Sevenoaks special needs children may have to travel to Dartford
Special needs pupils attending a Sevenoaks school may have to travel to another Kent borough for their studies.
Kent County Council (KCC) has unveiled £938,000 plans to relocate from a nursery at Milestone Academy in New Ash Green to Cherry Orchard Primary Academy in Ebbsfleet Valley near Dartford.
Both schools have been rated outstanding by Ofsted and described as popular with parents.
Ian Watts, KCC's north Kent's area education officer, has revealed a need to provide "cost-effective" solutions amid a rising demand for special school places this decade.
It comes alongside forecast housing growth in Dartford and Sevenoaks.
A KCC report said: "If Milestone nursery were re-located to the Cherry Orchard and operated as a satellite, it would release sufficient capacity at Milestone’s Sevenoaks site to offer more special school places.
"This would benefit children and families in the Dartford, Ebbsfleet and northern Sevenoaks area."
Under this scheme, Milestone Academy has proposed to build a satellite on a new location seven miles away in Dartford.
Vacant space at the Cherry Orchard Primary Academy site may be used to create more capacity for Year R special school places.
If approved, another 10 to 12 extra students will be accommodated each year at Milestone's new satellite. This would be run by Leigh Academies Trust.
If no further action is taken, KCC says it will be "extremely difficult" to provide sufficient special school places in the northern part of Kent.
There are very few specialist nurseries in the county. Most must travel with parents or carers in private transport. Some of the children will have mobility challenges.
A KCC report said: "Identifying a small site specifically for a special needs nursery is very challenging.
"While land can be identified for mainstream primary and secondary schools, nursery school do not always get accorded the same priority.
"A special needs nursery fulfils an essential place for the community and for the well being and educational needs of children with challenges to their achieving their potential."
Both schools and the trust are fully supportive of the proposal, according to the county council.
The total cost for the relocation has been valued at £938,000, which includes £838,000 from KCC and £100,000 from the school trust.
Councillors will review the plans at County Hall's education committee meeting on Tuesday, March 1.
They will make recommendations to KCC's education cabinet member, Cllr Shellina Prendergast (Con), who will then make a final decision.