The Victorian school … Tudor-Gothic. (1)

Site visit 5.6.2003. Plaque reads 'National Schools 1845'. Barely legible. (2)

The present buildings were erected in 1845, and enlarged in 1882. (3)

Two sets of plans under CA ref XBS 77S. The original building plans, dated November 1844, are signed by Andrew Trimen. An extension to the east was made in 1860 by Frederick Sanderson of Nottingham. (4)(5)

The Lammas School was built in 1845, and there is a keystone with this date, along with the words 'National School' in the stonework of the building. It was originally known as the National School, then St Mary's Church of England School - St Mary's Church is to the north and then became The Lammas School. Prior to the school being built, lessons were held in a tithe barn on the site of the church's Magdelene Centre. A further classroom was added to the school in 1882. The school is present on the 1878 OS map, and with the added classroom on the 1899 OS map. The school master's house is next door, built in 1861. Funding for the school came from the Duke of Portland, who donated the site and provided stone from his quarries at reduced prices. The National Society donated the sum of £250.
Most parts of the Lammas School complex are built of regularly coursed stone, beneath a roof covering of clay tiles laid in decorative bands. The main section of the school, which dates to the late 19th century, comprises parallel ranges with prominent, coped gables, the front section L-shaped and with a gablet at the junction of the two ranges. The window openings have ashlar stone surrounds, and the older part, formerly the head teacher's cottage, is similarly detailed, but has altered door and window joinery.
The Lammas School is of modest architectural interest, significantly altered, and of conservation design when compared with contemporary Board school developments, and therefore does not meet the criteria for designation in a national context. (7)

Locally Listed by Ashfield District Council (ADC Ref: 411) (6).

Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<1> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., p 344 (Monograph). SNT4.

<2> White J, 2003, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1626.

<3> VCH, 1910, Notts, p 252 (Published document). SNT1384.

<4> Trimen A, --/11/1844, National Schools at Sutton in Ashfield (CA ref XBS 77S) (Plan). SNT1730.

<5> Sanderson F, 1860, Proposed Alterations, Sutton in Ashfield National Schools (CA ref XBS 77S) (Plan). SNT1731.

<6> Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Local List (Document). SNT4755.

<7> M.J. Thompson, 2010, English Heritage Listing File - Lammas School (Published document). SNT6170.