Building MPM498 - PRIORY SCHOOL

Originally the Southern Grammar School for Girls which opened 4th November 1907 (foundation stone laid 1906). Designed by local architect C. W. Bevis. Used as headquarters of the Fifth Southern General Hospital during the First World War. The building is now part of Priory School.

Originally the Southern Grammar School for Girls which opened 4th November 1907, now the main school building to the present day Priory School. The building was designed by local architect C. W. Bevis. A foundation stone adjacent to the portico is dated 1906. The building has three storeys in red brick with stone dressings. The Fawcett Road elevation has fluted stone dressings around the windows and keystones, and a classically inspired portico with Doric columns. A dentil cornice at high level is repeated as part of the cornice. On the roof is a tower and cupola clad in copper. [1]

The school was used as the headquarters of the Fifth Southern General Hospital during the First World War, having been converted to house 1000 beds by 1916 [2, 3]. During the Second World War the girls school was evacuated to Salisbury and the building used for official purposes [2]. It remained the Southern Grammar School for Girls until 1974 when it became known as Priory School [4].

Historic England, The National Heritage List for England (Index). SPM35.

<1> Portsmouth City Council, 2009, Priory School, Fawcett Road, South: Draft Planning Brief/PCC (Unpublished document). SPM489.

<2> Davies, Brian L, 1997, A Short History of Priory School (Southsea) (Bibliographic reference). SPM488.

<3> Sadden, John, 1990, Keep the Home Fires Burning (Bibliographic reference). SPM486.

<4> 1800s - 1976, Kelly's Street Directories (Bibliographic reference). SPM38.