Building record 3884/0/158 - John Lea School
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Summary
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Type and Period (1)
Full Description
{1} The school is situated on the outskirts of Wellingborough on a piece of high ground, it has panoramic views of the local area. The school is located within its own landscaped setting. There are a number of separate elements to the school buildings.
The architectural centre-piece of the building is a long curved curtain wall. This block is three storeys high with the two upper storeys supported by a colonnade- the majority of the classrooms for the school are located in this building. The classrooms are located on the western frontage of the building with a long sweeping corridor to the east providing access to each room. The rooms are large and well lit with a series of large rooms in each room. The right-angled extensions to the rear also contain classrooms; some of which were clearly the science block.
The main entrance is located to the south of this block and is accessed by a meandering path and a series of steps. The entrance again has a curved profile, but is a single storey structure forming corridor access to the various elements of the school.
The block to the south of the school is of more conventional design and appeared to house the specialised functions of the school. This block is dominated by the large south facing hall, this is a very light, open area with a large stage on the east wall. There were a number of different rooms probably used for design, music and drama, but it was not possible to work out the function of each individual room. A number of small rooms were lit by sky lights and another much larger room accessed by a large panelled sliding door had some surviving pipework with a series of taps- this room may have been used for home economics or possibly as an additional science room.
To the north end of the school is a large rectangular building with the "John Lea School" sign and emblem surviving on the frontage. It was not possible to access this building. There are a number of additiona; structures to the rear of the building which were probably used for additional classrooms and sports facilities.
The school was closed in 1998 and the building has been vacant since that date. Until recently there was low impact use by both the Police Force and the Prison Service for dog training. This ceased in October 2000. The majority of fixtures and fittings have been removed from the building, but staircases, doors, windows and miscellaneous items such as notice boards remain in-situ. The building is generally in a good state of repair, but has been subject to vandalism with a number of windows broken etc.
[The school has since been demolished- 03/02/04]
{2} Photographs
{3} Plans of school showing phases of construction
{4} The architectural merit of this building complex was recognised from the time that its construction commenced. Completed 1956-7 this school was mentioned in The Builder in 1954 and then again in 1957. A curved curtain walled teaching block that follows exactly the contour line of the hill that it stands on emphasises the building's sensitivity to the site.
<1> Ballinger, J., 2000, John Lea School, Wellingborough, (checked) (Note). SNN104047.
<2> Ballinger, J., 2000, John Lea School, Wellingborough, (checked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN104053.
<3> Northamptonshire County Council, 2000, John Lea School, (checked) (Plan). SNN106662.
<4> The Twentieth Century Society, 2000, Letter regarding demolition of John Lea School, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN106664.
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SNN104047 Note: Ballinger, J.. 2000. John Lea School, Wellingborough. (checked).
- <2> SNN104053 Photographic prints (COL): Ballinger, J.. 2000. John Lea School, Wellingborough. (checked).
- <3> SNN106662 Plan: Northamptonshire County Council. 2000. John Lea School. (checked).
- <4> SNN106664 Letter: The Twentieth Century Society. 2000. Letter regarding demolition of John Lea School. 4th December 2000. (unchecked).
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SP 8901 6622 (86m by 205m) Approximate |
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Civil Parish | WELLINGBOROUGH, North Northamptonshire (formerly Wellingborough District) |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- None recorded
Record last edited
May 28 2014 10:24AM