The school was built in 1842 by Daniel Gaskell and his wife Mary as the first Undenomminational School in the township and was for the education of children with no particular religious belief or whose parents could not afford to pay for education.  Gaskell became the first MP for Wakefield from 1832-1837 and devoted much of his life to improving conditions for less fortunate people in particular the youth of the district.  He purchased two large plots of land near Carr Lodge Park where the school was to be built- the land, school, buildings and furnishings cost around £3000.  The first teacher appointed in 1843 was Mr William Mortimer.  The school closed as a day school in 1887 due to low attendance but continued as a private Infant school for about 40 children until 1893.  On July 12th 1912, King George V and Queen Mary motored through Horbury and children gathered in the Gaskell School grounds to get a good view.  The school building was finally demolished in 1923 and the dedication stone was built into the garden wall of a new property built opposite the park gates.