Member Article

Swanage Grammar School weathervane is saved by Barratt Homes

A much-loved Swanage weathervane has been saved by Barratt Homes, and now, the leading developer is calling for the community to decide where it should be placed next. The iconic weathervane, a well-known piece of the town’s history, could be found on top of the former Swanage Grammar School, which closed in 1974.

Barratt Homes recently purchased the building, which has been used as a centre for outdoor pursuits since 2002 but has since been left unused.

The Dorset housebuilder dismantled the building to provide the area with 90 high-quality homes at its Compass Point development. Barratt has already worked with the Swanage Grammar School Association (SGSA), in negotiation with Treasurer, David Slingo, along with Swanage Town Council, and has agreed to name roads on the development after some of the school’s former teachers.

With plans to hand over the school’s weathervane to Swanage Town Council on December 12th, Barratt Homes Site Manager, Brian Melrose, wants to ensure that the town’s residents can have a say in which building will become its new home.

He said: “We have listened to the local community and are pleased to share that the legacy of Swanage Grammar School will live on through this piece of local history.”

Suggested buildings for the weathervane’s new resting point include the new Swanage School and the nearby pavilion at Swanage Cricket Club, which can be found just a three-minute drive away from the development.

Residents can put forward their suggestions to Swanage Town Council.

The SGSA are delighted that both Barratt Homes and Swanage Town Council have supported their ideas to enable a lasting legacy of the former school.

Gillian Humphries from the Association, working together with her colleague, David Slingo, said: “Although it has been many years since the school closed, the impact of education and life at SGS has continued to be celebrated, with more than 170 former pupils and staff attending the most recent reunion in 2022.

“To be able to keep the school’s weathervane in Swanage and have roads at Compass Point named after former teachers, is incredible.”

Barratt Homes’ Compass Point has been built on the site of the former Grammar School and is now a collection of brand-new homes in the popular Dorset town.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .