Community

The town dates back to the Domesday Book, under the name Bernulfsuuic, and remained a small farming town until the arrival of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the early 19th century. The canal, coupled with the growth in railway, led to Barnoldswick becoming a major Yorkshire cotton town during the 19th century, with 13 cotton mills in operation.

Known locally as "Barlick" it is a very attractive, friendly market town with a rich industrial heritage. Although industry has been important to the growth of the town, the town is surrounded by beautiful countryside, overlooking the Yorkshire Dales. From the school you can see the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Malham Cove and moors above Ribblesdale, Airedale and Wharfedale.

Today, the town is home to Silentnight Beds, the UK's largest bed manufacturer, and two Rolls Royce aero engine factories, which opened in 1943. Thanks to the historic need to maintain those looms and steam engines, engineering is the bedrock of the local skillset - Hope Technology make mountain bike components in the town and there are many specialist companies supplying the aerospace sector. Barnoldswick is the birthplace of the safety surfacing laid in pretty much every playground in the country and the town also boasts a growing digital and marketing sector. Together with the surrounding villages that lie in West Craven, there are also several companies at the forefront of the healthcare, hospitality and events trades.

At the very heart of the community for 110 years, Gisburn Road School was built by West Riding County Council in 1907. In 1974 it transferred to Lancashire County Council and continues to improve, giving local children the very best start in life. We have links with local business, culture and heritage, ensuring our pupils are given the best that this fabulous town has to offer.