Mid to late 19th century British and Foreign Society School, former Perter Kirk School (EHER 46836)

A 2008 building survey recorded the 19th century former British School in advance of its conversion. It is building typical of the architectural fashions of the day.

November 2008. Building survey. Archaeological Solutions carried out a programme of historic building recording at the former Peter Kirk School building in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. The purpose of the work was to investigate and clarify the origins and development of the existing building prior to residential conversion, as well as accurately recording the building in its current state. Both historic research and physical analysis has established a good record of the history of the building, which began as a British School. The main range is dated by a foundation stone to 1862 and is a typical of many mid and later Victorian school buildings with tall windows lighting spacious classrooms. The building is almost symmetrical, with decorative elements in yellow gault bricks. Later additions include tall chimney stacks and a smaller rear range, which was added in almost identical style. Comprehensive remodelling of the interior in the recent past makes it difficult to establish the original layout, though the window pattern suggests one or two large classrooms, open to an exposed roof and rooms for the school teachers behind. This is confirmed by extensive documentary evidence which suggest a fluid arrangement with movable partitions. Overall, the materials are robust and decoration fairly restrained, congruous with a building constructed on a modest budget, but adhering to the architectural fashions of the day. <1>