Lone Wanderer
Well-known member
So last week while out walking the dog I spotted this abandoned special school, after doing some research I learned that it had 24hr security and surveillance (it's amazing what you can find out on google). Despite my better judgement I decided to go check it out today, there was various entry points available, I did decide against walking through the front gate tho.
After "duck dip dive and dodging" the security for a good 30minutes while taking photos of the out buildings (classrooms and such), witch were all tightly boarded shut, (i did manage to get a few internal shots thanks to the local "Chavlife" having smashed a few small windows I was able to fit my camera through tho) I came to the main reception building, I found my entry point and decided to go for it, upon entering i instantly set off the alarm, I decided not to press my luck and quickly vacated the premises, I would have pushed my luck if it weren't for the fact my tax had run out on my van and really didn't want to risk the off chance of some police involvement.*
Now for some brief history!*
Western park open-air special school was built between 1928-1930, the school was built for children recovering from debilitating illnesses, particularly of a respiratory nature, and there regime followed the principals established for patients in the Swiss sanatoria*of moderate exercise, a nutritious diet, rest, and spending as much time as possible in the open air. Its design was influenced by the wider movement to build schools in which high standards of hygiene were as important as educational provision.
The school has been subject to several additions over the years. In 1974 a single-storey brick toilet block was built in between two of the chalet classroom buildings, and a series of covered walkways were erected to link together all the elements of the site. A single-storey brick kitchen was added to the east end of the dining hall in the later C20, and a small single-storey block built at the rear of the administration building. The open air school later became a special school which closed down in 2005.
There is so much history on this place and I really wasn't sure what to include, here's the link if your interested in learning more*http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1401753
On with the show!*
The view from the main gate with various security warnings, the cameras were dotted all around the site
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
The various out buildings and walk ways
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
The few interior shots I go through the windows
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
On the board it said something about rats and poo, rather fitting I thought*
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Girls toilets, couldn't seem to find the boys anywhere
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
And finally some shots I liked from around the site
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Love this old guttering was lying all over the place
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
And that's everything I got before my abrupt leaving
Thanks for looking
Lone wanderer
After "duck dip dive and dodging" the security for a good 30minutes while taking photos of the out buildings (classrooms and such), witch were all tightly boarded shut, (i did manage to get a few internal shots thanks to the local "Chavlife" having smashed a few small windows I was able to fit my camera through tho) I came to the main reception building, I found my entry point and decided to go for it, upon entering i instantly set off the alarm, I decided not to press my luck and quickly vacated the premises, I would have pushed my luck if it weren't for the fact my tax had run out on my van and really didn't want to risk the off chance of some police involvement.*
Now for some brief history!*
Western park open-air special school was built between 1928-1930, the school was built for children recovering from debilitating illnesses, particularly of a respiratory nature, and there regime followed the principals established for patients in the Swiss sanatoria*of moderate exercise, a nutritious diet, rest, and spending as much time as possible in the open air. Its design was influenced by the wider movement to build schools in which high standards of hygiene were as important as educational provision.
The school has been subject to several additions over the years. In 1974 a single-storey brick toilet block was built in between two of the chalet classroom buildings, and a series of covered walkways were erected to link together all the elements of the site. A single-storey brick kitchen was added to the east end of the dining hall in the later C20, and a small single-storey block built at the rear of the administration building. The open air school later became a special school which closed down in 2005.
There is so much history on this place and I really wasn't sure what to include, here's the link if your interested in learning more*http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1401753
On with the show!*
The view from the main gate with various security warnings, the cameras were dotted all around the site
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
The various out buildings and walk ways
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
The few interior shots I go through the windows
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
On the board it said something about rats and poo, rather fitting I thought*
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Girls toilets, couldn't seem to find the boys anywhere
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
And finally some shots I liked from around the site
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Love this old guttering was lying all over the place
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
Western park special school by lonewanderer6167, on Flickr
And that's everything I got before my abrupt leaving
Thanks for looking
Lone wanderer
