Overview

Disembodied screams and shouting, cold breezes, feelings of being touched and watched – The school built by George Herbert Strutt has had it all reported over the years.

Old Haunted School Ghost Hunt – Belper, Derbyshire

Another firm favourite with ghost hunters. Ghost Hunting at the Old Haunted School in Belper, Derbyshire is for the brave. There are reports of disembodied screams and shouting, also, cold breezes, feelings of being touched and watched – Local legends tell you of the story of a dark entity that roams the corridors of the school called “Black Alice”

The school, built by George Herbert Strutt has had it all reported over the years. Opening in 1909 it has witnessed a great deal of life come and go through the years. The biggest cause of all hauntings here is the land

Your Event

On a ghost hunt with Haunted Houses you will have exclusive access to the building/location during the evening. You will learn all about ghost hunting and the techniques used to encourage paranormal activity. We have a whole host of scientific ghost hunt equipment for you to use to aid communication with the spirits. Furthermore, you can take part in Ouija boards, glass divination and table tipping; the more traditional ghost hunt techniques. Or simply sitting in the dark and asking for the spirits to interact with you. Lone vigils (ghost hunting alone) for the brave. During your spooky evening, you will be split into smaller groups so you can get the most out of your experience. If you are new to ghost hunting we warn you now – by the end of the night you may just become addicted to the fascinating and intriguing world of ghost hunting.

This is a real ghost hunt experience, there is no fakery, tricks or actors jumping out at you. What are you waiting for? Book your places today from just £20 deposit! Full payment is required 30 days prior to your event.

We look forward to welcoming you to this amazing location, for a night not to be forgotten!

Reported Ghosts

Previous paranormal investigations and ghost hunts have reported many strange occurrences taking place that could just be paranormal. Who is the black female figure consistently seen wandering the main staircase and corridors, dressed in black and known as Black Alice, was she a school mistress from times past?

Does Mr Tunnicliffe, the school’s first headmaster, still haunt the headmaster’s office? It is said a male energy dwells and gives an uneasy feeling to all those who enter – followed by a demand for you to “Get Out!” which has been reported more than once by!

Energies from the land on which the school stands have also been reported, from Templars to public hangings on site – Will you come into contact with any sprits from this period? Hopefully wishing to share their side of things through the Ouija board.

Strong residual energies flow from the walls at this great stone building of children playing, laughing, and also suffering at the hand of harsh punishment from unforgiving teachers, with intense feelings of dread and depression, our mediums will attempt to open you up to spirit to allow your sensitive side to pick this energy up.

Join the friendly Haunted Houses team as we turn out all the lights and explore this large location on a ghost hunt. Explore, Investigate and discover for yourself what is going on at this unique and thrilling real ghost hunt experience.

Venue History

After 18 months of bureaucratic wrangling with the educational authorities, Herbert Strutt was finally given the go-ahead to provide a school for the town in March 1907, for which designs were drawn up by Hunter and Woodhouse. The site he chose for the new school was opposite the town‘s workhouse, Babington House and it was created in a style which would complement this older building.

By the spring of 1909 the work was complete, and the school, named after its creator, was officially opened on May 7th. The Duke of Devonshire carried out the opening ceremony. The school cost some £20,000. It was decided some five years later that an extension was needed, costing Alderman Strutt a further £10,000. The original headmaster was Mr W W Tunnicliffe, who was appointed in February 1909 and served in that post until his retirement in 1936.

In August 1940, the school was told that about 90 schoolboys would shortly be evacuated to Belper from a coastal district. In the end, about 200 boys from Westcliff High School were found homes in the town, and shared the school with local children, Westcliff in the mornings and Belper students in the afternoon.

Herbert Strutt School became a primary school following a shake-up in education brought in by the Government in 1971. It remained a primary school until its closure in February 2007, when children moved to a new school, taking the Herbert Strutt name with them.