Description

KENTON MAMHEAD ROAD (east side), Kenton
SX 98 SE

6/245 Kenton School
11.11.52
II

School formerly church house. Probably circa early C16 origins, much altered
subsequently. Red sandstone, some ashlar masonry visible on the rear, rendered to
the front elevation; slate roof, gabled at ends; end stacks, 2 projecting rear
lateral stacks with dismantled shafts.
Plan: Original plan difficult to assess as much of the evidence is concealed by
modern plaster and the internal partitions may be new. Single depth range, with 3
large rooms at present. Cross passage to left of centre, two C16 style doorframes on
the front (one to the passage) are concrete or reconstituted stone and could be re-
facings of original doorframes or copies, or entirely new. Carpentry in the right
end room is plainer than the high quality moulded ceiling beams to the left of centre
suggesting a lower status for the right end of the range. A small block to the rear
of the range at the right end, and at right angles to it, is probably a C19 or C20
addition; 2 C20 flat-roofed single storey additions against the rear wall.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Long asymmetrical 6 window front with regular fenestration and
2 segmental arched doorframes with hollow chamfers and square-headed hoodmoulds;
front doors plank with studded cover strips, the right hand door with a glazed
rectangle cut into it. Set of C19 2-light timber casements with small panes. The
rear elevation has some exposed ashlar masonry in large block, some rubble masonry
and some brick repair. Both rear lateral stacks are capped off below the level of
the shaft, the rear left stack has set offs; 5 first floor and 2 ground floor C19
timber windows.
Interior: 2 nicely moulded ceiling beams to left of centre, plasterboard possibly
concealing old joists. Chamfered crossbeam to ground floor right. The fireplaces
are blocked, early lintels and jambs may survive. First floor not fully inspected
but the roof trusses appear to be entirely concealed: they could be of interest but
may have been replaced.
A copy of the charity commissioners report of 1823 held in the school states; "By
deed, bearing date 14th April, 1559, Carew Courtney Esq., granted .... a house,
called the Church House, with the appurtenances in Kenton, (which appears from the
same deed to have been previously granted King Edward VI, in 1550 to William Moyle
and another ...". The same report mentions that the "...house, curtilage and
outbuildings ... have been for many years used as the habitation of the poor."
An extremely interesting building, likely to retain interior features not visible at
time of survey,.

Listing NGR: SX9582283246

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26389915

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)