Building of Bowesfield Lane Board School
Durham Record Office has the following details regarding the building of the school-
Papers regarding the construction of New Board Schools at Stockton, 1880
Ref No. D/Ad 1/5/44
Bills of quantities of Weatherill and Moses, architects, Stockton-on-Tees, for erection of Board School at Bowesfield Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, for Stockton-on-Tees School Board, June 1880
(paper, 1 file)
Ref No. D/Ad 1/5/45
Copies of bills of quantities (of R. & S. Adamson) for erection of New Board School at Stockton-on-Tees, n.d., c.1880
(paper, 6 folios)
Ref No. D/Ad 1/5/46
Letter of Weatherill and Moses, architects, Stockton-on-Tees, to R. & S. Adamson, Gainford, concerning bills of quantities for New Board Schools at Stockton, 28 June 1880
(paper, 1 folio)
Stockton Herald Newspaper
Saturday May 14th 1881
Stockton School Board
It was recommended by the School Management Committee that the footpath in front of the new schools in Bowesfield Lane should be paved with scoria brick instead of asphalt as stipulated in the contract. The chairman explained that the estimated cost of asphalt was £25 and of scoria brick £52. He thought from their previous experiences of paving material that, although the scoria brick would cost more than the asphalt, it would be the cheaper material of the two in the end.
The Board appeared to be of the same opinion and confirmed the recommendation of the committee.
The New Schools
The Ladies Committee, in the minutes of their proceedings, expressed an opinion that that the new Bowesfield Schools should be made the occasion of an entertainment to the teachers of the whole of the schools of the Board.
The chairman remarked that he suggested something of the sort being done, and was glad to see that his offer to entertain the teachers had found favour with the ladies. The new schools would be opened on the 30th inst., and he proposed to give the entertainment on the preceding Thursday.
The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange with the Ladies Committee.
Appointment of School Caretaker
Mrs Myers of 22 Edward Street was appointed cleaner of the Bowesfield Schools at 11s per week for the boys' and girls' school and 7s for the boys. It was explained by the Chairman that during the summer months the payment would be 1s 6d per week less than the sum mentioned.
Saturday May 28th 1881
New Board Schools at Stockton
The Opening Ceremony
The large and very handsome Board Schools which for many months have been in course of erection in Bowesfield Lane, Stockton are now completed, and on Thursday evening the School Board entered into possession of the buildings with befitting ceremony. At five o'clock the masters, mistresses and teachers of all the Board Schools in the town assembled in the girls school room of the new building, and, in company with a large number of local ladies and gentleman who take an active interest in educational matters, partook of tea, on the invitation of Mr Francis Sanderson, the esteemed Chairman of the Board. The company numbered about eighty. After tea an adjournment was made to the infants school room, where a very enjoyable evening was spent under the genial presidency of Mr John Trotter J.P ( the Vice Chairman of the Board). The proceedings opened with a few appropriate remarks from the Chairman, after which Mr Martindale ( Master of the Mill Lane School) read an interesting paper on education, especially referring to the much needed alterations in the present Education Code. Mr Sanderson also spoke upon the difficulties which teachers have to contend in the faithful performance of their labouring and onerous duties and at the same time, touched upon the subject of the amount of school accommodation in Stockton at the present moment, and for the need of the Bowesfield Lane Schools. During the evening the proceedings were agreeably interspersed with several songs by Mr H A Searle and some favourite glees by the teachers. Mr Knaggs acted as a pianist.
The new schools occupy a fine commanding site on the east side of Bowesfield Lane with Parliament Street on the north, and Cecil Street on the south. The general character of the design may be considered Early English, adapted according to the requirements of the plain brick work, in which all the coupled windows, arches and mullions are executed. The central portion is occupied by the infants' school, the roof of which is higher than any of the others, being surmounted with a bold ventilating turret, with a steep pitched lead roof and vane at the summit. This central block is flanked on the north and south by the girls' and boys' departments respectively, with ornamental terminals at the apices of roof. The main front and sides consist of a repetition of coupled lancet windows and piers, supporting arches and labels with ornamental scrolls of foliage, also fillings in of bold terra cotta bosses. This front is relieved by four projecting gables, which have each a lofty three light window comprised within a large arch, filled in with pointed diagonal brick work. The top portion of these gables has a perforated stone ventilating band and red disper work in relief, with a moulded stone finial and stone coping. In the infants' school there is also a gable of like character for central entrance, containing date and inscription stone. The area at front is enclosed by a brick and stone wall, which is built in alternate bays of masonry and iron palisading, with gates and bold pillars to the various entrances. Internally the schools are lofty, well warmed and effectively ventilated. They are lined with a dado four feet high of glazed bricks, with coloured bands along top and base lending a cheerful aspect to the whole, as well as affording a simple and certain medium of cleanliness. Ample provision is made with respect to dobbies?, lavatories and cloakrooms, properly fitted up. There are separate spacious yards at the back, furnished with all the most modern conveniences, included covered playgrounds to protect the infants in passing to and fro in wet weather. It has been the aim of the architects to obtain a building of a substantial and durable character, and all the materials and scantlings have been based on that idea. The only decoration which has been used, and that sparingly, is ornamental brick work which, although the cheapest article of its kind, is in many instances more effective and lasting than stone. The all important question of economy has been strictly adhered to in the erection of these schools, which can be amply testified by a comparison of their cost for accommodation afforded with that of many other institutions in various towns. The schools were built by contract, the price being £3,083; and the total number of children for which accommodation is provided is 723. Messrs. Wetherell and Moses were the architects; Mr Lazenby 9 who erected the Bailey Street Schools) was the builder; and Mr John Bage the clerk of works. It can conscientiously be said that the building in every respect reflects the greatest credit on all concerned in its erection.
The Educational Outlook.
One of the most interesting features in connection with the opening ceremony was an able and eloquent address delivered by Alderman Nelson, who, as a member of the School Board, has always taken a prominent part in the work of Education in Stockton.