A HISTORIC parish-owned school building in St Clement could be sold on the open market, despite previous expectations that it would remain in educational use following the closure of St Christopher’s School.
Recently re-elected Constable Marcus Troy will ask parishioners at Tuesday’s Parish Assembly to approve the sale of the Grade 4 Listed former parish school on La Rue de la Chapelle.
The proposal marks a change of direction from last year, when Mr Troy said the building’s deeds required it to continue as a school or nursery and suggested potential occupiers were already interested.
St Christopher’s School, which occupied the 1901 building, closed last year after mounting financial problems culminated in an eviction order. The Petty Debts Court ordered the school to vacate the premises and pay more than £77,000 in unpaid rent and legal costs.
At the time, Mr Troy said the parish had sought to help the school by reducing its rent, but eviction became unavoidable.
“I have to look after the parish’s estates and property,” he said. “In my oath, I swore to look after them better than my own.”
Built following the 1894 Law on Primary Instruction, which made education compulsory for children aged five to 12, the former St Clement’s Parochial School is one of nine Victorian parish schools constructed across the Island.
Listed in 2014, the building retains many original features, including its slate roof, sash windows, granite “St Clement’s Parochial School 1901” plaque and decorative entrance.
The Parish Assembly will be held at St Clement Parish Hall on Tuesday 30 June at 7pm. The sale of the former school building is the only item on the agenda.
