Surrey Homes | SH23 | September 2016 | Education supplement inside

Location
location...
education
An inspiring environment can greatly enhance learning.
Six head teachers tell us what they particularly value about
their school’s buildings and settings
David Clark, Battle Abbey
“Some of the school buildings date back to 11th century and
were commissioned by William the Conqueror himself.
The Abbey is alleged to be built on the site of the
Battle of Hastings although there is debate about
this. A lot of the structures are part of a 13th century
rebuild, including the gatehouse which was fortified
during skirmishes with France. Some bits are much
later, up to and including the Victorian period.
Some of the owners showed a distinct lack of sympathy
for the original medieval architecture and committed
to improvement works that would now be considered
acts of vandalism, including running a track way for carts
through the floor of the original medieval church.
The Abbey is known for its gargoyles which are believed
to depict cultural or mythical aspects to the front, and
staff who originally worked at the Abbey to the rear.
Perhaps not surprisingly for a school with such ancient
buildings there are plenty of ghost stories. The dormitory
range, now ruined, where the monks ate their meals, lies
to the rear of the school and there are regular reports of a
figure known as the ‘black monk’ spotted in and around
the ruins. He has also been caught on camera a couple
of times by tourists, as have figures in medieval dress.
Inside the Abbot’s House the eyes of the Blue Lady painting
in the library are said to follow you around the room. Several
other areas in the school are said to have at times had strong
smells (primarily burning tar or rubber) and figures have been
seen from time to time - one walking halfway up a room
on a floor that had been removed over 200 years before.
There are a number of places around the school which lend
themselves to contemplation. The 11th century chapel next
to the Headmaster’s office is a delightfully relaxing place as is
either the main hall or the library bay window in summer.
The Geography room has a magnificent vaulted ceiling
and used to be the parlour which was the only spot on site
where monks were permitted to talk, where locals would
meet the brotherhood. Other than this the Benedictine order
was silent – not a common feature of a busy school...”
Above: The 13th century gatehouse of Battle Abbey Below:
Pupils take an al fresco French lesson on the ‘Sixpenny Lawn’
WT Education Supplement sponsored by
wealdentimes.co.uk
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