Children from two villages near Dorking will be among the first to benefit from Surrey County Council securing £7.5 million funding to spend on improving primary school buildings.

The council will spend £2 million to create a new primary school through merging two first schools - Westcott and Abinger Common. The money will go towards a two-storey extension at Westcott, housing a new hall and classroom space for extra pupils.

Combining Westcott and Abinger means children will be educated up to the age of 11 in a village school. Currently pupils at both have to transfer to Dorking schools at the age of eight.


The scheme was one of five given the go-ahead for 2009-10 after the Cabinet gave its approval for detailed plans to be drawn up for three schemes in the Dorking area and others in Godalming and Reigate.

The Cabinet paved the way for the primary school project to be the first of the five to start by agreeing to close Westcott and Abinger Common first schools.

The schemes Cabinet agreed are:

• Expanding Westcott School so it can merge with Abinger Common
• Refurbishing and updating St John’s Church of England Community School and Nursery in Dorking
• Building a foundation unit for pupils aged four at St Martin’s Church of England Primary School in Dorking
• Extending and refurbishing Green Oak Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Goldaming
• Installing a temporary 'resource room' at the recently expanded Sandcross School in Reigate

The government has indicated that additional funding of around £9 million will be made available next year to further support the 309 infant, first, junior and primary schools in Surrey.

(CD/JM)