Alfred Barrow School, Centre Block

Alfred Barrow School's centre block is a school building constructed in 1888 by JY McIntosh. It features red brick with ashlar sandstone dressings and a graduated slate roof, designed in a Renaissance style with a U-shaped plan that includes gabled crosswings and a double-depth centre. The building has two storeys with a half-basement and is arranged in a 1:4:1 bay configuration.

The basement contains a central doorway with a pediment, set beneath an offset band. The upper floors showcase architraved cross-windows that are connected by continuous sill and transom bands, along with mid-floor sunken panels that feature carved reliefs of ribbons, swags, and flowers. The eaves are adorned with a modillioned cornice. The wings of the building have fielded apron panels surrounding mullioned and transomed three-light windows, which are framed with moulded surrounds and decorative ballflower ornament. There are corbel tables beneath the mid-floor panels that read 'HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL', and hoodmoulds above the first-floor windows. The gables include a quatrefoil in a keyed oculus, shaped kneelers, moulded copings, and finials, although the finial on the front left is missing. The roof is finished with terracotta ridge cresting.

On the short right return of the left wing, there is a panelled door set under a basket arch with a hoodmould. The left return of the same wing features transomed one- and two-light windows, while the doorway on the right has panelled double doors in a pilastered and pedimented surround, complete with a carved panel that displays the word 'COOKERY' in the tympanum. A Lombard frieze is present at the eaves.

Inside, the central part of the building has a transverse partition wall made up of a three-bay arcade featuring moulded brick basket arches with consoles on the keystones. This area retains original part-glazed partitions and classroom doors beneath wooden tracery, although the former hall at the front has been divided later. The same architectural scheme is repeated on the first floor, though the arches are obscured by a false ceiling.

The foundation stone, located beneath the front-left window, was laid by Lady Cavendish on August 11, 1888. When completed, the building was designed to accommodate the higher education of up to 1,200 pupils. Later additions to the school are not considered to be of special interest.