Marling School

STROUD CAINSCROSS ROAD SO 8305 SE 14/571 Marling School GV II School. 1889-94 by W H Seth-Smith; founded in 1887 by Sir Samuel Marling, a local clothmaker. Limestone ashlar. Stone tile roofs with coped gable ends. Ashlar gable end, lateral and axial stacks with moulded cornices. The plan comprises the great hall on left (west) with row of classrooms on either side and masters' room and entrance on south end; linked by a long cloister to the headmaster's house on right, which also contains dining room, kitchen and dormitories etc. Jacobean and Wrenaissance styles. The great hall on left (west) has large stone mullion window on south gable with shaft above rising into stack at apex. Below the window a small single storey office with pyramidal roof, arms and motto in parapet and round arch doorway set back on right. On either side of hall gabled single storey classrooms with large stone mullion windows raised at centres. Behind the classrooms on each side of hall 2 large lateral stacks with moulded volutes and 2 shafts with arched link at top. Large wooden bell-turret on ridge with finials on corners and copper-clad ogee cupola with tall weathervane. Low cloister on right (east) with leaded timber windows on stone plinth and stone tile roof, linking hall with headmaster's house on right; this is a 2 storey and attic block with asymmetrical gables to front and entrance on right side with gabled porch and plainer dormitory wing at rear (north); all stone mullion windows. Interior: Great hall has gallery at north end on corbel brackets, dias at south end, ornate hammer and tie-beam roof and dado panelling. The flanking classrooms (now library) have vaulted plaster ceilings. The headmaster's house with simple Jacobean style open-well stairs, dining room, kitchen and dormitories are now used as sixth form rooms. Sources: The Building News 10/1/1890; The Builder 3/5/1896; Kelly's Directory of Gloucestershire 1914.

Listing NGR: SO8384605217