Memories of school life at derelict Shipton Street site (From York Press)

Memories of school life at derelict Shipton Street site

9:26am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

MEMORIES of lessons at a historic former York school have been sparked as work on transforming it into a £5.5 million housing development begins.

Construction teams have moved in on the site which was once Shipton Street School after the buildings lay derelict for more than a decade following its closure in 2002.

Pictures provided by the developers behind the scheme – which will be called Bootham Green – have provided images showing how, despite years of emptiness, the site’s former life has survived the passage of time.

Artwork remains on display inside the classrooms of the Grade II-listed buildin, and desks and blackboards are still on show.

However, this will change over the next few weeks as the 38-home development, which is being led by Rushbond Group and Advent Developments, starts to take shape.

The former school buildings will be converted to create 24 homes, with 14 new houses also being built, while the playground will become a landscaped courtyard and parking area.

The developers have said Bootham Green, set for completion in the autumn, will be the first major housing development built within walking distance of the centre of York in more than four years.

Clifton councillor Ken King, a long-time supporter of the housing scheme, said: “When I looked round the site as work started last week, it was the first time I had been inside since the school closed, and it brought back a lot of memories.

“It used to be a lovely school, so in some ways it was sad to see how dilapidated it has become. However, since work started, so many people have approached me to share their memories of the school, and they are also glad to see the buildings are being preserved.”

• If you have memories or photographs of your time at Shipton Street School, or the artwork in the pictures was yours, email mark.stead@thepress.co.uk