All Saints Parochial School about 1866 [Z50/31/42]

Bedfordshire County Council became Local Education Authority for the county in 1903, following the Education Act 1902. In 1904 the County Surveyor reported on the condition of all the council and voluntary schools in the county under LEA control, excluding those on Bedford and Luton Boroughs which had their own executive arrangements.

The surveyor reported as follows: This is an elaborate, substantial, lofty block of buildings, of somewhat peculiar construction. The doorways are narrow, and window lights none too plentiful. The Main Room possesses a Gallery, which is not used for School purposes.

The projecting rooms prevent amplifying the wall windows Gable lights might be introduced, but are often a source of weakness in maintaining a weather proof roof.

Main Room 47 feet by 18 feet by 14 feet to 27 feet

Five various wall windows are provided and one skylight. Three lights [i.e. windows] open, also two roof horizontal vents.

The Ventilation needs supplementing by four Tobin Tubes and one large Exhaust Ventilator.

Heating is by an 18 inches Tortoise Stove.

The Gallery is used as a store.

The Lobby doorways into this room are narrow. There is one each end off front wall.

Class Room at North End of Main Room 24 feet 6 inches by 18 feet by 12 feet 3 inches to 25 feet

The room is lighted by three shallow windows, and three hung pivots, which open for ventilation.

Three Tobin fresh air inlets and one Exhaust Ventilator should be provided.

Heating is by an open fireplace.

Class Room on Front 20 feet by 15 feet by 13 feet to 23 feet

Lighting is by three windows, as above.

Ventilation -The same provision is needed here as above.

Warming is by an open grate.

Class Room off Back Wall 20 feet by 15 feet by 13 feet to 23 feet.

The windows are similar.

Ventilation is the same, by windows also by two air inlets.

Two more Tobin Tubes should be provided, also an Exhaust Ventilator.

Warming is by an open fire.

The Lobby hereto is fair. A sink with waste is provided. The window light is poor.

All the Rooms before named are all in very fair order, excepting one or two places where wet comes through roof.

Offices

These are common Privies and Urinals, not far removed from the School windows. They are very low, poorly off for light and air, and not al all what they should be for so many children as here centred. The continuance of such offices should not be suffered. Suitable dry earth buildings and apparatus should be provided here.

A Shelter Shed is provided, also a Coal Barn for School fuel.

Water Supply

A good water Supply is provided by House pump.

House

This is a larger House than usual.

The rooms are as follows: -

Parlour: 13 feet by 10 feet. Hall: 11 feet by 3 feet 6 inches this needs two side light windows to open.

Living Room: 18 feet 9 inches by 10 feet. Also Recess: 6 feet by 5 feet; window light is very poor.

Kitchen: 13 feet by 7 feet.

This is very cramped; range defective; sink drain must be cut off from direct connection with Cesspool by a Trapped Gulley on Surface.

Bedrooms: 13 feet by 10 feet.

13 feet by 10 feet.

13 feet by 7 feet 5 inches.

All rooms need restoring next year.

Privy

This is detached in Garden, is very defective, and should be treated as others.

Coal Barn

This is provided for House.

Water Supply

This is provided by soft and hard water pumps. The latter water is very hard.

External Repairs to roofs, walls, fences, and all buildings, also painting as usual should be done next year.

Yards and Drains

These need rectifying.

Bell Turret

This needs making sound.