Former Collierley National School

PLAN: a master’s rectangular house oriented north to south facing the main road, with a rectangular cross-wing forming the schoolroom.

MATERIALS: coursed squared sandstone with ashlar dressings and welsh slate roofs

EXTERIOR: main (east) elevation: the schoolroom is a projecting, double-height cross-wing with prominent kneelers; there is a stepped mullioned and transomed tripartite window with a ventilation grill above in a stone surround. The blocked boys’ entrance in the east end of the north wall is indicated by the presence of a wedge lintel. An attached three-bay master’s house has a central entrance set within a gabled, segmental-headed stone porch, neatly blocked with coursed sandstone. The apex of the porch is inscribed: 1846/COLLIERLEY NATIONAL SCHOOL. This is flanked by double height cross-windows, and there is a ridge chimneystack to the left and on the party wall (originally north gable) to the right. Rear (west) elevation: there is a blocked stair light to the master’s house and a small single-storey lean-to extension, which obscures the original ground-floor elevation. The rear of the schoolroom is similarly detailed to that of the main elevation. The later C19 school board extension to the south, the later C19 master’s house to the north and the later C19 rear lean-to extension are not of special interest.

INTERIOR: the former master’s house comprises a single full height space; it has boarded wainscoting with plain plaster walls above, and a plaster ceiling which reveals the lower parts of the roof trusses. The original parlour fire breast is visible on the south wall and to its left is a window through to the adjoining schoolroom. The schoolroom has plain plaster walls and ceiling which is similar to that in the master's house. The room is divided into two by a lightweight modern timber partition.