Building MPM711 - PORTSEA FREE SCHOOL

Former school built c1855, now part of the University of Portsmouth.

A school established by the Ragged School Union opened in the building in 1855, having moved from its original location in Ordnance Row. The school was taken over by the Education Committee in 1902 and from c1929 was called the Portsea Free School. In c1935 it became known as St George's School. The school moved to Hanover Street in c1960 and the building was later taken over by the Portsmouth Polytechnic and now forms part of the University of Portsmouth. [1]

School, now part of University of Portsmouth (former Polytechnic). Mid C19. Red brick in Flemish bond. Low pitch hipped Welsh slate roof, wide projecting brick stack at centre. 3 storeys, 6 bays (narrow far right bay). On right a 2-leaf 6 panelled door with 6-pane overlight set under flat gauged brick arch. To left four 24-pane 2-light casements each set under flat gauged brick arch. Further left 2 later panelled doors with concrete lintels set within infill to former flat gauged brick window openings. At first floor rendered band broken at stack, left hand inscribed "Portsea Free School". Rendered first floor sillband broken at stack with 5 casements similar to ground floor with later narrow casement at far right set under flat rendered lintel. Second floor has 5 small 2-light casements with later casement on far right. Plain single-storey former chapel extension to rear. INTERIOR not inspected. [2]

<1> Portsmouth City Council, ?, Catalogue to Education Records Held in the Portsmouth City Archives (Unpublished document). SPM260.

<2> Historic England, The National Heritage List for England (Index). SPM35.