Wealden
The resounding response of 1023 parents on behalf of 1597 nursery and primary school-aged children shows that the numbers more than stack up for a secondary school to return to the Angley Road site in Cranbrook.
Following discussions with supportive local MPs Katie Lam and Mike Martin, the Support Weald Schooling team conducted the survey with help from nursery and primary schools within a 7-mile catchment of Cranbrook. The aim was to establish if parents would send their child/ren to a non-selective secondary school in Cranbrook.
The survey results showed clearly that if a non-selective secondary school opened in Cranbrook in September 2026, it would be filled in Years 7 and 8 by 168 and 149 current Year 4 and Year 5 children respectively. Demand from parents with younger children is even higher as they hope common sense will prevail and a non-selective secondary school will be opened in time for their children to learn locally. The numbers of children whose parents would choose this option are: Pre-school/nursery 313; Reception 222; Year 1 209; Year 2 190; Year 3 213. The remainder making up the total are 133 in Year 6 who, sadly, are destined to be bussed out of town up to 12 miles away to large, packed schools in Tenterden, Wadhurst, Paddock Wood and Maidstone.
Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) owns the land and some unused buildings proposed for the new school site – with Kent County Council (KCC) stating such a school is not sustainable. But local parents have spoken and shown that it IS. The Support Weald Schooling campaign now asks LAT to consider its options and fulfil its potential to do the right thing by Weald families. Other uses being considered for the land include building more family or retirement homes but the lack of secondary schooling, medical services and additional infrastructure clearly make THAT unsustainable. Indeed, developers are already struggling to sell their current new builds, frequently being met with the reason that, ’there isn’t a local school.’
“The Weald is recognised as a ‘cold spot’ with regard to access to secondary education which acknowledges Cranbrook and its surrounding villages have inadequate non-selective secondary school provision,” says David Selby of Support Weald Schooling.
“Current options for our children are unsatisfactory with lengthy and, on many occasions, unacceptable and unsafe experiences when travelling to these schools. Increasingly, families are resorting to homeschooling their children as they believe this to be their best option. To be placed in such a situation is surely unacceptable.”
Furthermore, very large schools don’t suit many children. With some boasting an intake of 240+ in Year 7 – with one set to rise to 330 – it’s hardly surprising that children from primary schools, the majority with year groups of 20–25, find the transition overwhelming.
Published figures for the four nearest secondary schools show that between 32% and 41% of children miss at least 10% of their lessons. In real terms, that equates to one day every fortnight. That is an incredible level of absenteeism.
“Children are facing extremely large schools up to 12 miles away from their home and spending as long as two hours a day on school buses or commuting by train and foot,” comments Kim Fletcher, from Support Weald Schooling. “Their friendship groups are scattered for miles and this, added to the anxiety they feel, means a growing number simply feel unable to attend school. A local school could end this unacceptable situation.”
Support Weald Schooling maintains that the site on Angley Road, where the old school used to be housed, is perfect for a new, smaller (4 or 5 form entry) non-selective secondary school. The land was used for educational purposes and a small proportion of the site now houses the very successful Snowfields Academy, run by Leigh Academies Trust, who recognises there is still plenty of room to house a neighbouring non-selective secondary school.
“Support Weald Schooling has shown the demand and need for a non-selective secondary to be returned to the Weald to address the glaring absence and allow children to live and learn locally,” says Kim. “We have the demand and Leigh Academies Trust has both the land and the capability to put things right. We implore KCC to do the right thing, recognise the huge demand and support the call to restore secondary education to the heart of the Weald.”
