The funding will be used to build three new classrooms at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, one of which will be used as a second nursery class, offering much‑needed early years places for local families.
The other two classrooms will allow the school to accommodate two “bulge” Reception classes that were admitted in September 2024 and September 2025, following a shortfall of Year R places identified in the Kent Commissioning Plans.
The need for extra capacity has been driven by rapid growth across the Swanscombe and Ebbsfleet area, as well as delays to the opening of a new primary provision at Alkerden Church of England Academy.
The new classrooms will be built on part of the field next to the school's main building.
To help manage this pressure, Ebbsfleet Green Primary School and Maritime Academy Trust agreed to temporarily increase their Reception intake from 60 to 90 pupils over two years.
The school opened in 2020 so was initially able to house the bulge classes in spare classrooms that were not yet being used. However, the school is due to reach full capacity by September 2027 and the expansion will make space for the bulge classes to continue their education on site safely and comfortably.
Supporting SEND provision for the future
The school is home to The Woodlands, a 15‐place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) for pupils with autism spectrum disorder. In the longer term, once the bulge year groups move through the school, the new classrooms could be used as additional SEND intervention spaces, offering the potential to strengthen the school’s overall SEND offer and provide enhanced support for children with complex needs.
“This expansion will also support our long‑term plans to strengthen SEND provision, ensuring that children with the most complex needs can access the right support close to home.”
Following a visit to the school, Beverley Fordham, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “The expansion represents a significant step in ensuring children across the Swanscombe and Ebbsfleet area can continue to access high‑quality, inclusive education close to home now and for years to come.
“I am particularly pleased that this expansion will also support our long‑term plans to strengthen SEND provision, ensuring that children with the most complex needs can access the right support close to home.”">Joshua Croucher, Head of School at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, said: " We are proud to support our local community’s rapid growth. By partnering with KCC to increase our intake, we created significantly more places for local families to access a school close to home.
“This investment and the new classrooms allow us to maintain high standards for our current pupils while opening up vital new early years opportunities to meet the growing needs in the local area.”
The plans were endorsed at the Children Young People and Education Cabinet Committee in January.
A planning application for the scheme is currently being prepared.
