Steiner buildings up for auction

A soon-to-be-closed school is expected to sell for more than £1.5m when it goes under the hammer this month.

The Canterbury Steiner in Chartham, which will shut its doors for the last time this December, is expected to attract a lot of interest at auction.

The 4.4 acre Garlinge Green site includes a theatre, basketball court, woodwork building, classroom blocks, main house and The Oast House.

Kevin Gilbert, from land and property auctioneers Clive Emson, said the site was sure to interest developers and investors.

Founded in 1976, the £2,800-a-term school offers the unique educational style of Rudolph Steiner whose approach to education was to inspire imagination. The school’s future was thrown into doubt earlier this year amid a funding crisis as pupil numbers tumbled from 130 to 90 in just four years.

But it was seemingly given new lease of life in May when a mystery investor came forward with long-term funding. However, in a U-turn six weeks later, Friday, December 15 was announced as the closing date.

After the announcement acting head teacher Tessa Carias said: “Although attempts have been made to continue the Steiner/waldorf education we offer, we can no longer financially sustain the school on the present site.

“The school has provided a nourishing and inspiring education and we would like to extend our thanks to the many parents, teachers, ex-pupils, families and friends who have so wholeheartedly supported us over the past 41 years.”

The school will go up for auction on Monday, October 30 at the Clive Emson conference centre in Detling.

Tessa Carias is acting head teacher of the Steiner school