Victoria Primary School, Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh

Victoria Primary School, Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh

A 3-storey, 9-bay Gothic-style school building designed by John Lessels in 1861, with significant enlargements carried out in 1875 and 1884, and further work by George Craig in 1896. The building is accessed from the east and has a rectangular plan with asymmetrical projections and additions to the rear, including a low 2-storey extension to the north-east and an open porch to the lower right.

The school is constructed in squared and snecked rubble sandstone with long and short quoins and polished dressings. It features a projecting cornice, pointed-arched openings, and chamfered and architraved windows, with oculi set into the south facade.

The east elevation comprises five bays and contains the main entrance. A pointed-arched doorway with chamfered arises is set in the outer left bay, with a 2-leaf panelled door and 3-light fanlight divided vertically above. Single windows occupy the ground floor of three bays to the right, each topped by 2-light fanlights separated by stone transoms. Single windows appear at the first and second floors across all bays. A 3-storey, 2-bay flat-roofed addition adjoins to the north, with a pitched 2-storey extension beyond. An advanced piend-roofed playshed with a classroom above projects from this elevation.

The north elevation presents an asymmetrical disposition of bays and windows with irregularly disposed fenestration.

The south elevation, facing Main Street, is the most elaborate. Its bays are grouped 3-3-3 across three distinct blocks. The west block is gabled and buttressed with a symmetrical arrangement of single windows at ground floor and pointed-arched windows aligned above. Each bay is contained within a double-height architraved surround with hoodmoulds to the first floor windows. An oculus sits within the apex above. Polished sandstone panels set between the floors feature architraved surrounds and bear an inscription reading "1843 - 1885 Victoria School Leith School Board".

The central block rises to 5 storeys with an asymmetrical disposition of openings. It displays a variety of square-headed and pointed-arched windows throughout all floors, with corbelling to the upper floors in the outer right bay, a chamfered angle to a recess, and windows set within this recess. The east block comprises 3 storeys and 3 bays in a symmetrical arrangement. Single windows occupy all bays at ground floor, with pointed-arched windows above at the first and second floors. A double-height architraved surround extends across the ground and first floors with hoodmoulds to the first floor. Polished sandstone panels set between floors carry architraved detailing to each. Single hoodmoulded pointed-arched windows appear in all bays at the second floor. A vesica is set within the gablehead, surmounted by a sculpted finial. A war memorial is positioned beneath the right gablet, inscribed "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSETT".

The windows throughout the main block are a variety of 2- and 4-pane timber sash and case designs. The 2-storey playshed extension to the north-east is fitted with 12-pane timber sash and case windows. The roof is of grey slate with decorative terracotta ridging and raised skews. A square-section ventilator with timber louvres and a broached cap sits at the entrance block. An octagonal lead-roofed broached spire projects from the rear, with tripartite pointed-arched louvered panelling to each elevation and a cast-iron weather vane above. Original rainwater goods remain in place.

The interior is relatively unchanged, retaining timber boarded dado panelling, iron radiators, stone stairs, and cast-iron banisters. Timber panelled classroom doors have glazed fanlights above with original timber transoms and mullions. Internal windows are chamfered and retain their original timber sash and case glazing. A double-height hall runs through the centre of the building beneath a pitched glazed roof, with a projecting balcony at first floor level around this hall, supported by steel brackets.