People of Note
Spurley Hey
Spurley Hey, (1872-1930) was born 31 March 1872 in Stocksbridge, Yorkshire, son of Benjamin Smith Hey a general labourer, born 1840 at Thurlstone, and Ann Birkenshaw born 1843 at Thurgoland. In 1881 the family were living at Horner House in Bradfield, Sheffield, all the children were born at Stocksbridge:
- Mary, daughter age 17, Employed In Umbrella Works
- Emily, daughter age 15, Employed In Umbrella Works
- Edith, daughter age 13, Employed In Umbrella Works
- Spurley, Son age 9
- George, Son age 5
- Prism, Son age 3
- Henry, Son age 1
Spurley attended a school at Midhopestones, where an eccentric master made a strong impression on him. At ten he became a part-time worker in Fox's steelworks but disliked the job and a teacher at Stocksbridge school suggested his parents allowed him to become a pupil teacher there.
He gained a scholarship to St John's Diocesan Training College, York, where he was educated from 1891 to 1893. He developed a love of football, which led later to weekend employment with Barnsley Football Club which helped to support his part-time BA at London University - awarded in 1898.
George Gummer of Rotherham wrote of him: Rotherham Municipal Service has been the nursery for many men who now hold important positions in other cities and boroughs. The most prominent instance that comes to my mind is that of Spurley Hey, who first began to climb the ladder in the service of the Rotherham Education Authority. It is not always merit in the early stage that enables a man to secure his first and perhaps subordinate position. A little so-called luck or a little influence makes all the difference in the hastening to the first success in life. Golf is said to have been instrumental in securing appointments under the Rotherham Corporation, although I have no knowledge of this. In Mr. Spurley Hey’s case his knowledge of football gave him a start in St. Mary School, Sheffield, under Mr. Fred Bye, who had been an excellent footballer himself and was rapidly becoming one of the foremost referees of his time. Shortly afterwards Mr. Hey secured a post under the Rotherham School Board. On his appointment Mr. Richard Corker, a member of the Board, remarked that they had got quantity at any rate; the quality he hoped would be equally satisfactory.
In 1893 he commenced duty at the Kimberworth Board School, and later became headmaster at the Pupil Teachers Centre. On the death of Mr. Corbridge, the clerk to the Board, he received the appointment of Director of Education. His service in Rotherham lasted until 1911, when he left to take up a similar position in Newcastle-on Tyne.
Ten years later he accepted an appointment as Director of Education at Manchester, and was looked upon as one of the great authorities in the educational world. Dr. Arnold, whose long experience with youth at Rugby gave weight to his opinion, declared, 'the difference between one boy and another consists not so much in talent as in energy. In Mr. Spurley Hey's case there was plenty of the former and a superabundance of the latter.
While Director of Education at Newcastle, many comments on his service testified to a strong personality and dynamic, independent leadership. It was the early years of a new public office and Hey, with his contemporaries James Graham of Leeds and Percival Sharp of Sheffield were nicknamed the 'three musketeers' for their attacks on the ‘Richelieu’ of the Board of Education.
While Director of Education at Manchester, from 1914, his leadership of the education committee greatly enhanced Manchester's prestige as an education authority. His style was noticed by Shena Potter (1883-1972), later Lady Simon of Wythenshawe, a member of the Manchester Education Committee, who commented that ‘Spurley Hey was an autocrat who made no attempt to disguise the fact’. He was held in high regard by the Chairman of the Education Committee, Alderman Wright Robinson.
In 1919 he received an honorary MA degree from Manchester University.
He supported the recommendations of the The Hadow Report (1926) The Education of the Adolescent.
His leisure time was limited, but he enjoyed walking and collecting antiques.
He died from pneumonia on 7 May 1930 at his home in Elm Road, Didsbury, Manchester, and was buried on 10 May at Harlow Moor cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire, and honoured with a memorial service in Manchester Cathedral. Two schools were named after him, Spurley Hey High School, Mount Road, Gorton, Manchester and Rotherham's Spurley Hey. His wife, Ada Annie Hey, survived him.
©2004