'Innovative' 1960s-built school gets listed status

An "innovative" 1960s-built primary school in Leicestershire has been granted Grade II listed status.

The Glenmere Community Primary School in Wigston was built between 1963 and 1964 to designs by the Farmer and Dark architectural firm.

Historic England said it was an "important building commissioned by Leicestershire Education Committee, clearly demonstrating the aspirations of a progressive educational authority and the successful collaboration between architects and educationalists".

Head teacher Sam Conlon, who has worked at the school for 25 years, said: "People always comment on how beautiful it is, the roof, the unusual architecture so it's really nice to have it recognised.

"It has got such a nice feel to it and now it's nice to know it's always going to be here."

Mrs Conlon said that she was looking forward to helping her pupils learn more about the history of their school building and working with the local community to publicise its listed status.

The Twentieth Century Society, which supported the listing, said the school "centred on a striking dodecagon timber assembly hall".

Historic England said the school building was listed because of its "imaginative plan form, which features a multi-purpose hall at its core, from which concentric administrative and classroom wings radiate".

It demonstrates the trend of schools moving away from self-contained classes after World War Two to mixing across age groups, the public body added.

Historic England also said the building, which features nine classrooms, a hall, dining facilities and office space, made "clever use" of its sloping site.

Catherine Croft, director of Twentieth Century Society, said the school building represented a "symbolic aspiration of post-war Britain and an urgent need, driven by the baby boom".

She added: "With its pinwheel plan and zig-zag roofed assembly hall, Glenmere Community Primary School is a playful and innovative example, and its architects Farmer and Dark a prolific yet unappreciated practice.

"While structural timber is currently having a resurgence as sustainable building material, here's a building that led the way some 60 years ago.

"We're delighted to see it recognised with national listing.

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