A secondary school in Swanley could get a much needed facelift after a petition was set up to rebuild it.

MP for Sevenoaks Laura Trott has today launched a campaign for Orchards Academy to be rebuilt as part of the government’s school rebuilding programme.

The main building for the mixed school in St Mary's Road has fallen into a state of disrepair and now needs improving.

Local MP Laura Trott has been working closely with Orchards Academy since her election in 2019 to secure government funding for repair works.

Backed by more than £1 billion, the national school rebuilding programme will oversee a range of projects from replacing or refurbishing individual buildings to demolishing entire schools and rebuilding them.

Over the last year Ms Trott has asked both the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary about funding in the chamber, and recently held separate follow up meetings with ministers to help build the case for the Orchards Academy to be included in future funding allocations.

She said this much needed cash would ensure the Academy is a school "fit for the future" and can continue to provide a good education.

“I know from my recent visits just how urgently repair is needed," said Ms Trott.

"Helping our schools and our teachers is an absolute priority for me, and I will continue to lead the campaign locally to ensure this funding for Orchards Academy is secured.

"This petition will show the strength of public support that there is locally to rebuild this excellent school.”

Natalie Willbourn, headteacher at Orchards Academy, is on-board and expressed her gratitude for the MP's support.

“We are very grateful for Laura Trott's commitment and support to this project," she said.

"The school and local community welcome any interest and look forward to what we hope will be a successful outcome for Orchards Academy and Swanley.”

The government says its school rebuilding programme, first announced in June last year, is part of an ambitious ten-year strategy that will see the transformation of 500 school buildings across England.

An initial wave of approved works is on track with site inspections and detailed planning in place meaning the first 50 rebuild projects will start from this autumn.

The majority of these projects are expected to be completed within the next three to five years.

Of the first 50 schools selected by the Department of Education during its first round allocation none were in Kent.

In the meantime Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott has urged people to sign the petition calling on Orchards Academy to be included in the next wave, before it is presented to Parliament.

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

Last year Sevenoaks council approved funding for sports hall improvements at the Academy as part of the already underway White Oak Leisure Centre redevelopment.

In total, £158,000 is being spent at the secondary school in St Mary's Road to improve facilities and make them available to the public when not in use.

Improvements include new flooring, roof insulation and redesign of the changing rooms.

Further details about the governments school rebuilding programme will be set out later this year.

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