Former Headmaster of Alexandra Street School, Goole: William Brook
Goole History > Goole People & Families > William Brook
From the Goole Times, 17th June 1938:
MR WILLIAM BROOK - DEATH OF FORMER GOOLE HEADMASTER
To many of the older men in Goole the news of the death in Hull last Friday of Mr William Brook, at the age of 88, will be received with real regret, mingled with reflections of their early school days.
It was on 17th January 1876 that Mr Brook first became known to
the boys who attended the first day of school at the then new Alexandra
Street School. Mr Brook's own record of that day, in a log-book,
which is still preserved at the school, states:
"School opened with 161 scholars, 93 of whom were from the
Wesleyan School. Staff: William Brook, headmaster, Henry Lindley,
assistant, John H. Armitage and William Spink, probationer teachers.
The following morning R. G. Bickerton began as a candidate, and
Charles Crump as a probationer teacher."
Mr Brook remained in Goole twelve years and during that time he
became known to almost everyone. In three months the number of boys
attending his school had risen to 227, and in the log-book, carefully
kept by Mr Brook for twelve years, there are details of school life
which many of the pupils of those days would delight to read. Misbehaviour
in class, records of examinations, names of distinguished visitors,
special holidays - all are recorded in Mr Brook's hand, bringing
back memories of fifty and sixty years ago.
Without any trace of emotion, Mr Brook ended his association with
Alexandra Street School in the following words: "31st December
1887; Today closed my connection with this school, after being headmaster
for twelve years."
In those twelve years the school had grown until it held over five
hundred boys, who were taught by Mr Brook, eight assistants, and
three probation teachers.
Mr Brook left Goole for Hull, where he had been appointed an inspector
under the Hull School Board. When he left Goole the School Board
of that day expressed their regret at his departure and said he
left Goole without leaving behind an enemy. He was succeeded as
headmaster by his assistant, Mr Lindley.
Mr Brook did not lose touch with Goole and his old pupils, and over
fifty years afterwards was able to recall their faces and full names
promptly on sight.