Clarendon House Grammar School’s Red House building in Ramsgate sells at auction

A former grammar school building has sold at auction.

The Red House in Chapel Place, Ramsgate, has gone under the hammer with auctioneers Clive Emson.

The Red House in Chapel Place, Ramsgate has sold at auction. Picture: Clive Emson Auctioneers

The property was last used by Clarendon House Grammar School, an all-girls facility which merged with the boys-only Chatham House Grammar School in September 2011.

The two schools joined to become the now-mixed Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School, with the Red House remaining vacant ever since.

It has now sold at auction for £375,000.

Describing the property prior to the sale, auctioneer Clive Emson, said: “[It] was formerly a residential dwelling and has most recently been used as offices and classrooms for the adjacent grammar school.

A ground-floor room at The Red House in Chapel Place, Ramsgate. Picture: Clive Emson Auctioneers

“The attractive building, which is believed to date back to 1908, has period features and stained glass windows but is now in need of refurbishment.

“It needs improvement and has sat empty for around 10 years, although some repair works have been carried out to the roof.

“The building may be suitable for a variety of schemes, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”

The two-storey detached property has four rooms, a kitchen, bathroom and store room on its ground floor.

Its first floor also has four rooms and a bathroom.

A first-floor room at The Red House in Chapel Place, Ramsgate. Picture: Clive Emson Auctioneers

Kent County Council (KCC) says it acquired the building in 1964 for educational purposes.

Ownership then transferred to Clarendon House when it became a grant-maintained school in 1995.

These were state schools in England and Wales from 1988 until 1998 which were funded directly by a grant from central government.

It meant the freehold building was owned and managed by Clarendon House’s own boards of school governors, rather than KCC.

Following the sale, auctioneers have said more information regarding The Red House’s new owners will be made available once the sale is listed on Land Registry.

Ramsgate's Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is a mixed instiution today. Picture: Google

Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School has been approached for more information.

The school’s merger has meant three sites are now used by the converter-academy school - which has 1,503 pupils on its books aged 11 to 18.

Those in Year 7, 8 and 9 are taught in Chatham Street, while pupils in years 10 and 11 are based in Clarendon Gardens.

A third site in Cavendish Street is also used for sixth-form students.