National Schools Bury New Road Prestwich

OPENING OF THE PRESTWICH NATIONAL SCHOOLS Yesterday evening the new schools for the township of Prestwich were formally opened by the Countess of Wilton who, it may be recollected, laid the foundation stone about twelve months ago. The schools, which have been designed by Mr A Waterhouse, comprise an attractive group of buildings, facing the Bury New Road. They are of Gothic style, and built of brick with stone dressing. In the centre is a campanile, to the right and left of which are the gables of the boys’ and girls’ schools. Through the tower access is obtained to a vestibule, out of which open doors leading to the schoolrooms. The boys’ schoolroom measures 60 feet by 32 feet and the girls’ room is slightly smaller. At the rear of each schoolroom is a spacious classroom. In the centre of the group is a library and reading room measuring 36 feet by 20 feet. All the rooms are covered with open timbered roofs. The walls of the schoolrooms are boarded to a height of 4 feet from the floor, the brickwork above being simply whitewashed. The two large schools have windows at the ends towards the road, and also at the sides, and at night they are lighted by elegant gas corona. The library is fitted with opaque glass in the roof, and the gas is supplied through brackets from the walls, which are lined with varnished bookcases. There already exists in the parish a small library, which will be sufficient to stock the shelves. In connection with that library, which was established for persons of all denominations, and which has, up to this time, been located in a cottage, penny readings, and other entertainments have been given. The subscription to the lending library is such as to meet the income of the poorest artisan, who, in addition to all the other advantages derived, has free admission to all the winter amusements. .. It is intended to carry on these entertainments in the boys’ schoolroom, which is only separated from its classroom by a movable wooden partition. The floor of the classroom is, however, about 3 feet above that of the schoolroom, and judging from the result of yesterday’s proceedings, the two rooms when combined will afford great accommodation for a large gathering of parishioners. At the back of the library is a cottage residence for the keeper of the buildings. That cottage, with its offices, serves also to separate the yards attached to the schools. Throughout the buildings there are numerous passages which at once effect the double object of separating the various school and class rooms and affording easy access from one to another. The plot of land on which the schools have been built rises from Bury New Road to a lane at the back. The level of the floors is about the same as that of the lane, and the space thus afforded in the front has enabled the architect to place in the basement thus formed a heating apparatus, kitchen, etc. The school buildings and library are warmed with hot air, in addition to which open fireplaces have been provided. The work has been executed by Mr J Robinson junior of Hyde at a cost of nearly £3,000. [Manchester Guardian 18 October 1866 page 2].

Reference           Manchester Guardian 18 October 1866 page 2 – opening

Foundation stone retained at St Mary's CoE Primary School