Department for Education confirms funding for new SEND schools in Whitstable and Swanley with third site in Northfleet

Government education chiefs have confirmed funding for new special education needs schools in Kent, allaying fears the projects could be scrapped amid ongoing delays.

A brand new 120-place SEND free school is planned for Church Street Playing Field, in Whitstable, with another similar 250‑place school earmarked for the former Birchwood Community Primary School in Swanley.

A third site, for a new “alternative provision” school, has also been confirmed for Northfleet as part of the decision, KCC says.

Kent County Council (KCC) confirmed it has been notified by the Department for Education (DfE) that funding will be provided by the government for the new schools.

Council bosses say it is the assurance they were seeking following concerns that reforms over SEND provision would see the sites excluded when the government publishes a new white paper next year.

The announcement confirms the projects will go ahead, with KCC now set to establish exactly how the schools will be built, with a deadline to notify DfE bosses by February 26.

It comes after months of lobbying by the council, including a direct letter from Beverley Fordham, KCC’s cabinet member for education and skills, to the Education Secretary in September requesting “urgent confirmation” of the status of the new schools.

“This is a positive step, after months of uncertainty,” said Cllr Fordham (Ref).

“The additional places these schools could create would help to relieve pressure on existing SEN provisions in north Kent and ensure there are appropriate school places for children and young people who really need them.”

Kent has a higher proportion of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) attending special schools than other parts of the country - 39% compared to the national average of 30% - putting significant strain on existing provision.

Former Conservative education secretary Gillian Keegan confirmed in 2023 that KCC’s bid in principle for the new sites in Swanley and Whitstable had been approved, but a subsequent delay to confirm whether they would receive government funding left question marks over whether they would actually get built.

The announcement comes as residents in Whitstable prepare a legal fight to keep the playing field where the school is proposed to be located as a community green space.

The almost 13-acre site is owned by KCC, but has been open to the public and used by local children, dog walkers and sports clubs for many decades.

The Friends of Church Street Playing Fields is a constituted group opposed to the building of the new school as planned by KCC.

It argues that while there is a need for more SEN provision in Kent, there are other places a new school could and should be built.

The group has submitted an application to officially designate the site as a village green, which would prevent development.

Members are gearing up for a legal battle, fundraising to pay for counsel to represent them at a determination hearing tentatively scheduled for February.

In its announcement on Friday, DfE also set out intentions for a new alternative provision school in Northfleet, though no specific location has yet been proposed.

An alternative provision school is for children who cannot attend mainstream schools for a variety of reasons, including behavioural issues, emotional or mental health needs, or long-term exclusion.

Leigh Academies Trust, the provider chosen to run the new school in Swanley called Leigh Academy Birchwood, said it too was becoming “increasingly concerned” about the delay.

At a meeting last month, KCC's assistant education director Ian Watts said council officials and Cllr Fordham would push the DfE for confirmation of the new school’s status after being told by the DfE the government was concentrating on “live” school developments and the Swanley site had effectively been paused.

A council spokesperson added: “In 2023, the DfE announced their intention and gave their approval for the schools to be built.

“The subsequent change of government last year stalled progress pending a fresh ministerial decision as to how the schemes would be funded.

“Now those decisions have been made, KCC and the DfE both have clarity and progress delivery, subject to final approval from KCC.

“News of the funding comes with a choice for the council - either DfE delivers all three schools as planned, or KCC takes a cash alternative to invest in other solutions, such as expanding existing special schools or creating additional specialist resource provisions in mainstream settings.

“DfE will deliver the schools, subject to KCC agreeing this is its preferred option and will need to take forward the design, planning application and tendering to determine the costs.

“KCC will not be privileged to the costs incurred by the DfE.”

Meanwhile, to further boost SEND provision, KCC has already agreed to:

• Expand Parkwood Hall Co-operative Academy by 72 places (from 120 to 192).

• Expand Broomhill Bank School by 172 places (from 318 to 490).

• Fund a new specialist learning facility at The Oaks in Tonbridge.

• Complete the final phase of The Beacon School’s £20 million expansion.

• A major expansion at Nexus Foundation Special School to add more than 100 places across Kent.