Top marks for school building (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Top marks for school building

A SALISBURY school has been praised by English Heritage as being an example of how rebuilding work should be completed without damaging historic buildings.

Bishop Wordsworth's School is highlighted in a new policy document, The Future of Historic Buildings, which is urging councils across the country to recognise the cultural value of older schools.

The Cathedral Close school completed a £5million rebuilding project, including a new sports hall and classrooms, between 2002 and 2004, and is praised for the way the work was handled.

Headmaster Stuart Smallwood says there was close dialogue throughout the scheme.

"There was a lot of compromise to fit in with the needs of The Close as well as our needs as a school," he said.

"They want to retain what's good in the buildings and adapt them to the needs of a modern school."

English Heritage's report responds to the government's Building Schools for the Future initiative, which is the biggest school building and refurbishment programme for 50 years.

Tim Brennan, English Heritage Policy Officer believes changes should be based on an understanding of the architectural and historical significance of a school.

He said: "Historic schools can often be the most prominent building in a community after the parish church.

"The shared experience they represent, sometimes stretching across many generations, can be a powerful source of community identity and cohesion.

"In many places, their architectural style makes an important contribution to local character and identity."

English Heritage says it favours repair, refurbishment and reuse rather than demolition and replacement, and if this is shown to be impossible then the building should be converted to other uses.

"Demolition should always be a last resort in the interests of sustainability and preserving local character," added Mr Brennan.

Bishop Wordsworth's was praised for taking an overview of their rebuilding project, recognising the importance of high quality design in new buildings and the refurbishment of existing ones.

The result meant that the school got the best out of its available space, while remaining sensitive to the needs of the surrounding conservation area.