Archaeological evaluation of the Former Charlton School, Wellington, Telford

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at the former Charlton School in Wellington, Telford, Shropshire (NGR SJ 6460 1320). The project was commissioned by RPS Consulting Ltd (the Client) on behalf of Vistry Partnerships, who have been granted outline planning permission for a mixed-use development. Twenty evaluation trenches, all 50m in length, were opened in a rough grid array (though some were targeted across dispersed geophysical anomalies) across the former playing field to the north-west of the demolished school. Twenty evaluation trenches, all 50m in length, were opened in a rough grid array (though some were targeted across dispersed geophysical anomalies) across the former playing field to the north-west of the demolished school. These revealed a limited number of archaeological features, the majority of which appeared to be related to agricultural land use in the post-medieval and modern period. There was no indication of direct occupation. Much of the site also had evidence for extensive landscaping in the 20th century, probably related to construction of the school. The small artefact assemblage included medieval pottery which was likely to have been introduced through agricultural activity, though the finds add support to previous indications of a 13th century medieval settlement in the Dothill area.