Leverton Hall secure unit.
History
Here's just a little bit of history for the place. Leverton hall was built to provide accommodation for young vulnerable people. But formerly know as boyles court the house was built as a big medieval Manor House. The Council owns and operates Leverton Hall which is a purpose built block of local authority secure accommodation for children and young people.
In the 1980s the hall became a remand home. It was used as observation and assessment centre and then
given its new names know known as Leverton Hall Secure Unit. Leverton Hall Secure Unit housed a 6 bed welfare secure. This both catered for female and male occupants. In the hall there were 3 units within the home, 1 of which was allocated just for females occupants. On site there was also education for all occupants allowing the learning of the full curriculum while there at leverton hall. Children in care have been placed at Leverton hall Since 1997, the site has provided a secure children’s home and, for just over a year, a ‘step-down’ children’s home aimed at facilitating a smooth transition back into the local community.
There was an education provision on-site offering a full curriculum for the young people. Leverton Hall was finally closed down in 2014 after being rated 'inadequate' by school ofsted watchdog. Leverton is a grade II listed building meaning they cannot demolish it. Proposals have been submitted to Brentwood Borough Council envisage a development of 13 apartments inside the main house of Leverton Hall, which once housed notorious child killer Jon Venables who back in 1993 on the 12th of February killed James bulger only being two years old when we was abducted , murdered and tortured by two ten year old boys Jon venables being one of them who was housed a Leverton secure unit.
The Explore
So after it being a lovely Saturday afternoon we decided after waiting for ages to go and explore Leverton. After reading reviews I decided I really wanted to get over there to take some pictures and explore. Once we managed to find the right road we could see a large building in the distance which was the Main hall building it looked beautiful like something out a film. After parking up we jumped out all ready with our gear. The first building we came across was the house. We couldn't gain any access as everywhere was boarded tight with lots of sharp razor wire, some how I'm a bit of a wimp and didn't fancy it. A little worried we walked slowly up a woodland like trial with lots of bluebells and blossom trees. But to our confusion there were post up everywhere saying "DANGER" police dogs training.
We decided ah well sod it we've waited so long we're going to explore anyway!
The main house:
It was my first try using my camera so pics aren't that great but the building itself is magnificent looking from the outside so with it being such a nice day I took some of the front.
Then we decided to carry on looking round. We found an old veg patch and rotten garden shed out round the back. It was pretty creepy as all round the side was police crime scene tape, scattered all over the place.
But nevertheless we carried on and found a big wooden door but weren't able to open it.
Once we had looked round the whole building we decided we should try and get in. We tried every door, window, gates to get in climbing up the roof but didn't get anywhere all the windows were sealed tight. And decided today wasn't the day we were getting access. So I haven't taken lots of pictures only a handful thought it was worth a report though.
- The two floors above the main entrance were dorms, one in each wing on the left and right. The middle windows were a common area with piano etc. The building you see adjacent over to the left were staff quarters when on duty I think. It was also home to the one full time resident suffering mental illness, one Patrick Shepherd. Boyles Court sort of adopted him I think. Downstairs the centre reception area contained a full size snooker table. To the right was the reception office, and to the left was the induction unit where you had a health check, changed into their clothes, stored our own clothes etc. This then led into the kitchens, the white walled area seen in other pics.
