Former National School

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 23 June 2023 to amend the name and address, and to reformat the text to current standards

SO8932 859-1/6/109

TEWKESBURY CHURCH STREET (South side) No 51

(Formerly listed as No.51 National School)

27/07/73

GV II

Former school, now Abbey Office. Founded 1813, built 1817, enlarged 1842. Limestone ashlar, slate hipped roof behind parapet. Tudor Gothic style. Lofty free-standing rectangular block in two storeys, threexfour-windowed, all two-light stone recessed chamfered-mullion and transom casements to flush surrounds under stopped drip courses.

Front to Church Street has centre bay slightly brought forward, with pair of plank doors on four sandstone steps in four-centred arch with stopped drip and decorative spandrels. Above this is raised commemorative panel under stopped drip, inscribed: NATIONAL SCHOOL FOUNDED 1813 ENLARGED 1842. Plinth, enriched coved cornice with florets and two gargoyles, blocking course and saddle back parapet.

Side to Abbey Churchyard similar, no door; left return, to alley, in rough coursed squared stone, five scattered windows without enrichment. Far left is six-panel flush beaded door to segmental voussoirs, on one sandstone step. Back partly concealed by timber-framed 1842 extension has two windows visible at first floor.

INTERIOR not inspected.

HISTORICAL NOTE: the building is in part on the site of the former detached belfry to the Abbey (demolished in 1816) and completed at a cost of »1345.8.3. Bennett (The History of Tewkesbury, 1830) describes it as ".. a very neat and substantial structure ..".

Listing NGR: SO8903932498