SOUTH Farnham Educational Trust claims it has been threatened with legal action by the Bishop of Dorking, Dr Jo Wells, in a heated dispute over a derelict village school east of Guildford.

Academy CEO Sir Andrew Carter this week accused the Diocese of Guildford of lacking Christian spirit – after South Farnham’s attempts to accommodate children from one of its academy schools, The Raleigh School in West Horsley, at the long-closed Ripley School was rebuffed.

Sir Andrew explained Ripley’s former CofE school is “sitting empty” after it was closed by the diocese in 2018. And so when his trust was approached by a vicar and trustee of the closed school, it jumped at the chance to safely bring a group of Year 5 Raleigh pupils back from lockdown.

South Farnham carried out its own risk assessment and was on the cusp of welcoming back pupils when the Diocesian Board of Education and the Bishop, Dr Wells directly intervened.

Sir Andrew continued: “She said if we went in without her permission, she’d takes us to court. It’s quite extraordinary. You expect somewhat more of a Christian view don’t you, really?”

A diocese spokesman said: “Our priority has been, and remains, the safety of the children and teachers and we were concerned a site and school buildings which have been closed for two years presents a significant risk.”

It added an “alternative offer” which would have allowed the children to return to school safely was “sadly rejected” by the academy on Monday, and lamented “a disappointing situation all round”.

All parties have now, however, given their backing to an independent health-and-safety inspection of the Ripley site.