Description

Thomas Frame and Sons, 1875; extended by T Hyslop Ure 1911-12. Single storey; rectangular-plan school. Simple Gothic Revival design with pointed-arched openings to principal (W) elevation and mullioned and transomed windows. Coursed rockfaced sandstone with droved sandstone ashlar dressings; extension harled with brick base course and sandstone ashlar dressings. Base course to original block; chamfered reveals to openings. Gable end windows set forward slightly with slightly projecting section of wall stepped outer to either side; pointed relieving arch to each one; arrowhead opening to gable above; same arrangement to flush breaking-eaves windows to E elevation. Coped gables with roll-moulded finials except to principal elevation.

W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: more or less symmetrical. Steps up to entrances to either side of double central bay (that to left has disabled ramp); each with large breaking-eaves gable-headed pointed opening with splayed reveals; moulded skewputts to gables; both with Greek cross finial set in circle and carved roundel at apex; that to left inscribed 'TOWNHILL PUBLIC SCHOOL 1875'; that to right 'PARISH OF DUNFERMLINE SCHOOL BOARD'. Entrances with replacement glazed doors set back within recess; flanking narrow windows set in angled walls. Small narrow window centred in between; flanking windows (mullioned bipartite to left). Window to right of right entrance. Flanking finialled gabled projecting outer bays (upper parts of finials missing); each with large mullioned and transomed sexpartite with raised central light; foil-moulded lintel to each of upper lights.

E ELEVATION: Original block formerly 6-bay; mullioned tripartite to each bay, apart from penultimate flanking bays; each with gabled breaking-eaves mullioned and transomed sexpartite with raised central light. Bay to right of centre now obscured by low early 20th century passageway leading to addition of same date.

N ELEVATION: slightly projecting gabled bay with large mullioned and transomed 8-light window to left. Mullioned tripartite set back to right.

S ELEVATION: slightly projecting gabled bay with large mullioned and transomed 8-light window to right. Mullioned tripartite set back to left. Square-plan concreted chimney at junction between.

Multi-pane timber sash and case windows; also fixed frame with top/bottom opening vents. Grey slate valley roof (lower height ridge to W) with outer wings at right angles; decorative red ridge tiles (missing in parts); tiled rectangular-plan vent base to E ridge (vent missing). Coped stepped ridge stacks with band courses to N and S wings; small coped circular-plan stack with band course to valley roof; round cans.

INTERIOR: not inspected (1999).

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALL: sandstone rubble boundary wall with stugged rounded coping to N, S and W of original building. Main gateways to NW and S; both with pair of square-plan partially droved sandstone ashlar gatepiers; with bases, chamfered and stopped arrises and pyramid coping; replacement gates. Pedestrian gateway to N; wall raised to either side.

Statement of Interest

A fairly typical school of simple Gothic Revival design, built following the Education Act of 1872 (which made elementary education compulsory). The school was carefully designed to separate boys from girls - a tradition maintained in the 1911-12 extension.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q77776999 Q77777002

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

• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)