War Memorial Cloister At Sedbergh School

The War Memorial Cloister at Sedbergh School is a 1924 structure designed by Hubert Worthington, with an addition dating from approximately 1945 to 1950. Constructed from sandstone ashlar, the cloister is built into the sloping ground in front of and below the Classroom Block. The top of the structure forms a detached, grassed forecourt to the Classroom Block, accessed by a central flight of steps that lead down to the cloister's south-facing aspect. A memorial seat is located on the north side of the forecourt, slightly north of the steps.

The cloister follows a wide U-shaped plan, comprising a five-bay arcade flanked by shorter, wider three-bay arcaded wings, all featuring round-headed arches. The main arcade is characterized by short, square piers, each with a raised square panel on the front, moulded imposts, and moulded arch heads culminating in keystones that run up to a continuous frieze. A plain parapet tops the arcade. Carved shields are situated within the spandrels of the outer arches, and the frieze is inscribed with "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE," while a raised panel in the centre of the parapet bears the inscription "DVRA VIRVM NVTRIX." Each wing features a large central arch flanked by smaller window arches, with a pair of lion masks in the spandrels. Raised panels on the parapets display the inscriptions "MDCCCCXIV" (on the left) and "MDCCCXVIII" (on the right). The return sides of the parapets extend northwards, enclosing a grassed garden.

Inside the cloister, each bay has a dome-vaulted ceiling, and the rear wall includes a central archway leading to the steps of the forecourt, flanked on each side by four bays of blind arcading. Each blind arch contains wreathed panels displaying painted lists of names; the inner four bays commemorate those who died in 1914-18 (a total of 248 names), and the outer four commemorate those who died in 1939-45 (a total of 192 names). A hexagonal, two-stage stone bench, aligned with the top of the steps, features inscriptions on alternate sides of the upper stage, recording the names of three former pupils awarded the Victoria Cross in 1941: 2nd Lieutenant G.W. Gunn, Major-General J.S. Campbell (both at Sidi Resegh), and Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell (at Brest).

The cloister is considered an exceptionally well-conceived and dignified war memorial. The descending steps are intended as a metaphor for interment, leading to light. The structure forms a group with the Classroom Block to the north and Powell Hall to the northwest.