Private school in Robin Hood's Bay set up by a woman banned from teaching because she got married celebrates 100 years

From a handful of pupils who were the sons of her friends, it became one of the first co-educational boarding schools in the country, attracting international pupils and generation after generation of local families.Bradley, who died in 1962, at the age of 67, was instrumental to Fyling Hall for most of her life, as was her daughter Clare, who died in March, aged 94.

Fyling Hall’s motto, chosen by Mab Bradley, is “The Days That Make Us Happy Make Us Wise”.Current headteacher Steven Allen, himself a former pupil, said: “I am sure if Mab Bradley paid us a visit today, she would immediately feel at home in an atmosphere that even 100 years later is built around the vision she so clearly believed in when selecting the school motto.

“As we continue to guide Fyling Hall through the constant evolution of modern education, I am very conscious we are custodians of a vision that makes our school a unique place to grow up and learn.

“I am very proud to lead Fyling Hall into the next hundred years. The number of former pupils who contact me or pay us a visit, not just around special occasions like the centenary, highlights the value and affection they place on their time at Fyling Hall.”

Former students include chef Andrew Pern, British Army officer Lieutenant General Sir Allan Taylor and folk singer Eliza Carthy.

Mr Pern said: “The Pern family has had possibly one of the longest relationships with Fyling Hall as my grandfather, Hugh Pern, was one of the founder pupils, then his son Hugh Alan, and his son, my brother Chris and myself.

“The school motto has certainly stuck with me as the school plaque hangs in the bar of my Michelin-starred establishment with pride and it’s amazing how many guests notice it and ask when I was there, as they were too.”

In the beginning, Mab Bradley taught from her house and taught all subjects herself, including English, French, history and what a former pupil said was “eccentric but effective” maths.

As more pupils joined, she and her husband purchased Fyling Hall manor house and developed the school where fees were paid in cash, but also eggs, meat or plants in the early days to ensure local children had access to education.

“We received the type of education that really counts in the end, and that is an education in learning to live with and respect each other, regardless of background or aspirations", said one former pupil.