CRUMBLING

Poor condition of school revealed

The formal submission of plans to demolish a crumbling city grammar school has revealed the extent of the site’s dilapidation.

Parts of Simon Langton Girls’ have fallen into “significant levels of disrepair” - with an inspection carried out in autumn 2017 listing more than 600 defects.

Concrete cracks and blisters blight the main teaching block, while a second-hand mobile unit used for Design and Technology has gone “well beyond its intended lifespan” as it suffers from leaks, rotten timberwork and missing fixings.

The outdated electrical system at the Old Dover Road school is at such capacity that if four fan heaters are plugged in, the system overloads.

Due to its poor state, school bosses are backing multimillion-pound plans to flatten the site and replace it with a new school on neighbouring land.

Having been revealed by the Gazette in November, the proposals - which are thought to cost about £20 million - are now in the hands of Kent County Council planning officers.

The key focus is to deliver a modern three-storey teaching block by November 2020, along with a new sports hall and multi-use games area.

If given the go-ahead, the reconstruction, which aims to mirror the much-loved design of the existing art deco school, will boast more efficient heating and electrical systems.

Documents in the application say the current systems are “at the end of their life”, as heat loss plagues the main building - exposing pupils to “continual temperature extremes, making the working and learning environment hostile”.

A Department for Education feasibility study, which says dangerous pieces of concrete are regularly removed, reads: “While there is no immediate danger to life, the situation is keenly monitored. Areas around the perimeter of the school building are cordoned off and signed as dangerous from the risk of falling concrete debris. In many areas steel supports are now visible where the steel has rusted.”

The proposed redevelopment - funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency - comes as part of a nationwide project to rebuild 227 schools.

people become aware of the 24/7 freephone support line.

Mr Douglas said: “Certainly, from the NHS’ point of view, one of the key things that would help save lives is people being able to talk and ask each other openly about suicidal thoughts.

“There is no evidence to suggest that asking if someone is thinking of taking their own life might put the idea into their head. So, if we are worried about someone else being potentially suicidal, we need to ask them the question so we can help them get the support that they need.

“In Kent, the higher risk groups are middle-aged men, people who have previously self-harmed and mental health patients. But two thirds of local people who take their own lives are not known to our specialist mental health services, which shows the extent of the challenge.

“We want to understand what makes a difference to people who are feeling suicidal and what can help to keep them safe.

“We’re also working with Kent County Council’s coroners service to analyse more than 150 recent suicide verdicts.

“This will build our understanding of what was happening to the person in the months before their death.

“We hope this will help us identify how we can get advice and help to people, reaching them where they are.”

A GAZETTE CAMPAIGN