IT is named in honour of a philanthropic Tory MP and hosted classes on Marxism by one of the Red Clydeside leaders.
Now moves are under way to preserve for future generations an abandoned Edwardian school in Glasgow amid concerns for more of the built heritage on the city’s south side.
SNP MP Stewart McDonald is leading new efforts for the Sir John Maxwell School in the Pollokshaws area to be awarded listed status, which would provide a degree of protection ahead of efforts to find a new use for it.
The 109-year-old building has lain empty since 2011 and, although it has fallen into a state of disrepair, it is understood to be structurally sound.
It already features on the city’s Buildings At Risk register and has been targeted by thieves who have stripped away many original features and fixtures in search of metal.
Mr McDonald, who represents Glasgow South, said: “Pollokshaws is a proud and historic burgh that has sadly seen too much of its history and heritage taken away.
“As the city seeks to draw more visitors to the south of Glasgow, it’s important that we are able to showcase our architectural history and heritage.
“The school is one of the few remaining parts of historic Pollokshaws, and although it is in a poor condition it seems that the building itself remains robust.
“I thought that asking the city heritage trust to submit a listing application would be an important first step in seeking to secure the future of the building.
“It’s an impressive feature on the community’s landscape and it would be great to see it used and appreciated once again.
Built in 1907 on a site gifted by the local landowner, Sir John Maxwell of nearby Pollok House, the school was designed by John Hamilton.
At the time, the classical architecture and the use of red sandstone was criticised by those who had hoped that it might have been built in the Scots Baronial style in keeping with the Pollokshaws Burgh Hall.
Accommodating around 550 pupils, from 1908 until 1915 the political activist John Maclean taught courses in Marxism to large classes there. It subsequently became the Sir John Maxwell Primary School, with a Gaelic Unit operating from it until 1999.
It is one of several Victorian and Edwardian era large scale red or blond sandstone schools struggling for new usage, with even listed former schools being demolished.
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