Issue 38 Summer web 23 - Flipbook - Page 74
Clement Windows Group Replacing Original Steel Windows
at Historic School Buildings
According to Historic England, there are over 5,000 listed school buildings in England alone and
there will be many more across the UK that are worthy of preservation despite not being listed.
These days refurbishment of historic school buildings is
generally preferred over demolition. Thankfully the days
of the Government’s Building Schools For The Future
programme of the early years of this millennium are over.
Back then, building new state-of-the-art school buildings
seemed to be the main goal and bodies such as English
Heritage and the Victorian Society joined the debate to
try and turn the focus to the importance of preserving
current buildings, not just because of their architectural
and historic significance, but because of the important
role played by schools in the local community.
In 2023, reuse is a popular strategy due to the sustainability agenda. Individual buildings can be renovated to
become greener versions of themselves and repurposed
to accommodate sophisticated technology and new
equipment. Refurbishment often means less disruption
for the school than rebuilding as it can take less time and
cost less, meaning fewer teaching hours and resources are
compromised.
When it comes to the windows at these buildings, new
frames can be manufactured to match the exact size and
style of the existing ones so that none of the original character is lost and these new windows will bring advantages
such as better thermal performance, increased daylight
and tighter security.
Clement Windows Group has been privileged to
manufacture new steel windows and doors to replace the
originals at a number of heritage school projects and here
we look at the most recently completed.
Trent Young’s C of E Primary School
Trent Young’s Church of England Primary School is
located in Trent, a village and civil parish situated in
North West Dorset, in the beautiful Yeo Valley. The Trent
Conservation Area was designated in February 1970 and
many of its structures are listed due to their historical and
architectural significance, including a number of medieval
and Tudor buildings.
Between 1835 and 1875, Reverend Turner and his wife
occupied the village rectory and together built a great
number of the buildings that survive in the village today,
including the Alms Houses. In 1862, the Turners
constructed the National School which was to be for girls
and infants. Since its induction, the school has seen many
changes, including the introduction of boys and the
expansion of the buildings and today the school is Grade
II listed.
Below, New Clement Brooking steel windows at Trent Young's
Church of England Primary School
