Heronsbridge School

Baroque Revival style. 2 storeys with gabled bays, E-plan with main long façade facing W, three cross wings to rear, additional wings added at end of N and central cross wings forming 2 courtyards. Stone with ashlar dressings, rear and courtyard elevations using ironstone. Windows replaced throughout, mix of cross-windows to ground floor and former plain sash to first floors. Dentilled eaves. Slate roofs and tall stone chimney stacks. Original cast iron rainwater goods survive in part.

Main facade of 25 bays of 2+2+6+5+6+2+2 pattern, symmetrically arranged around central 5-bay entrance, projecting slightly and with clock tower. Then 6 bays to either side, central 2 of these bays with gable over; projecting 2 gabled bays; then outer 2 bays. Windows in 6-bay and gabled bays are paired. 4 chimney stacks. Cross windows to ground floor and gabled bays.

Entrance with deep semi-circular hood on paired Tuscan columns. Door replaced. Canted bay window above, with transoms, flat projecting cornice breaking eaves line. Round headed attic window above (lighting clock room). Clock Tower above, 2-stage 4 sided tower on leaded base, lower stage with twin round headed louvres and columns on angles supporting continuous eaves cornice with clock stage set back above. Similar columns and cornice, urns on corner. Leaded dome top.

N elevation of 9 bay – 6 bays, tall window (stair) bay, then advanced main façade end 2-bays of paired windows, to left on ground floor wide door with plain surround and canopy. At left gabled end of end wing and single storey block with 2 pairs of windows and 2 doors.

E (rear) elevation – rear wings with mix of windows to S wing, N wing with 6 paired tall windows. Courtyards not inspected. Later buildings added to rear not of special interest.

Plan form and detail largely survives with rooms re-organised. Entrance hall, vestibule doors replaced, brass dedication plaque for the Turret Clock. Leads to axial corridor, stairs with metal newels and balusters and timber handrail to lowest flight. Terrazzo floors, plain cornice detail and boarded ceilings visible in part. Clock mechanism by ‘John Smith & Sons Midland Clock Works Derby – England’.