in 1975, david gayle founded the yorkshire ballet seminars which brought distinguished names in dance, like alicia markova, to ilkley college of education. in 1978, ilkley college of education merged with bingley college of education to become ilkley college. in 1982, ilkley college merged with bradford college to become bradford and ilkley community college. in 1999, the ilkley campus of bradford and ilkley community college closed despite opposition. the campus had occupied a site at wells house, which was sold for housing after its closure.