Toddington Wesleyan School in 1904

The Weleyan School front elevation in 1855 [AD3865/45]

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 for Toddington Wesleyan School [E/SA2/1/1] took the form below. 

TODDINGTON SCHOOL AND HOUSE
(WESLEYAN)

Brick built and slated.

General School. – 58 feet 0 inches x 18 feet 0 inches x 12 feet 0 inches to 14 feet 6 inches
Lighted by 8 Windows and a Skylight.
Ventilated by above and Ceiling Vents.
Warmed by two Stoves and Pipes.
This needs general renovation of walls, ceiling, doors, windows &c. The main floor and gallery are badly worn.
It is well lighted, and has 3 Ceiling Vents and 8 vents by windows.
Six Tobin Tubes and a sufficient Exhaust Ventilator should be provided.

Two Class Rooms. – 18 feet 0 inches x 16 feet 0 inches x 12 feet 0 inches
Each have 2 Windows of good size.
Ventilation by Windows and Tobin Tubes.
Heated by Open Fires, which need renewing.
These need renovating entirely, and the chimney piece, hearth, and grate to each renewing.
These floors are very poor.
Wet comes in through roof and ceiling. These should be repaired.
Two more Tobin Tubes and an Exhaust Ventilator should be provided for each room.

Two Lobbies or Cloak Rooms. – Neither of these is provided with a Lavatory.

Privies These are very offensive, and much too near the School and Class Rooms. The Urinal also is next the Main room walls and windows. A dilapidated Ash Pit over a cesspit to privies is a very defective arrangement; this should be cleared away.

These Offices should be reconstructed, and provision made for a constant supply of dry earth. The rear ground here is very shallow, and very close up to the School, therefore the Sanitary Offices need to be on the best principle. Complete Moule's Closets and Urinals should therefore be provided.

The External Repairs necessary are general, viz., restoration of damaged and perished brickwork to buildings and fence walls, pointing throughout to premises, repairs to slating, gutters, ridges, verges, Bell Turret, door steps, paving, also the repair of the iron front fence and gates, leaving all sound.

A new door and frame is needed to the Boys' Offices yard.

All doors and windows need repairing and easing, and fastenings making good.

All exposed wood and ironwork should be painted three coats.

House

The Master's house comprises the following: -
Stairs and Hall
Parlour 13 feet 0 inches x 10 feet 6 inches
Sitting Room 11 feet 6 inches x 11 feet 0 inches
Library 9 feet 0 inches x 7 feet 0 inches
Scullery 13 feet 0 inches x 9 feet 6 inches
Bedrooms: 13 feet 0 inches x 10 feet 6 inches
11 feet 6 inches c 11 feet 0 inches
9 feet 0 inches x 7 feet 0 inches

The whole require renovating. Portions are very damp.

Outhouses
These are very dilapidated, walling is badly fractured and falling. Floors are bad. Doors, windows, fittings and fastenings require repairing, renewing, &c.

Closet
This needs same provision as that named for the School

External Repairs
The fence walls, gateways and iron fencing need general repairs and the latter twice painting.

All exposed wood and ironwork should be painted three coats.

Water SupplyThis is obtained from Pump in Scullery