Former Roman Catholic School of St Mary

A former Roman Catholic school, built around 1840 to the designs of Weightman and Hadfield for the 12th Duke of Norfolk. Extensions to the rear are excluded from the listing.

MATERIALS: the mid-C19 building is constructed of coursed squared rubble with a plain tile roof and ashlar window dressings and quoins.

PLAN: the building has a T-shaped plan, with the rectangular hall orientated north-south and a central range projecting west.

EXTERIOR: the mid-C19 school building features a single-storey hall with ashlar quoins beneath a pitched roof with sprocketed eaves. A gabled range projects from the central bay of the principal (west) frontage and features a chamfered plinth, sill and lintel bands, and a pair of four-light windows with stone mullions and transoms. In the gable above is a pair of louvred slits, and surmounted on the apex of the coped gable is a wrought iron cross. To the south pitch of the roof is a stepped stone stack with quoins.

To either side of the projecting range are two pairs of glazing bar casements in flush stone surrounds. At the south end of this elevation is a doorway with a timber planked door, and to the north end is a two light casement, both with segmental arched heads and set within flush stone surrounds with spandrels. To the south elevation there are two large window openings with C20 windows, while there are two smaller multipaned windows to the north elevation. Both the north and south elevations feature coped gables inset with a pair of louvred slits flanked by metal shields featuring a crucifix.

INTERIOR: the main hall is open plan with a kitchen and servery hatch to the north end, and access to the west and east ranges. The hall is partially panelled and the ceiling features canted ribs springing from a cornice. This is continued within the western range which is accessed through a doorway in the west wall. This room features an arched niche and chimney breast, though the fireplace has been removed. To the south wall is a crucifix cartouche at cornice height. The windows are all set within segmental arched niches with chamfered sills, those to the east side of the hall are at clerestory level. The internal doors have been replaced with C20 fire doors. Throughout the building are several corbelled vents with hand-shaped turns.