Dromore Central Primary School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical red-brick modernist primary school of frame construction, built 1938 to designs by Hobart and Heron, comprising two-storey linear block with projecting end bays, double-height returns and single-storey toilet blocks to rear. Also abutted by two-storey extension to northeast and a single-storey dining hall to northwest, both c.1960. Located to the north side of Banbridge Road in Dromore town centre.

Hipped natural slate roof with blue/black angled ridge tiles, red-brick chimneystacks and stepped parapets to end bays. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting eaves with timber fascia boards to exposed rafter tails; cast-iron hoppers and downpipes. Walling is English garden wall-bonded red-brick on a concrete plinth; detailing consistent with the frame construction and comprises smooth rendered painted infill panels above first floor windows and ornamented apron panels between floors. Windows are replacement uPVC throughout with painted heads and projecting painted sills.

The principal elevation faces southeast and is symmetrically arranged, comprising a linear block with projecting end bays and central breakfront. Entrance bay is taller with parapet and is a single eight-paned window wide at each floor; gable has applied lettering reading “DROMORE / PUBLIC ELEMENTARY/ SCHOOL / DOWN EDUCATION AUTHORITY. Left and right bays are each four windows wide at each floor; end bays have three windows to each floor (central window is wider).

The southwest elevation is four windows wide (inner windows are wider). Former entrance at ground floor left in painted smooth rendered surround with cornice, accessed by two bull-nosed steps; now with partial brick infill and a four-paned window.

The northwest (rear) elevation has projecting end bays to left and right; inner cheeks are abutted by a one-and-a-half storey projection, which is further abutted by a single-storey toilet block. Right end bay is abutted by the single-storey dining hall (of no interest). To centre is the double-height original return with original double-leaf six-panelled timber door in recess, accessed by a set of concrete steps.

The northeast elevation is four windows wide to first floor (inner windows are wider). Ground floor has window to left and right and is abutted at centre by the two-storey extension (of no interest).

Setting

Situated to the north side of Banbridge Road, facing Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church (HB17/15/028). Accessed from main road by a tarmacadamed entrance with concrete wall having saddleback coping topped with original cast-iron railings supported on square red-brick piers with granite caps. Parking to front. Large playground to rear with portacabins.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: brick
Windows: uPVC
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Dromore Primary School, formerly known as Dromore Public Elementary School or Central Primary School was built in 1938 to designs by Hobart and Heron architects. ‘Central Pr[imary] Sch[ool] first appears, captioned, on the OS map edition dating from the 1960s/70s. (www.dia.ie; www.dromorecentral.co.uk)

The school was built to replace an old-established National School run by the Church of Ireland and two other older schools in the area, the First Dromore Presbyterian School and the Unitarian (Hunters) School. Henry Laverty & Sons of Belfast were the contractors. The earlier National School is shown on the site on the first to fourth edition OS maps (with a rebuild/remodel c1850). The ‘Central Pr[imary] Sch[ool]’ is first shown on the map edition dating from the 1960s/70s as a rectangular building with extensions to the rear. The National School which it neighboured survived until at least 1943 but was eventually demolished. In 1979 the present school was extended by the addition of a dining hall with kitchen to the east, on the site of the former national school and to the rear by the addition of a classroom block, the latter slightly disrupting the original symmetry of the building’s plan form, which is otherwise retained. A number of mobile classrooms have been added to the site in recent years, a sign of the school’s continuing success in attracting pupils.

The new public elementary school entered valuation records in 1943 at a valuation of £380. The accommodation is listed as, on the ground floor: six classrooms, junior girls lavatories, junior boys lavatories and assembly room; on the first floor four classrooms, a science room, art room and headmaster’s room; in the return blocks senior boys’ cloaks, store, kitchen, senior girls’ cloaks and in the second floor return blocks, male and female teachers’ dining rooms, lavatory and toilet rooms.

The associated plan shows a symmetrical two-storey school building, 158 feet in length on a rectangular plan with three, two and single-storey rear returns. Dimensions and a plan are also given for the old national school which was 99 feet long and housed 170 pupils.

This is the only known school by Hobart & Heron in the period following the education reforms of the 1920s, but the building shows a familiarity with the new idiom of school design. The older, largely Victorian, education infrastructure was being swept away and by the 1920s the earlier buildings were seen as unhealthy and cramped and no longer suited to the needs and expectations of an expanding population with increased standards of living. New school design focussed on air, light and sunshine including innovatory features such as a single class-room for each class, a large assembly hall and dedicated rooms for science, cookery and art. Much attention was given to ventilation which was achieved by cross-ventilation and open air corridors and great care was taken with lighting arrangements. (Collins)

The building continues in use as a primary school serving the needs of the town and local district.

References
Primary Sources

1. Ordnance Survey map – 202 (1960s/70s)
2. PRONI VAL/3/C/4/7 First General Revaluation (1933-57)
3. PRONI VAL/3/D/4/8/A/14 First General Revaluation (1933-57)
Secondary Sources

1. Collins, P “Conservation Statement Glenwood and Strandtown Schools- Reginald Sharman Wilshere Belfast Schools’ Architect” Alastair Coey Architects
2. www.dia.ie
3. www.dromorecentral.co.uk

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A symmetrical red-brick modernist primary school of frame construction, built 1938 to designs by Hobart and Heron. Two-storey linear block with projecting end bays, double-height returns and single-storey toilet blocks to rear; some modern additions, c.1960.
The building is of some interest as an example of the structural system of frame construction and representing the distinct style and proportions favoured by the school architects of the period. Much historic fabric and detailing survive but it is not among the best examples of the type.