Town’s schools get major cash boost

Tenterden trust gains government money

Schools around Tenterden have received millions in grants, with improvement works already under way.

The Tenterden Schools Trust (TST) has secured £2.6 million from the government’s Capital Improvement Fund for Academies to invest in important building upgrades for its five schools.

Eight projects will benefit, which are spread across Homewood School, Tenterden Junior School, Tenterden Infants School, St Michaels Primary School and Rolvenden Primary School.

Included in these efforts are new roofs and windows, as well as fire safety and electrical improvements.

TST learned of the success of the bids over the summer and work has already begun on the

first project - the replacement of roofing on one of Homewood School’s teaching blocks.

All the projects are due to be completed by February or March next year.

TST CEO Sally Lees said: “While our school heads are rightly focusing on bringing learning back to our classrooms, the trust has not lost sight of the importance of ensuring that our buildings need constant care and improvement to be safe and secure places to learn.

“These grants represent a major investment in our building stock and underline our commitment to securing the future for the young people in the trust by providing the very best school environments.

“We are all delighted with the success of the bids and are really looking forward to seeing the improvements completed.”

Further applications are being prepared for submission over the next school year.

Work has already begun on Homewood School’s roof