Former National School

The Former National School for girls, built in 1820 and altered in the 20th century, is located on Cawthorne Street in Lancaster. The building is constructed of smooth-faced sandstone ashlar on the High Street facade and features a horizontally broached side elevation with chisel-drafted margins. It has a slate roof and consists of two low storeys.

The High Street facade has three bays under a pedimented gable, while the north side elevation has eight bays. The ground floor was restored in 1993 and includes a central doorway flanked by twelve-pane windows. The first floor features three low rectangular glazing bar sash windows, set within plain reveals and with projecting sills. Above these, a shallow string course leads to a pediment inscribed with 'NATIONAL SCHOOL for GIRLS.' There is also a plaque stating: 'Built by Public Subscription A.D. 1820 to establish Order, check Vice and uphold Virtue.'

The right-hand return wall facing Cawthorne Street has eight bays with vertical rectangular windows; the two left-hand windows are blind and painted to mimic 30-pane windows with glazing bars, while the third window is actually glazed with 30 panes. The remaining windows were altered around 1987. At a lower level in the center of the facade is a doorway with a stone surround and plain pediment, positioned between two blocked windows.