Commonweal Lodge was an independent school for girls aged between eleven and nineteen, located on the Webb Estate in Purley operating between 1916 and 2010.
The school was opened in 1916 by Margery Frances Bray (1895–1962), together with Elsie Bourne (1879–1937), after she had been asked to do so by William Webb, who planned and built the Webb Estate,[1] in 1915.
The school opened in the "Woodcote" Smithy near the village green with eight pupils, including Mary Webb, daughter of William Webb.
In January 1917, it moved to the purpose built construction designed by Sidney Tachell located in Woodcote Lane, where it remained until its closure.
During World War II, air raid shelters were built underneath the tennis courts.