Proposal for new secondary school approved by Kingston Council

The new, non-academically-selective school will meet the growing need for more high-quality state-funded secondary school places in the local area and provide reassurance and certainty for Kingston's parents and carers that there will be sufficient places for their children. 

The six-form entry school for 11-16 year olds, which will include a 20-place specialist resource provision for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, will be built on the Kingsmeadow site in Norbiton, subject to formal disposal of the site and planning permission. It is due to open in September 2025.

Demand for Year 7 places has grown substantially across the borough in the past five years, from 1,642 applicants in 2017 to 1,894 this year. More importantly, the number of children without the offer of a secondary school place has also grown considerably. While in 2017, all 11 year olds were offered a place at one of their preferred schools or an alternative, this year 158 children were without the offer of a place on Year 7 offers day on 1 March. 

The number of unplaced children is forecast to grow further in future years, to the point where asking existing schools to accommodate ‘bulge’ classes would be unsustainable.

Councillor Diane White, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services said: 

“This is wonderful news for children and families across our borough. On each National Offer Day for Year 7 admissions in the last few years, there have been a large number of unplaced children across Kingston. Although I recognise that a significant minority of respondents to the Diocese’s consultation were opposed to the school and faith schools in general, church schools in the borough are very popular and play an essential part in our local family of schools.

“The new school will help meet the growing need for more secondary school places and will give our parents and carers certainty that enough places will be provided and give them increased choice.

“Importantly, it will also include excellent educational provision for 20 children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans whose primary needs are Social Communication, including Autism, and Mild to Moderate Learning Difficulties. In addition, the local community will benefit by having access to the school’s facilities outside school hours.

“The Diocese of Southwark has considerable experience of delivering high quality education provision, with schools in 12 local authorities across South London and Surrey. Kingston does not currently have any Church of England secondary provision, so this new school will add to the diversity and will provide a natural destination for some of the children attending the 10 Church of England primary schools within the borough.”

The Diocese of Southwark held an initial consultation on the proposal for the school in early 2017, proactively seeking the views of parents, carers, teachers and a range of stakeholders.

In April and May this year, the Diocese held a four-week statutory representation period on its proposal, seeking the community’s views. 245 responses were received from local residents and organisations, as well as some from outside the borough.

The council’s approval is subject to a subsequent decision being taken to allocate the proposed council-owned site for the school, a commitment of 10% of the capital cost (estimated at £2.5m) and planning permission being granted.