The school was put on the market in March with a guide price of £7m

The education and charities team at property consultancy, Knight Frank, has announced the sale of the former Belmont School at Holmbury St Mary, near Dorking, Surrey.

The property was put on the market in March on behalf of Glen Carter and Phillip Sykes of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP, who were appointed joint administrators of Belmont School (Feldemore) Educational Trust Limited.

For the last 70 years, the school has operated as a co-educational day and boarding school with a nursery, prep, and senior school.

And it will continue its legacy as an education provider as Cavendish Education has purchased the asset after it was marketed for a guide price of £7m.

The buyer plans to open a new school on the site, marking its first establishment in Surrey.

This addition will bring Cavendish Education’s portfolio to 16 schools, with existing locations across London, Hampshire, Kent, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, and the East Midlands.

The new school will cater specifically for neurodiverse children and young people, addressing a growing need in the education sector.

Simon Coles, chief executive of Cavendish Education, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have acquired this fantastic school site and can’t wait to share our plans with everyone.

“Our family of schools is dedicated to celebrating and nurturing neurodiverse students who think and learn differently.

“The demand for more schools like ours is growing, and we are excited to open a specialist independent provision here, meaning we can do more for even more young people who may have previously struggled in the mainstream system but could thrive with a different approach.

“Alongside our academic curriculum we will offer enrichment in sports, technology, the arts, and outdoor education. With such excellent facilities here already, we’re incredibly excited to start preparations and look forward to opening our doors to pupils in the near future.”

The Grade II-listed property contains a rich history, having originally been built as a country house called Feldemore for Edwin Waterhouse, co-founder of the accountancy practice, Price Waterhouse.

The house was requisitioned by the British Army during the Second World War and, after that was leased for 10 years by the Admiralty.

The building was constructed around 1880, partly of Bargate stone and still retains many of its attractive architectural period features today, including original William Morris wallpaper in the dining room.

The site purchased by Cavendish Education, includes 14 buildings used as teaching and boarding accommodation, a dining hall, theatre, sports hall, early years centre, and headmaster’s house, as well as various outbuildings.

And the school grounds extend to over 44 acres and include two hard-surfaced playing areas, playing fields, formal gardens, a woodland and an outdoor tennis courts and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Cavendish Education has announced plans to undertake restoration and renovation work on some of the buildings and areas of the site, ensuring the facilities meet the specific needs of their students while preserving the site’s historical significance.

Sam Van de Velde, an associate in education and charities at Knight Frank, said: “We’re thrilled to have facilitated this sale to Cavendish Education.

“The planned renovations will breathe new life into this historic site, ensuring it continues to serve the educational needs of the community for years to come.”

Glen Carter, joint administrator and director at RSM UK, added: “We are delighted to have worked with Knight Frank to secure the sale of the land and buildings of the former Belmont School.

“This transaction not only maximises returns for the creditors, but it also paves the way for the continued use of the site as an educational facility.”

The school grounds extend to over 44 acres and include two hard-surfaced playing areas, playing fields, formal gardens, a woodland and an outdoor tennis courts and a heated outdoor swimming pool