The Grade II listed Herbert Strutt School dates back to 1909 when the building first opened. In 1907, George Herbert Strutt was given the greenlight to build and provide a school for the town of Belper. The school was designed in the style of the Workhouse building located opposite. The total cost of the school's construction was £20,000 and was opened up by the Duke of Devonshire. The first Headmaster at this school was Mr W. Tunnicliffe, who remained at his post until 1936 when he retired.

 

In 1914, Alderman Strutt funded an extension to the school which costed a further £10,000. Later it became a Higher Education School, before becoming a Grammar School in 1936. During the Second World War in 1940, evacuees who arrived in Belper attended school in the morning, while the Belper pupils attended in the afternoon. In 1973, the Herbert Strutt School became the Herbert Strutt Middle School, and in 1986 it became the Herbert Strutt Primary School.

 

The school was active for over two decades, until 2008/9 when the Herbert Strutt Primary School moved to new premises, leaving this building empty and uncertain. The council discussed different options, but ultimately the authorities agreed to change the ownership and put it in the hands of the community, who use it now as a venue for social activities. The Strutts Centre as it's now called, is run by a charitable enterprise who volunteer to provide the community and local businesses with the building's facilities, under similar terms of the deed of covenant set out by George Herbert Strutt when he gifted the premises for the township of Belper.

 

A couple of interesting facts, actors Alan Bates and Timothy Dalton both attended the Herbert Strutt School. Plus, British supercentenarian Reginald Dean (Mr. Dean) was a teacher for 10 years at this school too.

The hauntings here at the Strutts Edwardian School are plentiful, from poltergeist activity to chilling apparitions.

 

The ghost of a little girl has been seen in various parts of the school, with her ghastly screams being heard many a time in the North quadrant of the building. Doors have mysteriously been opened and closed on its own, and staff have reportedly witnessed the handles on doors rattle and turn by unseen hands.

 

The spirit of a tall gentleman dressed in fine period clothing has been sensed and seen within this building, more strongly in the Library and the old Headmaster's Office. Is this Mr. Strutt who comes back to visit his proud work? Or is this the ghost of Mr Tunnicliffe, the first Headmaster at this school?

 

On a previous investigation here, the names of 'George' and 'Strutt' appeared on the ALICE Box, and a glow ball was thrown off one of the old radiators across the other side of the room, which was witnessed by a group of ten people.

 

Another more sinister spirit, is that of 'Black Alice' who is said to have died in the nearby Belper Workhouse. Her apparition has been seen by staff a few times in the South quadrant corridor. The first time she was seen, she was described as a young girl covered in dirt and dressed in all black, and she moved along the walkway with her feet through the floor, as this corridor is on a higher platform and was built much later to the time of the Workhouse. Dare you face your fears and investigate this haunted school after dark?

DATE: Friday 10th January 2025

 

TIMES: 8:00pm - 1:00am (arrive 15 minutes early. Please wait patiently outside the front entrance until a member of our team greets you at the door)

 

LOCATION: Strutts Centre Belper, Derby Road, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1UU

 

PARKING AT EVENT: On-site Car Park at the side-front of the building, with some spaces around front of the quadrants of the building.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately.