Decision details

Background –

The Kent Commissioning Plan for Education 2019 -2023 identifies a need for additional places in the Marshside Primary Planning Area from 2020. This is due to pressure from new housing in Sturry and Hersden which has already commenced build-out. This proposal to expand Water Meadows Primary school by 0.5FE will provide the additional places needed to accommodate pupils from the new housing developments coming forward in the planning area. An additional 800 houses (currently submitted for planning) will be built adjacent to Water Meadows Primary School (Persimmon development) and land will be provided by the developer to expand the school by a further form of entry to become a 2FE primary school in the future as the need arises. Canterbury Local Plan proposes a total of 2055 new homes for the Marshside primary planning area for the period 2018 to 2031. Water Meadows Primary school is part of Stour Academy Trust and is a 0.5FE school with a current capacity of 120 with 82 on roll, 37.1% of whom are eligible for free school meals. (May 2018 School census) Water Meadows obtained an Ofsted judgement of good in March 2019 with outstanding in Leadership and Early Years. The popularity of the school is growing year on year and for September 2019 there were 15 pupils on roll in reception.

Decision –

To agree to fund the permanent expansion of Water Meadows (Hersden Village) Primary School by 0.5FE to a 1FE Primary School from KCC Capital Budget.