Prime Highlights:
- The government has confirmed that a new secondary school will be built in Hanwood Park, Kettering, bringing relief to families and residents.
- Local leaders and project directors see the decision as a strong vote of confidence in the growth and future of Hanwood Park.
Key Facts:
- Plans for the free school were first approved by the Department for Education in 2021 and will be run by the Orbis Education Trust.
- Hanwood Park is one of the nation’s largest planned garden communities, with permission for 5,500 new homes, highlighting the need for new local school facilities.
Background:
The government has confirmed that a new secondary school will be built on the Hanwood Park estate in Kettering, Northamptonshire, giving local families good news.
Plans for the school were approved by the Department for Education in 2021, and the project will now go ahead even though other new free school projects have been cancelled across the country.
Rosie Wrighting, Labour MP for Kettering, welcomed the confirmation, acknowledging that residents have been concerned about the pressure on already over-subscribed secondary schools. She said she will continue to work on getting a confirmed opening date and will let local people know once there is more information.
Hanwood Park is one of the nation’s largest planned garden communities, with planning permission granted in 2011 for 5,500 new homes. Residents were worried that delays in building the school would make hundreds of children travel farther, putting extra pressure on current schools and families.
David Wilmot, a local father, described the previous delays as a “catastrophic failure,” highlighting the urgent need for local high-quality education.
Chris Langdon, project director at Hanwood Park, said the team is ready to start work. He said that, together with new facilities like the David Lloyd Club, the decision shows confidence in the future growth and success of Hanwood Park.
The council has stated that it will seek further clarity on the timeline for the school’s delivery. The new secondary school will be run by the Orbis Education Trust, giving local children a good education.
With the government’s approval, Hanwood Park residents will have better access to schools and a growing, well-planned community.
