Search for new school site must continue - council

The building was built in 1235 and was converted into a school in 1945

A school that has received the highest rating by Ofsted is housed in a building which is not fit for purpose, a local authority has insisted.

Reigate Priory Junior School has been at the centre of a relocation row, with parents speaking out against Surrey County Council's (SCC) plans.

In a report seen by the BBC, inspectors rated it outstanding in every area.

But Surrey County Council said it had been "challenging" for school leaders in the Grade 1 listed building and the "search for a new setting" must continue.

Inspectors visited the school, in Priory Park, on 11 and 12 June.

In their report, they said pupils were full of enthusiasm and their learning went "beyond what would typically be expected for their age".

A plan to relocate to the grounds of council offices in Woodhatch Place was rejected in 2023 amid concerns about traffic and safety.

The council offered two options in a consultation in January, either to continue with Woodhatch Place or to assess school places across Reigate.

But parent responses showed a "distrust" in the county council, according to consultation documents.

'Challenges and risks'

The school was rated outstanding on previous inspections in 2006, 2009 and 2012.

Rachael Wardell, executive director of children, families and lifelong learning at SCC, said she wanted to "recognise how challenging it has been" for school leaders "to maintain these education standards" in a building that "isn’t fit for purpose".

She said "intensive" mitigation measures were not sustainable and "we must therefore continue our search for a new setting".

Ms Wardell said the "heritage designations" of the current building posed “many more challenges and risks than most education settings" meaning some children with additional needs were unable to apply for the school.

"We have a duty to ensure that children have access to education that is safe, accessible, and fit for the future," she said.