Formerly known as Buckingham Villas, Ford House was originally a pair of semi-detached houses built in the late 19th century. The 1886 edition of Kelly's Directory reveals that the occupants were Mrs C Kirk and Mr John Kirk.

Buckingham Villas were built in the Gothic Revival style, of rock-faced gritstone with a blue slate gabled roof. Inside, there are elaborate wooden Gothic-style staircases with brass handrail, and a tiled floor, possibly Minton, in the stair hall.

In 1916, one of the two houses in Buckingham Villas was rented for £100 per annum from a Colonel Kirk for use by Leeds Girls High School's preparatory department and first form. In 1920, the entire Buckingham Villas Estate was bought by the school for £5,500. It was renamed Ford House in 1925.