Birkenhead School Preparatory Department

The Birkenhead School Preparatory Department comprises a school building dating to the early 1870s, with the hall specifically constructed in 1871. The original designs are attributed to Lucy, with Walter Scott executing the work. A chapel was added in 1883, designed by F.W. Hornblower and H. Townsend. The buildings are constructed in brick with stone dressings, a Welsh slate roof, and concrete tiled roofs, exhibiting a Tudor Gothic style.

The complex consists of a hall linked to a school house and headmaster's house, with the chapel situated to the rear. The hall, originally open to the roof, now has an inserted floor from 1888-9. It features five bays defined by buttresses, with full-height four-centred arched windows. These windows are traceried above and mullioned and transomed below, with a panelled frieze separating the two elements. An entrance block to the right has two storeys and a three-window range, with a prominent central pedimented gabled porch featuring a moulded four-centred arched doorway and flanking mullioned and transomed windows. Traceried windows are positioned beneath the gables, and the gables themselves are coped with finials. A tower rises to the rear of the entrance block, topped with a pyramidal roof.

The hall is connected by a short wall to the main boarding house block of 1878. This block is three storeys high and has a four-window range with a central advanced gable. A moulded arched doorway leads into the building, and an oriel window rises above, featuring traceried lights. Paired windows flank the entrance block and have arched tympana to the ground floor. Attic windows are partly incorporated into the gables over each bay. Recessed to the left of this block and linked by a short cloister range stands the headmaster's house, a later addition. It has two storeys and an attic, with a wide hipped roof. An arched doorway is present on the right, and a squared bay window to the left has paired sash windows and a parapet. A traceried mullioned and transomed window is positioned above, with a gablet over the tympanum. A recessed two-window range is to the left, featuring a wide gable and arched attic window.

The chapel, located to the rear of the hall and schoolhouse, is constructed of red brick with blue bands and has a steep Welsh slate roof. It consists of a nave and undivided chancel, divided into five bays by stepped buttresses. Square-headed, foiled mullioned and transomed three-light windows have brick relieving arches above. A canted porch with a hipped roof was added in 1884 to the west side. The east window is of five lights, and the eastern gable is coped with a cross finial. The interior features an undivided chancel raised on steps, a hammer beam roof, traceried panelling for the reredos and organ loft, and stained glass in the east window, dating from circa 1914-17.