Board School, Tempest Street and Chester Street Ardwick (School No 3)

The memorial stones of two Board Schools were laid on Thursday 15 April 1875, The British Architect incorrectly named Royle and Bennett as architects for both schools. This led to the publication of a letter of correction from Royle and Bennett dated 23 April, confirming that William Dawes was responsible for the Every-street building

NEW BOARD SCHOOLS FOR MANCHESTER: THE ARDWICK SCHOOL - The memorial stone of the Ardwick School was laid by the Rev Dr M'Kerrow at half past one o'clock in the presence of a large number of spectators. The building, with which considerable progress has been made, is situated at the corner of Tempest and Chester Streets, Ardwick, and in the midst of a dense population. The walls are in red brick, with facings of picked white-burned bricks, and the design is Gothic, adapted to the purposes of a school. In the basement will be a large covered playground, well ventilated and lighted, beside kitchen, stoves, etc and the ground floor will contain the infants schoolroom, 54 feet by 30 feet, and a room for the younger infants and babies, 50 feet by 22 feet. On this floor will also be a stove, room for books and classroom accommodation etc. The boys' schoolroom 54 feet by 30 feet, and the girls schoolroom 37 feet by 32 feet, will be on the upper floor where cloak and classrooms, lavatories etc will be provided. The architects are Messrs Royle and Bennett, Manchester, and the contractor is Mr J Howard, Hulme. The cost of the school, including furniture, laying out the playground etc will be £6,000. In this as in the Every-street building, Messrs Shillito and Shoreland's school grates are used.[Manchester Guardian Friday 16 April 1875 Page 6 Column 2]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 June 1874 page 7 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 July 1874 page 9 - contracts
Reference    Building News 3 July 1874 page 50
Reference    The Builder 1875: 524.
Reference    Manchester Guardian Friday 16 April 1875 Page 6 Column 2 – memorial stone
Reference    Manchester City News 17 April 1875 Page 2 Column 7 (abridged from  Guardian)
Reference    British Architect 23 April 1875 Page 237
Reference    British Architect 30 April 1875 Page 251
Reference    Samantha F Barnes Manchester Board Schools page 59