Civic award for Wellingborough primary school after Victorian restoration

Freemans Junior Academy was given the 2016 award for conservation restoration undertaken to windows and brickwork in the original building of Westfield Boys School.

Victorian windows have been replaced with equivalent crafted conservation substitutes, brickwork re-pointed and in some instances completely renewed with original Wellingborough brick sourced by project managers.

In instances where enough authentic brick could not be found, bricks were individually removed and turned to allow the undamaged side to been seen.

In future the school want to undertake further conservation to include additional brickwork, modern substitute Victorian windows to both side and front on Brickhill Road and the original Bell Tower.

Wellingborough Civic Society chairman Shena Krupin said: “Freeman’s School has led through example with the same message pertinent to all, value local heritage, conserve, where possible, architectural features present in structures, demonstrate conservation by example and invite collective awareness that all town buildings contribute to the wider heritage.

“History should not be ‘photoshopped’ and full recognition of its value should take us forward into the future.

“Funding for this project has been difficult.

“Work was not required to be undertaken in this intensity as the building is not listed, but headmaster and staff are keen pupils should be immensely proud of their school building, value its Victorian architecture and rich past, demonstrate conservation by example, while at the same time inviting collective realisation that their building with its associated architecture and history is a wider part of our town heritage to be valued and cherished.”