These fine Victorian gothic buildings now house the Leeds University Business School.  From 1859 to 1997, however, they were the home of the Leeds Grammar School, with the chapel (which now houses the Textile Archive) being added in 1863. 

Dr Heaton was a scholar at the Grammar School from 1830 to 1834, when it was situated on North Street.  The headmaster was the Rev. J. Holmes, who ‘made very free and indiscriminate use of the stick’ (Journal, i. pp. 33, 37).  Some years later, Heaton noted the death of another master, ‘Revd C. Wollaston, of caning notoriety, who after a long period of severity at the school, got a [parish] living, to the great relief of the scholars, tho’ perhaps with no great advantage to his parishoners’ (Journal, iv. p. 80).

Despite his early experiences, Heaton eventually became a great supporter of the school.  In December 1861 we find him the chairman of the Old Leodensians committee, when it met to set up a fund for the new chapel (Journal, i. p. 312).  Heaton later recorded the opening of the chapel on 8 Aug. 1863, noting that he and Mr T. E. Rhodes had overseen the building works and managed the accounts (Journal, i. p. 362).  Over the years he mentions many outings to watch theatrical performances at the School.  In 1872 he presided over the second annual dinner of the old Leeds Grammar School boys (Journal, iii. p. 270).

However, it was not until 27 Nov. 1873 that Heaton was finally elected one of the Pious Uses Trustees ‘who have the Government of the Grammar School, & some other charities.’  He was taking the position left vacant by death of James Garth Marshall, a scion of the great Leeds manufacturing family.  Heaton recounted, with obvious satisfaction, that it was ‘an office which I have for some time wished to hold, both as being myself an old Grammar School boy, and because it is, for the most part, confined to the more leading men in the Church circle in Leeds.’ (Journal, iv. pp. 176-8).

The Grammar School moved from here to its present site at Alwoodley Gates in 1997.  It merged with the Leeds Girls' High School (walking tour no. 7) in 2005 to form the Grammar School at Leeds.  For a view of the School in 1888, click here.