Ravenswood, Rock Ferry High School

Ravenswood, Rock Ferry High School

Ravenswood is a former house constructed of stone bricks with sandstone ashlar dressings, standing to the north-east of the later school building. It dates to 1874, as marked by an incised date stone on the main elevation bearing a Freemason's compasses motif.

The building is roughly square in plan with two storeys plus attics beneath steeply pitched slate roofs. It is characterised by prominent gables and tall chimney stacks. Three main bays feature on both the north-east and south-west elevations. The windows are predominantly mullioned and transomed in the larger examples, with relieving arches above most openings.

The principal north-east elevation is dominated by a central gabled bay containing the main entrance, which projects as a gabled porch bearing a carved coat of arms in a roundel above. To the right stands a square bay window with a basement below, supporting a balcony above that has a pierced parapet. The upper window of this bay features a deep stone lintel with blind tracery, and near its base is the incised date stone. To the left and right of the central bay are further bays containing sash windows in similar style. A square oriel window at first floor level marks the corner, accompanied by a corner buttress.

The south-west elevation has gabled bays flanking a central section which contains a secondary entrance and window with smaller windows above. A semi-circular bay window projects from this elevation, also surmounted by a pierced parapet and balcony. The upper window mirrors the front elevation detail, with diamond decoration in the stonework of the gable. The north-west elevation displays scattered fenestration over three floors and an external chimney stack rising from the first floor. The south-east elevation features a two-storey semi-circular bay window set within a projecting gabled bay towards the right.

The interior preserves substantial original features. The principal entrance to the north-east has been blocked and its vestibule converted to lavatories. A square main hall occupies the centre of the ground floor and extends open to the top floor, lit by a leaded skylight above. This hall houses the main staircase and gives access to rooms on all sides, with original panelled doors bearing carved panels matching the staircase style.

The main staircase is constructed in polished mahogany and displays elaborate carving in Jacobean style. The ground floor newels rise to support the upper level, with pierced, carved and turned balusters and a wooden handrail.

To the left of the main entrance is a service room, while a large classroom extends through the remaining depth of the south-east side, formed from the merger of two former rooms. The ceiling contains decorative plasterwork and cornices; some glass in the bay windows is stained, including two panels depicting an artist and a painter decorating a pottery bowl respectively.

To the right of the entrance stands another classroom, probably the original dining room, panelled in wood with matching wainscot, with service rooms beyond. Opposite the entrance is the headmaster's room, fitted with wainscots, fitted furniture, a fireplace with marble surround and individually decorated tiles. A rear entrance and kitchen with an original iron range are located to the rear (west), with a second staircase featuring stick balusters and a wooden handrail on the north-west side.

The first floor is arranged around the central staircase and largely echoes the ground floor plan. Several fireplaces survive throughout, including examples with strongly patterned tiles and one with a heavy marble surround. The west wing has a second storey accessed from the second staircase.