The school already has a well-established Specialist Resource Provision (SRP), called Aspen 2. It supports secondary-aged pupils with profound, severe and complex needs (PSCN). Originally, Aspen 2 was designed for 40 pupils across five classes, but demand - and the level of need - has increased significantly over time.
In 2022, the academy’s Trust, Turner Schools, expanded the provision by 16 places, increasing capacity to 56 pupils across seven classes. KCC supported this with funding. Since then, demand has continued to rise, and there are now 78 pupils attending Aspen 2.
Looking ahead, 78 places are already planned for the 2026–27 academic year, and numbers are expected to stay at around this level. This reflects growing demand across Kent, including pupils currently attending Whitfield Aspen Primary School, many of whom will move into secondary provision in the coming years.
As numbers and needs have grown, the existing facilities are no longer fully suitable. The new funding from KCC will allow the provision to be expanded and upgraded so it can better meet the needs of pupils.
Planned improvements at the school include:
- New sensory areas, including a permanent sensory circuit and an outdoor sensory garden with a dedicated play space
- Changes to existing spaces to create calm areas, therapy spaces and improved changing facilities
- Refurbished classrooms and shared areas to better support pupils with complex needs
- New IT and specialist equipment to support learning and communication
- Spaces for life skills learning, including a life skills room and a work experience café Improved access, safety, and overall learning environment
KCC cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Beverley Fordham, visiting one of the rooms which is to be converted as part of the SRP expansion
After visiting the school, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Beverley Fordham, said: “Dover Christ Church Academy has done an excellent job supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Seeing it in person, it’s clear the positive difference this provision makes to pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
“This funding will help more children get the support they need in the right environment. It shows KCC’s commitment to making sure children with additional needs can access high-quality support within mainstream schools.”
Dean Jones,Turner Schools Chief Strategy Officer, said:
“This investment will help ensure that pupils in Dover can access the specialist support they need close to home, in a setting designed for them. The improvements are expected to be completed and ready for pupils by September 2026.”
Matt Tate, Director of Secondary, said: “These improvements will strengthen our work to improve the outcomes for the young people we serve and maintain a community where they feel valued and safe.
“We would like to thank Kent County Council for this investment which will help Dover Christ Church Academy develop confident young learners who have every opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
One of the current sensory rooms in Aspen 2
Sophie Barker, Leader of Aspen 2, said: “We are delighted that these improvements will be carried out ready for the new academic year. The new facilities will be a huge boost to the provision we offer here and will help staff to develop a greater sense of self-worth in our students.
“We are committed to providing a unique learning environment that offers a range of inclusive opportunities so that all our students can reach their full potential and we look forward to the added benefits that these new state-of-the-art facilities will bring.”
The upgraded Specialist Resource Provision is expected to be complete and ready for pupils by the start of the September 2026 term.
