There is no record of a school specifically in Cloughfold before 1865 in trade directories. The pupils presumably attended the National Schools at Newchurch or Rawtenstall. There were possibly also dame schools and Sunday Schools in the area. (Slater’s Direcctory 1848, Mannex 1854).

Slater’s 1865 has reference to a Baptist School at Cawl Terrace, between Cloughfold and Rawtenstall, under the mastership of William Standfield. This may be the same as that mentioned in Mannex 1875 under Graham Gordon, and McDonalds 1879 under James Kennard. It is possible that some Springhill pupils attended.

The Burnley Gazette 7 December 1878 carries the following advertisement:
‘NEWCHURCH-IN-ROSSENDALE SCHOOL BOARD
TENDERS are desired for the various WORKS required in the erection and completion of a proposed NEW SCHOOL at Waterside, Cloughfold.
Plans and Specifications may be seen at the offices of the Board, Newchurch-road, Bacup, on and after Friday, the 6th day of December next.
Bills of quantities and all further information can be obtained at the offices of the Architect, 16, Nicholas-street, Burnley, and Union-street, Bacup.
Sealed Tenders endorsed “Tender for Work at Cloughfold Board School’ to be forwarded to Mr John Heys, Clerk of the Board not later than 12 o’clock at noon on Thursday, the 12th day of December next.
HITCHEN & BELL, Architects
Bacup and Burnley
28th Nov 1878.’

Cloughfold Board School first appears in the directories in Slater’s 1879 under the mastership of James T Parkinson. This is the only school listed in the Cloughfold area.



Tenders were invited for extension work to the school in June 1899 (Burnley Express 10 June 1899).

The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 23 Dec 1898 carried the following advertisement:
‘WANTED, ASST MISTRESS, Jan 9 1899; ex-P.T; salary £45 - Address Master, Cloughfold National School, Rossendale’

The post holder may not have stayed long as the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 10 October 1901 carried an advert for:
‘WANTED, ASSISTANT MISTRESS, Art, 50; lower standards, salary £45; Churchwoman. - Address Managers, Cloughfold National School, Manchester.’
(salaries in adjacent adverts ranged from £50-£85).

The Burnley Express 22 June 1901 records the purchase of a piano.
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This picture is thought to have been taken at Cloughfold School c 1910 (it is possible that it was taken at a Sunday School). The girl on the far right is Alice Hargreaves, Springhill resident.


Kelly’s 1924 includes reference to ‘KIRK, James Edward sec to Bacup & Rawtenstall joint Secondary & Technical Committee and secretary of Education, Education Offices.’ This is possibly a reference to the education offices which were situated in the playground of Cloughfold School until the 1980s.

A (sadly undated) memory on a Francis Frith memories page refers to two frightening headmistresses, Lord and Riley, and to sledging in the yard. Learning was said to be by rote.

Cloughfold school closed on 31 Aug 2007 when it merged with Waterfoot County Primary School. The site was bought by Belmont School and became their primary division, later changed to technical education. Belmont is a private provision for boys with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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