Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Hindu organisation has bought Croydon’s Old Palace school site for £7.5M, pledging to restore and invest in the school after its closure last summer.
After many years of operation as a high-achieving girls’ school, the prep and primary school on Melville Avenue in South Croydon closed its doors in July.
The John Whitgift Foundation (JWF) closed due to long-standing financial issues.
At the end of the summer term, the Old Palace’s senior school in historic Old Croydon is scheduled to close and is also for sale.
The Old Palace of John Whitgift School has been a private girls’ school in the neighborhood for 130 years.
The recent acquisition of the lower-year schools has brought some respite from the anxiety caused by the announcement of the schools’ closure in September 2023.
One of the largest Hindu communities in the nation is the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Its headquarters are at the famous Neasden Temple in north-west London, and it has been offering outreach and education initiatives for more than 40 years.
In addition to providing “much-needed facilities for residents,” BAPS has asserted that its acquisition of the property will increase local educational and communal efforts. BAPS has pledged that education, especially special needs education, will occupy a sizable amount of the facility.
Local schools and organizations will be able to rent the site’s gym, sports facilities, classrooms, and outdoor spaces after they are revitalized for community use.
In comparison to the previous school’s activities, the Hindu organization also intends to modernize current amenities, improve parking facilities, and guarantee less traffic in the region.
BAPS Trustee Dr Mayank Shah 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 programs, and this new space allows us to expand our services and create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.”
Newly appointed Chief Executive of the JWF, Roisha Hughes, said:
“We are very pleased to confirm the sale of the former site of Old Palace prep school to BAPS.
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.”
He added that BAPS already have a presence in Croydon and we wish them the very best in their new base in Melville Avenue.
How will the community facilities at the school be utilized?
According to their intentions, BAPS may use the facilities to provide special needs education-focused educational activities.
In keeping with its Hindu background and fostering multicultural understanding, the organization might also offer linguistic and cultural instruction.
As is customary in BAPS facilities, the location could hold social and cultural events such community meetings, workshops, and festivals.
These gatherings would promote unity among the community and provide locals a chance to interact with one another.
Sports facilities, such as gyms or outdoor areas, may be utilized for youth activities, fitness classes, or community sports programs.
Locals’ health and well-being would be enhanced by this.
BAPS is well-known for its community service programs, which include health fairs and food drives.
The website might include interfaith discussions and events to foster mutual understanding and concord across many religious communities, given BAPS’ focus on spiritual development and volunteer work.