New images have been released of a crumbling school's £32.8million replacement.
Orchards Academy in St Mary’s Road, Swanley, is being rebuilt while children and staff continue to use parts of the building after years of it being held up by scaffolding.
It is due to be completed in November 2026 and will be able to cater for up to 750 pupils.
Built by construction company BAM, it will include new classroom facilities, indoor sports provisions, and new external soft sports pitches.
It will also have integrated furniture and equipment to support diverse learning needs.
The net zero project includes the construction of a three-storey teaching building with a separate double-height sports and dining block, opening in October 2025.
The building features improved thermal efficiency, plenty of natural light and a green roof to reduce overheating and provide a home for natural habitats.
The scheme has a phased programme, which includes installation of temporary buildings, demolition of initial small buildings, the main construction phase, main demolition and completion of external works and car parks.
Since work started in November last year asbestos has been removed and two temporary teaching units installed.
Daniel Brenchley, construction manager at BAM, said: “The Orchard Academy will meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability design, aligning perfectly with our own mission of building a sustainable tomorrow.
“The buildings well thought out spaces, providing access to plenty of natural daylight, will create an environment supporting learning and growth for all learning needs.
“Once complete, the Academy will also become an integral part of the community with the school’s modern facilities offering a hub for local sports teams, organisations, and the public.”
The mixed comprehensive school is one of 400 chosen to receive money as part of a £1bn government programme announced in June 2020 to replace school buildings that are aging and in poor condition.
Analysis of the building suggested that upgrading the existing facilities was not an option due to "the extremeity of the defects" some of which are "currently supported by scaffolding to protect staff, pupils and visitors from window and cladding panels falling out”.
Plans submitted to Sevenoaks council said the existing drainage system pipework was deemed “so old that it is corroded beyond reasonable repair” meaning the school currently has to “constantly monitor weather reports so that when heavy rain is forecast sandbags can be put in place, and the site team can attend in the evening to turn sump pumps on”.
Asbestos has also been identified across the site and is starting to degrade, meaning pupils have been moved to different rooms across the school while different areas are fixed.
The decision to renovate the school comes more than two years after MP for Sevenoaks Laura Trott launched a campaign for the school to be rebuilt as part of the government’s school rebuilding programme.
Ms Trott asked both the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary about funding in the House of Commons in 2021, and held separate follow up meetings with ministers to help build the case for the school to be included in future funding allocations.
A petition was presented in the chamber calling for the site in St Mary's Road to be rebuilt and was signed by 1,333 people.
The school was finally selected in May 2021 as one of four schools in Kent, including St Mary's Primary in Deal and Pilgrim's Way Primary in Canterbury and Wrotham School in Wrotham.
