| Abstract: |
The following resources have been consulted for the compilation of this SoS:
● National Heritage List for England (NHLE);
● Cumbria Historic Environment Record (CHER);
● Materials available online and those digitised by the Cumbria Archive Service;
● A search of the Eden District Council website for conservation areas within the school site
and surrounding area;
● An examination of the relevant published and unpublished archaeological and historic
sources e.g. journals and historic records;
● The results of ongoing surveys for the Scheme and relevant documents produced by
contractors within the Scheme team; and
● Additional resources available online. This Statement of Significance (SoS) has been produced by Mott MacDonald on behalf of the
Department for Education (DfE). It has been produced to better understand the significance and listing of Appleby Grammar School, Appleby-in-Westmorland, including providing a detailed history of the building and description of its current appearance. This SoS should be used to inform the redevelopment of the school site.
The significance of Appleby Grammar School and the site is derived from its historic and
architectural interest. Its historic interest is related to the school being a long-standing
educational institution with medieval origins, still within the town where it was established.
Historic interest is also related to former pupils including the brothers of George Washington. Its continuous change and adaption to reflect changing educational needs since it was established also contributes to its historic interest.
Architectural interest is confined to the Original School Building and the 1927 and 1935-7
Science Buildings. The high-quality design of the Original School Building utilises local
vernacular design cues, such as the combination of coursed rubble with red sandstone
dressings. The inclusion and preservation of a range of decorative features, in the former
Headmaster’s House and Library in particular, contributes to the building’s architectural interest.
The internal and external appearance of the 1927 Science Building and the exterior of the 1935-7 Science Building also contributes to the site’s architectural interest. Both Science Buildings represent an early 20th century interpretation of the Original School Building, and the changing spatial requirements for an active school building. Modern linking circulation spaces diminish this interest somewhat, as they limits the ability to understand the buildings as originally separate, detached blocks. Similarly, areas of the interior of the Original School Building, and the 1935-7 Science Building do not provide any architectural interest, as all traces of original features, both decorative and structural, have been hidden or removed.
The Modern School Buildings are part of the historic interest related to the ongoing adaption of
the school, however they do not hold any intrinsic architectural or historic interest. They are
constructed using prefabricated and steel frame construction and functional design, which were fairly common examples by the time they were used at Appleby Grammar School. The Modern School Buildings are considered to harm the significance of the Original School Buildings and the 1927 Science Building and 1935-7 Science Building by visually and physically dominating the site, removing the ability to understand the Original School Building as the historic focal point of the site, and its relationship with the science buildings as ancillary buildings.
Due to the complexity of the site is not clear what elements of redevelopment would require
listed building consent. There are two issues, firstly the extent of listing and secondly whether
buildings meet the special interest affecting the character of the building. |
