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The former Chaucer Technology School now stands like a long-abandoned building from a post-apocalyptic film scene.
Its closure four years ago was sparked by falling standards and dwindling pupil numbers, and nature has since taken hold of the Canterbury-based site.
Climbing ivy crawls up the exterior of the 1960s building and 5ft weeds block views inside classrooms once filled with children.
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But now, an eye-catching vision for its future has been revealed for the first time ahead of a planned public consultation by the Barton Court Academy Trust, which will run a non-selective secondary school on the site.
Protracted negotiations between Kent County Council and the Department for Education have delayed the redevelopment for a year.
But now resolved, the old school is set to be demolished in September and work will start in the new year on a state-of-the-art building, which will open in 2021.
Each year will have five forms of 30 pupils, with the first 150 children joining Year 7 in September 2021
The new school is set to play a vital role in coping with an increase in demand for places caused by huge housing developments in the area, including at the former Howe Barracks.
That need has been identified by KCC, but the authority is not involved in the project.
It predicts an extra 135 Year 7 places will be needed in Canterbury by 2021, rising to 201 by 2023.
KCC’s cabinet member for children, young people and education, Roger Gough, said: "Talks are being had with other secondary schools which may be in a position to provide temporary Year 7 places for 2019 and 2020.
“We are confident we will be able to secure those additional places to meet any pressures until the new school opens.”
Chaucer was originally called the Canterbury Technical School for Boys and opened on the site in Spring Lane in 1967.
Its closure was announced in 2014, with the last lessons held the following year, despite petitions to keep it open.
WATCH: The school closed four years ago amid dwindling numbers
The new school is being funded by the DfE, and the Education and Skills Funding Agency has responsibility for the overall project management.
Gen2, which is a KCC Local Authority Trading Company, is managing the demolition and build.
More details of the development will be revealed at a public consultation event at the old school's sports hall in Spring Lane from 3.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, July 4.
