Board School (1000 places), Bowerham Road, Lancaster
LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD - At the monthly meeting of Lancaster School Board, on Tuesday, it was reported that 13 competitive designs for the new Board schools to be erected in the Bowerham district to accommodate 300 children had been sent in. The design of Mr. Robert Walker, architect, of Windermere, was accepted. The estimated cost of the building is about £2,000, which is a little under £7 per child. The school will be for infants and children in standard I. [Blackburn Standard - Saturday 2 June 1894]
BOARD SCHOOL, LANCASTER - We understand that the Lancaster School Board have placed first the plan sent in by Mr. Robert Walker, architect, of Windermere, under motto, “Up to Date,” for a large board school for 1,000 children, to be built in the Marsh, and have instructed him to proceed with the work. [Builder 6 July 1894 page 10]
Persons wishing to submit TENDERS for the ERECTION of an INFANTS' SCHOOL, with Offices, Playground etc in Bowerham Lane, Lancaster, for the Lancaster School Board, may see the Plans and Specifications at the Offices of the said Board, from Monday, the 6th to Friday, the 17th inst. and Tenders must be sent in to the Architect by noon on Saturday, the 18th inst., endorsed "Tender for Infant School, Bowerham Lane." Bills of Quantities will be supplied io those wishing to tender on application direct to ROBERT WALKER FRIBA, Windermere. HERBERT D. WILSON. Clerk to the Board. [Lancaster Guardian - Saturday 11 August 1894]
FIRST BOARD SCHOOL LANCASTER The first school erected by the Lancaster School Board was opened by the Chairman (the mayor) on the 17th inst. This comprises the infants’ portion only, for upwards of 300 children. The entire school, when completed, will give accommodation for 1,000 children. The school has been built by local contractors from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr Robert Walker of Windermere and Church Street, Lancaster, whose plans were elected in public competition. [Builder 31 August 1895 page 157]
Bowerham Primary and Nursery School was the first school to be built in Lancaster by the Education Authority, after the 1890 Education Act made education free for all children. The school opened fully in May 1899 and was at that time called ‘The Mixed Department of the Bowerham Board School’. A new Hall and four additional classrooms, were built in the 1970s. the nursery building was redesigned, and opened in September 2005. Due to an increased birth rate in the local area, further extension became necessary, included four new classrooms, a continuous provision area, a new fully equipped catering kitchen along with a fully fitted pupil kitchen. There has also been a substantial refurbishment programme throughout school. The work was completed with an official opening in January 2014.
Reference Blackburn Standard - Saturday 2 June 1894
Reference Builder 6 July 1894 page 10 - competition result
Reference Lancaster Guardian - Saturday 11 August 1894 - contracts
Reference Builder 10 August 1894 page 108 – contracts
Reference British Architect 9 August 1894 page 108
Reference Builder 31 August 1895 page 157 - opening