Items

• Griffiths, Medina

  Medina Griffiths was appointed the first headmistress of Salts Girls’ High School in Saltaire when it opened in 1876. Her progressive views on girls’ education is summed up in her words: '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.' Medina introduced a wide curriculum that included Latin, Greek, French, English, maths, drama, art and music. She encouraged the girls to remain in education and take a university degree. Her progressive ideas were built on by her successor Harriet Byles.
• E1a-018a-b: Miss M.S.Griffiths, First Headmistress of the Salts School

  A booklet: 'Miss M.S.Griffiths, First Headmistress of the Salts School' by Evaline L. Griffiths. In the 1870s Sir Titus Salt decided to change the use of the Factory schools building on Victoria Road, Saltaire, and opened new high schools for girls and boys. The girls' school was first open in 1876, and Medina Griffiths was appointed as the first Headmistress.
• E1b-060b: Miss S.M.Griffiths, the first Salts High School for Girls Headmistress

  Photograph of Miss S.M.Griffiths, the first Salts High School for Girls Headmistress
• 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.
• E1a-021a: Salts School certificate

  Copy of a 'Salts School certificate' for Ada Fox on leaving the Salts School, Shipley in 1879. There are drawings of the Institute and the main Salt Schools building on Victoria Road. The certificate is signed by Medina Griffiths (headmistress of Salt High School for Girls) and Titus Salt Junior (chairman of the board of governors).
• Byles, Harriet

  Harriet Byles first taught at the Salts High School for girls when Medina Griffiths was headmistress. Harriet became the second, and longest-serving, headmistress of the school in 1886. From what she wrote in her lengthy 'reminiscences', Harriet clearly admired her predecessor and followed Medina's enlightened principles in the education of her students. Her philosophy was that both work and play ‘honestly and heartily done’ was of equal importance. Many of her pupils achieved university places and worthwhile careers.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.