National Schools and Master's House, Beccles

In May 1866 the designs submitted by Hayley and Dawes in an architectural competition for new National Schools (Church of England) in Beccles, were accepted. With an estimated cost of £1,500, theirs was one of 16 designs submitted. By September 1866 working drawings had been prepared and tenders were being sought for the school and master’s house. The new buildings were erected in Ravensmere on the site now occupied by the Fire Station and were further extended in 1883 and 1906. The school closed on 31 March 1939, after which the building was altered to accommodate the local fire engine. It was later demolished to make way for a purpose-built Fire Station.

NEW NATIONAL SCHOOLS, BECCLES, SUFFOLK - The committee for building these schools have selected the designs submitted by Messrs Hayley and Dawes, architects, Manchester.[Builder 16 June 1866 page 453]

BECCLES - The new National School-rooms in this town, which were commenced building nearly twelve months since, have now been opened by the bishop of the diocese. The building, which is situated in Ravensmere, is a large structure, in red brick, having Gothic windows with stone mullions, and a slate roof ornamented and surmounted by a bell-turret. It has been built by Mr. R. A. King, of this place, from the plans of Messrs. Hayley & Dawes, of Manchester, at an entire cost of about £2,000. It will contain 150 boys, 100 girls, and 150 infants. There are convenient class-rooms attached to the boys’ and girls’ school-rooms, and also lavatories for each school. [Builder 2 May 1868 page 327]

Reference        Builder Vol. XXIV 16 June 1866 Page 453
Reference        Builder 2 May 1868 page 327