Architecture of the old school that gives a lesson in our heritage

My own school days started with a summer term, the last the school

spent in its old monstrous Victorian buildings before moving to a

shiny, light-filled new complex across the field.

I associate the old building with two things: a boy called Michael sobbing for his mother for hours on the first day but being left alone outside the door with no-one attempting to comfort him; and satanic darkness conjured up by memories of a squealing older lad bent over a stool while the headmaster beat him with a cane. Imagine the effect that had on a five-year old psyche.

Thankfully, the man with the cane left soon afterwards, and the boy who'd sobbed settled in after a couple of weeks.

Happier times at school definitely started with the move into

classrooms that were bathed in sunshine, a proper library with child-height tables and chairs and modern plumbing.

It was a feat of '60s mediocrity architecturally, but at least it

didn't look like a workhouse.

It's true that schools aren't about the buildings but the quality of the teaching and caring that goes on inside their walls. But the physical environment is bound to leave its mark when you spend about 30 hours a week in it.

The increasing use of new technology and a wider range of activities out of school hours have called into question the value of the traditional classroom, and the Government is investing in the rebuilding or extensive remodelling of many of our schools. The Building Schools for the Future programme has seen about 200 rebuilt or refurbished schools a year since 2004. By next year, the project will have spent 8.2bn.

But what of the buildings that are being replaced? The best of them stand comparison with other architectural treasures such as town halls, theatres and railway stations. In fact, more than 5,000 school buildings are listed for their special architectural/historical interest.

According to English Heritage (EH), public school buildings tend to be revered and respected, although extended and updated, while state schools are simply knocked down and rebuilt. Architectural experts at EH believe that refurbishing old school buildings in Yorkshire and the Humber is often the best use of resources and the most sustainable way of modernising them when schools and local authorities bid for government investment.

According to its survey of 1,723 adults in England, two-thirds think that refurbishing and extending old schools is more environmentally friendly than demolishing them and building new. The survey findings are particularly significant in this region, which was at the forefront of progressive attitudes to education in the late 19th century.

Many architecturally interesting schools built in that period survive today, notably in Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield. Architectural competitions were often held to encourage local practitioners and design of this time moved away from the gothic style of church schools to a more secular aesthetic.

There was a desire for schools to be inspirational against their backdrop of industrial grime and poverty. Bradford borrowed more money to build schools than any other area outside London, to the alarm of the national education department. Bradford also pioneered open air schools for delicate and tubercular children – the first one opening in 1907.

More than 80 per cent of respondents to the EH survey in this region said councils should do more to find new uses for old disused school, and almost half felt that schools with historic character provide a more inspiring educational environment than new ones. Three-quarters of those questions felt historic schools contributed to the identify of a local area.

This week EH (with the government's support) publishes Refurbishing Historic School Buildings, a new guidance document which spells out the huge potential and flexibility of traditional school buildings, and how they can be adapted, made more energy efficient and expanded with new buildings alongside.

A shining example is the grade two listed High Storrs Secondary in Sheffield, which was built in the 1930s. Instead of demolition, the local authority opted to restore the school's most significant

features, such as its distinctive figure of eight layout and assembly hall. At the same time, 21st century considerations were addressed such as accessibility and the demands of IT. The overall result is that a valuable piece of local art deco heritage has been preserved but with new life breathed into it.

"Many of us have a deep attachment to the school buildings of our childhood," says Trevor Mitchell, EH's regional director for planning and development. " We want decision makers to actively consider whether refurbishment is the best way forward. With thoughtful upgrading, we can retain the sense of characters and identity they bring to

neighbourhoods. Re-use also cuts down on waste and makes the best use of resources."

n A new book called England's Schools by Elain Harwood is published by English Heritage (9.99) and explores the history of English school buildings from medieval times to the 1980s. To order go to www.english-heritage. org.uk or call 0845 458 9910.