The impressive chalk reredos was designed by School architect Henry Woodyer and put in place in 1881, although the figures themselves, made by Nichols of Lambeth, were not ready for another year and were made inside the Chapel itself.

It is constructed of hard chalk with steps of English alabaster and white marble pillars. The two galleries contain a tableau of the Accension: Christ with the Apostles below and the Holy Family above. Geoffrey Donald (MCR 1968–1996), in his outstanding Descriptive History of the Buildings of Cranleigh School, said that the two angels atop the gothic pinnacles, which originally had trumpets, “were apparently prone to fall out when the Compton organ was played over loudly”.

During the de-Victorianisation of the Chapel in 1960s there was discussion about removing the reredos and either storing it or smashing it.  Fortunately, common sense prevailed and it was left where it was amid concerns about the backlash which might follow.