Plans unveiled for major rebuild at one of Sussex’s largest schools

Plans for a major rebuild at one of Sussex’s largest schools have been unveiled.

Proposals have been submitted to part-demolish existing teaching facilities at Steyning Grammar School’s Shooting Field site and construct new, modern facilities.

The school currently operates across three separate sites in Upper Beeding, Storrington and Shooting Field, in Steyning.

However, the long-term aim is to consolidate these three sites into one main campus at Shooting Field, improving the efficiency of the school’s operations.

The development would consolidate all three of the current school sites into one (Image: KSS Group)

The proposals include the construction of four new teaching buildings between two and three storeys high, a new flood-lit all-weather pitch, hard-surfaced sports courts and improved parking and landscaping.

The project is being undertaken as part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme, which was first announced in 2020.

The programme prioritises schools with ageing buildings in urgent need of replacement, and Steyning Grammar School’s inclusion reflects the poor condition of much of its existing estate.

Construction of the new buildings will be prioritised first, allowing students and staff to move in, before the old structures are then demolished.

The new buildings are referred to as blocks 13, 14, 15 and 16.

The proposed site layout, incorporating the new blocks (Image: DHA Planning)

The largest, block 13, which will be two storeys in height, will incorporate an assembly hall interconnected with a new drama studio, alongside a series of classrooms, staff offices and a staff social area.

Another building, block 14, will provide a dining hall, library and additional classrooms.

Block 15 will incorporate a dedicated sixth-form area with a separate dining area, common area and fitness space, along with humanities classrooms.

Block 16 will provide two sports halls, an activity studio and associated changing rooms.

Between blocks 13 and 14 will be a central courtyard, including a KS4 outdoor dining area, an amphitheatre seating area with associated performance/teaching space and a Stem garden.

The project will be delivered by BAM Construction on behalf of the Department for Education.

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An artist’s impression of the proposed courtyard between buildings 13 and 14 (Image: KSS Group)

A public consultation on the plans previously took place in January, while a further consultation will be launched by Horsham District Council on April 16.

Following feedback from residents, plans for one of the multi-use games areas will no longer include floodlights, in order to minimise impact.

Southwick Hockey Club, which uses the school’s existing AstroTurf pitch for training and matches, raised concerns earlier this week that the switch to a 3G pitch will put it at risk, as the new surface will be unsuitable for playing competitive hockey.

The club has started a petition to save the pitch, however a planning statement submitted as part of the development said that a 3G surface would deliver significant benefits to the school and offer better utilisation than the existing provision.

The procurement stage of the project was previously announced in July last year, which allowed contractors to compete to design the scheme.

A final decision on the plans is due on May 20.

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