From September 2027, the school's Published Admission Number (PAN) will increase from 160 to 190, creating an additional 30 Year 7 places each year.
Plans of the new sports facilities
The plans include three new classrooms, a science classroom extension, a new three-court sports hall and upgrades to existing facilities.
The expansion has been identified in Kent County Council's Commissioning Plan for Education Provision, which forecasts a need for additional selective school places in the Maidstone and Malling area.
Demand for grammar school places has continued to rise as Maidstone's population grows. While the proportion of pupils passing the Kent Test has remained broadly the same, the number of children eligible for grammar school places has increased as more families move into the area and new homes are built.
The scheme will also help address an imbalance in local grammar school provision. Following the expansion of Maidstone Grammar School for Girls in 2023, around 55% of Year 7 grammar school places in the borough are for girls, compared to 45% for boys. As Oakwood Park is a boys' grammar school, the additional places will help create a more balanced provision for local pupils.
Demand is already high, with Oakwood Park having no spare Year 7 places and forecasts showing continued pressure on grammar school places across Maidstone and Malling over the coming years.
“This is about making sure we're investing in the right places now to support local families in the years ahead.”
Cllr Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:
"We're seeing increasing demand for grammar school places in Maidstone, and with more families moving into the area, it's important that our schools have the capacity to meet that need. Expanding Oakwood Park Grammar School will create more opportunities for local boys to access a grammar school education closer to home.
"Alongside the additional places, the new classrooms and sports facilities will help ensure the school continues to provide an excellent environment for pupils to learn, develop and succeed. This is about making sure we're investing in the right places now to support local families in the years ahead."
The plans include three new classrooms, as well as a new three-court sports hall.
The expansion is being funded through Kent County Council's Basic Need Capital Programme, with funding coming from a combination of government grants, council capital funding and developer contributions linked to housing growth in the area. More than £400,000 of the total £7.3 million cost will be met through developer contributions.
