Former Wigan Grammar School

Former Wigan Grammar School

A grammar school and college building located on the north side of Parson's Walk in Wigan. Designed by A E Munby and dated 1935–7 on the foundation stone of the central range, it represents Thirties Modernist style architecture. The building has been altered since construction.

The structure is built of brown brick in stretcher and monk bonds with red brick dressings in soldier courses, red tile voussoirs, concrete bands, metal windows, and pantiled roofs. It is arranged in a U-plan comprising three long ranges enclosing a large rectangular forecourt, with the south-west side open. Short links connect the north-east range to the side ranges, and a tower rises at the external east corner.

The building is two storeys throughout. The tower, which faces Mesnes Park Terrace and is square in plan, contains a narrow doorway at ground floor with a narrow window above it and a small curved concrete balcony. The third stage has triple square-headed lancets, while the fourth stage displays octagonal clock faces. A soldier course and concrete band run across, and a short set-back top stage features pilasters and a pantiled parapet.

The architectural front is primarily oriented towards the forecourt. The south-east range is dominated by a five-window assembly hall above a crypt. The crypt features an arcade of three wide round-headed arches with triple keystones and tile voussoirs, now glazed but formerly open, with an impost band. The hall itself has five tall square-headed windows with horizontal glazing bars and margin panes, and a soldier-course parapet. To the right are offices in five-and four-window portions, successively set back and lower in height, also featuring square-headed windows and margin panes. A doorway in the first bay has a three-sided arched concrete surround.

The central north-east range displays 4:5:4 windows with the centre breaking forwards. The windows are linked by concrete sill and head-bands, except at the centre where the first-floor windows are round-headed with brick keystones and no bands. Two-storey three-bay links to left and right have open arcades at ground floor and small windows grouped 1:3:1 at first floor.

The north-west range is principally 6:5:6 windows in symmetrical arrangement with the centre slightly set back. A three-sided arched doorway occupies the centre, above which is a tall round-headed French window with a concrete balcony. The fenestration otherwise matches the other ranges. A set-back three-window extension matching the main design extends from the left end.

The interior retains a main staircase between the hall and offices with a plain brass handrail. The hall is austerely designed with a plain mahogany-coloured dado, a balcony at the south end, and a stage with rectangular proscenium at the north end beneath a coffered ceiling. The remainder of the interior has been altered.