Bellarena School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A T-plan form school built of basalt with steeply pitched slated roofs and originally of three classrooms. A modern extension with pyramidal slated roof is neatly linked to original school with new entrance hall. This extension has been placed to the rear of the complex. The original school consisted of three classrooms lit by three light sandstone mullioned windows and faced with pointed rubble basalt. The slated roofs of 55/60º pitch have bold eaves overhangs and even greater gable overhangs which give the building a forceful character. Some of the windows have been altered to suit the new function of the rooms. Two classrooms have been joined to form a dining/assembly hall with attendant stores. The other classroom is a kitchen.

The building is set well back from the boundary wall at Seacoast Road and centrally placed on a generous site with mature trees around the perimeter and on the edge of the present Bellarena house grounds.

Historical information

Original school established in 1861 indicated on decorative datestone high up on the gable facing the roadway with the initials FWH and MAH the initials of Sir Frederick Heygate 2nd Baronet and his wife Marianne. Previous to this date schools were in the northerly end of the parish of Magilligan. The extension of the school was carried out by the W E L B in 1975. 1974 listing mentions a footpath to the Bellarena estate, no longer obvious. The extension is onto estate land breaking the boundary wall to do so.

References:
Ordnance Survey Memoirs Vol. 11
U A H S List Buildings of North Derry
Historic Buildings Files

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
H-. Alterations detracting from building
H+. Alterations enhancing the building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

An example of mid 19th century Victorian T-form three class school well built with Tudoresque styling, unfortunately degraded by modern alterations particularily to the interior. However the extension , large in relation to the original building is well handled particularily in its seperation from the original building by a short glazed link.