Aha... yes, you were right, scaffolding planks (who knew they could be so colourful?).... part of a spider's web of metalwork engulfing the local primary school. It's summer: school's out, repairs are IN!
There are several local elementary schools. There's one at the top end of the village called Saltaire Primary School, and this one at the bottom end is Wycliffe CE (Church of England) Primary School. This school was until relatively recently a 'middle school' taking pupils from 9 years old to 13. Now it takes children from the the age of 4 through until they go to secondary school at 11. But it was first opened in the 1890s (I think) as a Board School, at a time when education in Britain was going through major changes.
A hotch-potch of governesses, private schools, church (National) schools and factory schools like Salt's schools in Saltaire became a much more organised system of education for all children. This was thanks to various Education Acts passed by reforming Victorian politicians - notably the 1870 Education Act introduced by the Bradford MP W E Forster, which set up School Boards to establish and administer primary schools. As you can see, many of these original Victorian buildings have given good service, and in most cases have happily adapted to the ongoing changes in style and emphasis in our children's education.
Isn't it great, to see a splash of colour around schools, today? They were such drab places when I attended.
ReplyDeleteI was busy yesterday so didn't get chance to visit individual blogs. But as I was putting my post up I saw the thumbnail of your post in my sidebar and said to myself "I wonder what that is?" My quick decision based on just the thumbnail was that it was Plasticine - not too far out.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a wonderful old building. I like the windows!
ReplyDeleteThe elementary school I went to was built in the 1870s and my class sizes were in the 30s, and I can read, write, add and subtract just fine. So often there is pressure for new buildings and ever smaller class sizes, plus classroom aides. Give me the old solid buildings and put the money into hiring good teachers. (Sorry for the rant . . . )
ReplyDeleteI like the old building. Please take a photo of it after renovations because I don't like scaffolding!
ReplyDeleteI love the rounded window tops and the red doors!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the bright colors on the scaffolding, kind of interesting compared to a plain dark color. ~Lili
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