Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by L May of ASE recorded no evidence of the Roman road Stane Street, the projected route of which passed through the eastern half of the site. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.

Evaluation by R Hewett of MOLA revealed evidence of extensive 19th century gravel quarrying in the form of large pits beneath a deep stratigraphy of contemporary and later ground levelling layers.

Evaluation by W Spencer of PCA revealed several narrow palaeochannels containing burnt flint and prehistoric struck flint, suggesting prehistoric activity in and around a former braided river system. In the south and west of the site, close to the location of the former Ember Court, several planting beds of probable horticultural origin were uncovered.

Evaluation by P Jorgensen of PCA revealed an intact stratigraphic sequence with residual struck flint and medieval and later pottery from the upper strata but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by J Whelan of COT, following a largely negative ground penetrating radar survey by D Bunn of Pre-construct Geophysics Ltd, revealed two pits that produced pottery dating from the Middle to Late Bronze Age and a dispersed series of ditches that corresponded with the geophysical survey results and cartographic evidence of post-medieval field boundaries or, in one instance, a modern linear bank.

Evaluation by M Nichol of COT revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest. A high water table was identified that may have made the site prone to flooding and unsuitable for settlement or agricultural activities.

Historic building assessment by M Higgins of SCC of a two-storey, four-bay, late 15th century timber-framed building with gables and side purlin roof. At most, one end bay was open and although no indication of original heating was evident, it was apparently in domestic use. It was probably a rear range associated with a now rebuilt house on the street frontage.

Evaluation by J McNicoll-Norbury and L Esteves of TVAS revealed a post-medieval gully.

Historic building recording by P Davenport of COT ahead of partial demolition revealed the mid-19th century origins of the school and recorded four main phases of development between c 1860 and 1958. Some of these developments were most probably undertaken in response to the introduction of various Education Acts; in particular the 1880 Act that saw the school almost double in size soon after its introduction, and the 1944 Act that might have prompted the further increase in size by the addition of extra classrooms soon after that date.