Surrey: Councillors back review of Reigate Priory school places

Reigate Priory Junior School is currently located in a Grade I listed building

Councillors have ordered a full review of primary school provision in Reigate.

It follows Surrey County Council's cabinet member for education claiming children were being taught in corridors at one school at the centre of a relocation row.

Reigate Priory School was earmarked for a move to the site of the county council's headquarters in Woodhatch Place.

The school has been contacted for comment.

But a planning application was rejected in February 2023 amid safety concerns.

Senior councillors set out the problems with the school, currently located in a Grade I listed building in Priory Park, at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Clare Curran, the cabinet member for education, said some pupils were being taught in corridors due to an unsafe roof and some classes being moved.

She also claimed the school could not accept some pupils with additional needs due to accessibility issues at the site.

Ms Curran said the school could not stay in the Priory building in its current state for much longer.

A consultation on the options available to the county council revealed parents felt "distrust" towards the authority.

Parents at the meeting said the current site could be redeveloped.

Save Our School spokesperson Chris Morris asked cabinet members to look at other site options as part of a working group to explore reorganisation options for schools in the primary planning area of Reigate.

He asked for the council to work with the community to "ensure a school, either on the current site or in a safe location for our children, is fairly considered".

Cabinet members opted to set up an education working group to look at options which could include expansions, schools amalgamating or changing to become primary schools.

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