Glenwood Primary School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A largely symmetrical, two-storey school constructed in 1928 to the designs of R.S. Wilshere. Quadrangular plan, comprising four rectangular blocks orientated around a central, open-air courtyard; the four blocks are connected by flat-roofed with parapet links at the four corners of the quadrangle. Located in an urban residential
setting on Upper Riga Street, on expansive site between Tennent Street and Shankill Road, West Belfast. Courtyard partially unfilled with an octagonal, two-storey extension (c1960s); further flat roof modern additions to the south-west corner of the original building.

The plan comprises four separate blocks, which are connected by flat-roofed, and parapet links at the four corners of the quadrangle, containing stairs, secondary exits and service rooms. To the inner courtyard elevation, each block is abutted by a projecting two-storey (single storey to east) flat-roofed enclosed perimeter corridor with a clerestory over; circulation space is therefore orientated around the inner courtyard with rooms arranged around the outer perimeter.

Generally hipped and slated roofs; gabled entrance block to west with raised reconstituted stone verges. Dark roll-moulded ridge tiles; half-round cast iron rainwater goods mounted on timber fascia to eaves course; decorative cast iron hoppers and fixtures. Walling is rusticated brick in Flemish bond; soldier course to offset base-course; dressings in reconstituted stone. Large multi-light replacement timber casements, set in reconstituted stone mullioned surrounds, painted white (unless otherwise stated).
Perimeter corridor to courtyard lit by a series of expansive timber-framed segmental-arch headed windows to ground floor, square headed casements to first floor.

Principal elevation of western block is three openings wide to each floor with projecting entrance bay to centre; three openings wide and extending through two storeys with diminishing parapets breaking eaves. Large central mullioned and transom window to first floor flanked either side by 4x2 windows with decorative brick and tile sills. Advancing central round-arched porch with deeply recessed entrance opening, having deep chamfered jambs and in-stepped head. Round-headed timber door with decorative moulding; approached from steps and ramp running along left side of elevation. Rectangular sandstone panel surmounts entrance porch, featuring three carvings. Two narrow blind loops with tile detailing either side of central opening at ground level; vertical window, with glazing bars, to each side. Three expansive mullioned windows to first and ground floor levels, at either side; metal grilles across some. Right gable is abutted by modern extension (of no interest). Left gable contains a three-light rectangular mullioned window with square, rendered panel above reading ‘TG’; five-light window of similar style to the ground floor with blind openings to the lower half. Square brick chimney rising from left side; flat-roofed connecting link to north block abuts.

North elevation of connecting link to north-west has a round-arched recessed doorway similar to main entrance with square-headed door, surmounted by two mullioned 2x4 windows to right-side. Canted left-side lit by two windows to each floor.

North block is detailed as west but is asymmetrical. It is five openings wide to each floor, with entrance (as before) contained in a breakfront entrance bay second from left, having low parapet breaking eaves; ‘Glenwood Primary School’ in original fixed lettering over entrance. Second opening from right remodelled slightly to incorporate door opening. Single-storey wall with round-headed (blocked) opening abuts to left gable; two first floor windows; restricted view of ground floor. Pitched roof link corridor connects the north and east blocks (not visible).

Restricted view of eastern block which is double height with a half-hipped roof structure; right gable is blank; five tall narrow casement windows with fanlights to east elevation; three similar windows to left gable with a larger centre window; abutted to south by Tennent Street Baptist Church (HB26/36/005). Attached to southern block by single storey corridor having exposed walkway to upper level (see later).

Southern block has four expansive windows to each floor; right gable is abutted by the flat-roofed connecting link to eastern block, which contains a recessed metal door surmounted by a window. Left gable is abutted by modern extension, which extends to the south west (of no interest).

Inner courtyard elevations are generally similar, comprising square-headed windows to first floor of the perimeter corridor, with clerestory windows behind; expansive timber framed, segmental-arched windows at regular intervals to ground floor; central openings contain doors into courtyard. The enclosed corridor to the east is single-storey with an exposed walkway above. The centre of the west elevation is abutted by a modern two-storey extension, which advances into the courtyard, a brick storehouse and canopy and spans much of the north elevation above ground floor level (all are of no interest).

Setting

Located in an urban residential setting to the north of Shankill Road and west of Tennent Street. Accessed via two modern gates from Upper Riga Street on the north west corner of the site. The former pedestrian entrance to the north, with brick piers and cast iron gate, is no longer in use. The large site contains playgrounds to the north, south and west, and is bounded by a combination of modern railings to the west; a dwarf wall and cast iron railings to the north. Modern extensions to the south-west, accessed via concrete steps or ramp. Neighbouring buildings are located to the south and east, including Tennent Street Baptist Church (HB26/36/005). A two-storey caretakers’ house of brick construction is situated within the north-west corner of the grounds; contains uPVC windows, doors and rainwater goods and appears to be of a later construction date. Secondary access route from Shankill Road comprising gate with tall piers, passes beneath the modern two-storey extension but this appears not to be in use. Elevated position of west block gives views out to surrounding hills.

Roofing: Slate
Walling: brick
Windows: Timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Glenwood Primary School was completed in 1928 and is first shown captioned ‘Glenwood School’ on the fourth edition OS map (1931), on the site of the earlier Glenwood Corn and Flour Mill. The First Revaluation (1930) lists it as a ‘Public Elementary School, Yard & Grounds’ to a value of £609 with its ownership under the ‘Belfast Regional Education Committee’. Prior to this (1916-30), the site was listed as simply ‘building ground’.

Under the Education Act of 1923, which took its lead from English educational reforms, the newly established Government of Northern Ireland made education compulsory from ages 4-14, resulting in increased pupil numbers. Schools were transferred to the control of the local education authority and a school building programme was undertaken in order to meet new demand (Post Primary Review Body). Breaking from the former tradition of numerous small national schools, Glenwood School was a large building built to accommodate the rise in attendance and to deal with the health concerns surrounding schools built in the previous decades (IOE). Built to the designs of R.S Wilshere, architect to the Belfast Education Committee, his work transformed school building design throughout Belfast (HB File; Larmour). The provision of fresh air and natural lighting was paramount to his design ethos and this is evident in Glenwood School. Classrooms are arranged around a central courtyard and large windows maximise daylight and cross ventilation.

During World War 2 the school was listed as a site of refuge for those displaced by German bombing raids (Glenravel) and was also used as a training base for the Home Guard (Hughes).

In 1950-51 the school became an intermediate school under ownership of the Belfast County Borough Education Committee and was valued at £840. In 1967 the school adopted the title of ‘Glenwood Primary School’, which it has retained since that time (Belfast Street Directories).

During the 1950s and 1970s the school was substantially extended to the southwest and a large octagonal gymnasium was constructed, infilling the inner courtyard (HB File). The Second Revaluations (1956-72) list the school at £3,544 and a caretaker’s house and garden was included. Such changes in value may be explained by the work carried out during these decades.

References

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/12/E/192/L/21/1- Valuation Map– (1897-1905)
2. PRONI VAL/12/E/192/L/21/2 -Valuation Map – (1906-28)
3. PRONI VAL/12/E/192/L/21/3- Valuation Map – (1928-35)
4. PRONI OS/6/1/60/1 First Edition Os Map (1832-33)
5. PRONI OS/6/1/60/2 Second Edition OS Map (1857)
6. PRONI OS/6/1/60/3 Third Edition OS Map (1901)
7. PRONI OS/6/1/60/4 Fourth Edition OS Map (1920-31)
8. PRONI OS/6/1/60/5 Fifth Edition OS Map (1920-38)
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/M/5 - Annual Revisions (1916-30)
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/M/6- Annual Revisions (1916-30)
11. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/M/7- Annual Revisions (1916-30)
12. PRONI VAL/3/B/3/17- First General Revaluation (1935)
13. PRONI VAL/3/C/3/22- First General Revaluation (1936-57)
14. PRONI VAL/4/B/7/35- Second General Revaluation (1956-72)
15. Belfast and Ulster Street Directories 1925-1988
16. HB File (HB26/36/006)

Secondary Sources

1. Hamilton, P “Up The Shankill” Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1979 (1996 ed)
2. Wiener, R “The Rape and Plunder of the Shankill” Farset Co-operative Press Ltd, Belfast, 1978 (2nd ed 1980).
3. Nugent, J “The Northern Ireland Education System” www.rsc.org/images/Nieducationsystem_tcm18-55030.pdf,
4. Rengnier. M “The Education System of Northern Ireland”
http://www.direct2communications.com/downloads/education_history_northern_ireland.pdf
5. Post-Primary Review Body, 2001 www.deni.gov.uk/22-ppa-burns_chapter1.pdf
6. (IOE) Institute of Education Archives, London “School Architecture and Design”
http://www.ioe.ac.uk/services/documents/SG1_School_architecture_and_design_(March_2009).pdf, March 2009 ed.
7. Glenravel Local History Project “Belfast Timeline; January 1941” http://www.glenravel.com/all-download-links/category/1-belfasttimeline.html?download=12%3Abelfast-timeline-1940-41
8. Hughes, John http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/56/a6107456.shtml
9. (BELB) Belfast Education and Library Board “Report from the Controlled Sector Strategic Planning Sub-Committee” Pp73, 2007
http://www.belb.org.uk/Documents/245.pdf

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A two-storey, symmetrical school with quadrangular plan comprising four primary inter-connected blocks, orientated around a central open air courtyard. Built in 1928 to the designs of R.S. Wilshere. Classrooms are located to the outer perimeter with circulation around the inner courtyard; both are subsequently well lit and ventilated, highlighting the innovative plan developed by Wilshere. Much historic fabric and detailing survives and the school is typical of the expansion in education of the period, led by the local education authorities. Although some modern extensions and changes in detailing detract slightly from the whole, the school is a good example of the type by a noteworthy architect.