The former Hammerton Street School, Darnall

[Paddy 10]

I walk past this wonderful building occasionally and it makes me feel very sad to see it in it's current state. It was also known as Kettlebridge school and is situated on Ouseburn Croft off Staniforth Road at Darnall. I decided to do some digging into it's past history and have found the following information out.

 

The school was built on Ouseburn Road in 1904 for the Sheffield School Board by local architect, WJ Hale. He also designed several other buildings in Sheffield such as Lydgate Infants School on Lydgate lane at Crosspool.

 

The building has been included on a list from the Victorian Society of the top ten endangered buildings in England and Wales

 

BBC News Link:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9081000/9081441.stm

 

The above link mentions that work is ongoing to repair the building and yes it does look like that's taking place but progress appears very slow. It also mentions that the building stopped being used as a school in 1994. Does anyone know why this was?

 

Google Street View link:

 

http://www.maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ouseburn+Croft,+Sheffield&aq=0&sll=33.222139,-80.126432&sspn=19.067954,36.079102&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ouseburn+Croft,+Sheffield,+South+Yorkshire+S9+3FY,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.388396,-1.425036&spn=0.003327,0.012896&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.388477,-1.425473&panoid=P23Krme7jDS8zKSs3gMhHQ&cbp=12,251.72,,0,5.09

 

Links to further info:

 

http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=9301

 

http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/cities/sheffield/w-j-hale-the-work-of-a-sheffield-architect/school-designs.html

 

http://www.rotherham-images.co.uk/sheffield-gallery-eight.htm

 

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/derelict_school_on_top_10_danger_list_1_2965971

 

http://www.projectsheffield.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/sheffield-hammerton-street-school/

Edited June 10, 2011 by Paddy

[Steelbanger 10]

Was closed down by the council for economic reasons, i.e. greenlands could take the infants and nursery children.

 

I agree it is sad to see such a substantial building decay due to neglect, what a waste.

[nice-nurse 10]

Its very sad.

Saw some recent pics of Hammerton boarded up, graffiti and neglected.

My Dad went there in the 1920's. My sister and me were there 1950 and 60's

Was a great school. Lots of happy childhood memories.

[Shortcircuit 10]

The joy of google searches and the information it brings up.

 

I have just been renovating an old writing desk, when I removed the "envelope compartment" there were were parts of drawings (used as packers) which appear to be for proposed works to the school. Unfortunately there are no dates on the sections of plans, but it is drawing number 804 and the architect is F.E.R Edwards.

 

Can anyone spread any light on an approximate date? If i can get photographs of the drawings i will post them.

[flashbang 10]

Some lovely memories of that school. My dad was the caretaker there in the 70s we lived in the house at the other end of the playground.

[sazzle31 10]

my nan and grandad were the caretakers there in the early 80's and lived in that big stone house, when we visited we had the whole school yard to play in

[flashbang 10]

The playground was great. Did you ever see the old rocking horses inside the school?

[sazzle31 10]

cant remember was such a long time ago, that house was scary i used to think it was haunted spent alot of my childhood there with my brother and sister

[Paddy 10]

Thought I recognised this thread. Anyway I walked past these premises today and not much has changed. Still fenced off and still looking run down. Very sad really. If I had the money I would do it up (and the remains of the playground/park area in front of it) and turn it into a community centre.

[Enfield 12]

I was a pupil at Hammerton County School from 1960 till 66, I was born and raised on Ouseburn St which I think is now Ouseburn Croft. I vaguely remember rocking horses there, the Head Mistress was Miss Atkins and a couple of teachers I recall were Miss Bancroft and Miss Lofthouse.

[lyndyloo 10]

I started school there in 1954 I lived on Nidd road, I also remember the teachers named in above post.I was scared stiff of Miss Bancroft.It's a shame the state it's in now.

[biggsy 10]

Hi

 

I was a pupil at Hammerton school until '69 and lived at the Ouse road end of Nidd road..

 

A bunch of us went up to the bell tower at night to explore, I was the first in and almost fell down the shaft where the rope used to be!!

 

I can remeber Miss Bancroft with her dark brown wig and pillar box red lipstick!!

 

When she lost her temper she used to bite index finger knuckle (she used to always be biting it so I suppose it was me that made her angry )

 

 

 

Biggsy:)