Up End School in 1904

Elevation of Up End School in 1854 [AD3865/23/2]

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's report [E/SA2/1/1]] took the form below.

KEMPSTON COUNCIL SCHOOL (UP END)

GENERAL WORKS               £61/2/1
SANITARY WORKS              £180/0/0
HEATING & VENTILATION    £37/0/0
NEW WORKS                       £30/0/0
                                             £308/2/1

GENERAL WORKS               £3/18.3
SANITARY WORKS              £10/0/0
HEATING & VENTILATION         -
NEW WORKS                           –
                                             £13/18/3

TOTAL                                  £322/0/4

Kempston (Up End) School (Boys’)

This is a very substantial block of buildings, with lofty tiled and timbered roofs, stone windows and door dressings. The buildings are very much crowded upon a small space and are not too well lighted. The sills are very high, much useful light could be secured by deepening the front windows, i.e., by lowering the sills and lengthening the jambs, mullions, and glazing.

Large Room, N. W. End. – 51 feet 8 inches by 20 feet by 16 feet to 19 feet.

Lighted by two, three-light and two, two-light windows.

Ventilated by eight portions of above opening, three fresh air inlets, and four ceiling openings.

An Exhaust ventilator should be provided.

Heated by an open fire, not sufficient.

Floor: This is worn badly.

Class Room (Front). – 27 feet by 17 feet by 14 feet to 24 feet.

Lighting by two front windows, and two Skylights is none too ample.

Ventilated by two pivot lights, and three ceiling openings.

Two large Tobin Tubes and an Exhaust Ventilator should be provided.

Heated by an open fire.

Part of the floor is poor.

Room at Rear of above Class Room – 27 feet by 15 feet 9 inches by 10 feet to 13 feet.

This has two roofs, with centre gutter.

Lighted by one, three-light and one, two-light, window, also two Skylights.

Ventilated by pivot lights, two Tobin Tubes, and two other air inlets.

An Exhaust Ventilator should be provided for the East portion.

Heated by an open fireplace, which needs repairing and leaving sound.

Long Room, S. E. – 50 feet 6 inches by 17 feet 4 inches by 14 feet to 24 feet.

Lighted by two three-light and two, two-light windows.

Ventilated by five window hoppers etc., also gable light, and five ceiling openings. Six Tobin Tubes and an Exhaust ventilator should be provided.

Heated by a Manchester open fire grate.

Master’s Room in House Block – 15 feet by 14 feet by 8 feet 3 inches.

This is sufficiently lighted and ventilated, also warmed by an open fire.

The side cupboard is very damp; the floor should be opened and the damp remedied.

Cloak Room at Rear of Above Large Room

This is a low wooden structure, kept down under large window of School room. The place is very poorly lighted and ventilated. Light and air should be provided.

Cloak Room next above Cloak Room- 14 feet 6 inches by 7 feet by 10 feet 3 inches to 15 feet 3 inches.

The window light and ventilation need improving.

Lavatory: Three basins are provided; drainage therefrom is needed.

Porches

These need repairs.

All the above rooms, lobbies etc. need entirely renovating.

Offices

These are very poor, of the pail type, six stalls, previously used for girls, and six stalls and three urinals for boys, are all in a line, and shut off by centre door.

They were very offensive. A better provision should be made.

No private occupant would be allowed to pollute their neighbours as at this School. Especially here a dry earth system is most necessary, properly cared for and tended.

House

This is occupied by the Caretaker.

It comprises: Lobby, Hall, and Stairway.

Living Room 14 feet by 9 feet 4 inches by 8 feet 6 inches.
Pantry 6 feet 9 inches by 6 feet.
Kitchen 10 feet 9 inches by 7 feet.
Three bedrooms 14 feet by 11 feet.
10 feet by 7 ft 6 inches.
10 feet 9 inches by 14 feet.

This is in fair order, excepting the Kitchen, Hall and Stairway, which need renewing.

Closet and Scullery

These need cleansing and repairing.

Barn

This is common to school and house.

Ashpit

This should be cleared away, and a Sanitary Bin provided

Water Supply

The soft water supply is good.

Two pumps are provided but the water is not good for drinking.

This is a serious defect for so large a school.

N. B. – This block of buildings should be visited, and the Sanitary question considered for a re-arrangement and more consistent provision.