Old Grammar School Court And Attached Forecourt Walls

This building, originally a school and now in multiple occupation, dates to 1781, with alterations made in the late 20th century. It is constructed of granite ashlar and has a slate roof with gable ends visible behind a parapet. The front of the building is symmetrical, with five bays arranged around a central bay that projects forward and is topped with a pediment featuring moulded coping. The ground floor of the central bay has an arcade of three round arches, the central one containing double doors with a glazed panel and a blind fanlight. There are two-light casement windows with fanlights on either side of the entrance. The first floor of the central bay features three twelve-pane sashes, with a datestone incorporated into the central sash displaying the inscription: “This building was erected by George, Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and Valletort in the year 1781,” along with a painted shield of arms bearing the viscount’s coronet. The outer bays to the right and left have two-light casement windows within round arches, formerly doorways, with twelve-pane sashes on the first floor. The attic storey has gabled dormers on either side, each with a four-pane sash, and there are 20th-century rooflights behind the pediment. Attached forecourt walls, approximately one and a half metres high, feature a central gateway with plain piers topped with pyramidal caps. Round arches with imposts are present at each end of the walls, with the wall continuing over the coping. The interior has not been inspected. The building’s group value stems from its contribution to the character of the surrounding area.