Schools, King’s Cross Road, Clerkenwell, London

SCHOOLS, CLERKENWELL, LONDON. - The large district of St. Philip, Clerkenwell, with a population of nearly 10,000 persons, being without schools, means have lately been taken to secure a site; after Some years' fruitless labour, two freehold houses have been purchased of the Metropolitan Railway Company, the land of which when cleared will have cost the committee at the rate of above £20,000 per acre. The property frontages in King's Cross Road, and in the side street leading into Granville-square, and is consequently very suitable for its purpose. It is intended forthwith to erect schools for 150 infants, 150 girls, and 150 boys, on three separate floors, with cellarage under, to be turned to profit by letting. The infant school will be on the ground-floor, 40 feet by 30 feet; the girls' school over same, and of similar dimensions, both entrances will be in the side street; the boys' school will be on the second-floor, 46 feet by 30 feet, and entered from King's Cross Road. The materials used will be common stock bricks, relieved with Suffolk red bricks in bands and arches: the floors will be fire-proof, upon Fox and Barrett's system; no plastering will be used internally except to ceilings. The estimated cost is £,3200. Mr Withers, of Doughty-street, London, is the architect. [Civil Engineer and Architects Journal 1 October 1865 page 285]

S. PHILIP  CLERKENWELL — For this parish Mr. Withers has designed a lofty school house, which is to accommodate 150 boys, 150 girls, and 150 infants, on three floors. The general effect of the pile recalls Mr. £. M. Barry's admirable schools for S. Giles', but the material and detail resemble more closely the buildings raised by Mr. Withers in Endell Street for Messrs. Lavers and Barraud’s glass manufactory. The walls are of red brick with black bands. The windows are provided with tympana and arched heads : those in the gable end being larger and transomed. The gables are picturesquely stepped, and the whole effect is very satisfactory. [Ecclesiologist February 1866 page 63]

Reference    The Civil Engineer and Architects’ Journal 1 October 1865 page 285 with engraving
Reference    Ecclesiologist February 1866 page 63