NHER 56477 (Building record) - Former Overstrand Estate School

June 2009. Norfolk Rural Schools Survey. This school was founded in 1830 by Miss Anna Gurney and Miss Sarah Buxton and originally met in the belfry of the church.

March 2009.
Building to become an arts centre after standing empty since 2007.
See (S1).
H. White (NLA), 7 April 2009.

The school was built in 1830 with enlargement in 1895 and 1905. The school is constructed partly in a Queen Anne style from brick and flint with a slate roof. There is a diamond motif with the initials GB 1830 over the entrance. The school closed in 1999 and is now used as the Belfry Arts Centre.
See (S2).
S. Howard (HES), 9 January 2012.

The initial small school of 1830 has a fine facade of tiny black pebble flints contrasting with a large central lozenge in white pebble flints displaying date and initials. In addition it has a porch with Doric columns and sash windows with glazing bars. It is early for a purpose built school, has architectural pretensions and demonstrates the local craft of pebble flintwork. In the late Victorian era the school was greatly expanded and a large new hall was added. This too has architectural merit with moulded brick window reveals and chimneys. It is mentioned in Pevsner.
Inf. S Heywood (HES).
D. Gurney (HES), 30 January 2012.

May 2012
According to [1] the façade was constructed with pebbles that Overstrand children had carried up from the beach.
English Heritage decided against listing the building in view of alterations affecting the architectural interest and original plan form (See S3 and S4 for full details).
A. Yardy (HES), 11 June 2012.