Queen Street School

Queen Street School is one of the most important schools surviving in England. Built in 1844, it is unique because of its association with the educational pioneer, Samuel Wilderspin, one of the best known educators of the 1830s and 1840s, a pivotal period in the history of educational and the development of school buildings.

Wilderspin had a profound impact on educational practice and on the design and furnishing of school buildings and grounds. He helped design and equip Queen Street School in Barton and used it as a model school and a base for promoting enlightened infant education throughout Britain.

Wilderspin set up infant schools throughout the British Isles. His influence, however, spread far beyond Britain, to the continent and to North America. The School is the only purpose-built Wilderspin school, where he taught for a significant period and which is the only example in the UK of a purpose-built Wilderspin school surviving intact. It is now being restored as a heritage centre

The School was closed in 1978 and, in 1993, the Queen Street School Preservation Trust was set up to save the building. The Trust is managing the current restoration project with funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage as part of the South Humber Bank Heritage Tourism Project co-ordinated by North Lincolnshire Council.

Restoration is well under way. Passers-by will have noticed that roof repairs are almost complete. The Welsh quarry that supplied the original slates in 1844 has supplied replacements.

Inside, a thorough archaeological survey has been completed so that new floors can be laid. The school should be open, at least in part, during the summer and school groups will be visiting from the Autumn term.

It will be known as The Wilderspin National School to celebrate its unique connection with the Victorian infant education pioneer Samuel Wilderspin and the National Schools movement.

The school will be used as a heritage, education and business resource and is part of the South Humber Collection, North Lincolnshire which links a number of heritage and green tourist attractions along the South Humber bank and won national recognition with a 2007 British Urban Regeneration Award.

The Queen Street School Preservation Trust is holding a Show and Tell session at the Assembly Rooms opposite the School on Saturday 19th April between 11am and 3pm. If you have any schooldays memorabilia connected with the Church School, any of the Barton schools, or from your own schooldays elsewhere why not bring them along so we can record them and copy them if appropriate or arrange for their display at the School.

For more information, contact Ian Wolseley, Development Officer, 01652 632928.