{{Infobox building | name = Newell House School | image = Newell House Sherborne - geograph.org.uk - 3416843.jpg | caption = Newell House School in 2011 | address = [[Sherborne]], [[Dorset]] | location_country = England | coordinates = {{coord|50.950065|-2.521425|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | status = destroyed | former_names = | opened_date = 1625 | destruction_date = 2026 | architect = | building_type = school | architectural_style = | designations = [[Grade II listed]] }}
The '''Newell House School''' was a school in [[Sherborne]], [[Dorset]], [[England]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listed Building: NEWELL HOUSE SCHOOL INCLUDING FORECOURT WALLS RAILINGS AND GATES, (103942) |url=https://heritage.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/Designation/DDO11911 |website=Dorset Council}}</ref> The school stood at the junction of the [[A30 road|A30]] [[A30 road|road]] and Marston Road.
== History == The east side of the building dates from 1625.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Newell House School Including Forecourt Walls, Railings and Gates, Sherborne - 1110757 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1110757 |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> Other parts date from the 17th and 19th centuries.<ref name=":0" /> The building is Grade listed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-31 |title=Campaigners call for action over ‘abandoned’ Sherborne building {{!}} The New Blackmore Vale Magazine {{!}} In Print & Online |url=https://blackmorevale.net/campaigners-call-for-action-over-abandoned-sherborne-building/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=The New Blackmore Vale Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The neighbouring barn is also listed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barn to Newell House School, Sherborne - 1304878 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1304878?section=overview |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> The school closed in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-16 |title=Campaigners call for action to save historic building |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23524597.dorset-newell-house-sherborne-building-concerns/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Dorset Echo |language=en}}</ref> The building, which is privately owned, had fallen into disrepair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Alex |date=2026-04-28 |title=Torched derelict building 'a magnet for anti-social behaviour' |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/torched-derelict-building-sherborne-a-10939222 |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Somerset Live |language=en}}</ref> The building had attracted vandalism and anti social behaviour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevins |first=Trevor |date=2025-09-29 |title=Antisocial behaviour concerns over derelict school |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl31xekdpo |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In May 2023, the school was covered in vegetation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevins |first=Trevor |last2=Taylor |first2=Mike |date=2023-05-12 |title=Fears for historic building covered with vegetation |url=https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/fears-abandoned-historic-sherborne-building-8436123 |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Dorset Live |language=en}}</ref> In September 2025, a councillor on [[Dorset Council (UK)|Dorset Council]] said that the school was a "high arson risk".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevins |first=Trevor |date=2025-09-26 |title=Fears derelict building left empty for two decades is 'high arson risk' |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25496490.former-sherborne-school-left-empty-high-arson-risk/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}</ref>
On 26 April 2026, the school roof was destroyed in a fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Almroth-Wright |first=Indy |date=2026-04-27 |title=Roof collapses as fire rips through derelict former school in Sherborne |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c705056lp1no |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Campaign for the Protection of Rural England]] said the local authorities "could and should" have done more to protect an historic building which became a "magnet for persistent anti-social behaviour".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Alex |date=2026-04-29 |title=Historic building blaze 'could have been prevented' |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/historic-sherborne-building-blaze-could-10941028 |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Somerset Live |language=en}}</ref> Sherborne Town Council asked Dorset Council to consider the compulsory purchase of the property.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-27 |title='Deep sadness' as fire rips through historic building |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/26057697.devastating-fire-grade-ii-listed-newell-house-sherborne/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Dorset Echo |language=en}}</ref> On 7 May 2026, it was reported that the main chimney and other parts of the roof would be removed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Almroth-Wright |first=Indy |date=2026-05-07 |title=More fire-ravaged roof and chimney to go at derelict Sherborne school |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c626zdy7gl6o |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 13 May 2026, the surrounding roads were reopened following structural work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waple |first=Katie |date=2026-05-13 |title=Sherborne road reopened following fire at derelict former school |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v9ler5ny0o |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== See also ==
* [[List of schools in Dorset]] * [[Grade II listed buildings in Dorset]]
{{Schools in Dorset}} [[Category:Medieval British architecture]] [[Category:Victorian architecture in England]] [[Category:Defunct schools in Dorset]] [[Category:Sherborne]] [[Category:Former school buildings]] [[Category:2020s fires in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:2026 disasters in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:2026 fires in Europe]] [[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Dorset]] [[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 2000]] [[Category:Schools in Dorset]] [[Category:Burned buildings and structures in the United Kingdom]]