The Old School

ABTHORPE SCHOOL LANE SP64NE (East side) 6/14 The Old School 01/12/51 (Formerly listed as School at North East end of the village)

GV II

School, now parish hall. Dated 1642, extended 1868. Coursed squared limestone, banded with ironstone, plain-tile roof, stone end stack. Two-unit plan. 2-storey, 3-window range with one-window addition. Central 2-light hollow-chamfered stone mullion window with hood mould, flanked by similar 3-light windows. Ironstone panel above central window inscribed "JANE LEESON/HATH BUILDED/THIS HOUS FOR/4 FREE SCHOOLE/FOR EVER", Datestone above inscribed "1642/FEARE GOD/HONOUR YE KING". Central dormer window with 2-light stone mullion window with hood mould. Chamfered ironstone plinth and stone coped gable to left with kneelers (coping and kneelers of ironstone). C19 addition to right takes form of cross-wing with large 5-light stone mullion and transom window to ground floor with hood mould, blank panel above, and 2-light stone mullion window in gable with hood mould: ironstone quoins, stone-coped gables with kneelers and bell-cote to front gable. Central ogee- and hollow-chamfered stone doorway to rear with 4-centred head, cut spandrels, panel above carved with 3 fleur-de-lys and hood mould; old studded plank door with ornamental hinges. Interior has open fireplace with chamfered cambered bressumer and first floor fireplace with cambered ogee-stop-chamfered bressumer. C19 arch-braced collar truss roofs. (Buildings of England: Northants, p.75).

Listing NGR: SP6503046602