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]

NEW COUNCIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BEECH HILL, WIGAN - Builders carrying on business in the County Borough of Wigan are invited to Tender for the above School. Drawings may be seen at the office of the architects, Messrs J. B. and W. Thornley, College Chambers, Library Street, Wigan on and after Wednesday 4 January 1911 and copies of the bills of quantities obtained there on payment of a deposit of £1 which will be returned on receipt of a bona-fide tender. Sealed tenders to be sent to the Town Clerk, Municipal Offices, King Street West, Wigan not later than 10:00am on Saturday 21 January 1911, endorsed “Tender of New School, Beech Hill.” The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. George H. Mockler, Director of Education 30 December 1910. [Wigan Examiner 31 December 1910 page 1 [

Tender of 1910 not progressed. New tenders sought March 1913

#NEW COUNCIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BEECH HILL, WIGAN - Builders whose works are situated in the Wigan Union are invited to Tender for the above School. Drawings may be seen at the office of the architects, Messrs J. B. and W. Thornley, College Chambers, Library Street, Wigan on and after Monday 31 March 1913 and copies of the bills of quantities obtained there on payment of a deposit of £1 which will be returned on receipt of a bona-fide tender. Sealed tenders to be sent to the Town Clerk, Municipal Offices, King Street West, Wigan not later than 10:00am on Monday 14 April 1913, endorsed “Tender of New School, Beech Hill.” The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. George H. Mockler, Director of Education 28 March 1913. [Wigan Observer and District Advertiser Saturday 29 March 1913 page 1]

The foundation stone of the Beech Hill Council School, Springfield, Wigan, was laid on Wednesday afternoon by the Mayoress, (Mrs, E. Dickinson). [Wigan Examiner - Saturday 8 November 1913 page 9]

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]

Reference    Wigan Examiner 5 March 1910 page 5
Reference    Wigan Examiner 31 December 1910 page 1 – contracts
Reference    Wigan Observer and District Advertiser Saturday 29 March 1913 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Wigan Examiner 8 November 1913 page 9
Reference    Wigan Examiner - Saturday 15 November 1913 page 9