MAST E R P L AN
C E L E B R AT I N G T H E PA S T BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
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There is something unique about the intense emotional hold that these places have on Rossallians.
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he cultural identity of our School community is hardwired into the spectacular architectural heritage of which we all serve as custodians. We pass through the School but for a short time and yet we have a moral responsibility to preserve the fabric of our beloved buildings for future generations. Our most iconic buildings date from the mid-nineteenth century and symbolise the hopes and dreams of those brave pioneers who sought to establish a seat of learning here on the Fylde Coast. The Sumner Library, Big School (situated on the north range of the Square) and the Chapel of St John the Baptist are all listed buildings, noted for their architectural importance. Collectively and individually, these buildings constitute a gloriously powerful
manifestation of the cultural, intellectual and spiritual soul of our wonderful community. These buildings inspire our enduring affection because the relentless march of time appears to be suspended within their midst. The spaces contained therein have a remarkable capacity to bestow that most sought after of privileges - the privilege of belonging. Their familiarity provides a sense of certainty within an ever-changing world. There is something unique about the intense emotional hold that these places have on Rossallians. It defies rational explanation and those of faith may discern the guiding hand of God at work. Others will attribute their attachment to these buildings to a nostalgic yearning for the past and a lively appreciation of institutional traditions.
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s Rossallians, we are conscious of the tremendous sacrifice offered by those who went before us. We continue to honour the memory of those Rossallians whose lives were cut tragically short in the maelstrom of twentieth century conflict. For many of these young men, there was precious little of life left to be lived beyond Rossall. Our responsibility to them is eternal. Of course, time has not stood still and these buildings are now in need of urgent repair. The depredations of a hundred
and eighty winters on the Fylde has reduced some of our buildings to a parlous state. Wind, rain and salt (that most corrosive of minerals) have exerted a terrible toll on the physical fabric of our listed buildings. It is the case that crumbling masonry, corroded metal, rotten roof beams and leaking pipes threaten the very existence of our buildings. Unless we intervene to save them, our most iconic buildings will enter a spiral of managed decline. Collectively, Cassidy and Ashton’s detailed surveys of the Chapel,
Sumner Library and Big School do not make for an easy read. The forensic detail contained within these recently commissioned reports serves as a devastating catalogue of problems. However, the surveys also serve as a timely call to arms and detail what must be done in order to safeguard the buildings for the long term future. Thankfully, all is not lost but we must now act with a sense of urgency if we are to successfully turn the tide and return these buildings to their former glory.
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We must now act with a sense of urgency if we are to successfully turn the tide and return these buildings to their former glory.
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Safeguarding the future of these buildings will cost well in excess of £1.5 million.
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afeguarding the future of these buildings will cost well in excess of £1.5 million and this does not take into account the work that needs to be carried out in order to ensure that the Sumner Library becomes a modern study space within which children can work together collaboratively. Similarly, it does not take into account the enormous amount of work that needs to be accomplished in order to transform Big School into a flexible performance space capable of supporting our rapidly expanding performing arts programme. Of course, there is a distinction between restoration and refurbishment and we need to do much more than simply prevent the buildings from falling to the ground. However, Phase 1 of the project is remedial while Phase 2 is developmental.
Over the last decade or so, Rossall Foundation has supported a number of projects that have enabled the School to develop the quality of its offering. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of sports. Indeed, the current renaissance of Rossall Sports on the national stage coincides with the provision of outstanding new facilities which were, in part, funded by the very generous donations of Rossallians. David McKee’s extraordinarily generous gift to the Foundation enabled us to open our brand new Performing Arts Studio in the autumn of 2018. In October 2023, Harrison and Harrison will begin the long-awaited refurbishment of the Chapel Organ. This is a project that is being funded almost entirely by the Foundation. Restoring the organ to its former glory is a labour of love that would have been impossible without the energy, vision and dynamism of Rossallians committed to preserving all aspects of the School’s heritage.
The Foundation is launching an appeal to ask for support to safeguard our buildings. The purpose of this project is twofold: to preserve the past and to support the future. Please join us in ensuring that the legacy we leave future generations is one of which all Rossallians can feel truly proud. For more information, please email us on foundation@rossall.org.uk or call us on 01253 774284. You can also write to us at The Foundation Office, Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8JW. Please scan here to donate:
Jeremy Quartermain Headmaster
Emma Johnson Director of the Foundation
Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8JW Telephone: 01253 774284
Email: foundation@rossall.org.uk
www.rossall.org.uk/rossall-foundation
P H ASE 1
CELEBRATING THE PAST
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Phase 1 The Heritage Project will safeguard our most iconic buildings for future generations of Rossallians. The project provides an opportunity to come together as a community to ensure we leave an enduring legacy, one that will serve to inspire our boys and girls to develop a life-long appreciation of the architectural beauty that we have the privilege of enjoying.
The Heritage Project will also ensure that the buildings are fit for purpose long into the future. The Foundation is launching an appeal to ask for support to safeguard the Chapel and Big School. These buildings have been identified as having the greatest urgency and so will form the first stage of the appeal.
The Chapel of St John the Baptist
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he Sumner Chapel only seated three hundred and so it was that the expanding pupil roll rapidly outgrew its limited capacity. The celebrated Lancaster architect, Edward Graham Paley (1823-1895) was tasked with the design of a grand new chapel which was to be on an altogether different scale. The Chapel was consecrated in 1862 and the guest of honour on that occasion was the great polymath and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, William Whewell (1794-1866).
From its earliest days, the Chapel has contained memorials to Rossallians who have served both their school and country. The lives of those who fell in the colonial conflicts of the nineteenth century are remembered alongside heroes such as the Reverend Thomas Byles (1870-1913) who prayed on the rear deck of the Titanic as the ship was sinking. After the First World War, the prolific Scottish architect and furniture designer, Sir Robert Lorimer, was commissioned to extend the south transept of the Chapel so that it would become a fitting War Memorial to the 298 Rossallians who lost their lives during the four long years of conflict.
The refurbishment of the Chapel extended beyond the South Transept and a new organ was commissioned from the Durham builders Harrison and Harrison at a cost of £3,381. The organ reused pipes from the old Father Willis instrument. The East Window was replaced by the Fletcher family in memory of the father and son who had died from the burden of running the family colliery throughout the duration of the war. The window, like the new windows in the South Transept, was designed by J.C.N.Bewsey. The pulpit was designed by the famous sculptor, painter and stained glass window designer, Meredith Williams (1877-1934).
What the Chapel means to Rossallians The importance of the Chapel is highlighted by the Canon Chancellor of Exeter Cathedral, the Reverend Canon Deborah Parsons (J & Dn 1977-84)
The Chapel of St. John the Baptist stands on the edge of the school campus and yet at the heart of what it means to be a Rossallian. Whether we profess to have a faith or not, we are united by core values of love and care for others and in our unique ways, we endeavour to make the world a better, kinder, more equitable place. It was in the Chapel of St. John the Baptist that I was confirmed, along with
The Chapel has been the place where many Rossallians have discovered their faith or found comfort in times of sadness. It is the case that those of no faith, or still searching, tend to retain an enormous affection for a building within which they find peace and a sense of community.
a large cohort of my year. It was there that I witnessed the joy of friends marrying and it was there where we occasionally gathered to bid a fond farewell to friends or members of Common Room, who had made an indelible impression on our lives. Quite simply, Chapel was always there – in all weathers, whatever the season, if not in the foreground, then as a backdrop to our lives.
Many Rossallians return to the Chapel to celebrate baptisms and weddings. In times of crisis, Rossallians are inclined to seek the divine within this extraordinary building. During Covid, the Chapel played an enormous role and projected a sense of ‘school’ which transcended our physical apartness.
Essential remedial work (Phase 1) Overall the Chapel is in poor condition as a result of the defects detailed below. The timber roof structures and internal plaster has been damaged by water ingress. Roof timbers have suffered significant decay and failing plaster work constitutes a safety concern. • The roof needs to be replaced • The external facades and spire needs repointing in order to make the structure watertight • The internal plasterwork and decoration needs to be made good and this will improve the overall appearance of the building • The cracking in the rear elevation, boiler room and chimney needs to be repaired • The glass in the East Window cannot be fully reinstated until the surrounding masonry and metal work is repaired
This restoration and refurbishment project will ensure that the Chapel retains its role as the primary focal point of our community. It will ensure that it continues to provide a haven within which the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our pupils and staff may be nurtured.
The Chapel is Rossall and Rossall is the Chapel.
Big School (1853)
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ig School was designed by the Manchester architect, Edwin Hugh Shellard and completed in time for Prize Day 1853. Most of his work is in the Gothic Revival style and includes such architectural gems as St John’s Minster in Preston. Big School is a slightly whimsical affair with its castellated tower and mediaeval style windows. The singularity of its design lends a distinctive character to the northern range of the Square. Historically, a good deal of teaching took place in Big School although it has always been a venue for theatrical and musical performances.
On the occasion of the School’s Golden Jubilee, Thomas Beecham took to the stage with an orchestra of musicians drawn mainly from the Hallé Orchestra. He would return to the very same stage more than fifty years later for the belated centennial celebrations. In 1954, it was the venue for a recital performed by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. The visit of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is commemorated within the building and so too are the university scholarships won by generations of Rossallians.
What Big School means to Rossallians The chart topping singersongwriter and Old Rossallian, Tom Gregory (MF 2007-14), remembers taking his first tentative steps towards stardom on this stage.
There is a mystery inside Big school that I still can’t quite put my finger on. It’s simply magical. It was my first and still my most nerve racking musical performance to date! It really beats any arena or festival I’ve played anywhere in the world. We are so lucky to have this as part of our DNA at Rossall.
Singer-songwriter Tom Gregory (centre) with Rossall students.
Essential remedial work (Phase 1) The slate pitched roof, windows and stone window reveals are in poor condition. As a consequence of this there has been considerable damage to the internal plasterwork. Water ingress has resulted from failed pointing. • Replace the roof in entirety • Repoint stone window and wall reveals • Replace leaded window frames showing signs of corrosion • Replace existing plaster with a lime-based conservation plaster • Repair flooring
Our Funding
Rossall has a proud tradition of benefaction and the Foundation has been able to play its part in ensuring that the excellent education that Rossall has provided over the years will continue to benefit generations to come. This has been due to generous donors like you and we are truly grateful. As part of our master plan, we are looking at safeguarding the future of the Library, the Chapel and Big School buildings, this will cost in excess of £1.5 million. The Foundation would like to raise £500,000 towards phase 1 remedial repairs to both Big School and the Chapel. These buildings have been identified as having the greatest urgency and so will form the first stage of the appeal.
Support in our lifetime How to donate Complete the enclosed donation form and return to: The Foundation Office, Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8JW
Call us on 01253 774284 Email us at foundation@rossall.org.uk Write to us: The Foundation Office, Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8JW
Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8JW Telephone: 01253 774284
Email: foundation@rossall.org.uk
www.rossall.org.uk/rossall-foundation