal Park School in 1969 until 1976 then onto Lawnswood School.
It was the annexe i first went to just a bit further down the road from the school as though you were heading for Cardigan Road (prefab buildings and Mrs Knight was my teacher there) I think it’s a mosque now.
Does anyone here remember Mr Oliver the math teacher (great guy) oh and not forgetting Mr Robinson (woodwork teacher) he would always throw chalk at someone if they were not paying attention!
Oh great school days there and never forgotten.
Just an idea here but if time travel was possible who would in fact go back to those days? i know that i would 😉
Great memories and thanks lads n lasses for taking the time out and reading this.
Kevin R
Sep 08, 2015 @ 12:54:57
Hi kevin was at royal park same time as you,left for lance in 74 I think,,was mates with henry Stuart,,,,
Oct 04, 2015 @ 17:18:25
I to went to Royal Park School around the same time as you Mr Baker was my class teacher I was friends with Karen and Diahann Gaffigan they were twins and I remember a Mark Laniman and Mark Rhodes as well.
Sep 11, 2019 @ 06:43:10
hi kevin yes i remember those teachers uve mentioned, i was at royal park from 69-78 known then as maria basnett, my brother who was 4 yrs older was there to also my 2 cousins mark and michell basnett, all good memories of that school
Jan 24, 2020 @ 08:15:31
Hello Maria
I also went to royal park and queens road – the name it was before.
I’m not sure I remember you but I remember your cousins, mark and Michelle.
Mark was in the swimming team with me , he was also in my class. Blonde lad! Last time I saw him , many years ago 30+!!!
he’d been in the army?
My name was carol senior back then, my brother was Michael.
I remember all those great teachers, mr Hardy , mr Baker, Mrs Procter, my fabulous kind swimming teacher, she was my class teacher when I was in the annex, the list goes on….
happy memories of a brilliant school.
Did you go to the reunion before it closed and got demolished.???
Dec 04, 2020 @ 21:36:39
Hi carol your name so rings a bell but i juat cant put a face to the name..A few of us went to the royal park pub last oct, as it was 50 years since we started at royal well queens road to start with, was heart wrenching ti look across from the pub to see nothing there but grass. If i could do my school years again i would there as i really did love that school, day we left i cried ao much
May 15, 2021 @ 12:06:40
Hi Kevin
I went to the annexe too! Yes I remember those teachers very well. I loved doing wood work. Do you remember Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Cohen too? I remember doing dancing lessons up in the big hall can’t quite remember which teacher took us for that🤷♀️.
I was friends with raksha, seema, Sheila knew Misba Butt, Henry Stuart, Nigel but can’t remember his surname. Good memories at Royal Park school
Mar 16, 2022 @ 20:50:49
Hi Kevin I was there bout same time remember all those teacher and the big aussi I went on to moorgrange I’m trev marper
Oct 01, 2022 @ 00:55:01
Hi trevor, David evelyn here remember your name but not your face… Great looking thru this list of emails, teacher name flashback.
Great school.. great times. Lucky us…dx
Feb 28, 2013 @ 14:50:08
I had Mr. Oliver as a teacher in the mid 80’s and have great memories of him, not only in Math but hearing him talk about history, etc. Yes, I’d definitely go back in time to be there again, not just there but to be ten years old – ha ha!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 18:56:40
Yeah thanks Koom for the reply and would anyone else here go back in time?
Oct 19, 2021 @ 13:39:32
I was there in the early 60s Mr Hall was Head
Oct 19, 2021 @ 23:58:25
I was there in the early 60s also – started in the Infants School in 1958. There was a Newby in my class — any connection?? I thought that he was Stephen Newby.
Riaz Akhtar
May 01, 2013 @ 02:58:28
i went to school here in the 60s the head of the junior school was a mrs femby. left the leeds area in 1970 aged 10. Have fond memories of the area. just doing some checking up as i live in canada. two of my mates were howard quinn and clifford bedford. last time i passed through the area was around 12 years ago. think its gone down hill as an area. lived on harold grove.
Oct 22, 2013 @ 14:32:59
Sounds like you were there same time as me I left 1970 aged 10. Don’t remember a Neville. I had glasses and sometimes had to wear a patch over my left eye that made me look like I didn’t have an eye in some school photos.
Oct 20, 2021 @ 00:24:15
I was there in the early 60s having started in the Infants School in 1958. I note you live on Harold Grove — I used to have a friend on Harold Walk — his parents owned a fish & chips shop on the corner. Name was Paul Anderson. I am also in Canada — in Moncton, New Brunswick
Oct 20, 2021 @ 01:10:59
A couple of people mentioned being in canada. I am in the Toronto area if anyone wants to connect?
koom_kankesan@yahoo.ca
Oct 22, 2013 @ 14:28:50
I went to this school 1965 to 1970 when we left for Australia. I started in the annex the playground there was great. My best friend was Tina Asquith she lived in one of the “Harolds” The main teacher I remember was Mr Llwellyn – he took us for PE – he used to swear in welsh. We used to make ice slides in the playground in the winter. We also used to go to a different school on busses for our lunch. the mashed potato was awful and the others used to fight over the skin off the custard but I didn’t like it so when it was my turn I used to give it to Tina.
Feb 21, 2014 @ 14:28:21
Hi Carol.
I went to Royal Park 1965 – 70 as well. Great times children I can remember are Neil Bateson, Richard Jackson, Andy Harrison, Sharon Gardner and Amanda Darby ( who I had a crush on )
Below is a you tube link to a news film from 1968. Which shows children who I think all went to Royal Park playing street games on Brudnel Grove.
I’m the one in the striped t shirt who gets hit on the head by the ball.
Regards David Smith
Feb 21, 2014 @ 20:05:51
Just posted School Photo on Facebook 1967/68
Feb 24, 2014 @ 11:43:15
Thanks David I don’t remember the names you mention but in the clip I think there was a girl I remember – the African with the tiny sister – if I have the right person she would be called Mercedes. I also think there were some identical twin boys in my class. I also think there was a Michael who possibly had the surname Steadman. If I find any photos I’ll try to post them.
Feb 28, 2014 @ 10:33:09
Hi David I had a look at the photo but I couldn’t see me I think I might have been in a different class. I do remember the dark haired teacher on the right. I thought she was the headmistress or deputy head. I think she was the one I knocked flying when we were playing on ice slides we made one winter in the playground.
Oct 22, 2013 @ 22:20:24
I too have have very fond memories of the school with headmaster Mr Hall giving the children a firm moral compass and was a natural leader. Other notable teacher I can recall are: Mr Coles, Mrs Bateman, her son Mr Bateman.
Oct 23, 2013 @ 11:45:16
I remember mr llewelyn well white haired gent. He coached the rugby teams.
Oct 23, 2013 @ 11:50:50
I remember mr llewelyn well white haired gent. He coached the rugby teams. I’m sure my mum still has a school photo from then. I will see if I can get a copy emailed to me and if the site will let me post it
Oct 23, 2013 @ 19:30:13
i remember mr llewellyn well grey haired gent. he was the coach of the rugby teams. I think my mum still has a school photo from around 1968. i will try and get a copy and post it if this site will let me.
Nov 18, 2013 @ 12:49:52
Hi,
I’m a student on the Graphic Arts course at Leeds Met, myself and a couple of other students are doing a project on the Royal Park Primary School. Was wondering if we could talk to anyone about their time at the school or their feelings on the closure and demolition plans for it? We’re trying to find out as much as possible about any ongoing campaigns as well. If anyone would like to get in touch and share thoughts or stories of any kind please email me at suziecichy@aol.com. Thanks!
Jan 07, 2014 @ 00:18:40
Such happy times here….Keith locke….
Feb 03, 2014 @ 09:48:42
Hello Keith, are you the Keith Locke I used to hang out with and listen to music with? Ged here. If so I think of you occasionally and have fond memories. Either way, please don’t feel obliged to get back in touch! Just wanted to say hello. Best wishes, Ged Crefin
Sep 06, 2014 @ 14:30:32
Well hello Ged,yes i do remember you well,if i am correct you lived at the top of the same street as Julie woods and a girl next door to Julie called Stacey,?hope you are well Ged and life is good,i was over in leeds a couple of years ago and had a little visit to that particular street,a stroll down memory lane you might say.I live in the republic of Ireland these past fifteen years,i will be venturing over again shortly,and if you still reside in leeds it would be great to meet up and chat my old friend and compare notes?a lot of water under and over the bridge since our youthful innocent days of the 70s…..I wonder at times with great fondness what happened to all you people?.So good to hear from you Ged and hope to again soon……..PEACE……..
Sep 06, 2014 @ 14:39:18
P.S. I HAVE A TWITTER PAGE GED…KEITH ALGIE LOCKE @carbonfilter.
Sep 09, 2014 @ 20:38:02
Keith, I can’t tell you how nice it was to read your reply and to know it was you. It really brought the memories flooding back, so good to hear from you! I would love to meet up, yes I’m still in Leeds, in Moor Allerton near Moortown with my wife and two boys. I haven’t seen or heard anything of Julie or Stacey for some time but I know they had families of their own. I always remember sitting in your bedroom listening to mostly prog and heavy rock, it was a great musical education and we had a connection to the latest music through your older brother. Yes we do have a lot of catching up to do. I don’t have a Twitter account, I never really got the hang of it but you can find me on Facebook. Let me know when you’re coming over, it would be so good to meet up and compare notes as you say. Love and peace, Ged
Jul 21, 2016 @ 20:23:27
Hi Ged,heading to Leeds 27/7/2016 till 3/8/2016 if you see this message give us a quick reply and i will leave contact details,hope you and family are well…..KEITH.
Jul 21, 2016 @ 22:30:14
Hi Keith, great to hear from you! Let’s meet up. You can email me directly: gedcrefin@gmail.com or on the civicleeds site which will forward your messages. Looking forward to seeing you, hope you are well, we’re all fine here.
Love and peace
Ged
Oct 01, 2022 @ 00:58:52
Wow Kieth.. Hows tricks and family, all of them? Brenda malcom Paul… Great to read some of if not all the stuff on here..Nice flashback memories… Your neighbour over the road, David Evelyn
Jan 24, 2014 @ 22:55:21
Feb 28, 2014 @ 10:57:33
It’s a great shame that my old school Royal Park School is going to be demolished.
I 100% loved going there and enjoyed every day as all the teachers were fantastic and one teacher in particular was our P.E teacher the late great Mr Cohen.We used to do the high jump in P.E in the top hall and i was elected captain of the team(what an honour it was then)
Some of the other teachers i remember are..
Mr Hall:our first headmaster 1966/67 and then proceeded by Mr Thornton
Mrs Cohen:Class teacher
Mr Robinson:Woodwork teacher(he would throw chalk at you if you were not paying attention)
Miss Hall:She was like a special needs teacher within the school regarding pupils with learning difficulties(yep i was in her class 😉
Senior headmistress:Miss Hall:I used to see her every Monday morning to get told of regarding my full stops in English class were as big as footballs.
School dinners were the best ever and one dinner i will always remember is meat crumble pie(loved it and i work as a chef now and often have that dish on the menu)
Great memories
Thanks for reading
Kevin
Mar 25, 2014 @ 23:26:21
Kevin.
You were in my class!!
Great school, great teachers and great days.
Went to see the old school today…
Almost demolished. Such a shame.
Very happy memories.
Mar 26, 2014 @ 11:49:08
Hi Carol
Yes i remember you also and i keep on meaning to go back and see the school as i go back to the Hyde Park area maybe once/twice a year (memories are all still there)
I now live near to St James Hospital and at times i wish i was still living in Hyde park but left the area in the late 80s.
Such a shame though that the school had to be demolished and what a brilliant and never forgotten school it will be.(Thats when schools were schools)
Thanks for contacting Carol and all the best to you 😉
Jan 14, 2016 @ 23:16:02
Hi Kevin ,thanks for the reply, sorry it’s very late!
Did you not go to the reunion about 10 years ago for old pupils??
I went and met loads of old school friends, and some of the teachers that we had. They gave me a booklet of the school centenary , it was a few years old, but the photos were great.
E. Mail if you ever want to remenis
Regards
Carol king( senior)
Mar 27, 2014 @ 11:39:48
Really good memories of this school. I can’t believe it’s being demolished!! Some brilliant teachers there. 🙂
Mar 27, 2014 @ 12:36:36
Hi Jayshree and yes great memories from Royal Park school and never forgotten.I am just trying to remember your name but there are that many to remember i just can not remember you.
You may of been younger than myself? or my memorie is fading (old age lol 😉
Thanks for making a comment on here and lets hope that more of us “Royal Park Schoolodians get in touch via this brilliant website 😉
Jun 01, 2017 @ 08:35:38
Hi Jayshree Parmar, your sister.
I wonder if anyone remembers me. I went there around 1965 -1970. Headmaster was Mr Hall.
I remember , Mr Luwelyn, Peters, Greene,
Malik, great teachers. I am a twin with Dilip. I wish I could get in touch with anyone that remember me and my twin.
I now live in the states. After queens rd, went Brudenell and then WestPark girls High.
Great Memories. Yes, I wish we could back in time! Best times of my child hood. Happiest times.
Ok face book. Dina Parmar
Dpdinaparmar@gmail.com hope someone that remembers me.
Mar 28, 2014 @ 07:47:35
I was reminising about Royal Park very recently with one of my childhood friends Sharon Gaskin. I was at Royal Park school 1970-1978 and have many great memories of my time there. The teachers I can recall were Mr Hardy (terrified me because he was so strict), Mr Henry & Mrs Khan (always in a dark corner together!), Mr Bateson, Mr Cole, Mr Robinson (had a military background), Mr Oliver, Mrs Cohen (saw her recently) Mr Thornton was the head after Mr Hall.
We were also part of a large group of friends, Sonia Roach, Julie Leyon, Madge Bell, Amita Khan, Maria Hay just to name a few. Brian Rowe, Michael Stuart, Wilbert Walsh, Danny Nisbeth, Harminder Singh & Vijay are some of the boys who were there as well.
Sharon & I agree that Royal Park is where we would say our best School years were. We played, fell out, went to Bells across the road for sweets, played the teachers up, hated the school dinners, got bored in assembly………….it was fab. The building might be gone, but the memories live on!
Sep 11, 2019 @ 06:54:35
hi jacqui yoir so right all the teachers you metnioned brought back so many memories for me, my fav teacher was mrs pickering who did pe, mr cohen scared me lol and mrs cohen i loved her to, i remember when she first came she was called miss davison oh by the way i was maria basnett at the time and was there 69-78 gutted a beautiful school was bulldozed
May 15, 2021 @ 09:36:58
Hi Jacqui, really good times and great Middle school, miss the old days. I was a year behind Brain, and Michael S, we are still in touch from time to time. John Camp… rest his soul, Brian J amongst overs were in the rugby team. Mr Hardy was my gymnastics teacher, he took me to Jack Lane. He was firm, but I felt fair. Great times, with not a care in the world!!!
May 06, 2014 @ 20:55:58
Why was Leeds City Council so keen to demolish it that they would spend £0.5 million only on demolition of the school?
That money could have saved the building for another half a century…
Jul 10, 2014 @ 21:59:03
I went to the Annex first then to Royal Park Middle School. The teachers I remember were Mr. Robinson wood work teacher I loved his lessons cos of the nail and thread art we used to do. Other teachers are Mrs Proctor who was my best teacher, Mr. Henry, Mr Cohen Miss Cohen,Mr Oliver. Some of the children I can name are Marcia, Yvette or Yevon, Bernadette, Misba Butt, Henry Stuart, Raksha Champaneri and Phillip cant remember his surname. I remember the dance classes we used to have waltz ballroom dancing.
Jul 28, 2015 @ 20:39:47
greetings..meena ,,i was at school till 1974…used to go saturday pictures with henry…..do you remember susan whip
Jan 12, 2016 @ 20:49:43
I defo remember Henry Stuart and Misba But. Good old days 😃
Jun 11, 2016 @ 17:00:44
I went to royal park and I remember misbah but she has a sister quutzia also others like Rihanna, kalsoom, parveen I’m in touch with them after such a long time
Jul 22, 2014 @ 17:45:44
Got http://www.hydeparksource.org/new-project-survey.html to give your views on what to do with the site. Allotments, Public Garden, Raised Bed Garden?
Jul 23, 2014 @ 21:08:48
A bunch of us are celebratıng the retırement of Dee Shaw who was the wonderful senıor art teacher at Royal Park for many years. Dee has done a very good job of carıng about and keepıng ın touch wıth her former students. Those wıllıng to remınısce wıth other Royal Parkers should joın us at Revolutıon (at The Electrıc Press – Mıllenıum Square) on Frıday August 1st after 5:00 p.m. Here ıs the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/305249439635107/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
Jul 23, 2014 @ 23:49:35
Hey Koom
I was going to come to Mrs Shaws retirement but just realised that I am away so can’t make it. Give her a big hug from me. Brilliant teacher!!
Jayshree xxx
Sep 10, 2015 @ 20:04:01
i went to royal park 73 to 76 played for rugby team coached by mr baker then mr bateson won league and cup doubles good players included thomas ashman clifford smith serfraz butt richard july danny campbell ian harden among others i was 1st to get slipper of mr hardy hurt more than smack in the head playing rugby
Jun 11, 2016 @ 17:06:00
Sad the school closed down I had very fond memories and the teachers were great, well some 😊
does anyone remember Christine oriley and Christine mcloughlin
Aug 10, 2016 @ 04:59:05
Went to Queens road School 1959-66 the video clip of Brudnel Grove outside of the chip shop brings back old memories
Jun 01, 2017 @ 08:45:33
Fondest memories . Was there, 1965-1970… Great school! I wish I could find some of my friends. Great teachers. Best memories! Stay blessed! Dina Parmar
Oct 19, 2017 @ 21:50:51
I went to this school in 1979 to 1982 I loved they
my teacher was mrs proctor
I loved Mrs Anderws
Oct 30, 2017 @ 23:47:10
Teddy happy memories brilliant teacher and excellent rugby teams remember one all rugby transcribing leagues mark,Dudley Trevor Francis etc
Oct 30, 2017 @ 23:48:24
Teddy happy memories brilliant teacher and excellent rugby teams remember one all rugby winning leagues mark,Dudley Trevor Francis etc
Aug 04, 2020 @ 12:18:49
My father and his brother are in the old Queens Road 1929 picture
Dec 03, 2020 @ 13:27:04
I went to Royal park in 1976-1981 then left from there to move to USA i was there this my 4th year but haven’t come back to Leeds since I left, was planning to visit this year but because of Covid 19 wasn’t able, hope to come back and visit in the future
Mar 13, 2022 @ 14:51:46
I think I started at the school when I was 5 yrs old in 1950. I left in 1954 when we moved to Manchester. I don’t remember much of the school or the teachers nor do I have any photos. Doe’s anybody out there have any or remember me if you were there at the same time???