The Abbey school first opened its doors to 27 students with learning difficulties aged 8-12 in 1975. The demand for special school places continues to rise such that in 2021, having been rated as Outstanding in the last five Ofsted inspections, The Abbey (now part of the Weydon Multi Academy Trust) was selected by SCC for gradual expansion to 3-form entry with over £7 million of investment to provide 8 more classrooms, a sports hall, new/refurbished science labs, art and music/drama rooms, DT workshop, food technology kitchen, therapy suite, reception and staff areas, and a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). By September, the Abbey will be home to around 170 lucky students aged 11-16 from Surrey, Hampshire and beyond.

On Sunday 8th June, from both past and present, students, their families, governors and school staff were joined by guests from local charities, other donors, neighbours and members of the wider community to celebrate the school's 50^th anniversary and for the grand opening of the new facilities.

The ribbon cutting responsibility fell to Headteacher, David Jackson, and ex-student Alice Willans who won gold and silver Alpine Skiing medals at the Special Olympics Winter World Games in Turin earlier this year.

Alongside the pomp and ceremony of the grand opening and presentations, The Friends of The Abbey organised the annual summer fund-raiser with the light relief of Lob the Loo Roll, Soak Someone, Headteacher’s Favours and an obstacle course as well as the traditional raffle and tombola. An estimated 500 guests, including new students who are due to start in September, mingled, reminisced, made friends, purchased refreshments or enjoyed a picnic on the school field on what, fortunately, turned out to be a nice, dry day.