OLD OR NEW?

Refurbishing and reusing old school buildings in the Yorkshire and Humberside region makes environmental sense, English Heritage stressed in a major announcement this week.
But how many people would have wished to see Brigg's 1929-built Glebe Road School kept instead of building the new purpose-built facility on Atherton Way?
It's certainly worth reflecting on the point that, in North Lincolnshire, we keep knocking down these school buildings dating from the 1920s, like Brigg County Primary and the one at Ashby Turn. Many schools were built to the same distinctive design, with glass panels in the roofs and wooden-posted verandahs. They were fine examples of their period; one by one they are being demolished.
How many remain locally, now Glebe Road's has made way for housing (see picture above)?
Fortunately, the core of Sir John Nelthorpe School (constructed in the early 1670s) is grade one listed - so it's safe from the bulldozers. And it's good to see the Victorian ex-Brigg Preparatory School building has found a buyer engaged in the same line of work.
But we'll let English Heritage have their say on Yorkshire and Humberside's school buildings. You make up your own mind in terms of the relevance to Brigg and how we ought to approach things.

Refurbishing old school buildings in Yorkshire and the Humber is often the best use of resources and the most sustainable way of modernising them when schools and local authorities bid for investment from the Government’s multi-million pound schools building and renewal programme, English Heritage said.
A recent survey by English Heritage of 1,723 adults in England shows that two-thirds think that refurbishing and extending old schools is more environmentally friendly than demolishing them and building new ones.
The findings are particularly significant for Yorkshire and the Humber. The region was at the forefront of progressive attitudes to education in the late 19th century and a large number of architecturally interesting schools built in this period still survive today, most notably in Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield.
In the same survey, 83% of respondents felt that local councils should do more to find new uses for old, empty schools and almost half (47%) felt that schools with historic character provide a more inspiring educational environment than modern ones. Three in four say that historic schools contribute to the identity of a local area.
A new guidance document, Refurbishing Historic Schools Buildings, published today by English Heritage with the support of the Department of Children, Schools and Families, demonstrates the huge potential and flexibility of traditional school buildings. They can be adapted, made more energy efficient and expanded with new buildings alongside.
High Storrs Secondary in Sheffield is a prime example of a local authority opting for the greener approach of a successful, sustainable, refurbishment over rebuilding. The city council did not shy away from the possibility of including the Grade II listed 1930s school in its BSF programme. Instead, it identified and restored features and areas of significance, such as the school’s distinctive figure of eight layout and assembly hall. But at the same time it also addressed 21st century considerations such as accessibility, for example moving and replacing a badly sited lift. The overall result has been to breathe new life into the art-deco school and at the same time to preserve local heritage for the community.
Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage Regional Director for Planning and Development, said: “The Government’s investment programme is an excellent opportunity to ensure that the region’s school estate provides the best possible learning environment for many years to come. We want decision makers to actively consider whether refurbishment is the best way forward. Many of us have a deep attachment to the school buildings of our childhood and with thoughtful upgrading, we can retain the sense of character and identity they bring to neighbourhoods. Re-use also cuts down on waste and makes the best use of resources.”
Over 5,000 school buildings in England are listed for their special architectural and historical interest. Yorkshire and the Humber has 704 listed buildings, including 104 in Leeds, 70 in Bradford and 65 in Sheffield (note: regional figures are approximate as they may include buildings no longer used for educational purposes, or relate to school houses or vocational schools). Even those not meeting national designation criteria are often major local landmarks demonstrating an important element of social history.
A new book from English Heritage called England’s Schools, by Elain Harwood, also published today, provides a concise history of school buildings from medieval times to the 1980s. It highlights the remarkable architecture of many Victorian board schools in Yorkshire, including Lilycroft School, Bradford, one of the first board schools, built in 1872. The Pupil Teacher College in Leeds is hailed as a particularly handsome and prominent building, built in 1900 by WS Braithwaite, who was the last and perhaps finest of the city’s school board architects, while Scarcroft Road School in York, a 1896 Queen Anne style building, is described as a masterpiece.
Free copies of both documents are available either as downloads from www.english-heritage.org.uk/historicschools, or as hard copies via English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181 or email customers@english-heritage.org.uk