The report Too Good to Lose: historic schools at risk, published by SAVE [Alliance member] in November 2018, is prompted by the national concern about the loss of historic school buildings and illustrates examples of fine buildings standing empty and deteriorating and others handsomely refurbished for new uses – notably as arts centres, nursery schools and apartments. While some schools are listed or stand in conservation areas creating a presumption in favour of retention and reuse many others of considerable quality are vulnerable because they are not protected and little thought is given to their reuse.
“Schools, like churches, are landmarks in our cities, towns and villages”, acknowledges The Prince of Wales in the foreword. In the later 19th century Britain’s new industrial cities – Birmingham, Liverpool. Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield – competed to build new landmark schools. Some of the newly restored buildings look positively radiant following cleaning. Many schools, alas, stand empty and decayed, a prey to vandalism and alas arson”.
Thomas Bender, SAVE Conservation Adviser, says: “The purpose of this report is to show these old schools can live again and once cleaned and brushed up, can display architectural qualities that had lain unnoticed.” That’s why SAVE calls for a nationwide hunt of schools which are worth preserving or standing empty and decaying.