Shirebrook Lower School

Shirebrook Lower School is a school building constructed between 1924 and 1926 by architect G.H. Widdows. It is made of red brick and features plain tile mansard roofs along with flat concrete roofs. The building consists of one and two storeys arranged in three parallel ranges that are connected by covered walkways. The north range has a distinctive boomerang shape and includes a central two-storey block with four prominent rectangular stacks positioned near the corners. These stacks are simple in design, lacking moulding except for a concrete coping at the top, and are connected by a parapet with dentilled coping.

The side elevations of this range feature timber mullioned and transomed casements with small pane glazing. The classroom ranges on either side have three and four bays, with continuous timber and glazed partitions on the south side, divided by slender brick piers and set behind a continuous timber arcade. Above, broad 4-light clerestory windows are present, with flat roofs, while the north side has a continuous angled clerestory.

The central range includes a similar classroom and a taller assembly hall at the west end, which has a prominent hipped roof and lateral stacks at the corners. The timber arcades continue across the lower part of the assembly hall, which is adorned with five large cross windows above. The east range mirrors the classrooms of the north range, illuminated by three 4-light clerestorey windows, and is terminated by end pavilions that resemble the central block of the north range. The end elevations feature a pair of stacks that rise from the ground. Inside the assembly hall, there is a segmental barrel vault with ribs that rise from pilasters, and the stage is framed by a keyed segmental proscenium arch. G.H. Widdows was recognized as one of the leading architects of his time, particularly noted for his work in the planning and design of schools.