Old School

The Old School, formerly known as the Church Hall and previously listed as the Parish Hall, is a Grade II* listed building located on Church Lane in Nether Alderley. This former free school was presented to the parish in 1908 and has served as a parish hall. It was originally built in 1628 for Hugh Shaw, with an addition to the rear dated 1817 for Rev. Edward Stanley. The building is constructed of ashlar red sandstone and features a Kerridge stone-slate roof, a stone ridge, and one brick chimney. While it was originally rectangular in plan, it is now L-shaped.

The north front of the building is one and a half storeys high and has three bays. The left end bay features a studded oak board door beneath a wooden lintel, which is accessed by five steps. The central bay contains a rebated four-light chamfered stone mullioned window, along with a similar three-light window in a stone-coped gabled half dormer. To the right is a bead-moulded doorcase with a heavy cambered lintel, which holds a studded three-board oak door with iron strap hinges. A plaque above the door reads, "Mr Hugh Shaw Clerk/ built this School Ano 1628/Mr Thomas Deane de Park/ Endowed it Jan:y 30th 1694".

The gable end features similar four- and five-light mullions. To the right and set back is part of the additional range, which sits on a stone plinth and has a projecting band at the first floor. It includes a three-light chamfered stone mullion in the first storey, located below a small coped gable that contains the date plaque. A square wooden bellcote with a shaped lead roof and ball finial is situated on the ridge.

Inside, the original layout had the schoolroom above and the master's house below. The interior features a chamfered ceiling beam with flat and tongue stops, as well as a studded eight-board door with a cambered wooden lintel connecting the old and new portions of the building. The old schoolroom displays very heavy roof timbers, and the addition includes some panelling from the church.