Reform’s Thanington Primary School Betrayal

The future of the new 420 pupil Thanington Primary School, initially due to open in 2025, is now in significant doubt.

Conservative run KCC pushed back the build start date until this year, and now Reform run KCC have said that work will not start this year and "if the project is resurrected it will be 2028 earliest for a possible 2030 opening".

I only found out about this when the proposals to upgrade the electric substation were cancelled. This is a complete betrayal of trust. The houses keep coming but the community benefits never materialise.

Many families have moved into new homes in Thanington with the expectation of their children being able to attend this school which will also relieve pressure on Wincheap Primary school. It’s a disgrace that Reform run KCC would sooner keep developer’s money in the bank rather than provide the school places that are so desperately needed.

I know families that already face long journeys to get their children across Canterbury or to schools in villages like Chartham and Petham. It’s madness and a complete betrayal by Reform that 750 homes can be built at Saxon Fields, and another 420 at Cockering Farm without a single brick being laid at Thanington Primary School.

Councillor Mike Sole