Bluecoat School, Bath

School in Bath, United Kingdom

51°22′56″N 2°21′43″W / 51.382247°N 2.36208°W / 51.382247; -2.36208InformationReligious affiliation(s)ChristianDenominationAnglicanFounded1711FounderRobert NelsonClosed1921Genderboys and girlsSchool rollc. 55Colour(s)BlueSchool feesfreeAlumniBenjamin Godwin

Bluecoat School was a former school in Sawclose in Bath, Somerset, England. The school was founded in 1711 and operated as a charity offering free education to Anglican boys and girls. The building, which was rebuilt in 1860, is now known as Bluecoat House.

History

The school was created in 1711 by Robert Nelson when he established a public subscription to provide the funding. Nelson died three years later and a building was not started until 1722, using a design by William Killigrew.^[1]

Benjamin Godwin, who gained a place at the school in the 1790s because of his mother's Anglican connections, describes how the school supplied free education to 55 pupils. The children were supplied with all materials and uniforms.^[2]

Killigrew's building was demolished in 1859 and a new "Northern renaissance" style building was created. This development, by John Elkington Gill and the city architect George Phillips Manners, was part of a restyling of that part of the city.^[1] This building continued as a school. It was sold in 1921 and eventually was used by the local government for offices. The building was designated as Grade II listed in 1975.^[3] Today it is possible to rent an apartment in the building which is now called Bluecoat House.^[4]

The Sawclose immediately to the west of the building is a pedestrian-friendly shared space for pedestrians, cyclists and cars.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b Description of Bluecoat School Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Bathnes.gov.uk, retrieved 29 July 2014
^ Hancock, N P (1991). "The life and work of the Reverend Benjamin Godwin: a Baptist response to the Oxford Movement". MPhil University of Nottingham. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
^ Historic England. "Blue Coat House (1394901)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
^ Apartment to rent, Bluecoat House, retrieved 29 July 2014
^ James Crawley (19 May 2017). "£2 million Saw Close development will last nine months and bring road closures". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 13 November 2018.

External links

Kay Ross (June 2010). Historical Building Report on The Bluecoat House ... The Saw Close, Bath, Part 1 (PDF). McLaughlin Ross llp (Report). Bath and North East Somerset Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.