Abbey School — Abbey Street

The saved account records: Detached school, built c.1955 on site of earlier school and of medieval Augustinian priory.

The saved account records: Comprises central three-bay two-storey block with recessed central towered bay, and recessed five-bay single-storey wings, having advanced porches to each end.

The saved account records: Late twentieth-century additions to east and west.

The saved account records: Easternmost elevation of earlier school building survives to east, comprising partial four-bay two-storey wall with evidence of several building phases, having return.

Abbey School — Abbey Street matters for the exact reasons given in its official assessment, rather than merely because it is an old structure. The source records: This interesting school building which retains its distinctive character. The symmetry of the plan creates a pleasing appearance and the variety of openings a lively façade. There are many examples of fine craftsmanship throughout and of particular significance are the cut-stone surrounds and timber-framed windows of the square-headed openings. Its location, on the site of an Erasmus Smith school of the seventeenth century, and at the site of the town's medieval Augustinian priory, make this a location of considerable historical, architectural and archaeological importance, with a fine view of the town across… This explains what the place adds to local life, the street or the surviving built history.