Cheam School

SU 56 SW KINGSCLERE NEWBURY ROAD 3/21 (Headley)

Cheam School

II

1870, 1911, and 1934. Once a C17 house with a larger early C18 extension of 5 windows, known as Beenham Court; about 1870 this was rebuilt as a large Victorian baronial house of irregular form. The front wall (east) remained in the present facade, when the house was transformed and extended in a regular fashion (by the architect Detmar Blow) with elevations of Wren character, the openings in the old front being filled with stone frames, with mullions and transoms. Front (east) of 3 storeys, 6 windows. Hipped tiled roof with 3 wide flat roofed dormers. Red brick walling, the second floor (above cill height) using small bricks in English Garden Wall bond, the other (of 1870) in English bond, with flush blue header bands at the levels of the ground-floor and first-floor window-heads and the ground-floor cills, projecting bands to first-floor cill level and (thin) first-floor level, plinth (with blue set off). A low parapet has a blocking course and a full cornice in moulded brickwork. Leaded casements. The ground-floor of most of the front projects (1911) with a brick cornice, pilasters enclosing an arcade at each side (the south being open as a porch) and a wide triple window. The south side has slightly-projecting units to the west, to produce 3.2.2 windows, the 2 eastern parts continuing other fronts 2 storeys, the other (of 1911) being of 2 storeys and attic (the parapet cornice being continuous) with quoins and first floor band. The west elevtion (1911) has a narrow projecting 2-storeyed porch, with 2 windows on each side, continuing (from the south side) the taller 2-storeyed arrangement. Similar details are used, the doorway in stone being an elaborate Corinthian Order, with a shield in a segmental pediment, pulvinated frieze, rusticated half columns against rusticated grounds,an arched opening with fanlight and panelled doors, above 5 splayed steps; the window above is enclosed by a stone architrave, cornice and brackets. A further unit at the north side of the west elevation has 2 windows and continues the treatment, and beyond are single-storeyed ranges. A large classroom block of 1934 (when the school moved here from Cheam), extends eastwards from the north side of the east front, forming a forecourt built-up on 2 sides. Inside, the classical detail (of Wren style) is followed, with a tall staircase hall having a rich Corinthian elevation of the Hampton Court design.

Listing NGR: SU5186762086