Issue details

Proposed decision –

(i)             Agree to the proposal to rebuild and expand Teynham Parochial CEP Primary School from 210 to 420 places increasing the published admission number (PAN) from 30 to 60 for September 2025 (1FE to 2FE) from September 2025.

This decision is conditional upon planning permission being granted.

·     Reason for the decision

Agreement is required to rebuild and expand Teynham Parochial CEP Primary School from 210 to 420 places increasing the published admission number (PAN) from 30 to 60 for September 2025 (1FE to 2FE). The proposal includes demolition and rebuilding of the current school due to the building condition and complexity attached to expanding the current building. It therefore proves more cost effective and efficient to rebuild and expand. Project costs have been estimated at £10,000,857 The proposal will be brought back to Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee for a further decision on the allocation of Capital budget and to gain permission to issue a public notice.

·     Background – Provide brief additional context

The current primary school building was constructed circa 1970 as a temporary building using a basic SEAC component type construction. The building is now approximately 50 years old and shows many symptoms associated with being beyond economic repair, making it difficult and costly to expand and more cost effective to re-build. We are proposing to permanently increase the size of the school by 1FE to meet the primary school pupil needs in Teynham related to housing developments in the area.

Current plans are to construct the new school first and subsequently demolish the current school building, plus provide a multi- use games area (MUGA) on the location of the old school. The expansion in the number of pupils would be a gradual process from September 2025 onwards. The additional places will enable the school to run a two form of entry school starting in September 2025 when the published admission number would increase from 30 to 60.  The school capacity would grow each year, finally reaching a capacity of 420 in 2031.

·     Options (other options considered but discarded)

Consideration was given to expanding the current school building by 1 form of entry; however the building is now approximately 50 years old and shows many symptoms associated with being beyond economic repair, making it difficult, risky and costly to expand and more cost effective to re-build the school.

• The option of delaying the school was considered and 2025 represents a delay from the opening date originally planned. One of the housing developments has already built-out, another is in planning and a third has gone to appeal.

•         How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy (2022-2026)

This proposal will help to support Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy (2022-2026) Priority 1 - Levelling up. ‘To maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families.’

The Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2021-2025 sets out the need for commissioning additional school places in Kent.

·     Financial Implications

Capital

A feasibility study estimated final costs at pre planning stage at £10,000,857. The project includes a total rebuild of the whole school designed to BB103.

The expansion of Teynham school is also linked to new housing developments in the Teynham area. A total of £3,851,155.89 in developer contributions has been requested with £1,413,243.89 agreed and £2,437,912 still requested. A total of £201,844.17 has been collected.

This would indicate a KCC Capital Contribution of £6,149,701 would be require and is expected to be funded from Basic Need Capital Programme. However, this is subject to a further key decision by the Cabinet Member for Education & Skills once planning permission and final costings have been agreed. 

Revenue

Revenue costs of expanding the school under basic need is expected to be fully funded from the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant: School Block. Available revenue funding will be allocated in accordance with the prevailing Kent County Council School’s Growth Funding Policy. The current funding offer is:

• a total of £6,000 per new classroom will be provided to the school to support initial set up costs.
• Guaranteed funding for the first three years to support the school financially to ensure it can put in place a staffing structure to provide the school places required (this will be reviewed closer to the time of opening).

There are no revenue Council General Fund implications expected from this proposal.