Leigh Academies Trust and Kent County Council have agreed – subject to planning permission – that Marden Primary Academy will be permanently expanded to 2 forms of entry (60 pupils in each year group) from September 2024. To support the academy with the permanent expansion, Kent County Council has agreed to allocate capital funding which will enable the academy to provide new facilities as well as remodel and modernise the existing facilities available to pupils.
The proposed plans include the construction of a new teaching block with four classrooms, two for early years and two for year 1 pupils providing them with direct access to external play space. In addition, there will be a brand new kitchen and multifunctional hall suitable for whole school dining as well as assemblies and indoor sports, new staff room and associated toilet facilities and amenities. Works will also include a remodelling of the current academy with new classrooms, age appropriate WC facilities and new library facilities along with a refresh of the entire academy to create a modern environment for teaching and learning to thrive.
This news is extremely positive for the local community as concerns have been raised in recent years about oversubscription. This decision should substantially ease this situation for local families and provide excellent new facilities for pupils. It comes on the back of an Ofsted report earlier this year in which Marden Primary was awarded three outstanding grades.
