The original home of Borden Grammar School, in Sittingbourne, has been sold at an auction.

The Victorian Grade-II listed building in College Road went under the hammer for £1.65m and will be converted into 22 new homes.

The building has had several uses over the years, from grammar school to an adult education centre.

Borden Grammar School opened in October 1878 with just 23 pupils and one full-time member of staff, headmaster Rev. William Henry Bond.

Years later, in 1929, the boys school moved to its present site at Avenue of Remembrance.

The building then became home to Kent County Council’s Adult Education Centre, which stopped using the building in 2017 and moved to London Road.

Now, permission has been granted to convert the property into 18 large apartments and four bungalows.

The freehold guide price for the property was between £1.5m and 1.75m.

It was one of the 125 lots listed for sale by Clive Emson, the land and property auctioneers.

Auction appraiser Jon Rimmer said: “The plans provide for ample parking and developers and builders were keen to buy it.

“Property here is in demand and this attractive Victorian building will provide 22 homes.”