Classroom crisis
Shortfall of 674 places forecast despite new secondary
Maidstone is heading for a crisis in secondary places despite a new school opening in 2018. The new secondary, which will be known as SST Maidstone, will be run by the Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT) and focus on science, technology and maths. It was planned to open in September 2017, but as the planning process progresses, the launch has been pushed back.
But Kent County Council predicts by 2021 the shortfall of places for Year 7-11 students will stand at 674.
It says the new free school will help address pressure on Year 7 school places to 2019, but a deficit will then begin building and reach 220 by 2020.
Reports highlight two issues – the number of children born locally starting secondary education and the numbers of pupils moving into the area. Maidstone council’s housing target is 18,560 homes by 2031.
VIAT was granted permission to open the free school by the Department for Education and it has increased in size from four forms of entry to at least six.
The secondary will be built at the trust’s campus in Huntsman Lane, Maidstone, alongside Valley Park and Invicta Grammar School. It will open in September 2018 and have an annual intake of 180 pupils.
It will initially educate 11- to 12-year-olds but will eventually cater for 1,200 pupils aged between 11 and 18.
Kent County Council’s report added: “It is anticipated there will be significant pressure for additional Year 7 places which could not be met by the free school.”
A Department for Education spokesman said: “Both VIAT secondary schools on the Maidstone campus are extremely popular and Valley Park School is the most oversubscribed school.”
VIAT yesterday (Thursday) announced Dr Phil Limbert had retired as the trust’s chief executive. Valley Park head Vic Ashdown and Invicta Grammar School head Julie Derrick will be appointed joint chief executives.