A primary school in the heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City is set for a £1.3 million expansion after taking in extra pupils to help solve a local placement crisis.
Ebbsfleet Green Primary School has moved to formalise plans for a new classroom block to provide permanent space for “bulge” groups of students admitted over the last two years. The proposal, backed by Kent County Council (KCC), comes as housing development in the area continues to outpace the construction of other planned schools.
Education bosses say the investment is now essential to ensure that children already enrolled at the site have a dedicated place to learn as they move up through the year groups.
Solving the “bulge” class pressure
When the school first opened its doors in 2020, it was designed as a “one-form entry” site, meaning it took just 30 pupils per year. However, a significant shortfall of school places across the Swanscombe and Ebbsfleet area forced a change in strategy.
To make sure no local child was left without a desk, the school agreed to admit 60 students per year for two consecutive intakes. While the academy is currently using internal spare rooms to house these extra children, officials warn that this “borrowed” space will run out by September 2026.
Why the expansion is happening now
The primary reason for the sudden pressure is a delay to other local infrastructure projects. Specifically, a new primary school at the nearby Alkerden Academy has faced setbacks, which has put an unexpected burden on existing sites like Ebbsfleet Green.
At the same time, Dartford remains one of the fastest-growing boroughs in the UK. With thousands of young families moving into the Garden City every year, the demand for early-years education has also soared. Because of this, the new project will also include a brand-new nursery classroom to tackle a local shortage of childcare places.
Funding and the “Section 106” contribution
The total cost for the new facilities is estimated at £1,294,245. Much of this funding is tied to Section 106 agreements, which are legal obligations requiring property developers to contribute to local services to offset the impact of their housing projects.
This “developer tax” is being funneled through Kent County Council’s capital budget. Council documents show that officials did consider other options, such as leasing temporary portable cabins. However, they ultimately rejected this idea because leasing would have cost nearly £1 million over six years with nothing to show for it at the end. By spending £1.3m on a permanent block, the council argues it is getting much better long-term value for taxpayers.
Technical details and construction
The plans submitted to the council involve the use of a high-quality modular building. This method is often favoured for school sites because the units can be built off-site and installed quickly. This should mean less noise and disruption for the children currently in lessons.
The Maritime Academy Trust, which manages the school, has been working closely with local planners to get the design right. Trust leaders noted that while the “bulge” classes arrived sooner than expected, the school was always intended to be a hub that grew alongside its neighbourhood.
Looking ahead
For many families living in the Ebbsfleet Valley, the expansion offers a sense of stability. The “walkable” design of the school is a major part of the Garden City’s green strategy, which aims to keep the morning school run on the footpaths rather than on the roads.
The proposal is now in the final stages of the decision-making process at the county level. If the plans are approved, construction is expected to start later this year. The goal is to have the “Class of 2026” move into their permanent classrooms on time.
As the wider Ebbsfleet project moves toward its final goal of 15,000 new homes, this expansion is a clear sign of the ongoing struggle to keep local services in line with the changing face of the borough.
