The ongoing transformation of Croydon’s Old Town reached a significant milestone today with the confirmed sale of key buildings on the former Old Palace of John Whitgift School site. The Whitgift Foundation has announced that the Jubilee Buildings on Church Road, along with the school’s swimming pool, have been purchased for £750,000 by the Rise School of Excellence. This acquisition marks a vital step in returning the historic site to educational and community use following the closure of the 900-pupil private girls’ school last summer. The sale is part of a broader strategy to ensure these cherished local assets continue to serve the borough rather than being lost to residential development.
The Rise School of Excellence, a charity established in October last year, is a new addition to the borough’s educational landscape. While the organization is in its early stages, its representatives have expressed immense excitement about their plans for the Church Road campus. The charity intends to unveil specific details for the site in the coming weeks, but the focus will remain on high-quality learning and community access. This sale brings the total receipts for the Foundation’s property disposals to approximately £12.5 million over the past year, with all proceeds being reinvested into the Foundation’s education covenant to support local bursaries and school modernizations.
The Old Palace site is one of the most historically significant locations in South London, with buildings dating back as far as the 15th century. It was once the home of the Archbishops of Canterbury and famously hosted Queen Elizabeth I on multiple occasions. By ensuring that new educational organizations like the Rise School of Excellence and the Serenity Education Group (which opened a special educational needs school on another part of the site last September) take up residency, the borough is preserving the heritage of the Old Town. Additionally, the former prep school site on Melville Avenue was recently bought by the Hindu organization BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, which also plans to provide community and educational facilities.
This piecemeal revitalization of the Old Palace site demonstrates a collaborative effort between the Whitgift Foundation and diverse community groups to maintain Croydon’s academic legacy. Roisha Hughes, the Foundation’s chief executive, stated that she is delighted to see these buildings being put to good use by organizations working within the local community. The preservation of the swimming pool is particularly welcomed by residents, as it provides a valuable facility for local schools and sports groups. As the Rise School of Excellence prepares to launch its new programs, the Old Palace quarter is set to become a vibrant hub for learning and heritage once again, proving that even after major institutional changes, Croydon’s historic heart continues to beat with new life and purpose.
