Steps are being taken by Queensland's Department of Education and Training to preserve several of Brisbane's rare red-brick schools as part of the state's history.

As Queensland struggled during the economic depression of the 1930s, a handful of Brisbane schools were made out of expensive red bricks.

An application has been made to add West End State School to the Queensland Heritage Register.

Across the state, most schools built between 1826 and 1969 were made of timber, a material considered one-third cheaper than bricks at the time.

However, there is a scattering of brick schools still standing in Brisbane today.