Established in 1857 by the Falkirk Ragged Industrial School Association. The initiative for the school probably came from Rev Lewis Hay Irving and from Colonel Dundas. The school was re-named the Industrial School for Boys and Girls under the Industrial Schools Act 1866 and in 1868 the school became Certified by HM Inspector of Reformatories and Ragged Schools. The contents of the building were sold in 1899 and the premises were then used for the Falkirk Model Lodging House until the 1980s. This school took in destitute boys and girls and trained them in 'habits of industry' (Bain,1965 p212). It also took in children detained under various Acts. The Industrial School (Scotland) Act, 1854, saw children aged between 7 and 14 sent to Industrial schools if found begging or without adequate supervision. The 1866 Act allowed the detention of destitute children up to age 16. The cost was borne by parents or the Parochial Board or by voluntary support.