Burnt Yates School

The Burnt Yates School, dating to 1760, 1763, and 1849, with mid-20th century alterations, was endowed by Rear Admiral Robert Long and others. The building is constructed of coursed squared gritstone and ashlar, with stone slate and blue slate roofs. The school consists of three main blocks: the original two-story, two-bay school building, a three-story, two-bay addition to the left, and a tall, single-story schoolroom built in the 19th century and attached at a right angle to the right.

The original school building has projecting quoins and a central six-panel door set within a quoined surround, flanked by three-light, flat-faced mullion-and-transom windows. The first floor has similar three-light mullion windows. Sill and lintel bands run across both floors; the inscription above the entrance reads: “THIS SCHOOL was ERECTED / and ENDOWED in his LIFE TIME / by ROBERT LONG ESQUIRE / REAR ADMIRAL / in HIS MAJESTIES ROYAL NAVY / ANNO DOM MDCCLX.” A corniced stack is located at the left end. The additional block to the left features quoins to the left side, a central entrance flanked by three-light windows on each floor, with transoms on the first floor. Shaped kneelers and ashlar coping are present on the left. The later range on the right has a tall three-light mullion-and-transom window with triangular-headed top lights. The left return has a central porch with a three-light window, a date plaque (1849), and a bellcote, flanked by three-light mullion-and-transom windows. Gable copings are also present. The right return has two three-light mullion windows.

Inside the block to the left, the second-floor trustees room, begun in 1771 and completed in 1773, retains original wainscot, a fireplace, bookcase, table, and eight chairs. The later schoolroom features scissor-braced roof trusses. The school’s foundation was initiated by William Mountaine, who contacted Robert Long. Admiral Long promised to endow Flask Farm in 1759, and the school was near completion in 1760. It was reported in 1761 that the school was too small, leading to the construction of the addition in 1763. Furnishings in the trustees room include chairs believed to be by Chippendale, a map of the endowed lands, and portraits of King George I and Queen Caroline. Minute books and correspondence records from the school’s foundation are preserved in the trustees room.