Proposed new primary school in Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells

We would like to hear your views on a proposal to open a new primary school in Paddock Wood in September 2028.

This is an informal consultation prior to the launch of a Free School Presumption Competition regarding a proposed new primary school in the Paddock Wood Planning Area.

In England, all new schools must be set up as “Free Schools”, which means they are run by academy trusts. When a local authority needs a new school, it invites academy trusts to apply to run it. This is known as the Free School Presumption process.

Before embarking on the launch of a Free School Presumption competition, local authorities are encouraged by the Department for Education (DfE) to conduct a local consultation. The consultation aims to publicise the need for a new school to local community stakeholders and potential academy trusts. This consultation is in accordance with the published DfE guidance that can be access via this link: Establishing a new academy: the free school presumption route - May 2024

Why is KCC proposing the establishment of a new school?

KCC has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2026-30 (KCP) 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.

We look at birth rates, local population changes, and new housing developments to predict future demand for school places. Paddock Wood has seen significant housebuilding in recent years, consequently the forecast for the Paddock Wood planning group shows there may not be enough school places in the area without a new school.

Details of the proposed new school:

To meet this need for additional places within the Paddock Wood planning group KCC would seek to establish a new primary school within the town to open in September 2028. The new school would include classroom space to accommodate 1FE (30 places in each year group) and core facilities, such as a hall and kitchen sufficient for 2FE (60 places in each year) to support future expansion when needed. The new school would also include a 26 place nursery and a 14 place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) to support children with additional needs.

More information regarding the need for a new school, its proposed location and specifics of the new school can be found in the Consultation Document, which is available from the Documents section on this webpage.

We have completed an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) to see if the proposal could affect anyone unfairly. We welcome your views on the assumptions we have made and the conclusions we have drawn. The EqIA is available to from the Documents section on this webpage.

Have your say

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

  • completing our online response form
  • sending a copy of the response form by post to: Nick Abrahams, Children, Young People and Education, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ
  • by emailing: school.consultations@kent.gov.uk. Please put ‘Proposed new primary school in Paddock Wood’ in the subject line

All written responses need to be received by noon on 22 April 2026.

We would like to hear your views on a proposal to open a new primary school in Paddock Wood in September 2028.

This is an informal consultation prior to the launch of a Free School Presumption Competition regarding a proposed new primary school in the Paddock Wood Planning Area.

In England, all new schools must be set up as “Free Schools”, which means they are run by academy trusts. When a local authority needs a new school, it invites academy trusts to apply to run it. This is known as the Free School Presumption process.

Before embarking on the launch of a Free School Presumption competition, local authorities are encouraged by the Department for Education (DfE) to conduct a local consultation. The consultation aims to publicise the need for a new school to local community stakeholders and potential academy trusts. This consultation is in accordance with the published DfE guidance that can be access via this link: Establishing a new academy: the free school presumption route - May 2024

Why is KCC proposing the establishment of a new school?

KCC has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2026-30 (KCP) 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.

We look at birth rates, local population changes, and new housing developments to predict future demand for school places. Paddock Wood has seen significant housebuilding in recent years, consequently the forecast for the Paddock Wood planning group shows there may not be enough school places in the area without a new school.

Details of the proposed new school:

To meet this need for additional places within the Paddock Wood planning group KCC would seek to establish a new primary school within the town to open in September 2028. The new school would include classroom space to accommodate 1FE (30 places in each year group) and core facilities, such as a hall and kitchen sufficient for 2FE (60 places in each year) to support future expansion when needed. The new school would also include a 26 place nursery and a 14 place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) to support children with additional needs.

More information regarding the need for a new school, its proposed location and specifics of the new school can be found in the Consultation Document, which is available from the Documents section on this webpage.

We have completed an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) to see if the proposal could affect anyone unfairly. We welcome your views on the assumptions we have made and the conclusions we have drawn. The EqIA is available to from the Documents section on this webpage.

Have your say

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

  • completing our online response form
  • sending a copy of the response form by post to: Nick Abrahams, Children, Young People and Education, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ
  • by emailing: school.consultations@kent.gov.uk. Please put ‘Proposed new primary school in Paddock Wood’ in the subject line

All written responses need to be received by noon on 22 April 2026.