George Ormerod gave a site for a national school near St George's Church, it catered for all age groups when it opened in 1827. A day school was opened in the old Wesley Chapel in 1856 and in 1864 was replaced by new school which lasted until 1912. A church school opened in Johnson Street in 1872 and closed the 1960s. The British School in Upper George Street opened in 1902. Its premises are now the Community Life Centre. The Mission School or Central C of E School in Darlington Street opened in 1892. A board school opened in Lower Elliott Street in 1913 which was used for girls' secondary education after 1935. Garrett Hall Boys' Secondary School opened in 1935.