Saltaire Collection

Items

• Byles, Harriet

  Harriet Byles (1853–1937) was a prominent progressive educator who served as the second and longest-serving headmistress of the Salt Girls' High School in Saltaire. Appointed in 1886 as the successor to [Medina Griffiths](https://www.saltairecollection.org/story-of-saltaire/biographies/medina-griffiths/), she led the school for 34 years until her retirement in 1920. Background and Appointment - Family: She was born into a prominent non-conformist, Liberal-supporting family in Bradford; her father, William Byles, was the proprietor and editor of the *Bradford Observer*. - Early Career: She taught at the Salt Girls' High School under Medina Griffiths before being promoted to headmistress in 1886. Leadership and School Expansion Under Byles' leadership, the school underwent significant growth and modernization: - Physical Expansion: In 1906, due to an increase in student numbers (partly from absorbing a local pupil teacher centre), the school premises were expanded with a second storey, adding three classrooms, a laboratory, and a domestic science room. - Increased Access: In the early years, the school received no government funding, making it difficult for poorer students to attend. Byles successfully obtained scholarships from the West Riding County Council, which allowed more girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to enroll. - University Progression: A considerable number of her students progressed to higher education, particularly the University of Leeds. Educational Philosophy Byles was known for an inclusive and trust-based approach to education: - Individual Potential: She believed in ensuring every girl achieved her full potential, regardless of her future path. She famously supported the view that schools should not just focus on 'clever' students to win successes while neglecting the 'rank and file'. - Corporate Responsibility: She fostered a strong spirit of comradeship and provided students with 'liberty combined with trust,' which she believed developed a high sense of individual and social responsibility. - Successful Alumni: Her students went on to achieve high-ranking positions, including Edith Dolby (headteacher of Bedford Girls Modern School), Dr. Hilda Byles (head of the Women's Hospital in Hankow), and others who became factory inspectors, medical missionaries, and secretaries to the League of Nations. Retirement and Legacy - Parting Gift: Upon her retirement in 1920, her colleagues presented her with a pony and trap, which she used to travel around her new home in the village of Austwick. - Historical Record: In retirement, she wrote a written reminiscence and an account of her time at the school, which the Saltaire Collection identifies as an invaluable source for understanding the history of education during that period. The Saltaire Collection preserves several items related to her tenure, including her letter of thanks for her retirement gift and copies of her school history.
• Byles, Hilda

  Hilda attended Salt Girls' High School before studying at the London School of Medicine for Women. In 1907 she sailed to China to lead the London Missionary Society Hospital in Hankou, quickly gaining a working knowledge of Chinese and the respect of the local population. For 24 years she worked tirelessly in difficult conditions helping others including  the destitute, lepers, and girls trapped in prostitution, often risking her own safety. Hilda died of pneumonia in Hankow in 1931. Described in her obituary as 'a little woman of amazing energy and capabilities', mourners from three cities gathered at her funeral to honour a woman they greatly loved.
• E1a-016b: The Story of the Salts Girls School for Fifty Years: Reminiscences of Harriet Byles, Headmistress 1886-1920

  Harriet Byles's reminiscences of working at the Salt High School for Girls from the 1870s until retitement in 1920. Byles started as a teacher when the first headmistress was Medina Griffiths. Byles became the second headmistress in 1886 and continued a programme of progressive, wide education for her students.
• C3b-424a: The Story of the Salts Girls School for Fifty Years (1876-1926): Reminiscences of Harriet Byles Head MIstress 1886-1920

  A copy from the Saltaire Resource Base of Harriet Byles's reminiscences of working at the Salt High School fo Girls from the 1870s until retitement in 1920. Byles started as a teacher when the first headmistress was Medina Griffiths. Byles became the second headmistress in 1886 and continued a programme of progressive, wide education for her students.
• F1a-178: A Family Tree of the Byles family

  A Family Tree of the Byles family created and researched by David King. William Byles was the Editor of the Observer and his daughter, Harriet Byles became head of the Saltaire Girls High School.
• E1b-063b: Harriet Byles with her pony and trap, and letter of thanks

  Small laminated photograph & letter of Miss Byles with a pony & trap and thank-you letter for her retirement present from Salts High School Old Girls (15th September 1920)
• E1a-031a-f: Salts High School and Harriet Byles

  Folder with letter and photocopies relating to Salts Girls High School & Harriet Byles (7 items)
• E1b-061a: Memories of Miss Byles

  Photograph and news-cutting of 'Memories of Miss Byles, former Head Mistress of Salts High School for Girls
• E1b-062: Photograph of Harriet Byles

  Photograph of Miss Byles
• E1b-080a: Medina Sarah Griffiths & Harriet Byles

  A pair of photos of Medina Sarah Griffiths and Harriet Byles (the first and second headmistresses respectively of the Salt High School for Girls). They are part of collection of photographs and programmes of Salts Girls High School Theatrical productions.
• F1a-177a: Resume of William Byle's Life

  The 'Resume of William Byle's Life'. William Byles [1807 - 1891] was the Editor of the Bradford Observer and his daughter, Harriet Byles became head of the Saltaire Girls High School.
• G1-035: Bradford Maps

  Copy of 'William Byles map of Bradford 1912'. William Byles was a prominent newspaper publisher in Bradford. HIs daughter Harriet became the second headmistress of the Salt High School for Girls
• Griffiths, Medina

  Medina Griffiths (1840–1927) was an outstanding and progressive educator who served as the first headmistress of the Salt Girls' High School in Saltaire. Appointed in 1876, she was known for her 'outstanding character and ability' and her commitment to providing girls with an education equal to that of boys. Early Life and Background Born in Wales in 1840, Medina was the daughter of a Congregational minister. Before moving to Saltaire, she taught at a school near Cardiff. Leadership at Salt Girls' High School Medina Griffiths led the school during its formative years: - Establishment: The girls' school opened in 1876, initially sharing a building on Victoria Road with the Factory School before the younger children moved to a new site on Albert Road in 1878. - Broad Curriculum: She introduced a wide range of subjects, including Latin, Greek, French, mathematics, drama, art, and music. - University Aspirations: She actively encouraged her students to remain in education and pursue university degrees, which many did. - Succession: She remained headmistress until 1886, when she was succeeded by Harriet Byles, who had previously taught under her. Educational Philosophy and Teaching Style Griffiths was considered an inspirational and enlightened teacher with several unique approaches to education and discipline: - Equality for Girls: She famously stated, 'I would have girls placed on an equality with boys so far as educational advantages are concerned…I would have girls stand in the foremost rank'. - Holistic Learning: She believed lessons in 'patience, unselfishness, self-control and attention to detail' could be learned as effectively through well-directed plays as through traditional schoolwork. - Approach to Discipline: She set a rule that girls should have no more than one hour of homework per day, believing that five hours of work during the school day was sufficient. - Student Relationships: She was known to be witty and musical, often reading to students during mealtimes. On her birthdays, she entertained students at her home, where each girl brought a gift of toys or clothing to be donated to charity. The Saltaire Collection preserves records of her tenure, including school certificates bearing her signature and that of Titus Salt Junior.
• 2020.6.2: Saltaire Overlookers 1830-1914

  'Saltaire Overlookers 1830-1914' by Roger Clarke, with contributions by Colin Coates: Includes items relating to individual overlookers and the social life of overlookers
• E1b-066b: Salts High School staff

  Photograph print of Staff (perhaps) of Salts High School circa 1880s. Harriet Byles, who became head teacher in 1886, is sat at the front centre of the group.
• E1b-067a: Salts High School Staff

  Mounted photograph of 'Salts High School Staff' taken around the 1880s with both Medina Griffiths (current headmistress) and Harriet Byles (future headmistress) identified.
• Austwick, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

  Small rural village in North Yorkshire. Location of the retirement home of Harriet Byles, the second head teacher of the Salts High School for Girls.
• G1-038: Bradford Maps

  Copy of William Byles' map of Bradford 1887/8
• E1a-078a-c: Education, Schools (Documents)

  Copy of a reports to the Governors Board of Education of the Salt Schools on the work of the schools a. The Salt Schools, Shipley - Examinations, Midsummer 1879 b. Salt Schools Report of the Boad of Eductaion 1902 - Miss Byles comments c. Report of Second Inspection Salt Schools (boys) 1906
• D1-163: 1891 - Year Book of Municipal County Borough of Bradford

  Small book for the use of the council showing when meetings were to be held, the various wards of Bradford, street names, schools, parks, churches etc.