Former Bethnal Green British School (Infants School)

TQ3482 788/9/10107

RAMSEY STREET, Former Bethnal Green British School (Infants School)

GV II

Infant school to British School. Designed in 1841 by William Wallen Architect as a purpose built infant school to the adjoining British School, originally for 394 children. Later C19 screen walls with gates added to ground floor. Classical style. Stock brick with hipped slate roof and two brick chimneystacks. Two storeys. Front of 3 bays has central pediment with tripartite sash with panel underneath flanked by 12-pane sashes. Ground floor has two later C19 walls added to central bay incorporating cambered openings with cast iron gates. Side elevations are of 5 bays with full-height pilasters and plat band defining bays and cambered openings, mainly with 20-pane sashes. Bays nearest front are blank to accomodate the chimneys.At time of inspection one window had been enlarged. Rear facing the earlier school building has a semicircular staircase turret. Interior originally had one large ground floor room and two first floor classrooms but the divisions have been removed. Kingpost roof trusses. An early and rare example of the building type.