Norwood College was started in 1936 by Gordon William George Cass, or "Charlie" to all of his pupils. The school closed in 1972 and Charlie died in 1976 at Scotton Bank Hospital, Knaresborough

Knaresborough

Knaresborough is an old and historic market town, spa town and civil parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located on the River Nidd, four miles east of the centre of Harrogate.-History:...

. The school was on a corner site with the original part in Tewit Well Avenue and the later part in Leeds Road, Harrogate

Harrogate

Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...

, close to The Stray. After Charlie Cass died, the building was demolished and a block of flats (apartments) was built in its place - Hanover House.

The Norwood crest was taken from the crest of the Harrogate Coat of Arms with the Norwood motto added: Gentilhomme a Jamais, Always a Gentleman.

"Norwood was, however, not an instant creation; Charlie left his teaching job at Clifton House School in early 1936 and with two pupils he taught in a room behind the Old Lion House Hotel, as a tutor rather than a paid employee of a school; a short time later, he took on the Tewit Well Avenue property, now having acquired ten pupils. The ten rose to 27 and now a name was needed. The name of Sunnyside School was suggested but thankfully declined; perhaps someone had been reading Enid Blyton and similar children's books of the day! As mentioned earlier in Charlie's First World War Experiences, Charlie chose the name Norwood so Norwood College it was and the school was established on 8 May,1936."