A city grammar school has revealed ambitious plans for a complete rebuild to include a 1,200-capacity ‘superblock’ after securing central government funding.

Simon Langton Girls’ School in Canterbury has sent letters to parents detailing proposals for a new school on the site of the current car park.

Plans include a classroom and hall block to accommodate 1,200 students, tennis courts, informal recreation area and a new sports hall.

Existing buildings, known to be prone to leaks and plunging temperatures, would be demolished as part of the overhaul.

In her letter, head teacher Jane Robinson tells parents that a final decision on whether the school is extensively refurbished or completely rebuilt will be made in autumn.

She writes: “We had commissioned a fully costed condition survey [of the current buildings] ourselves, so that we could demonstrate the real cost of refurbishment.

“It became clearer as the day went on that refurbishment would be extremely difficult and that a full rebuild would be the most likely outcome."

Ms Robinson adds that if the full rebuild becomes a reality, the school will benefit from a long-awaited new sports hall.

“This is something which we have fought for over a number of years and it is now a reality, and we know it is fully-funded,” she writes.

“There will be lots of hard work over the next year or two, and we will want to involve you as parents and all our students in helping to design our new buildings.

“Thank you to all parents for your support and patience over the years, and to your daughters, sons and the staff for putting up with the water leaks, the temperatures and all the other problems associated with our ancient buildings.”

Simon Langton Girls’ has drafted in the Lee Evans Partnership of Architects and Planners to oversee the design of the new school.

“The building will be of a standardised design and could be configured in a number of ways on our site,” writes Ms Robinson.

“We have to wait until the Autumn to hear about exactly when in the five year programme we will be rebuilt or refurbished, but we are anticipating that it will be early as we have the site availability and easy access, which many schools are not fortunate to have.

“If the outcome is total rebuild, it will mean that our new school can be rebuilt as we carry on in the old premises, then we can just transfer sites while the old school is demolished, which will be far better educationally for your daughters and sons than refurbishment over a period of time.”

Last week we revealed how education chiefs have admitted that Canterbury's former Chaucer Technology School - which closed due to falling numbers - could reopen in years to come.

And a second Canterbury grammar, Barton Court School, has also announced bold expansion plans in recent weeks.