New images have been released of what a school, which is currently being held up by scaffolding, could look like.

Plans have been submitted for Orchards Academy in St Marys Road, Swanley, after it was awarded money for renovation as part of a £1bn government project.

The mixed comprehensive school is one of 400 chosen to receive the money as part of a school rebuild 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 are moved to different rooms across the school whilst different areas are fixed.

But now, after a two year campaign, the plans and new pictures of what the school will look like have been revealed.

As well as replacing the existing buildings they will also create a football pitch and games space, easy access for community use of the facilities, two extra parking spaces, a dedicated sheltered SEN garden, and a dedicated entrance for pupils accessing the SEN faciltities at The Grove and The Harvey Centre, which will be situated in one block.

Two temporary classrooms are set to be erected on site as the construction will take place whilst the school is open.

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 chamber 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 House of Commons 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

Speaking at the time Ms Trott said the much needed cash would ensure the Academy is a school "fit for the future" and can continue to provide a good education.

Formerly known as Swanley Technology College, the school counts Chelsea and England footballer Ruben Loftus-Cheek among its list of famous sporting alumni.

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