Description

Andrew Scobie, 1895-96; extended to N (also by Scobie) 1913-14; with alterations and addition. Single storey; rectangular-plan school with internal courtyard. Original block Jacobethan with mullioned and transomed windows and heavily ornamented and pilastered gables, including Dutch gables; early 20th century L-shaped extension of plainer design with deep overhanging eaves and hipped breaking eaves dormers. Original block coursed stugged snecked sandstone with droved ashlar dressings; extended in harled brick with droved sandstone ashlar dressings. Rockfaced base course and eaves cornice surmounted by low parapet to original block (apart from to courtyard elevation); chamfered reveals to windows; coped gables. Base course with band course to L-shaped extension; ashlar jambs to openings to E elevation.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: symmetrical arrangement to principal elevation of original block. Dutch gable to 3-bay centrepiece with central 4-light mullioned and transomed breaking eaves window and flanking windows; all divided and framed by strip pilasters; square panel to gable flanked by continuation pilasters, carved with scrolls and foliage and dated 'McCLEAN SCHOOL - 1896'; ball finials to either side of pediment above. Pair of 2-light mullioned windows with flanking strip pilasters to either side. 4-bay gabled projecting sections at either end; each with central pair of 6-light mullioned and transomed breaking eaves windows and flanking windows; all divided and framed by strip pilasters; that to centre continues to ball finial at shaped apex of gable; flanking ball finials above cornice dividing upper half of gable. All windows to central 15-bay section have moulded surrounds. Slightly lower height corner sections set back to either side; each with slightly projecting outer bay with 2-light mullioned window and window to slightly recessed inner bay.

E ELEVATION: original block to left with central entrance; steps up to slightly projecting breaking-eaves entrancepiece with pilastered quoins and Dutch gable; central entrance with moulded lugged architrave and rusticated flanking pilasters; replacement part-glazed door with rectangular fanlight; narrow flanking windows with moulded surrounds set back slightly; corniced frieze above eaves supports parapet at base of Dutch gable; central panel to lower section inscribed in relief 'BOYS'; flanking pilasters support corniced frieze at base of moulded semicircular pediment with ball finial. 2-light mullioned window set back slightly to either side; additional small narrow window to right. Early 20th century addition adjoins to right, linked to older part by single low bay with 2-light mullioned window. Taller 5-bay section adjoins to right; large 6-light breaking eaves mullioned and transomed window with hipped roof to centre and one to each of outer flanking bays; alternate 3-light mullioned windows in between; all with stone mullions/transoms and jambs and linked by cill course. 5 bays set back to outer right; gabled bay with 2-light mullioned window to left; flanking openings (that to right converted to door); external stack to right; 2-light mullioned window and small narrow window to outer right.

W ELEVATION: original block to right with central entrance; slightly projecting breaking-eaves entrancepiece with pilastered quoins and Dutch gable; central entrance with moulded lugged architrave and rusticated flanking pilasters; replacement timber door with rectangular fanlight; narrow flanking windows with moulded surrounds set back slightly; corniced frieze above eaves supports parapet at base of Dutch gable; central panel to lower section inscribed in relief 'GIRLS'; flanking pilasters support corniced frieze at base of moulded semicircular pediment with ball finial. 2-light mullioned window set back slightly to either side. Early 20th century addition to outer left; gabled bay with 2-light mullioned window to right; flanking windows connected by cill course; angled bay to right; 2 ? bays to left with 3-light lunette window to outer left. Late 20th century Infill section with central 6-bay canted section and large entrance with canted lintel to centre of elevation.

N ELEVATION: 13 bays. Ground floor projects as lean-to with 5 regularly spaced entrances with part-glazed timber doors divided and flanked by paired windows with connecting cill bands; 3-light lunette window to flanking outer bays. 6 irregularly grouped breaking-eaves 2-light mullioned dormers set back over lean-to.

INTERNAL COURTYARD: 3-bay gabled sections to centre and outer edges of original block to S; 3-bay sections in between; each with entrance with part-glazed replacement door and rectangular fanlight to inner bay. Early 20th century extension to N and E; lean-to passageway to E with outer flanking entrances with replacement part-glazed doors; mullioned dormers set back above; 3 entrances with part-glazed doors and rectangular fanlights to central section to highly fenestrated (with connecting cill band) S side; flanking 2-bay gabled sections with 4 outer bays on each side. Wraparound early 20th century section with gablet and lean-to passageway to right of W side; late 20th century infill sections to left.

Horned timber sash and case windows (2 and 4-pane lower sections, 4 and 6-pane upper sections) to original block and most of early 20th century extension; timber casements to hall to E; pivot-opening and fixed timber frames to N elevation. Grey slate roofs; leaded finials to hipped sections of original block. Corniced ridge stacks to either side of main entrances to E and W elevations (one to W side partly removed); corniced ridge stack with frieze to E side of original block; tall harled external stack with replacement coping and pair of corniced ridge stacks with friezes to E side of early 20th century extension; coped ridge stack to W side; cans mainly missing. Retains substantial amount of early cast-iron rainwater goods, including decorative hoppers with heart motif to early 20th century extension

INTERIOR: not inspected (1999).

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALL TO S: low coursed stugged sandstone wall with moulded ashlar coping surmounted by cast-iron railings incorporating scroll pattern, stepped down in stages along road. Corniced pier with ball coping defines angle at junction with boundary wall to E. 2 pairs of square-plan gatepiers in line with main entrances; each with base course and moulded coping, pedimented on each side and surmounted by ball finial; cast-iron gates incorporating scroll pattern.

Statement of Interest

The original Jacobethan block is the most significant part of the building. The school is named after the Rev Allan McLean (1749-1836), who on his death left money for the endowment of its predecessor (which was on a different site near to North Parish Church on Golfdrum Street). The school was refurbished in 1983.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q77776949 Q77776953

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey