Cowbridge School in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales is currently unlisted. It was built in 1896 by Robert Williams.
Photo Credit: Tom M.
Unlisted, 1896, architect unknown
Cowbridge School was built in 1896 as one of the 94 intermediate schools recommended as part of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act of 1889. The first intermediate school for girls, it offered children who were either unable or unlikely to attend independent schools a good standard of teaching in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and played an important role in local life. As with other Victorian schools in the area, Cowbridge has since closed, and is now one of only five such buildings to survive in Wales. A recent investigation shows that the interiors of the building are largely intact, but unfortunately the housing association who owns the buildings seeks to demolish them to construct four detached houses and an apartment building on the site. The Victorian Society stands with the local Friends group in opposing plans to demolish the school and hopes that a new use can be found.
Christopher Costelloe, Director of the The Victorian Society, said: ‘Cowbridge School is a beautifully crafted building, solid, handsome and capable of being reused. Its thoughtless demolition would be a huge blow to the town. Many other Victorian school buildings are in a similar position – these buildings can and should be reused.’
Status Update / March 2026
Shortly after making an appearance on our list in 2019, the local community accelerated its campaign to save the school. The two separate petitions objecting to its demolition attracted thousands of signatures each, and the town council, MPs, and MSs voiced their concerns about the impact on local heritage. Irrespective of the opposition, and the widespread support for alternative plans developed by SAVE Britain’s Heritage, planning for the proposals was granted in 2022. The case went to judicial review in 2023 as further funds were raised by the community, but this was ultimately unsuccessful.