The buidling housing the former Padworth College, which closed its doors last year, has gone up for sale with a £5m price tag.
The school’s owner, International Future Education, has entered administration leading to the closure of two of its independent schools, citing the “ongoing challenging market environment” created by the decision to impose VAT on independent schools fees.
Knight Frank has been instructed by Inspiring Futures Education to sell the Georgian mansion in Sopers Lane after attempts to sell the school as a going concern failed and says the site could be turned into a hotel, residential care or a health care facility with the right permissions from West Berkshire Council.
Set within 11.04 acres of mature parkland, the estate has more than 51,000 sq ft of built accommodation.
At its heart is Padworth House, a Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion extending to 21,600 sq ft across four floors.
The wider grounds include clusters of mature woodland, lawned terraces and a pond.
Surrounding the main house is a range of specialist educational buildings and facilities, including extensive boarding and teaching accommodation, outbuildings, and leisure amenities such as a gym, heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Padworth’s origins date back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when the land was recorded as being held by William de Eu.
The current house stands on what is believed to be the site of the medieval manor, once held by the Coudray family from the 13th century.
The earliest surviving element of the current building is the eastern wing, where internal oak beams date from the late 15th century.
The estate was significantly remodelled in 1769 by London merchant and governor of St Thomas’ Hospital, Thomas Brightwell, who commissioned architect John Hobcraft to redesign it in the prevailing Georgian style.
The house remained in private ownership until 1963, when it became Padworth College.
The college was founded by Oxford academic Peter Fison with a mission to bring a tutorial-style approach to sixth form education.
Initially established as a girls’ boarding school, it became co-educational in 2005 and joined the Inspiring Futures Education group in 2018.
After marking its 60th anniversary in 2023, a strategic decision was made in 2025 to close the school, bringing this unique estate to market.
Charlie Freer, director of Inspiring Futures Education, said: “It has been a privilege to steward Padworth College.
“With its extraordinary heritage and idyllic setting, we are confident that the next chapter will honour the site’s legacy while unlocking its full potential.”
Padworth College and Bishopstrow College in Wiltshire are both closing after International Future Education could not find a buyer.
In Padworth’s case the school announced in the spring it would close at the end of the academic year and the building was put up for sale.
Padworth College was a small sixth form international boarding college, preparing pupils aged 14 to 19 years for entry to universities globally.
Emma Cleugh, head of education and charities at Knight Frank, added: “Padworth College is a truly exceptional opportunity, combining historical gravitas, architectural elegance, and extensive operational infrastructure in a stunning parkland setting.
“Opportunities of this scale and heritage rarely come to market.
“While the site’s most recent use has been as a boarding school under the C2 planning class, the property presents potential for a range of alternative uses, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
“These may include day or boarding education, senior living, residential development, healthcare or hospitality.”
