Information - Abandoned girls school Devonport Plymouth

[Tylergirdler]

Stoke Damerell High School for Girls, once a prominent educational institution in Plymouth, UK, has since been abandoned and left to decay. Located in the Stoke area of the city, the school held a significant place in the local community for many years, offering a range of educational and extracurricular activities for young women. This report aims to explore the history of Stoke Damerell High School for Girls, its eventual abandonment, the condition of the site today, and the implications of its closure on the local community Stoke Damerell High School for Girls was founded in the early 20th century, with the aim of providing a high-quality education to young women in the Plymouth area. It was known for its strong academic programs, dedicated staff, and a variety of extracurricular activities, including music, sports, and drama. Over the years, the school became an important institution in the local area, with many students passing through its doors and contributing to the surrounding community. In its prime, Stoke Damerell High School was a symbol of educational advancement for girls, at a time when opportunities for women in education were often limited. The school operated for several decades and built a reputation for fostering both academic excellence and personal development. The closure of Stoke Damerell High School for Girls was part of a larger trend of school consolidations and closures in the UK during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The decision to close the school was influenced by a variety of factors, including changing educational policies, financial challenges, and a decline in student enrollment. By the late 1990s, the school’s infrastructure was increasingly seen as outdated, and maintaining the aging buildings became economically unfeasible. In 1999, the school officially closed its doors, and students were transferred to other local institutions. The closure was met with sadness by many in the local community, as the school had served as an integral part of life in the area for generations. After the closure, the site sat vacant for years. The buildings fell into disrepair, and the grounds became neglected. Various proposals for the site’s redevelopment were discussed over the years, but none were fully realized. The once-vibrant campus became a haunting symbol of a bygone era Today, the abandoned Stoke Damerell High School for Girls is a shell of its former self. The main school building and surrounding structures are in a state of decay, with boarded-up windows, peeling paint, and overgrown vegetation taking over the once-maintained grounds. The school’s iconic clock tower, once a symbol of the institution's prestige, stands as a dilapidated reminder of its former purpose. Urban explorers and photographers have often visited the site, documenting the deterioration of the buildings. Many of the classrooms, hallways, and common areas are filled with debris and remnants of the past, including old furniture, books, and various school artifacts. Despite the physical degradation, the site retains an eerie sense of history, with echoes of the lives that once filled the halls. The closure and abandonment of Stoke Damerell High School have had a lasting impact on the local community. The loss of a significant educational institution left a void in the area, as many former students and teachers still remember the school fondly. The empty site has also attracted attention from local residents and preservationists who are concerned about the future of the buildings. Over the years, various proposals have been made to redevelop the site, ranging from new housing developments to public spaces or educational facilities. However, due to the site's poor condition, redevelopment has faced significant challenges, including the cost of restoration and the potential for further environmental degradation. The local government has occasionally discussed options for the future of the site, but so far, no concrete plans have materialized. As of now, the school remains abandoned, and its fate remains uncertain.

 

[HughieD]

And well sealed. Had a look around the exterior back in 2017, but there was nothing doing...

 

[The Unveiled Brothers]

Had a trip down last week, seems to be all good to enter now but its all gutted but the roof compensates it