Randalstown Central Primary School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A one and two-storey school of rustic brick in a modern style laid out with symmetrical elevations to the front and rear, with twin entrances to the sides. The main elevation faces north.

Single storey block, to front, is flat roofed; two-storey block to rear is hipped roofed.
Single storey block walls of rustic brick, with soldier courses to top and bottom, with projecting brick plinth to base; concrete coping to parapet. At each extremity of main front are projecting triple concrete fin-like flagpole brackets to the corners.

Windows to main front are large rectangular metal framed with horizontal pane divisions, fixed lights with horizontally pivoted top panes; projecting concrete cills and lintels. Rectangular section cast iron downpipes with original hoppers dated '1936'. Central recess on main front contains a doorway, glazed as windows, but now closed off inside; doorway set between projecting brick nibs with stepped artificial stone dressings to base. Parapet above inscribed 'Randalstown Central Schools 1936'.

Windows to side elevations are small rectangular metal, horizontally pivoted. Side entrances are set in entrance bays of artificial stone, with two curved concrete steps to base and curved flat concrete hood above, with horizontal grooves to fascia. Rectangular timber double doors, glazed and panelled, with horizontal glazing bar, recessed between curved jambs; trace of former inscription 'Boys Entrance' visible on doorhead on east elevation; most of the metal characters inscribing the 'Girls Entrance' on the doorhead on the west elevation still in place. Rectangular cast iron downpipes to side elevations, with plain hoppers.

Two-storey block to rear has hipped roof of natural slates in regular courses; two chimneys, symmetrically placed, of square section in rustic brick with raised rectangular panels on each face. Large windows to rear elevation, similar to main elevation, with twin recessed stair bays which contain precast concrete panels with restrained Art Deco details; projecting semi-circular canopy to each stair bay with iron railings; rectangular timber doorway below each canopy. Some grey and white chequerwork cobble stones set in ground in front of curved steps to rear doorways, looks like a post-war addition.

SETTING: The school stands facing the main road, set back from it within its own ground, situated near the edge of the town. Concrete path around perimeter of school building, with low rustic brick retaining wall to front elevation; tarmac car park in front of school with a lawn at front boundary. Boundary to front formed by a rustic brick wall with concrete copings surmounted by plain iron railings. Gateway recessed with curved screen walls and railings; gate piers and piers to boundary walls, are of rustic brick of square section with raised rectangular brick panels on each face; shallow pitched concrete caps; double gates in ironwork of restrained Art Deco design.
To the east side of front plot is a lean-to bicycle shelter with store, in rustic brick with slated roof; part of wall smooth cement rendered.
Extending to the east of the original school is a series of conjoined new school buildings, stepping down the slope, with walls mainly of painted render; tall prominent metal boiler chimney adjacent to east end of rear block of original school.

Historical information

Designed in 1934 by W.D.R. & R.T. Taggart, architects of Belfast, for the Antrim Regional Education Committee; built 1935-6. Originally designed without an assembly hall; assembly hall created in open central court in 1980s or 90s. The central doorway in the main entrance front originally led into the Woodwork Store.

References – Primary Sources
1. Ministry of Finance file no. Co Antrim H: 183, in MBR, Hill Street, Belfast (contains original drawings and specification).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This is a 20th century school in a modern style, which retains most of its original features but is not an especially interesting example of its type.