On Friday 3rd January Caterham School completed the purchase of Old Park Woods and Gravelly Hill Woods, which are adjoining the School’s boundary. The purchase takes the overall size of the School campus to over 200 acres.

The School already has a high ropes course, climbing tower and outdoor classroom. The acquisition will allow the School to further develop their programme of outdoor activities for students. Activities will include orienteering, bushcraft and camping. Students of all ages will have opportunities to develop their leadership, teamwork, discipline and problem-solving skills, as well as having a lot of fun along the way. In addition, students will have a unique, and genuinely “hands-on”, opportunity to learn more about ecology and the natural world within the campus.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ‘This is a truly significant moment in the School’s 202 year history. We are committed to a programme of inspirational learning outside, as well as inside, the classroom. We want students to be inspired by their surroundings, and to learn both the delight and value of being outside. As a local resident, I am also extremely pleased that we will be able to secure and preserve this beautiful woodland for the future. The woods have been in private ownership for many decades, which has meant no unauthorised access to the public. The School intends to allow public access assuming that there are no legal impediments to doing so; we will be able to give a definitive guidance on this very soon.”

The Caterham School playing fields with Old Park Woods in the background.