Claremont is the new owner of Pyke House

The listed building, in Upper Lake, had been owned by Sussex Coast College for 30 years, but was put up for sale in 2013, after the college said it not longer suited its needs.

Claremont says it intends to use the building to house the school’s first boarders.

The director of Claremont School, Mark Beaumont, said: “This is a very important acquisition for Claremont School and it follows the multi-million pound acquisition of the old Bodiam Manor Preparatory School some four years ago.

“That site has undergone extensive refurbishment and has been the focus of several million pounds worth of investment in a ‘state of the art’ sports centre and a new sixth form block, the latter due to open in September.

“However, the success of the new senior school in Bodiam has meant that further buildings are required to accommodate an increasing number of GCSE and A-Level students.

“We recognise also that some will want to experience boarding before they move on to universities and Pyke House will offer the additional facilities that we will need to keep up with the growing demand for the school.

“Our UK and overseas boarders will also require access to shops and in particular a train station, and therefore Battle is an ideal location for the next phase of our growth.

“Pyke House has extensive grounds and accommodation and will be completely refurbished to provide the most up to date educational facilities, as well as ‘modern’ boarding accommodation.

“We anticipate up to 50 students residing at Pyke House, creating a further 15 full time positions over the next two years.

“Refurbishment work on the building has already started and we aim to complete this by the start of the new academic year in September.”

Mr Beaumont went on to say that if the school’s current growth rate continues, then it anticipates acquiring further educational facilities in and around the Battle area over the next two years, which will become the hub of its future development.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the school or the development of Pyke House should contact Mark Beaumont.