Kentish Express Ashford & District
Teaching block gets green light
A grammar school where pupils are learning in the gym and dining room due to a lack of classroom space has been given the green light for a new teaching block.
The Norton Knatchbull School (NKS) has been plagued by cramped facilities at its site in Hythe Road, Ashford.
Most year groups are at, or close to, full capacity leading to the all-boys school submitting plans for a new 144sq m block of four classrooms in February.
These have now been given the nod by Ashford Borough Council (ABC).
The boys’ grammar, which has 1,252 pupils on its books aged between 11 and 18, will see its new building feature a contemporary drama classroom for its mixed sixth form.
It will be built on part of the site’s existing car park, which NKS acknowledges is not currently used.
This means the number of available spaces at the school will be reduced from 150 to 126.
However, designs produced by education construction experts Ashley Consultants say the block will be “a longterm investment lasting approximately 30 years”.
The Shoreham-based company said: “Regrettably, the facilities do not accommodate all the children so it is necessary to expand the teaching space by incorporating new classrooms.Sixth formers need a new area for drama class, as currently, they have to use the gym or common classrooms, and there is not enough space in these classrooms for all the students.
“This lack of space also forces students to study in areas such as the dining hall.”
The company adds the project will benefit the school - rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in December - when it needs refurbishing in the future.
The new block is also set to come with ramps to make the classrooms accessible for pupils with disabilities.
Headteacher Ben Greene previously said he was “excited about our application to build additional classrooms”.
Mr Greene, who replaced Suzanne Staab as principal in 2019, explained: “Over recent years, student numbers have increased following the decision to increase our published admissions number in 2018.
“All year groups in Years 7 to 11 are now at or very close to capacity. This is linked to and feeding into the growth of our sixth form numbers.
“The additional classes will enable us to accommodate this growth and maintain the quality of delivery which was acknowledged in our recent Ofsted inspection.
“In particular, it will allow for the provision of dedicated classrooms for subjects as well as additional dedicated study facilities for sixth form students.
“We are hoping to have the additional provision in place and in use at some point in the 2024-25 academic year.”