Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 27, 2026

Purpose: That Cabinet decides how to proceed to ensure a sufficiency of suitable primary places in the education place planning area of Reigate. This decision follows the Cabinet Report and subsequent decision on 27 February 2024. Taking into consideration the outcome of the planning application and the findings of the Education Working Group.

Content: RESOLVED:   That Cabinet agrees to proceed with Option 1 to relocate Reigate Priory Junior School onto a new site at Woodhatch Place in its current form as a 5FE Junior School. This will involve instructing the project team to move to tender and bring into effect activities to implement the proposal and commence the building project.   That Cabinet acknowledges that proceeding with Option 1 does not prevent significant school organisational changes (as explored by the Education Working Group in Option 2 or otherwise) from being reviewed or pursued by academy trusts or the new East Surrey local authority in the future.   That Cabinet approves the delegation of authority to allocate resources from the approved School Basic Need budget required for this project to the Executive Director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, following Capital Property Panel’s (CPP) financial scrutiny and endorsement. This is in line with Full Council approved amended Financial Regulations.   That Cabinet approves delegated authority to the Director of Land & Property to authorise the Council to enter into all associated licences and agreements required to facilitate the capital works.   Reasons for Decisions:   ·         It is agreed by officers and the Department for Education that Reigate Priory Junior School cannot remain on its current site in the long term because the building and site are not suitable for the provision of a 21st century education. It is therefore imperative that RPJS is provided with a safe and fit for purpose building as soon as possible to safeguard the health, safety and education of its pupils and to ensure the school’s long-term future.   ·         The pursual of Option 1 provides the earliest opportunity for pupils and staff to have access to a modern, fit for purpose school building which will keep them safe, warm and preserve the outstanding education that the school currently provides. Furthermore, the relocation of the school into a modern building will promote the equity of access to school places for the area’s most vulnerable pupils.   ·         In the absence of consensus as to alternative school organisational options, relocating the school in its current format as a junior school maintains the current status quo of school places in the area. This stability is important in the current context of falling pupil numbers as it allows the local authority to safeguard latent capacity for future use in case of demographic shifts, whilst providing the appropriate number of places to meet current demand and minimising the level of surplus places.    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)