Bellerby Lowerison

Bellerby Lowerison (1863–1935) was an English socialist, secularist, archaeologist, educationist, and teacher. In 1899, Lowerison founded the progressive and co-educational which operated until 1926.

Life Harry Bellerby Lowerison was born in Great Lumley, County Durham on 13 July 1863, the son of a coalminer. which Robert Blatchford (writing in The Clarion in 1907) described as being 'as like him [Lowerison] as a book can be like its author'. In 1899, he published Field and Folklore, 'a naturalist's handbook for children'. The book contained a chapter by publisher and folklorist Alfred Nutt, who 'conceived the idea of inserting a chapter on folklore, and so introducing the young wildlife observer to the pleasures of detecting and recording traditions.'

In 1910, he adopted the forename Bellerby (given on his birth certificate).

Ruskin School Home Lowerison's letters to The Clarion in 1899 stated his vision for an ideal school, donations for the establishment of which came from its readers. This ideal included 'Health and the Exercises', 'Habits of Gentleness and Justice,' and finding and developing 'the natural capabilities and talents of each individual child... so that the child may follow, happily and naturally, as far as may be, the calling by which he or she is to live.' In line with his socialist values, Lowerison 'structured the school so that it was as deinstitutionalized as possible', allowing pupils significant freedom 'to roam the countryside and develop their own interests'. Robert Blatchford, recalling a visit to the school, wrote:So there is the impossible Harry, in his impossible school: a success for all to see. Ha! It is only a few weeks since I was there, and heard the children sing. They sang freshly and with elation; they sang all the lot of them as with one voice... O, most unpractical Lowerison, thou has made a school out of nothing, and behold the young lives growing therein like flowers. a son and a daughter.