Façade conservation for a 1,400-year-old school

A fall of stone and stone debris raised concerns about the condition of the building’s masonry. Following a condition survey, careful cleaning, conservation and masonry replacement was undertaken to secure the façade. In 2025, the project received the John Shannon Conservation Award at the 2025 York Design Awards, which celebrates good design in the city.

Phase one, which included the headmaster’s house and adjacent blocks, and the façade of the boardroom to the right of the new entrance vestibule, was completed in 2022 by Matthias Garn, Master Mason and Partner (MGMMP).

Work mainly involved cleaning with a Thermotech system using low-pressure steam, re-pointing with soft lime mortar (hot mixed) and shelter coating, and lime dust was added to limewash. Two replacement stones were added to the badly weathered colonette corbel base adjacent to the Headmaster’s House entrance door.

Phase two was initially planned to be limited in extent to the central portico of the Memorial Hall. The works area was compact enough to allow further cleaning and shelter coating to take place on the adjacent recessed “links” and the front façade of the wing. The repair of the upper turrets required some dismantling as part of the repairs to consolidate the structure and restore its integrity.

The enhanced façade better represents the long history of the school, which will celebrate 1,400 years in 2027. The works have ensured the school can continue to be safely used and enjoyed for generations to come.