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Community Leeds After School Study Support (CLASSS) evolved from its predecessor, Chapeltown and Harehills Assisted Learning Computer School (CHALCS). CHALCS responded to the social and educational challenges faced by the Chapeltown and Harehills communities in the early 1980s. CLASSS remains closely connected with CHALCS and Technorth, where classes are still held today.
Technorth, which opened in the 1980s, marked a significant milestone in the local community. Located on the site of the former Chapeltown Tram Depot, this site itself has historical significance, as the original depot was part of the Leeds tramway system established in 1891 and operational until 1959 when the trams ceased permanently (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post).
The tramway’s legacy includes figures like William Turton (1825-1900), founder of the Leeds Tramway Company, who pioneered horse-drawn tramways across Northern England. Turton’s contributions are commemorated with a Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque near where he once lived, at Hayfield House on Chapeltown Road, now replaced by The Reginald Centre.
1970s: Origins
1971: Arthur France, Calvin Beech, George Archibald and others at the United Caribbean Association (UCA), which itself began in 1964, set up the Saturday Supplementary School at Elmhurst Middle School (now Bracken Edge Primary School), as local children were not making the progress their parents expected, and to understand their own history and culture.
1980s: Laying the Foundations
1981: Social Context and Catalyst
In July 1981, violent urban protest in Chapeltown and Harehills (termed "riots" in the press") underscored the disadvantages faced by the Black community and other ethnic groups in Leeds. Rooted in severe criticism of the policing of black youth, racism, inner-city poverty, poor housing, and high unemployment, these protests highlighted the need for local community support and youth programmes. Leeds City Council responded by establishing the Harehills and Chapeltown Liaison Committee, and local people suggested a pioneering, computer-focused education and training service to address local employment needs.
1981 or 1982: Technorth Opens
Leeds City Council developed a former tramshed on into what is now Technorth. Technorth opened as a central hub for technical skill development and community support. The Harehills Technology Centre, originally based near the Fforde Grene pub (on a small, top floor with just a few offices), shared the same staff and later moved into Technorth.
Staff at the newly opened Harehills Technology Centre, early October 1982. It offered courses in computers and electronics to young, unemployed people aged between 16 and 17, to enable them to find employment in local technology firms. The technology centre was managed by a voluntary management committee, chaired by James Aboaba, with backing from the Council's Industry Department. Pictured are, from left to right: Mike Laxton, Kam Sangra, Veryl Harriott, Simon Horner, Dave Williams, Mike Standing and Norma Morgan. Image and text reproduced by kind permission of Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
Cllr Lorna Cohen supporting a young person's learning at Technorth, December 1985. Image reproduced by kind permission of Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
1986: Founding of CHALCS
CHALCS (Chapeltown and Harehills Assisted Learning and Computer Services) was established in 1986 by Arthur France and Brainard Braimah to bring the computer-based technical education being taught in Technorth to younger people still at school. Global computer company UNISYS provided £100,000 worth of computer equipment. Hundreds of students are supported each year.
Later in 1986, Kenneth Clarke MP, Minister for Employment, visited Technorth as Chapeltown was a recipient of “Task Force” funding due to deprivation and unemployment. The area received a £1 million grant to create job opportunities, which contributed to Technorth (including CHALCS), the Chapeltown Job Centre, new training schemes and Chapeltown Community Workshops.
1987: Local Perspectives
A film titled “Chapeltown: One Year On” aired in 1987, following the earlier Yorkshire Television documentary “Task Force Chapeltown”. This film featured interviews with Chapeltown residents discussing job opportunities. Footage included mentions of CHALCS as part of the Task Force initiative (video link: https://www.yfanefa.com/record/11488, mention of CHALCS at 2m 42s).
Image of a newspaper article from Yorkshire Television documentary “Chapeltown: One Year On”.
1988: CHALCS Offers Expanded Learning Opportunities
Images from December 1988 show children learning computer skills at CHALCS, which held sessions outside school hours, on weekends, and during school holidays. The project was tailored for children from the age of eight upwards.
August 1989: Community Engagement in the Leeds West Indian Carnival
CHALCS students participated in the annual Leeds West Indian Carnival, showcasing the programme’s emphasis on community involvement and understanding history and culture.
Images reproduced by kind permission of Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
1990s-2000s: Expanding Educational Support
CHALCS and Technorth continued to broaden their educational programmes, offering English and Maths – as part of a literacy and numeracy project - plus science and ICT to improve opportunities for local young people. Prince Charles visits.
Prince Charles visits Technorth. Photo includes Brainard Braimah, Vinod, Tattra and Arthur France. Photo supplied by Arthur France to Max Farrar.
2008: Transition to CLASSS
CHALCS’s literacy and numeracy project evolved into CLASSS (Community Leeds After School Study Support), founded by Anne Williamson and Abdul Jalloh, and now focusing on core English and maths skills, plus science.
2010s - Present: Adaptation and Growth
2010s: Adapting to Community Needs
The 2010s saw CLASSS adapt its programmes to meet evolving educational standards. Supplementary education is provided to local children in line with the national curriculum.
2020-2022: CLASSS Adapts During COVID-19
With national lockdowns in 2020, CLASSS closed its doors but continued to support students with online learning. However, children had been away from school and learning time was lost. Home schooling had highlighted community inequalities and with the return to school, pupils had gaps in learning and underlying learning behaviours and core skills were challenging for many young people. The need for CLASSS was greater than ever and a revamped Trustee Board formed to resource and reopen CLASSS in Spring 2022.
Spring 2022: CLASSS Reopens
CLASSS reopened its doors to children aged 7-16.
2025: Primary Level Tutor Recruited
CLASSS recruits its first paid tutor for primary-aged children (in addition to two paid tutors for its two secondary classes), solidifying our commitment to early education.
Sources
Farrar, Max (2022). Speaking truth to power: The Life and Times of an African Caribbean British Man. The Authorised Biography of Arthur France, MBE. Hansib Publications. ISBN 9781912662678.
Yorkshire Evening Post, "Rare footage shows Leeds tramways in the 1950s before closure" (https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/video-rare-footage-shows-leeds-tramways-in-the-1950s-before-closure-608479)
Yorkshire Film Archive, “Chapeltown: One Year On” (video link: https://www.yfanefa.com/record/11488)
Brainard Braimah at Authorsden: https://www.authorsden.com/braimah
Photographs reproduced with kind permission by Leeds Libraries:
https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/115724
https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/117020
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