Proposal to expand provision at Broomhill Bank School

Kent County Council (KCC), together with the Governing Body of Broomhill Bank School, is consulting to formally expand its designated number from 318 students to 490.

Broomhill Bank School is a Foundation Special School and a member of KsENT, catering for students aged 11-19 years who have communication and interaction needs associated with autism and speech, language and communication needs.

KCC, together with the Governing Body of Broomhill Bank School, is seeking the views of parents, staff and other stakeholders on a proposal to permanently increase the formal designated number of the school from 318 students to 490 students. Currently the school is already admitting students over and above the designated number, and this proposal includes the creation of a further 105 places aided by the provision of new facilities on the Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) site.

KCC as the Local Authority, has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2025-29 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out our future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the plan can be viewed from this link: Education Provision - Kent County Council

The Kent Commissioning Plan 2025-2029 indicated that there will be a shortfall in Special School provision primarily in North Kent. Even though KCC’s direction of travel is to increase Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in mainstream schools and associated Specialist Resource Provisions, due to already identified shortfalls and anticipated population growth particularly in certain areas of North Kent, more specialist provision is required for children and young people with more complex needs.

The Executive Headteacher of Broomhill Bank School continues to admit students with a wider dimension of need, a practice that began three years ago and commits to continue this practice, whilst ensuring the quality of education for all students is maintained. These additional day places will help alleviate current pressures and help mitigate future population growth across the wider North and West Kent areas.

A significant proportion of the proposed increase relates to the North (Hextable) site of Broomhill Bank School. North Kent is still encountering significant growth in certain areas (primarily Dartford) and the other two districts of Gravesham and Sevenoaks are fast approaching completion of their new Local Plans, which will see significant housebuilding required for the period up to 2040 and beyond.

This proposal seeks to enable the expansion by introducing a further 105 places (15 per year group) on the Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) site, by:

  • demolishing Lyndsay House (one of the original buildings now unusable due to the condition being beyond economical repair)
  • building two new blocks totaling 12 modular classrooms and ancillary space
  • upgrading outdoor areas
  • making internal modifications to the main school building
  • carrying out remodeling work to the car park and any necessary highways mitigations

Broomhill Bank School West (Tunbridge Wells site) also requires some minor adaptations and enhancements to existing buildings to facilitate the increase in pupil numbers across the school. This site requires the creation of two lodges, one for social enterprise and one for skills for employment, as well as improvements and enhancements to the existing perimeter fence line. Further site space needs development to increase outdoor learning opportunities along with repurposing of accommodation currently used by the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS).

All of these developments will enable Broomhill Bank School to create a curriculum offer to support children and young people with a wider dimension of need.

Have your say

If you wish to support, object or comment on this proposal, please respond by either:

  • coming to the consultation drop-in session at Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) on Tuesday 24 June 2025 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm where there will be the opportunity to ask questions, give your views and complete a response form.
  • completing our online response form
  • sending a copy of the response form by post to: Mr Steven Ackerley, Executive Headteacher, Broomhill Bank School, Broomhill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TB
  • handing your response form in at either the North (Hextable) or West (Tunbridge Wells) site school offices.
  • by emailing: info@broomhill-bank.kent.sch.uk

All written responses need to be received by noon on 18 July 2025.

Kent County Council (KCC), together with the Governing Body of Broomhill Bank School, is consulting to formally expand its designated number from 318 students to 490.

Broomhill Bank School is a Foundation Special School and a member of KsENT, catering for students aged 11-19 years who have communication and interaction needs associated with autism and speech, language and communication needs.

KCC, together with the Governing Body of Broomhill Bank School, is seeking the views of parents, staff and other stakeholders on a proposal to permanently increase the formal designated number of the school from 318 students to 490 students. Currently the school is already admitting students over and above the designated number, and this proposal includes the creation of a further 105 places aided by the provision of new facilities on the Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) site.

KCC as the Local Authority, has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2025-29 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out our future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the plan can be viewed from this link: Education Provision - Kent County Council

The Kent Commissioning Plan 2025-2029 indicated that there will be a shortfall in Special School provision primarily in North Kent. Even though KCC’s direction of travel is to increase Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in mainstream schools and associated Specialist Resource Provisions, due to already identified shortfalls and anticipated population growth particularly in certain areas of North Kent, more specialist provision is required for children and young people with more complex needs.

The Executive Headteacher of Broomhill Bank School continues to admit students with a wider dimension of need, a practice that began three years ago and commits to continue this practice, whilst ensuring the quality of education for all students is maintained. These additional day places will help alleviate current pressures and help mitigate future population growth across the wider North and West Kent areas.

A significant proportion of the proposed increase relates to the North (Hextable) site of Broomhill Bank School. North Kent is still encountering significant growth in certain areas (primarily Dartford) and the other two districts of Gravesham and Sevenoaks are fast approaching completion of their new Local Plans, which will see significant housebuilding required for the period up to 2040 and beyond.

This proposal seeks to enable the expansion by introducing a further 105 places (15 per year group) on the Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) site, by:

  • demolishing Lyndsay House (one of the original buildings now unusable due to the condition being beyond economical repair)
  • building two new blocks totaling 12 modular classrooms and ancillary space
  • upgrading outdoor areas
  • making internal modifications to the main school building
  • carrying out remodeling work to the car park and any necessary highways mitigations

Broomhill Bank School West (Tunbridge Wells site) also requires some minor adaptations and enhancements to existing buildings to facilitate the increase in pupil numbers across the school. This site requires the creation of two lodges, one for social enterprise and one for skills for employment, as well as improvements and enhancements to the existing perimeter fence line. Further site space needs development to increase outdoor learning opportunities along with repurposing of accommodation currently used by the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS).

All of these developments will enable Broomhill Bank School to create a curriculum offer to support children and young people with a wider dimension of need.

Have your say

If you wish to support, object or comment on this proposal, please respond by either:

  • coming to the consultation drop-in session at Broomhill Bank School North (Hextable) on Tuesday 24 June 2025 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm where there will be the opportunity to ask questions, give your views and complete a response form.
  • completing our online response form
  • sending a copy of the response form by post to: Mr Steven Ackerley, Executive Headteacher, Broomhill Bank School, Broomhill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TB
  • handing your response form in at either the North (Hextable) or West (Tunbridge Wells) site school offices.
  • by emailing: info@broomhill-bank.kent.sch.uk

All written responses need to be received by noon on 18 July 2025.