Architecture
The original, core buildings have an unusual layout that consist of
"classrooms round an open quadrangle with a central domed hall"
according to Pevsner. This oldest part of the school was designed by County Architect Mr Widdows, who saw it as resembling 'an eastern fortress'. This design was echoed by the tops of the main entrance gateposts.
The original design is also reminiscent of Moorish architecture in that it is based around a quadrangle with a central domed hall. The buildings are decorated with simple geometric patterns on the external walls, also in the Moorish style. Exciting much comment at the time, the design was only a qualified success. There was no gymnasium or canteen, the cloakroom facilities were poor, and there were no showers.
This design also closely resembles that of the "Main Block" at New Mills School Business & Enterprise College in New Mills, High Peak, The two are rumoured to be by the same architect and are the only examples in the county. Aerial views (see Google Earth) show a virtually identical ground plan, though New Mills has pitched roofs with dormer windows.
Mr Ripley, a former deputy headmaster commented
"To work in this school, one finds it is sunny, airy and pleasant in summer and fine weather but most uncomfortable in winter when driving rain and sleet can chill everyone who has to change from one room to another throughout the school day".
Although many temporary classrooms (some of which lasted for over fifty years) were erected, the first new permanent classrooms were added in 1956 for geography and history, extended in 1959 with an impressive new two-storey 'science block' with a full length glazed staircase. More 'temporary' terrapin prefabricated classrooms were added in the late 1960s and 1970s.
The steel-framed 'pyramids' building (erected in two stages between 1977 and 1979). with its unplastered internal block walls and outside plastic cladding, though controversial, at least provided the school with its first purpose-built gymnasium and changing rooms. The second stage had much improved facilities for art, metalwork and woodwork. The art rooms occasionally flooded as some windows had been installed the wrong way up. A later county architect, put to work on attempting an extension, said it was
'the wrong shape, the wrong size, built of the wrong materials and placed on the wrong site'
Read more about this topic: Ilkeston Grammar School
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