Former Abbey National School for Boys

Image: © Ian Capper Taken: 3 Dec 2011

Not a school sponsored by a former building society, but a "National School", i.e. one set up by "The National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church Throughout England and Wales", or "The National Society" for short, with this one being supported by the congregation of St Albans Abbey. It was opened in 1848, following a grant given in 1846 by the National Society to enable the site to be bought. The original building (with the tall chimneys) was designed by Thomas Leverton Donaldson, one of the founders of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Extensions were added in 1876 (the further two storey section beyond) and 1884 (the double gabled single storey building) as numbers of pupils increased. It became a primary school in 1933 and moved to new buildings in Grove Road in 1970. It now houses offices, under the name Arquen House, as well as parts having residential use. The whole range of buildings is grade II listed - for listing particulars see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103064.

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