Provision of new schools

We are commissioning new schools to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers in Kent.

Statutory guidance requires us to seek proposals to establish a free school where we have identified the need for a new school in Kent.

Further information about free schools is available from the New Schools Network.

Sponsoring a free school

If you are considering sponsoring a free school, please contact us at school.consultations@kent.gov.uk or contact the local Area Education Officer:

South Kent (Ashford, Shepway and Dover): David Adams, david.adams@kent.gov.uk
East Kent (Canterbury, Swale and Thanet): Marisa White, marisa.white@kent.gov.uk
North Kent (Sevenoaks, Dartford and Gravesham): Ian Watts, ian.watts@kent.gov.uk
West Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells): Jared Nehra, jared.nehra@kent.gov.uk

Read more advice about sponsoring an academy.

Information for proposers

Read information relating to your area of Kent:

East Kent

The statutory presumption is that any new school should be a free school. We are therefore seeking a sponsor for a new 6FE secondary school, to include a specialist resourced provision in Margate.

We are keen to hear from existing school sponsors, outstanding schools and education providers who may be interested in becoming a DFE approved sponsor.

Application documents

For full details download our invitation to submit a proposal guidance document (PDF, 433.4 KB).

Express your interest

Any expressions of interest should be submitted by 4pm on Friday 8 December.

North Kent

Primary Free School, Ebbsfleet Green, Dartford

We have identified a need for a new 2FE Primary School, to include early years provision with 26 places and specialist resource-based provision with 15 places for children whose primary barrier to learning is Autism Spectrum Disorder. This school will be in the Ebbsfleet Garden City, in the Borough of Dartford in Kent.

The statutory presumption is that any new school should be a free school. We are therefore seeking a sponsor for this 2FE Primary School. We are keen to hear from existing school sponsors and education providers who may be interested in becoming the sponsor of this school.

Apply

You need to submit expressions of interest (DOCX, 14.8 KB) by 12pm on Friday 1 June 2018.

Any full applications (DOCX, 60.5 KB) should be submitted by 12pm on Friday 22 June 2018.

For more information visit our consultation website.

Secondary Free School, Ebbsfleet, Dartford

We have identified a need for a new 8FE Secondary School to include a sixth form and a specialist resource-based provision with 25 places for children whose primary barrier to learning is Autism Spectrum Disorder. This school will be in the Ebbsfleet Garden City, in the Borough of Dartford in Kent.

The statutory presumption is that any new school should be a free school. We are therefore seeking a sponsor for this 8FE Primary School. We are keen to hear from existing school sponsors and education providers who may be interested in becoming the sponsor of this school.

You should submit expressions of interests (DOCX, 14.7 KB) by 12pm on Friday 1 June 2018.

Any full applications (DOCX, 60.2 KB) should be submitted by 12pm on Friday 22 June 2018.

For more information please visit our consultation website.

South Kent

September 2017 update: The Stour Academy Trust has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Education as the preferred sponsor for the Free School at Chilmington Green, Ashford. The trust have today opened a Section 10 consultation and are seeking views on the admissions policy for the school and the provision that the trust should put in place.

Following the consultation period, a report summarising responses received will be sent to the Secretary of State. The report will support the Secretary of State’s decision to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Stour Academy Trust.

Read and respond to the consultation document.