(UK) Whitstable, Swanley: New special schools approved
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Feb 19, 2026, Kent.gov: KCC asks government to continue with new special schools to meet growing SEND needs
Kent County Council (KCC) has confirmed it wants the government to continue with plans to build much-needed new special schools in the county.
In December 2025, the Department of Education (DfE) announced a £3bn investment to improve special educational needs (SEN) provision across England.
This includes plans for two new special schools in Whitstable and Swanley, and an alternative provision school in Northfleet which have already been approved.
But news of the funding came with a choice for the Council - either the DfE delivers all three schools as planned, or KCC takes a cash alternative to invest in other solutions, such as expanding existing special schools or creating additional specialist resource provisions in mainstream settings.
After carefully considering all options with the appointed Trusts, MPs and councillors, KCC has responded to confirm its wish that the DfE continues to deliver these new free schools as planned and as swiftly as possible.
Trusts have already been appointed to run these new schools including Leigh Academy Birchwood, Whitstable Special School and Jude’s Academy.
Kent has a higher proportion of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (39%) compared to the national average (30%), placing significant pressure on the education system.
The additional places these schools could create would help to relieve pressure on existing SEN provisions and reflects our commitment to making sure there are appropriate school places for children and young people who really need them.
“These new schools will provide vital specialist places at a time when demand is rising. We hope this confirmation means we will now start to see these projects moving forward.”. . .
£20 million [$27M] has been invested into expanding specialist resource places in primary and secondary schools increasing capacity by 889 places
Agreed to expand Parkwood Hall Co-operative Academy by 72 places (from 120 to 192)
Agreed to expand Broomhill Bank School by 172 places (from 318 to 490). Together, that’s 244 new special school places added already
Funded a new specialist learning facility at The Oaks in Tonbridge.
Completed the final phase of The Beacon School’s £20 million expansion.
Approved a major expansion at Nexus Foundation Special School to add more than 100 places across Kent.
These combined efforts are vital to reducing reliance on expensive independent placements and ensuring children with the most complex needs have the right support, close to home.
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