Second phase of evaluation continuing from work in 2007 by D Hopkinson of ASE. A small group of shallow gullies, some of which contained Bronze Age to Iron Age pottery, was revealed, together with a field drain containing a single sherd of Roman pottery, and a natural feature containing a single Mesolithic flint flake.

Two phase evaluation by T Munnery of SCAU, prior to the construction of a new building at the Upper School and extension to the existing Coach House. A single pit of probable 13th century date was discovered at the Coach House site. Two late medieval or early post-medieval pits were revealed at the Upper School site, with indications of earlier activity in the immediate vicinity being noted within the finds assemblage. The Coach House development was calculated not to damage archaeological horizons, so no further work was recommended.

Watching brief by P Harp of Plateau during the installation of a new water main recovered a small number of Mesolithic or Neolithic flints. Part of the route passed close to Dene Farm (now the Rambler’s Rest public house), where a significant quantity of 13th century pottery was revealed during reinstatement works. Place-name evidence records habitation at Dene Farm as far back as 1301

Watching brief/site-walkover by P Harp of Plateau during golf course remodelling works. Unstratified Palaeolithic and Mesolithic flints were recovered, together with a small quantity of Roman tile and pottery

Watching brief by G Rapson of MOLA during underground cabling works. The majority of the route was located on the Greensand ridge where cable was laid by mole-plough allowing limited opportunities for investigation, although worked flint dating to the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods was observed in ploughed fields. Two undated drainage features 5m apart were revealed during open-cut excavation carried out along the eastern side of Hammer Meadow, a field containing channels and earthworks relating to post-medieval water management.

Geophysical survey by D and A Graham of SyAS on the site of an aerial photograph anomaly. Evidence for a possible field system and droveway heading in the direction of the Roman site to the south-east was revealed. Subsequent fieldwalking of the site produced some Mesolithic flakes, but no firm evidence by which the apparent features could be dated.

Evaluation by P Cox of AC Archaeology revealed a single undated gully and an ill-defined feature, possibly a tree-throw hollow, containing charcoal fragments and a possible late Mesolithic blade. A subsequent watching brief during the creation of an access track revealed two undated features: one observed in section and possibly representing a former ditch, and the other a short linear feature comprised almost solely of charcoal. No evidence was present to assist with dating or identifying the function of the earthwork located in the nearby Birchen Coppice.

Evaluation by R Lambert of SCAU prior to residential redevelopment of a former playing field. A Mesolithic feature and a Bronze Age cremation represented the only earlier prehistoric activity on the site. However, a number of postholes and a large pit were dated to the Middle Iron Age and indicated an intensification of activity during this period. It was considered that these features may relate to a settlement of this date in the area – possibly in areas adjacent to the site developed for housing prior to PPG16 and therefore not investigated.

Evaluation by F Raymond of BAS identified significant Bronze Age deposits concentrated on a plateau of land in the south-eastern part of the site, and this area was subsequently excavated. Activity commenced during the Mesolithic period, and is marked by the presence of a flint scatter from the southern part of the site. There were no concentrations of flint and no features, suggesting the principal focus, if there is one, lies or lay to the south and east. The focus of Early and Middle Bronze Age activity was located on the eastern side of the site.