Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1432 to 1972. School dating from 1724-32 (with accompanying almshouses, (TQ 55 SW 28)) but originally established in 1432. The present buildings were designed by Lord Burlington and consist of a central school with supporting almshouse wings on either side bordering the road. The two almshouses are connected to the school by screen walls (TQ 55 SW 29) incorporating an archway (TQ 55 SW 28). The school building is of coursed local stone with flint infilling. The central portion of the building projects. The left wing is of three storeys while the central portion and right wing are of four storeys (the fourth storey of the right wing is a late 19th century addition). The central roof is pyramidal, of slate, with sprocketed hips and lead flashing. The roof is surmounted by an octagonal leaded lantern which is surmounted by a small domed feature with an ornamental weathervane. The left wing has a Welsh slate roof.

Summary from record TQ 55 SW 29 :

Screen walls, built 1724-32

Summary from record TQ 55 SW 13 :

School and almshouses, 1724-32 (originally established in the 15th century)

Monument Types

• SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1432 AD to 1972 AD)
• ARCH (ARCH, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• SCHOOL (SCHOOL, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• WALL (WALL, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
HIGH STREET 1. 1614 (East Side)
Sevenoaks School TQ 5354/1/1 13.4.51 II* GV 2. This group of buildings consisting of School and Almshouses dates from the early C18 and was designed by Lord Burlington, but the endowment and foundation of the School and Almshouses date from 1432. The general layout is symmetrical with centre school block with courtyard in front and supporting Almshouse wings on either side bordering the street. The 2 almshouse wings are connected in front of the courtyard by low screen wall surmounted by cast iron railings with centre gateway (gates removed). The whole design is carried out in coursed local stone blocks with flint infilling to mortar joints. 2.3.2 window facade with centre portion slightly projecting. Left hand wing of three storeys. Centre feature and right hand wing of 4 storeys. The 4th storey of the right hand wing is a late C19 addition and spoils the symmetry of the design. Left hand wing with moulded dentilled eaves and gutter. Centre portion and right hand wing with moulded modillioned eaves and gutter. Centre with pyramidal slate roof with sprocketed hips and lead flashing and surmounted by octagon leaded lantern. Lantern with 8 small lights at side and surmounted by small domed feature with ornamental weathervane on top. Supporting wing to left with sprocketed hipped, Welsh slate roof. Elevation with continuous plinth and band above ground floor windows. Painted wooden casements throughout with flat stone lintel arches over. Ground floor, first and second floor windows with oblong mullioned and transomed casements. Plain square-paned casements on fourth floor. Projecting stone voussoirs over 3 centre ground floor windows. 3 centre first floor windows with projecting rusticated stone dressings and flat arches over with graded voussoirs. Centre recessed round headed alcove on second floor with rusticated dressing. Mullioned and transomed casements on either side with rusticated dressing similar to those on first floor. 3 small square casements in centre on third floor with projecting square moulded surroundings and centre voussoirs. Supporting wing to left with C18 panelled door (up 2 steps) with plain fanlight over contained in rusticated round-headed surround. Mullioned and transomed window to right. Recessed rectangular stone panel over door and oblong mullioned and transomed window to right on first floor. 2 oblong mullioned and transomed casements on second floor. Supporting wing to right with similar corresponding eleva- tional treatment but with extra third floor addition with square casement windows matching those on third floor of centre feature. Corresponding door on ground floor with painted wooden panel in place of fanlight. No correspond- ing window beside door on ground floor. 2 stone chimney stacks with moulded cornices symmetrically placed either side of centre feature. The front elevation has the addition of a modern exterior fire escape which alters its appearance.
Sevenoaks School and Almshouses form a group (This does not include the modern school buildings to rear). Listing NGR: TQ5320754098 (1)

Description from record TQ 55 SW 28 :
Sevenoak School. Ornamental archway leading to school hall at rear of almshouses. Four centred arch with tympaneum dated 1890. Listed Grade II*. Part of a group of buildings including Almshouses [TQ 55 SW 27] and School [TQ 55 SW 13] and connecting screen walls [TQ 55 SW 29] built 1724-32. (2-3)

Description from record TQ 55 SW 29 :
Sevenoaks School. Screen walls connecting the Sevenoaks Almshouses [TQ 55 SW 28] and Sevenoaks School [TQ 55 SW 13], forming a unified architectural group built 1724-32 to designs by Lord Burlington. Coursed stone with plinth and ashlar band. Listed Grade II*. (2-3)

Description from record TQ 55 SW 13 :
[TQ 5317 5419] Sevenoaks School [NAT] (1) Sevenoaks School, Grade II*, High Street (east side). This group of buildings consisting of School and Almshouses dates from the early 18th century and was designed by Lord Burlington, but the endowment and foundation of the School and Almshouses dates from 1432. (For full description see list.) (3) Founded 1432 by Sir William Sennocke (Lord Mayor of London). rebuilt 1724-32 to designs by Lord Burlington. (4)

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> DOE (HHR) Dist of Sevenoaks UD Kent 1972 9-10 (OS Card Reference). SKE40335.

<2> OS 1:2500 1966 (OS Card Reference). SKE48208.

<3> DOE(HHR) Dist of Sevenoaks UD Kent 1972 9-10 (OS Card Reference). SKE41042.

<4> Newman J 1980 Bldgs of England. West Kent and the Weald (512) (OS Card Reference). SKE47536.

Sources and further reading

Related records