Leeds Industrial School

Leeds Industrial School is an industrial school, now used as Education Department premises, dated 1879 and altered in the 20th century. It was probably designed by R.L. Adams, the architect for the Leeds School Board. The building is constructed of coursed gritstone with a slate roof and consists of two storeys with attics, featuring five bays with windows arranged in the pattern of 3, 6, 2, 6, and 3. The central and outer bays have pedimented and coped gables, while the outer bays project slightly as short cross-wings. The entrance, located in bay 5 on the left, has a moulded stone surround with an overlight, console brackets, an entablature, and a cornice. The former sash windows have been replaced with 20th-century frames, and the building has plain sills and lintels. Round windows are present in the gables of the outer bays, and there is a carved plaque in the centre gable that reads 'LEEDS/ INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS/ 1879'. The interior was not inspected. Originally built as a boarding school in a rural setting with only large houses nearby, it catered to less academic boys who were trained in manufacturing skills. Richard Adams was the most prolific architect for the Board Schools, and this building exemplifies one of his simpler yet very imposing designs, resembling a workhouse style. In 1903, it housed 180 boys.