St Bartholomew'S Church School

This former school, built in 1844, demonstrates group value as an important example of a Victorian educational building. Extensions and alterations occurred in 1894 and 1966. The building is arranged in a cross shape and is constructed from dressed and coursed sandstone beneath a grey slate roof. It is built in a C17 vernacular style.

The facade features a central projecting gable with a large, three-light window with a four-centred arch and drip moulding extending over two floors. Kneelers are present on the gable ends, and a small bell tower with a saddleback roof sits atop the gable. Entrance doors, one for girls and one for boys, are flanked by two-light stone mullioned windows on each side. Wings extend to either side, each having two two-light stone mullioned windows on both the ground and first floors, front and rear. The gable ends of these wings incorporate three-light stone mullioned windows on both floors and are topped with round finials. The rear wing, originally the caretaker’s house, has a gable end with a large, four-light stone mullioned window on both the ground and first floors, accented by pointed finials at the apex and on the kneelers. Chimney stacks are located on the front and rear wings near the centre. A stone-flagged yard lies to the front, accessible by a gabled double entrance through a complete perimeter sandstone wall that encloses the entire site. Much of the original glazing has been lost, as has the dividing wall between the girls’ and boys’ entrances and yards.

While the interior was not inspected, it is believed much of it was lost during a 1996 reconstruction. Surviving features include some internal doors and decorated king-post roof trusses that were originally visible.

The school opened in 1844 as a National School, and was expanded in 1894. At that time the front portion was extended, a circular staircase was removed and replaced with a straight return staircase incorporating cloakrooms below. The caretaker’s house was then integrated to provide additional student accommodation. Further internal alterations occurred in 1966 after the school had ceased to function as a day school, including the removal of the staircase and upper floor, installation of a suspended ceiling, and the addition of a new kitchen. The building was subsequently used for Sunday School purposes and is currently unused.