Old Church School

411/0/10048 08-MAY-02

BEACONSFIELD WINDSOR ROAD Old Church School

GV II

School. Beaconsfield National School, 1872 by Henry Woodyer on land donated by Magdalen College, Oxford and Mr John Hargreaves. Commissioned by Woodyer's brother -in-law, the incumbent of the parish church, built by William Child. Extended 1877 -8 under Woodyer, and 1880's (proposals only), late C19/early C20. Closed 1957; porch added, interior modified after acquisition by Masonic Order, 1983. Red brick with diaper brickwork, gables with applied timber framing, tile roofs, timber belfry. Originally three schoolrooms, for boys, girls and infants, boys' and girls' classrooms, and wash rooms; extended to north, south and east. Single storey, originally three gables bays arranged east-west, southernmost obscured by added hipped roof classroom. Gabled north elevation, additional schoolroom to south, and eastern extension, now kitchen. Each gabled bay has large timber mullion and transom window, that to north set high under the gable, with flanking vertically boarded panels. Windows in clear glass except some coloured glass to rear window of former boys' schoolroom. Corridor, formerly external, to cill height of entrance elevation. Two bay hipped roof classroom, late C19, now bar, pair of tall mullion and transom windows each under gablet, tall stack with shaped cap, taller gabled bay to left now kitchens, with three bay schoolroom to rear. Porch added post 1983 reusing brick from former outside lavatories. Rear cast iron downspouts dated 1872, formerly similar goods to front elevation. Tall timber belfry with pyramidal lead roof surmounted by slender iron cross. Interior. Hall (now Ted Wood Room) , three bay schoolroom added later C19, replacing boys' classroom and wash room, refurbished dado; former boys' schoolroom now meeting room, five bays, trussed roof with exposed purlins and principal rafters. Green glazed tiled dado said to survive behind panelling, pair of panelled doors. Similar roofs to four bay infants' and girls' schoolrooms, each with dado of glazed tiles now boarded over, vertically boarded door in arched doorframe, each with cast iron snakeshead strap hinges, door handle and lock. Similar former outer door, now behind added porch. Northern classrooms: stair with square newels moulded rail, balusters boarded over, dado partly in brick, pair of doorways to schoolroom. Bar, formerly classrooms, retains angle chimneypiece.

Henry Woodyer, a gentleman architect, ed. John Elliott and John Prichard, University of Reading 2001 Early School Days in Beaconsfield History of Church of England School 1854 - 1914, E Warr Buildings Of England, Bucks, 1994,p171.