By Roger Packham and Peter Connelly
Apart from Warlingham Green, the only other area of common land determined under the 1866 enclosure act is School Common. Originally known as the Common Recreation Ground, it rapidly became known as School Common once the new school was built in the far corner in 1874. Trees were planted around the boundary, together with a post and rail fence. Originally only bounded by Westhall and Leas Roads, Redvers Road was laid out and developed in 1900. The Common was originally used by locals to graze their animals, but soon became the venue for a whole host of local events such as the annual fair and sports – the two pictures here show the 1905 Warlingham Fair, with the second photo showing a game of football in front of Redvers Road in the 1920’s. The original post and rail fencing around the common can clearly be seen, this fell into disrepair some years ago and has now been replaced with earth bunds to control vehicular access.
Soon after Warlingham school opened in 1874, legislation was introduced in 1880 to make education compulsory up to the age of 10, and in 1899 it was made compulsory up to 12. As a result, the school roll grew rapidly, and in 1900 the school was split into infants and juniors. In 1912, older pupils were moved to the new primary school in Farleigh Road. During WW2 air-raid shelters were erected on the playground, these remained into the 1960’s.
After WW2, a new larger site for the area’s schools was chosen on Tithe Pit Shaw Lane in Hamsey Green. Over the years this grew and was further developed, until Surrey County Council made the decision to consolidate schools, and closed the school on the common in July 1982 – all remaining children were moved to other schools in the area.
The photo shows the school in 1975, just a few years before closure.
