George H. Widdows

The growth in industry in the nineteenth century saw many people move around the country, particularly from rural to town areas, to gain employment.

Prior to the setting up of school boards in 1870, the mass education that took place happened in buildings not purpose-designed for children e.g. church halls.

In addition, at a national level, medical pressure grew to incorporate building design features to enhance child health and welfare.

[4] Within Derbyshire County Council, there was a good working relationship between the Medical Officer and the Chief Architect, George Widdows.

"[5] George Widdows became one of the most respected men in his profession and in 1921 read his paper on 'School Design' to the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Since 1975, sixteen of Widdows' schools have been designated as Listed Grade II, indicating that the buildings are nationally important and of special interest.

[7] Nikolaus Pevsner's Buildings of England is a highly respected series of architectural guides covering every English county.

"[8] In a more recent guide to Buildings in Derbyshire, Richard Stone says "Widdows had radical ideas...to meet demands for higher standards of health and hygiene in education.

This specifically mentions Widdows, as follows: "As education moved away from instruction by rote, so the more ambitious authorities began to consider school buildings from the point of view of the child with issues of health and mental stimulation to the fore.

A pioneer in the building of well-ventilated and less utilitarian schools was George Widdows, architect to Derbyshire Education Committee from 1904.

His innovative designs, in a neo-vernacular style, with cross ventilation and a ‘marching corridor’ for exercise, proved lastingly influential.

As an example, in 2011, George Widdows was one of twelve historical figures selected from about 70 public nominations for getting a Derbyshire County Council blue plaque dedicated to them.