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Newell House School

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Newell House School
The school in 2011
Newell House School is located in Dorset
Newell House School
Location within Dorset
General information
StatusDerelict
TypeSchool
LocationCornhill, Sherborne, Dorset, England
Coordinates50°57′00″N 2°31′17″W / 50.9501°N 2.5214°W / 50.9501; -2.5214
Opened1625
Destroyed2026
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name
Newell House School including forecourt walls, railings and gates
Designated28 November 1950
Reference no.1110757
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name
Barn to Newell House School
Designated28 November 1950
Reference no.1304878

Newell House School was a school on Cornhill in Sherborne, a market town in Dorset, England. Parts of the building date from 1625, and it closed in 2000 before falling into disrepair and becoming a target for vandalism. In April 2026, a major fire destroyed its roof, prompting renewed calls for action over the deteriorating Grade II listed site.

History

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The east side of the building dates from 1625,[1] with other sections originating from the 17th and 19th centuries.[1] Both the main building and the neighbouring barn are Grade II listed.[2][3][4] The school closed in 2000,[5] and the privately owned property subsequently fell into disrepair,[6] becoming a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.[7] By May 2023, the site was heavily overgrown with vegetation.[8] In September 2025, a councillor on Dorset Council described the building as a "high arson risk".[9]

On 26 April 2026, a fire destroyed the school's roof.[10] The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England criticised local authorities, saying they "could and should" have done more to safeguard a historic building that had become a "magnet for persistent anti-social behaviour".[11] Sherborne Town Council later asked Dorset Council to consider compulsory purchase of the property.[12] On 7 May 2026, it was reported that the main chimney and other damaged parts of the roof would be removed,[13] and on 13 May 2026, surrounding roads were reopened following structural work.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 Historic England. "Newell House School including forecourt walls, railings and gates (Grade II) (1110757)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Listed Building: Newell House School including forecourt walls railings and gates, (103942)". Dorset Council.
  3. ↑ "Campaigners call for action over 'abandoned' Sherborne building". The New Blackmore Vale Magazine. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  4. ↑ Historic England. "Barn to Newell House School (Grade II) (1304878)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Campaigners call for action to save historic building". Dorset Echo. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  6. ↑ Driscoll, Alex (28 April 2026). "Torched derelict building 'a magnet for anti-social behaviour'". SomersetLive. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  7. ↑ Bevins, Trevor (29 September 2025). "Antisocial behaviour concerns over derelict school". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Bevins, Trevor; Taylor, Mike (12 May 2023). "Fears for historic building covered with vegetation". Dorset Live. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  9. ↑ Bevins, Trevor (26 September 2025). "Fears derelict building left empty for two decades is 'high arson risk'". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Almroth-Wright, Indy (27 April 2026). "Roof collapses as fire rips through derelict former school in Sherborne". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Driscoll, Alex (29 April 2026). "Historic building blaze 'could have been prevented'". SomersetLive. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "'Deep sadness' as fire rips through historic building". Dorset Echo. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  13. ↑ Almroth-Wright, Indy (7 May 2026). "More fire-ravaged roof and chimney to go at derelict Sherborne school". BBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Waple, Katie (13 May 2026). "Sherborne road reopened following fire at derelict former school". BBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
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