Hodkin & Jones are proud to have contributed specialist decorative plasterwork to the award-winning restoration of the former Heanor Grammar School, which has been honoured with The Deborah Devonshire Award, the Historic Building in an Urban Setting Award, and a commendation for Reuse of a Historic Building at the 2025 Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) Architecture Awards.
The Deborah Devonshire Award represents the Trust’s highest accolade, recognising the single most outstanding project across all entries. This year, the transformation of The Grammar—led by Amber Valley Borough Council—took top honours for its exemplary approach to heritage conservation and sustainable redevelopment.
A Major Redevelopment Delivered with Traditional Craftsmanship
Built in the early 20th century and left vacant for nearly a decade, the Grade II listed former Grammar School was acquired by Amber Valley Borough Council in 2022 through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. A major two-year restoration began in 2023, led by GSSArchitecture and A&S Enterprises Ltd, delivering a fully electric, EPC A-rated building that preserves its historic character while achieving modern performance standards.
Key restoration highlights include the reinstatement of the skyline cupola, recreation of the ornate plaster-moulded ceiling, refurbishment of original parquet flooring, and restoration of more than 100 original George Widdows windows.
Hodkin & Jones’ Role: Specialist Decorative Plasterwork Expertise
As part of the redevelopment, Hodkin & Jones were appointed to undertake all complex decorative plasterwork repairs and replacements, following an in-depth survey of the building.
Significant water damage in the Main Hall required extensive intervention. Sections of the vaulted ceiling had collapsed, the decorative ceiling ribs needed full replacement, two styles of cornice had to be replicated around the entire perimeter, and a series of ornate ceiling vent covers demanded careful restoration.
To ensure complete accuracy, Hodkin & Jones carried out further detailed surveys to capture the original profiles and templates. These were used to manufacture bespoke moulds, enabling the faithful reproduction of every decorative element.
All new mouldings were subsequently installed by the Hodkin & Jones specialist fitting team, seamlessly integrated into the historic fabric to restore the Hall’s architectural integrity.
Praise for a Collaborative Effort
The project received high praise from across the professional team.
Tom Jagger, Project Partner at GSSArchitecture, highlighted the impact of the collaboration:
“Recognition across three categories stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of the entire project team in revitalising this much-loved building.”
Councillor Emma Monkman, Deputy Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, added:
“Bringing The Grammar back was no easy task… Thanks to the hard work and determination of everyone involved, the building now has a strong future while preserving the memories that once filled its classrooms.”
Simon Kerry, Commercial Director at A&S Enterprises Ltd, noted:
“Winning these prestigious awards is a testament to the craftsmanship, sensitivity and strong partnerships that defined this project.”
A Landmark Achievement for Derbyshire Heritage
The awards were presented at Tissington Hall on 31 October, marking a significant moment not only for the project team but also for the local community. The Grammar’s success demonstrates how historic buildings can be sensitively adapted for modern use, securing their place in the landscape for generations to come.
Hodkin & Jones are honoured to have played a part in restoring this iconic building, contributing specialist craftsmanship to a project now recognised as one of Derbyshire’s finest examples of heritage-led regeneration.