The Old School House

TQ 49 SE STAPLEFORD ABBOTTS BOURNEBRIDGE LANE 5/41 The Old School House 20.2.67 - II II

School, 1734, converted to house. Red and blue brick, Flemish bond, partly plastered, roofed with handmade red clay tiles. Rectangular plan, internal chimney stacks at E and N, aspect S. 2-storey lean-to extension to rear, forming a catslide roof, C18/19, and smaller single-storey extension beyond, C20. Lean-to porch on E wall, C20. 2 storeys. The original brickwork has red stretchers and blue flared headers in a regular pattern. Side walls plastered in C20. Central door with 6 fielded panels, simple doorcase with dentilled hood and shaped brackets with guttae. 4-window range of C20 casements under segmental brick arches of alternate red and blue bricks. Band at first- floor level of 2 courses of red stretchers sandwiching one course of blue headers, terminating short of the returns. Recessed stone plaque with moulded border above door with inscription 'Glory to God. Knolls Hill Free School for teaching poor children to read and write, erected and endowed at the sole expence of the Honourable Sir John Fortescue (etc) 1734'. Hipped roof. Unspoiled symmetrical elevation of unusual simple dignity. Reported to have been in use as a school until the C20.

Listing NGR: TQ4998894530