Listed Building record MDR11224 - Brockley Primary School, Shuttlewood, Bolsover, Old Bolsover

Brockley Primary School, Shuttlewood. 1919. Two detached phases of building. South block, verandah plan, north lights but no dormers, mansard roofs to central hall block and two wings. Some upvc windows. North block earlier, may also be by Widdows. (1) The north block of Brockley Primary School is present by the 3rd edition 25" OS map of the early 20th century, but the south block is yet to be built. (2) The south block of Brockley Primary School is a grade II listed Infants School, formerly an Elementary School, with attached railings, gate piers and gates. This south block was built in 1927 with later minor alterations and additions. It was designed by George Widdows, architect to Derbyshire's Education Committee from 1904 and Chief Architect to Derbyshire County Council in 1910-1936. It is built of red brick, with Welsh slate and plain tile roof coverings. It has a U-shaped open quadrangular plan, with a tall central hall and storied entrance bays to the site frontage, and parallel classroom wings to the rear enclosing a courtyard playground area. The street frontage to the school is enclosed by nail-headed railing set on low brick plinth walls with terminal and intermediate square-sectioned brick piers with moulded flat caps. They extend the full length of the school frontage and flank each entrance to the school. Brockley Primary School is considered to be of special architectural interest for the following principal reasons: * It is a notable example of the work of George Widdows, who is nationally acknowledged as a leading designer of schools in the early 20th century and an exponent of advanced ideas on school planning and hygiene. * It is one of the best preserved of Widdows' inter-war schools, in which the original plan form remains clearly legible, having not undergone significant alteration. * It retains of the notable elements of its original design, including unenclosed verandah corridors, classroom partitions onto the corridors and roof north light glazing. Minor recent alterations and additions have not significantly affected the building's special architectural interest. * The exterior is of distinctive character and appearance, particularly in respect of the classroom wings and their verandah corridors, arcades and balustrading. * The interior retains a number of original fixtures and fittings of special interest, including window, door and arcade joinery and, in the central hall, wall panelling, giant pilasters and the school stage and proscenium arch. See List description for more details. (3)