Beech Hill Council School, Springfield, Wigan

Wigan’s New Council Schools, ASSESSOR'S AWARD - We understand that the assessor, Mr, J. W. Simpson, FRIBA, of London, whose services had been engaged to decide upon the merits of the various designs sent in by local architects for the new Council Schools at Beech Hill and Scot Lane, Newtown, for which there were five and seven plans respectively, has made his awards as follows:—Beech Hill School, 1st, Messrs. J. B. and W. Thornley; 2nd, Messrs. Heaton, Ralph, and Heaton. Scot Lane, 1st, Mr. H. D. Holland, Pemberton; 2nd, Messrs, Prescott and Bold. These awards are subject to confirmation by the Education Committee. [Wigan Examiner 5 March 1910 page 5]

BEECH HILL COUNCIL SCHOOL. FOUNDATION STONE LAID BY THE MAYORESS - We have been furnished with the details of the new school now in course of erection at Beech Hill, Wigan. The design, though complete in itself, forms part of a larger scheme for 650 scholars, designs for which were selected in competition, and have been approved of by the Board of Education and the Local Government Board. The second block for 300 scholars will be built later. The buildings to be of brick, with selected Orrell facings, red sandstone for the window sills, and other stone dressings. The roofs will be covered with green Welsh slates. The planning is on the most up-to-date lines, giving ample accommodation for 350 scholars with provision for 100 more scholars in case of need, by the slight alteration of fittings without disturbing the arrangement of other classrooms and without extension to the building. A lofty central assembly hall, 63ft. by 25ft., is provided, in addition to head teachers’ and assistant, teachers’ rooms. Four large cloak rooms are provided with wash bowls, etc., in special rooms attached to same, The rooms are to be lofty, well lighted, both naturally and artificially. Particular attention has also been paid to the ventilation, which will be by natural means, each room being cross ventilated by hopper casements, and in addition to the special ceiling gratings communicating with roof extractors for vitrified air.  The heating will be on the low-pressure system. The floors are to be covered with wood blocks, with terraces at the entrances. The walls throughout are to have a glazed tiled dado 4 feet high, and the scheme of decoration will be most carefully dealt with. The whole of the fittings are to be specially designed. All mouldings will be of suitable designs to prevent the harbouring of dust. The asphalted playgrounds are of good dimensions with play sheds, etc., for both. The architects for the work are Thornley Bros, Library Street, Wigan, and the builders J, Wilson and Company, Caroline Street, Wigan. [Wigan Examiner - Saturday 15 November 1913 page 9]