Coldean - Bevendean History Project
Coldean Downs View Special School & Training Centre
The school opened in June 1962 on a site of Coldean Lane almost opposite top entrance to Hawkhurst Road.
John W. Ridge Limited of 42 Portland Street Brighton received the contract for the erection and completion of an occupation and training centre at Coldean, Brighton at the price of £57,000. The contract was signed on 27 February 1961.
Plan showing the site of Downs View School and Downs View Training Centre of Coldean Lane.
Here is a report with photographs on the opening of the Training Centre from the Brighton and Hove Herald published on 9 June 1962.
NEW CENTRE OPENS THIS MONTH
£60,000 project at Coldean
A view showing the exterior of the new centre.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/40_0071a
Set in a tree ringed hollow of the Downs above Coldean has risen one of the best equipped, most modern and attractive training and occupational centres for the mentally handicapped in the country.
Built at cost of £60,000 with furniture and equipment adding £4000 to the bill, The centre will be opened this month.
It will accept 40 adults 60 juniors and 15 infants who will be helped to learn a job and to look after themselves by a team of trained supervisors.
The building is beautifully modern, ingeniously planned in varying planes to fit into the sloping ground with large windows and central heating, its main textures being Doussie, a West African hard, and brick, with a roof of copper. The chief architect to Brighton Corporation, Mr P. Billington, designed it, and the builders were J. W. Ridge Ltd.
Much of the credit for the excellence of Brighton’s first such centre must go to the Health Committee, who had planned it for the past five years.
At a viewing of the centre on Thursday the committee chairman Councillor Dr. A. Sless commented: “Rather than rush things we waited patiently, studying all the best centres in the country, and finally place the pool of our ideas before the council. They were accepted.”
He added: “I am very impressed. We have the cream of the country’s ideas, and we are absolutely miles ahead in everything – instruction, teaching, the building and equipment.”
Light and Airy
The light and airy south facing is for day occupation The older pup students will arrive by public transport The younger ones by special bus and provide to all manner of rooms. These include a kitchen, a beauty parlour, a craft room and bed making room to train the girls and women; a workshop and craft room for the men; and a nursery and music room for the children There are a kitchen and a hall for cooking and serving daily meals and the children will dine separately.
Much of the ground have been left for the students to work in and work will be obtained for the adults to do local industries for which they will be paid at the proper rates.
Among the official who saw over the premises were Councillor H. Nettleton former chairman of the health committee; Councillor Mrs Nettleton; Dr. W. S. Parker, Brighton’s medical officer of health; Mr T. Rasmussen chief mental health executive officer; and Mr. W. R. Barnes, the centre’s superintendent.
The fact that it has been estimated there is one mentally subnormal person for every street in Britain should make everyone glad that Brighton is taking a lead in throwing a lot of sunlight and openness on this subject, and is helping the less fortunate to help themselves.
Official who viewed over the new Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/40_0071b - Photograph not used in Newspaper.
Site plan dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-8.
Sketch showing the appearance of the buildings once completed dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-4.
Building plans dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-9.
The Special School and Training Centre have a Royal visitor in July 1964 when Princess Marina looked round the centre. Here is a report from the Brighton and Hove Herald on 25 July 1964.
Princess Marina Visits Training Centre
Mentally handicapped children and adults at Downsview Training Centre received a visit from Princess Marina on Monday.
Princess Marina at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0098c
The Royal visitor spent an hour at the Centre, which occupies a commanding position at the top of Coldean Lane, and where 148 mentally deficient people, aged from two to 50, attend dally. Accompanied by the Duke of Norfolk, Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, and her Lady-in-waiting, Lady Rachael Pepys, Princess Marina arrived soon after 11 a.m.
Two of the trainees, Elizabeth Davidson and David FitzGerald, both aged 14, presented posies to the Princess and Lady Pepys.
The Princess went to the junior wing of the Centre, one of the most modern in the world, where she spent some time in all the classrooms, talking to the teachers and showing a great interest in the children.
In the nursery class, she spoke to a teacher, Miss Veronica Butt, and was particularly interested in the Mongoloid children who form a large percentage of the trainees. She watched one small Mongol boy painting.
In one of the junior classes, she met Miss Teresa Kent, another teacher, who said afterwards that the Princess was extremely interested in the work.
In the other junior form, taught by Miss Gillian Bevan, a child asked Lady Pepys to cut out a picture from a magazine to stick on the wall. She then asked the Princess to join in, which the Princess did. In one of the senior classes, Princess Marina found trainees learning to write and showed great interest in the teaching methods used.
After coffee with Health Department officials, Princess Marina moved to the senior wing, where she saw men being instructed in the value of money arid in shopping and light work, and' women being taught the use of make-up and how to cook.
Soon after noon, the Princess, who was wearing an aquamarine fitted dress with a matching straw hat, left for Arundel, where she was staying at the Dower House with the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.
From the Brighton and Hove Herald on 25 July 1964
Princess Marina at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0099a - This photograph not used in the Newspaper.
Princess Marina saying good bye to Walter Clout the Mayor of Brighton at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0099b - This photograph not used in the Newspaper.
Plans to add a swimming pool on the site were drawn on 17 July 1970.
Keep Reference: DB/D/139/139/70/3/1645.
Down View Special School front view.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Down View Special School portable building in centre.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Down View Special School classroom block.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
In 1983 a plan was drawn up to add an annex in Hodshrove Lane.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Downs View School annex off Hodshrove Lane
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Row Looms Over Plan to Move Centre
Plans to move a centre for mentally handicapped adults from Coldean into Brighton are sparking protests.
But Downsview Centre for the mentally handicapped is likely to transfer from an attractive site at Coldean to Elm Grove first school, Wellington Street.
Both the adult centre and a special school which share fairly new buildings on a site with a swimming pool will have to move before the Brighton By Pass can be built.
A proposal before today's East Sussex Social Services committee to move the centre to Elm Grove first is expected, to spark off more controversy.
The proposal was described by Coun. George Humphrey, president of Brighton MEN-CAP, as “absolutely appalling”.
Councillor Humphrey claims that at the by-pass inquiry “a categorical promise” was given by the Department of Transport to provide money for a new building.
“What has happened to this promise?” he demands.
Isolation
But social services director Mr Ken Young argues in his report that it would be better to put handicapped people in the centre of Brighton.
Though the present building is on the outskirts of Coldean, Elm Grove first school is close to shops and recreational facilities and is well served by public transport, he says.
It is much better for handicapped people to be in the centre of a community where they can play a part in it than to be kept in protective isolation, he says.
A centre for the handicapped is needed in the eastern part of Brighton as the west of the town is already catered for by the Buckingham Road and New England House centres.
Solution
He points out that day centre facilities could be easily provided in the existing Elm Grove buildings with more space than in a purpose-built centre.
Replying to Coun. Humphrey's criticisms a council spokesman said: “We are not cost cutting. We are recommending Elm Grove because we believe it is the best solution. There is no appropriate green field site anywhere near.”
Elm Grove first school will become vacant in September as a result of the Brighton school reorganisation.
The special school at Downsview will be moved to a different site, possibly to Woodingdean first school.
From the Evening Argus on 22 February 1985
Brief History
Downs View Training Centre off Coldean Lane was built in 1962 and demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of the Brighton Bypass.
Downs View School which caters for children from 4 to 16 with special needs was moved to a site off Warren Road at Woodingdean when the school closed in Coldean Lane. Plans for the school close to Woodingdean Primary School are dated 11 April 1997.
Downs View Link College is a post-16 college for young people aged 16 to 19, who have Specific Learning Disorders or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and is now on a site next to Varndean College.
If you have any memories of the school please use the contact form on the website.
John W. Ridge Limited of 42 Portland Street Brighton received the contract for the erection and completion of an occupation and training centre at Coldean, Brighton at the price of £57,000. The contract was signed on 27 February 1961.
Plan showing the site of Downs View School and Downs View Training Centre of Coldean Lane.
Here is a report with photographs on the opening of the Training Centre from the Brighton and Hove Herald published on 9 June 1962.
NEW CENTRE OPENS THIS MONTH
£60,000 project at Coldean
A view showing the exterior of the new centre.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/40_0071a
Set in a tree ringed hollow of the Downs above Coldean has risen one of the best equipped, most modern and attractive training and occupational centres for the mentally handicapped in the country.
Built at cost of £60,000 with furniture and equipment adding £4000 to the bill, The centre will be opened this month.
It will accept 40 adults 60 juniors and 15 infants who will be helped to learn a job and to look after themselves by a team of trained supervisors.
The building is beautifully modern, ingeniously planned in varying planes to fit into the sloping ground with large windows and central heating, its main textures being Doussie, a West African hard, and brick, with a roof of copper. The chief architect to Brighton Corporation, Mr P. Billington, designed it, and the builders were J. W. Ridge Ltd.
Much of the credit for the excellence of Brighton’s first such centre must go to the Health Committee, who had planned it for the past five years.
At a viewing of the centre on Thursday the committee chairman Councillor Dr. A. Sless commented: “Rather than rush things we waited patiently, studying all the best centres in the country, and finally place the pool of our ideas before the council. They were accepted.”
He added: “I am very impressed. We have the cream of the country’s ideas, and we are absolutely miles ahead in everything – instruction, teaching, the building and equipment.”
Light and Airy
The light and airy south facing is for day occupation The older pup students will arrive by public transport The younger ones by special bus and provide to all manner of rooms. These include a kitchen, a beauty parlour, a craft room and bed making room to train the girls and women; a workshop and craft room for the men; and a nursery and music room for the children There are a kitchen and a hall for cooking and serving daily meals and the children will dine separately.
Much of the ground have been left for the students to work in and work will be obtained for the adults to do local industries for which they will be paid at the proper rates.
Among the official who saw over the premises were Councillor H. Nettleton former chairman of the health committee; Councillor Mrs Nettleton; Dr. W. S. Parker, Brighton’s medical officer of health; Mr T. Rasmussen chief mental health executive officer; and Mr. W. R. Barnes, the centre’s superintendent.
The fact that it has been estimated there is one mentally subnormal person for every street in Britain should make everyone glad that Brighton is taking a lead in throwing a lot of sunlight and openness on this subject, and is helping the less fortunate to help themselves.
Official who viewed over the new Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/40_0071b - Photograph not used in Newspaper.
Site plan dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-8.
Sketch showing the appearance of the buildings once completed dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-4.
Building plans dated 23 October 1959. Keep Reference: DB/D/113/95-9.
The Special School and Training Centre have a Royal visitor in July 1964 when Princess Marina looked round the centre. Here is a report from the Brighton and Hove Herald on 25 July 1964.
Princess Marina Visits Training Centre
Mentally handicapped children and adults at Downsview Training Centre received a visit from Princess Marina on Monday.
Princess Marina at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0098c
The Royal visitor spent an hour at the Centre, which occupies a commanding position at the top of Coldean Lane, and where 148 mentally deficient people, aged from two to 50, attend dally. Accompanied by the Duke of Norfolk, Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, and her Lady-in-waiting, Lady Rachael Pepys, Princess Marina arrived soon after 11 a.m.
Two of the trainees, Elizabeth Davidson and David FitzGerald, both aged 14, presented posies to the Princess and Lady Pepys.
The Princess went to the junior wing of the Centre, one of the most modern in the world, where she spent some time in all the classrooms, talking to the teachers and showing a great interest in the children.
In the nursery class, she spoke to a teacher, Miss Veronica Butt, and was particularly interested in the Mongoloid children who form a large percentage of the trainees. She watched one small Mongol boy painting.
In one of the junior classes, she met Miss Teresa Kent, another teacher, who said afterwards that the Princess was extremely interested in the work.
In the other junior form, taught by Miss Gillian Bevan, a child asked Lady Pepys to cut out a picture from a magazine to stick on the wall. She then asked the Princess to join in, which the Princess did. In one of the senior classes, Princess Marina found trainees learning to write and showed great interest in the teaching methods used.
After coffee with Health Department officials, Princess Marina moved to the senior wing, where she saw men being instructed in the value of money arid in shopping and light work, and' women being taught the use of make-up and how to cook.
Soon after noon, the Princess, who was wearing an aquamarine fitted dress with a matching straw hat, left for Arundel, where she was staying at the Dower House with the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.
From the Brighton and Hove Herald on 25 July 1964
Princess Marina at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0099a - This photograph not used in the Newspaper.
Princess Marina saying good bye to Walter Clout the Mayor of Brighton at the New Training Centre at Coldean.
Keep Ref: BH/A/54/41_0099b - This photograph not used in the Newspaper.
Plans to add a swimming pool on the site were drawn on 17 July 1970.
Keep Reference: DB/D/139/139/70/3/1645.
Down View Special School front view.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Down View Special School portable building in centre.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Down View Special School classroom block.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
In 1983 a plan was drawn up to add an annex in Hodshrove Lane.
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Downs View School annex off Hodshrove Lane
Keep Reference: R/A 11/6.
Row Looms Over Plan to Move Centre
Plans to move a centre for mentally handicapped adults from Coldean into Brighton are sparking protests.
But Downsview Centre for the mentally handicapped is likely to transfer from an attractive site at Coldean to Elm Grove first school, Wellington Street.
Both the adult centre and a special school which share fairly new buildings on a site with a swimming pool will have to move before the Brighton By Pass can be built.
A proposal before today's East Sussex Social Services committee to move the centre to Elm Grove first is expected, to spark off more controversy.
The proposal was described by Coun. George Humphrey, president of Brighton MEN-CAP, as “absolutely appalling”.
Councillor Humphrey claims that at the by-pass inquiry “a categorical promise” was given by the Department of Transport to provide money for a new building.
“What has happened to this promise?” he demands.
Isolation
But social services director Mr Ken Young argues in his report that it would be better to put handicapped people in the centre of Brighton.
Though the present building is on the outskirts of Coldean, Elm Grove first school is close to shops and recreational facilities and is well served by public transport, he says.
It is much better for handicapped people to be in the centre of a community where they can play a part in it than to be kept in protective isolation, he says.
A centre for the handicapped is needed in the eastern part of Brighton as the west of the town is already catered for by the Buckingham Road and New England House centres.
Solution
He points out that day centre facilities could be easily provided in the existing Elm Grove buildings with more space than in a purpose-built centre.
Replying to Coun. Humphrey's criticisms a council spokesman said: “We are not cost cutting. We are recommending Elm Grove because we believe it is the best solution. There is no appropriate green field site anywhere near.”
Elm Grove first school will become vacant in September as a result of the Brighton school reorganisation.
The special school at Downsview will be moved to a different site, possibly to Woodingdean first school.
From the Evening Argus on 22 February 1985
Brief History
Downs View Training Centre off Coldean Lane was built in 1962 and demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of the Brighton Bypass.
Downs View School which caters for children from 4 to 16 with special needs was moved to a site off Warren Road at Woodingdean when the school closed in Coldean Lane. Plans for the school close to Woodingdean Primary School are dated 11 April 1997.
Downs View Link College is a post-16 college for young people aged 16 to 19, who have Specific Learning Disorders or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and is now on a site next to Varndean College.
If you have any memories of the school please use the contact form on the website.
