Wathen Grange School, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report

The archaeological works at Wathen Grange School consisted of the excavation of two evaluation trenches, each measuring 10m in length and 1.80m in width and ranging from 0.48m to 0.74m in depth. The trenches were positioned to target both the small area of grassland and the car park areas adjacent to the pre-existing school building, with consultation with the current service plans and CAT scanning taking place before excavation works began. The trenches were opened using a JCB 3CX excavator, equipped with a toothless bucket, under the constant archaeological direction and control of AOC staff members on site. No archaeological remains were uncovered during this archaeological evaluation. Natural deposits were documented in both trenches, ranging from a mid-reddish-brown clayey sand to a mid-reddish clay with patches of mid-reddish-brown clayey sand. Only Trench 1 contained a topsoil, comprised of a 0.34m thick dark reddish-brown sandy silt. Made ground was present in Trench 2, located in a pre-existing car park, consisting of a series of modern levelling deposits, likely lain in an effort to create an even ground level prior to tarmac surfacing.