Reigate Priory Junior School move to Woodhatch Place gets green light
Councillors Back the Move Away From Reigate Priory Junior School
Councillors have given the green light to moving Reigate Priory Junior School out of its current premises and into a purpose-built site at Woodhatch Place, off Cockshot Hill. The decision was taken by East Surrey’s shadow cabinet this week, which will take on responsibility for the area’s schools when the new council structure begins in April. Seven members voted in favour and two against. Anyone who has driven past the existing school will recognise why the change has been on the table for some time. A consultation held in 2024 concluded that the current buildings were not suitable for delivering a 21st-century education, and the councillors who backed the plan agreed that the existing site has real limitations. The shadow cabinet was not being asked to choose the move from scratch. It was asked to sign off on a relocation that Surrey County Council had already approved, which means the core decision has been made. The live question now is how the new school is designed, staffed and connected to the community it serves. Council leader Steve Wotton said there was broad agreement that the current site was not fit for purpose, but the real challenge is making sure children get a good learning environment in whatever building replaces it. For parents, that shift from debate about whether to focus on how the transition will work is the most important change in the story.
What the Move Means for Families, Staff and the Historic Building
For the pupils, teachers and parents at Reigate Priory, the relocation will reshape daily routines. Woodhatch Place sits further from the centre of Reigate than the current school, and that distance raises practical questions about journeys on foot, by bike and by car. Concerns about extra traffic on the road have already been raised, and anyone who regularly uses the Cockshot Hill route will know that it can get congested at school run times. Families who currently walk their children to school may need to plan new routes or consider lifts, while staff could see changes to their commutes. The wider concern is the building the school is leaving behind. Councillor Ashley Tilling, who leads on children and youth services, spoke against the decision and warned that if the school moves, the site risks being left boarded up and looking rather ugly. He described it as a Grade I building at the heart of Reigate, and a feature that makes the town such an attractive place to live. That point resonates with many residents, because the character of the town centre depends on buildings like this. The future use of the site will matter a great deal. If it is redeveloped, local people may want to know whether the work will be carried out by Guilford builders or other specialist firms with experience of heritage property, and whether any new homes will be designed in keeping with the surroundings.
What Residents Can Do and What to Watch Next
The shadow council’s vote is not the final word on how this will unfold. Parents, residents and local groups can still shape the detail, particularly around transport, the design of the new school and what happens to the old site. If you live near Woodhatch Place or Cockshot Hill, it is worth keeping an eye on planning applications and any traffic management proposals, and responding to consultations while they are open. Parents with children at Reigate Priory should expect communication from the school about timetables for the move, transport arrangements and any changes to catchment or admissions. It is also worth noting that the wider housing picture can change once a school relocates. Families who want to stay near the town centre but need more space sometimes look at a loft conversion or loft rebuilding project rather than moving house, and demand for loft refurbishment work often rises when local services shift. Whatever your stake in the decision, the key dates to watch are the handover to the new East Surrey council in April, the progress of the Woodhatch Place build and any updated plans for the Grade I listed site. This is a story that will affect Reigate for years, so staying informed now will make it easier to have your say.
Source: East Surrey Council approves Reigate Priory Junior School move
