DARWEN Vale High School is the first building to be named as a Heritage Asset by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The academy, which was founded in the 19th Century, is among 20 other buildings across the borough set to be included on the list.

They include buildings that make a positive contribution to the local historic environment either by historic association, architectural value, townscape value or archaeological interest.

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The school, along with the other buildings, will be revealed and ‘formally adopted’ by the council on Wednesday, September 23.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said no greater protection is afforded to buildings on the local list but material consideration would have to be given if a planning application was submitted that affected them either through demolition or alteration.

Principal Fiona Jack said: “We are delighted that our school building has been identified as a Heritage Asset.

“We are proud of the school’s long history which has been at the heart of the local community for so many years.

“When we opened our doors as part of the Heritage weekend we were visited by a number of ex-pupils who were thrilled to see their old school moving from strength to strength.

“We are rightly proud of our history, but we’re also equally excited about our future.”

Darwen Vale’s original predecessor school, Darwen Higher Grade School was opened 1894 in Union Street in 1929 became Darwen Grammar School.

The school moved to its current location in Blackburn Road 1938 and continued until 1972 when, under the reorganisation of the education system across the country, it became Darwen Vale High School.

The school was named a specialist Engineering College under the 2002 Specialist Schools Programme in England.

The present school buildings were opened in 2012 following a £24m revamp under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The site had been closed for two years while large sections of the original structure were demolished and rebuilt.

The existing front of the building was retained and cleaned up to keep the character of the old Grammar School.

During the rebuilding process the school was relocated to the vacant former site of Darwen Moorland High School.