Eslington Road, Newcastle Preparatory School

Founded in 1885 by local businessmen in two three-storey houses. There were 11 pupils, some of them boarders. The school prospectus described the building as having 'large and lofty, thoroughly ventilated, well lighted, equipped with modern educational appliances and with sanitary facilities receiving special attention'. There was a sports field and open air gymnasium close by. As pupil numbers increased adjoining properties were added. The school now teaches 260 boys and girls at Eslington Road (Eskdale Tower is in the centre of the terrace). Cardinal Basil Hume (1923-1999) was a pupil here in the 1930s. He became Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Briatain's Roman Catholics.