New drone images reveal the progress on a major project transforming a former college into a school’s extension.
The aerial shots show sleek new buildings now dominating the old Walmer Science College site on Salisbury Road in Walmer.
Construction is nearing completion ahead of its planned opening in September for the 2025/26 academic year.
The modern two-storey blocks and landscaped areas offer a stark contrast to the old, dilapidated 1950s structures that once stood there.
The development is part of a £20m project to expand special educational provision in Kent.
The Beacon School, based in Folkestone, is extending its services onto the Walmer site to accommodate up to 240 additional pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), particularly those living with autism and social, emotional, and mental health challenges.
Work began in earnest last year after a long journey involving multiple phases and significant financial hurdles.
Initial plans were approved in 2020, and the first phase – which opened in April 2021 – was initially estimated to cost £1.6m but ended up costing £3.1m due to unforeseen issues with the condition of the buildings.
The most recent phase has been far more ambitious.
In March 2023, Kent County Council confirmed an additional £16m investment after it emerged the total cost had ballooned to five times the original estimate.
Councillors approved the funding but acknowledged it was equivalent to the cost of building four new primary schools.
The site, which closed its doors as Walmer Science College a decade ago, has since undergone extensive work.
Bulldozers tore down the outdated modular buildings from the 1950s last year after a report found they were beyond repair.
However, a section built in 2004 has been retained and integrated into the new school layout.
A spokesperson for Kent County Council (KCC) said: “Contractors have worked with KCC and school leaders to deliver the building in time for pupils starting in September 2025.
“The refurbished and new buildings will be handed over on Monday, August 11, to allow the school enough time to prepare the new classrooms for the start of term.
“Once at full capacity, the school will be able to cater for 240 pupils with special educational needs reflecting KCC’s commitment to meeting pupil need locally and reducing the need for pupils to travel long distances.”
When finished, the new school will feature 28 classrooms across two blocks – one for younger pupils in Key Stage One and Two, and another for older students – along with therapy rooms and a gymnasium.
Ady Young, head teacher at The Beacon said this week: “It has been an absolute privilege to work in collaboration with Kent County Council (KCC) to increase the much-needed provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the Dover and Deal district.
“The shared vision and determination to get this over the line in times of such financial hardship for the authority is testament to the partnership of The Beacon, KCC and WW Martin working together to create such a valuable school resource.
“We will be opening the second phase with close to 80 pupils. We have already been welcomed into the community during our initial opening phases and are committed to making an even greater impact as the school opens more fully in September.”
