BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has purchased The Old Palace of John Whitgift Pre-school & Preparatory School in South Croydon from the John Whitgift Foundation.
The 4.6-acre freehold site, which was put up for sale last year, was sold for a figure in excess of the £7.5m+ guide price.
The site, which features Edwardian architecture complemented by various other developed buildings, a large playing field, three hard-surfaced games courts and additional hard-standing areas, will be repurposed into an education and community hub.
The new owner’s plans include upgrading the existing facilities, improving parking infrastructure, and making the site’s sports gym, assembly halls, classrooms, and outdoor spaces available for community use. A significant portion will be dedicated to special needs education.
Dr Mayank Shah, a trustee for BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, said: “We are excited to invest in and secure the future of this site, restoring its role as a place of learning and community spirit. For many years, we have supported our members and local communities through our programmes, and this new space allows us to expand our services and create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.”
Roisha Hughes, chief executive of John Whitgift Foundation, added: “We are very pleased to confirm the sale of the former site of Old Palace prep school to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The decision to close Old Palace senior and prep schools was an exceptionally difficult one, but we are pleased that the new buyer will be using the site for educational and community use. BAPS already have a presence in Croydon and we wish them the very best in their new base in Melville Avenue.”
Emma Cleugh, head of the education and charities team at Knight Frank, which acted for the John Whitgift Foundation on the sale, said: “We are so pleased to have completed the sale of this significant educational asset. The site’s excellent location and extensive facilities presented a unique opportunity, and we are thrilled to see it will continue its legacy of serving the local community through education and social initiatives.”
