Building record 1168/3 - National School

National School for Boys and Girls. Built on land that had been enclosed from waste by the Alsager Sisters who inherited the manor in the late 18th century. School could accomodate 275 children and included a master's house both of which were designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott (1)

Red English bond brick with ashlar dressings and a roof of alternating plain and fishscale tiles. Single and two storeys. East front: school masters house at left of two storeys. Two bays, that at right being a projected gabled wing with 3-light ashlar surrounded windows to ground and first floors, that at first floor level having stepped cusped lights. To the left of this is a lean too porch in the re-entrant angle and a 2-light window to left with a cross window at first floor level. At right of this is a single storey room range which has a gabled porch at left with stone quoins to its corners (as has the whole building) and a pointed arched doorway with a moulded surround. To right of this are three windows that at left of three lights, those to right of 2 lights , all with ashlar surrounds and cusped heads. The right hand gable end of the block has a central projecting chimney stack with ashalr dressings and two windows to either side. the lower quoin at left bears the date. Recessed and connected to this bay at right is a gabled bay with a 3 light window with cusped heads to the lights. To the right flank of this wing are 3 and 2 light windows with cusped heads. (2)

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 3/324 (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1987 (Report). SCH1934.

<3> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Vince Devine (Written Communication). SCH3756.