inner–london schools 1918–44 a thematic study - English Heritage

Fig. 52: Webb Street School elevation, drawn by Chevalier WorbyBeaumont and checked by W. Brown. One of a number of LCC ADdrawings held by the school (DP070352).architect probably W. Brown,formerly of the SBL), the axialplan is reflected by symmetrical15-bay elevations of yellowbrick, relieved by the sparinguse of ashlar dressings. 6 Theclassrooms are lit by wide crosswindows,comprising centrehunglights above double-hungunits. Windows of conventionalsash proportions (with theoccasional oeil-de-boeufwindow) light the projecting andpedimented entrance bays andthe central five-bay hall. Thecontemporary Sumner Roadschool is of similar appearance,but with double-transomed windows and a bold eaves cornice of artificial stone. Theroof playground is shielded by a high blind parapet, pierced by semicircular openings.The period c.1925-35 saw the LCC AD making an earnest attempt to incorporate open-airclassrooms into their elementary schools, although they declared their intention to do soas early as 1920. 7 South-facing classroom elevations typically comprise a series of foldingscreen doors with centrally-pivoted clerestorey windows. Corridors were sometimesreplaced by open-air verandas, greatly increasing the cross-ventilation. The innovationof the LCC, faced with small urban plots, was to introduce the open-air classroom toits multi-storey schools. The use of balconies and galleries can be seen at its boldest atEaldham Square, L B Greenwich of 1929, ‘an experiment in the application of open-airprinciples to a three-storey elementary school’. 8 Here the load-bearing constructionFig. 53: Ealdham Square School, L B Greenwich (LCCAD, 1929). Left: south elevation, showing open airclassrooms. Right: north elevation, with gallery access (L M A : SC /PHL /02/0240 -39 (left), SC /PHL /02/0240 - 40;City of London, London Metropolitan Archives).© ENGLISH H ER I TAG E 43 - 20 0956