Potsgrove School in 1904

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.

POTTESGROVE COUNCIL SCHOOL

GENERAL WORKS                £9/17/3
SANITARY WORKS                –
HEATING AND VENTILATION £8
NEW WORKS                         –
[TOTAL]                                 £17/17/3

House

GENERAL WORKS                –
SANITARY WORKS                –
HEATING AND VENTILATION –
NEW WORKS                         –
TOTAL                                   £17/17/3

Pottesgrove School and House (Council)

These are a very elaborate, massive and good block of buildings, in brick, stone, and part stud and stucco work, with tiled roofs. They were built by His Grace the Duke of Bedford, 1897.

School Room entire length: 36 feet by 20 feet by 13 feet 6 inches to 15 feet.

This is divided by a framed and part glazed partition to from Infants’ School Room

The partition should be completed to the full height of room to lessen sound between the two rooms: as it serves a very partial purpose.

Lighting is by six windows, of good size.

Ventilation by 15 pivot sash lights and four fresh air inlets

An Exhaust Ventilator should be provided in roof.

Heating is by two open fires.

Dado is in glazed bricks.

These rooms are in good condition.

Lobbies

These are roomy, airy, and light, having Lavatories therein, but no water.

The painting to these needs cleaning and the ceilings whitening.

Offices

These are of special build, and very costly. They are of the privy type, without pit. The intention of the designer is not fulfilled, viz. the effective covering of the excreta. These are no better, but rather worse, than the old pits, being quite as offensive, and very much more exposed. Here again, lack of proper care by the daily caretaker is the cause of the failure of this mode of sanitation.

A Barn for School Coals is provided.

Water Supply

The pump is covered by a very heavy ornate roof, and enclosure. Some defect of the pump renders it useless. This should be seen to at once.

House

This is also of the same character of style, massive build, and finish, having: -

                        Two good Living Rooms
                        Scullery
                        Pantry
                        Roomy Hall
                        Stone Stairway
          Three Bed Rooms over, measuring:

                         16 feet by 12 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches
                         14 feet 6 inches by 12 feet by 7 feet 3 inches
                         9 feet 5 inches by 8 feet 8 inches by 7 feet 3 inches

And is, in every way, fully fitted and equipped: also

Coal Barn and Privy

Outside Painting

This should soon be done