Schoolroom

Underbank Schoolroom

The Schoolroom stands at the Stopes Road, Stannington Road and Riggs Low Road junction, on the B6076 from Stannington to Dungworth.

Early History

The Underbank Chapel congregation dates from 1652, when Richard Spoone left a bequest in his will for the support of a ‘preaching minister’ at Stannington. The Underbank School dates from this same will. Spoone left property for ‘paying for the learning of poor children…whose parents are willing but not able to keep them to school’. It was further helped in 1723 with a bequest in the will of William Ronksley, who founded the Old Chapel at Fulwood. As this, the first school in Stannington developed, some poor children would have benefited from the Trust, whilst others would have been fee paying, according to circumstances.

The New Building

Eventually the existing school building needed replacing. This was quite an undertaking, costing between £500 and £600.  The formal opening of the new premises took place on May 8th, 1854.  The building was only finally paid for in 1885, when a bazaar held in Channing Hall (Surrey Street, Sheffield) raised enough to finally pay off the debt.

The day school was not a ‘denominational school’ as such:  it taught no catechism and did not require scholars or teachers to have any particular religious background.

The building was used as a day school until 1911, when Stannington’s first Council School came into use.

The Underbank Schoolroom was used by the Home Guard in the Second World War. Many people may remember the building as their Sunday School.

Note:  this is only a brief summary of the fascinating history of Underbank School.  For further details consult, ‘The History of Underbank Chapel’ by F.T. Wood (1944) or ‘Stannington’ by Stannington Local History Group. (2000)

Current Use

The Schoolroom is used by the Chapel for social purposes and meetings. The Stannington Community Art Group uses it every Wednesday morning (look out for their annual exhibition every May).  A Ladies Group meets there once a month and there are also other lettings.

The Schoolroom is available as a community resource:  for information about booking the Schoolroom please phone Jean Helliwell on 0114 234 3841