TODAY, Number 62 Low Petergate is a popular restaurant. But until 1997, this beautiful building was the home to one of York’s best-known independent schools for girls.

The York College For Girls was founded by the Church Schools Company in 1908, at a time when, according to a history of the company, “the new interest in education meant there was increasing demand for schools.”

The aim of the school, according to its original prospectus, was to “provide a sound and thorough education for girls by the employment of competent teachers and the adoption of the best methods of instruction.”

The school opened on January 24, 1908, with 12 pupils – among them Mary Victoria Swift, daughter of Mr and Mrs Herbert Swift, who had formed the local committee to open the school. By the end of the month, the number of pupils had risen from 12 to 17, all aged between seven and 18.

The school’s first headmistress, Miss Emma Ellett, was affectionately known as E3 because of her initials – Elizabeth Emma Ellett. Our first photo today shows her sitting with the first intake of pupils – the younger girls in full dresses with goffered collars, the older girls with long serge skirts and plain blouses. Those with eagle eyes will notice that seated in the front row there is also a small boy in a white sailor suit – most likely James Gutch Swift, the son of Mr and Mrs Swift.

York College For Girls was to remain open for 89 years, eventually closing in 1997. An article in the Yorkshire Evening Press on October 19, 1996, suggested that the reason for the impending closure was a “cash crisis”. The news came as a desperate blow to parents. “I am in disbelief,” said Stuart Easby, chairman of the Friends Of York College For Girls.”

The school had nine headmistresses during its 89 years. Our next two photographs give just a glimpse of those years. One, taken in 1968, shows prizewinners at the school’s speech day. A second, taken in May 1973, shows a reunion of 70 “old girls” with former headmistress Miss Helena Randall at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall. Miss Randall, on the right of the photograph, was headmistress from 1944 to 1964.

Our final photograph today shows another of York’s “lost” schools – this time Castlegate Junior School. The school first opened its doors in 1913, and rang its bell for the last time in 1954. It was eventually demolished to make way for the Coppergate development.

Our photograph shows the trees on the school grounds – among them a fine copper beech tree, beneath which pupils once sat.