St Thomas’s Schools, Paddock Street, Ardwick

ARDWICK, MANCHESTER - On Saturday the foundation stone of the new schools about to be built in connection with St Thomas's Church, Ardwick, was laid. The building will be two stories high, of Gothic character, with picked common brick facings, and Darley Dale stone dressings. The architects are Messrs. Boyle (sic) and Bennett, Princess-street, Manchester, and the contractors Messrs Clay and Son, Audenshaw. [Building News 16 December 1869 page 468]

ARDWICK (MANCHESTER) - The foundation stone of the new schools which it is proposed to erect in connection with St Thomas’s Church, Ardwick, has been laid. The site of the new building is a rectangular plot, bounded by four streets at the rear of the church. The building, which is two stories high, is of Gothic character, with picked common brick facings and Darley Dale stone dressings. Over the window heads are slightly sunk panels, the arches being formed with moulded stock bricks. The north front has a range of six windows to each floor, the lower being three-light, and the upper two-light; in each there is a casement to open for ventilation. The upper windows have projecting gables supported on moulded brick corbelling, continued along the eaves. In the east elevation there is a stone traceried rose window, giving light to the upper floor. In the west elevation is the bell turret, which rises perpendicularly over the large three-light window to the principal staircase. The building has a frontage to Paddock Street of 88 feet and a depth of 39 feet. On the ground floor is the infants’ school-room 54 feet by 36 feet and 16 feet high, and two class-rooms, respectively 23 feet by 14 feet 9 inches, and 16 feet high; and 17 feet 8 inches by 14 feet, and 10 feet 6 inches high; also a lavatory and cloakroom, 13 feet by 14 feet. From the entrance to the infants’ school-room there is a staircase leading to a committee or class-room, 31 feet by 14 feet, which forms a mezzanine floor between the ground floor and the gallery of the upper floor; this staircase is continued to the gallery. The principal entrance to the upper floor is from Thomas-street, by a stone staircase with oak handrail, and ornamental iron balusters. This floor comprises the boys’ school-room, 69 feet by 36 feet, and a class-room, 23 feet by 15 feet; the height to the ceiling being 21 feet 9 inches; the roof principals are in red deal, stained and varnished, and have hammer beams and brackets springing from moulded stone corbels. In the basement there is a kitchen, 27 feet by 14 feet, with range and boiler and the usual conveniences for the preparations for tea meetings. In addition to open fireplaces in each room, the building is warmed by Messrs Whittaker and Constantine’s hot-air apparatus placed in the basement, the heated air being conveyed to the school-rooms by means of flues and shafts. Provision has also been made for carrying off the vitiated air by shafts from the various rooms. The building has been arranged for the accommodation of 300 infants and 250 boys. Adjoining are playgrounds asphalted and drained, and the usual out-offices. The total cost of the works, exclusive of furniture will be,2,400. The drawings have been prepared by Messrs Royle and Bennett of Manchester, and the works will be carried out under their immediate supervision. The contractors are Messrs Thomas Clay & Son, Audenshaw. [Builder 8 January 1870 Page 34]

ARDWICK (MANCHESTER) - The new schools in connection with St Thomas’s Church, Ardwick, have been opened by the Bishop of Manchester. They will accommodate 550 children - 300 infants and 250 boys; have been built at a cost, including the fittings and the site, of £4,000; and will comprise two school-rooms - the lower for the infants and the upper for the boys. The building is of brick with stone facing, in the Gothic style of architecture. The rooms are of more than ordinary dimensions and are well lighted and ventilated. Messrs Royle and Bennett of Manchester, were the architects, and Messrs Thomas Clay & Son, of Audenshaw, the builders.[Builder 26 November 1870 Page 256]

New Elementary Schools at Ardwick, built in connection with St Thomas's Church were opened by the Bishop of Manchester on 25 October, the builders being Clay & Sons. [Manchester Guardian Wednesday 26 October 1870 Page 6]

Reference    Building News Vol 17 16 December 1869 page 468
Reference    Builder 8 January 1870 Page 34-35
Reference    Builder 26 November 1870 Page 256
Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 26 October 1870 Page 6