A bid to build a new “holistic” independent primary school has been given the green light.

Kingdom Pre-School in Whitfield, Dover, wants to expand with a new primary school at its current site in Mansion Gardens.

The application seeks to construct five new buildings, a playground, a car park and a house for the principal.

Bosses say parents came to them asking where they could send their little ones for the next step up.

Documents submitted on behalf of parent company Graceworks Ministries, which runs the current nursery, state: “Many parents have asked if a primary school could be set up on the application land as it is an obvious, next phase of the children’s lives and education.

“They can remain under the ‘Kingdom’ banner and transition easily and naturally from the pre-school to the primary.

“The construction of the school and its start-up and early operational costs will be wholly funded by the applicant and associated charities and companies.”

Once at capacity, it would cater for 120 children aged four to 11 with 30 members of staff.

Two of the new buildings will be in a curved shape, accommodating six classrooms, two playrooms and a staff room.

Three other rectangular structures will hold two more classrooms, an assembly room, offices, and a multi-purpose room.

They will be created in two phases, starting with the curved buildings.

A statement submitted by school bosses explains: “It is a firm belief that children’s education should be holistic and based on respect.

“Children should have the ability to learn through first-hand experiences and have freedom but under guidance and encouragement for creative play as a way in which to learn and grow in character and ability.”

The school will have a “Froebelian” approach - a learning philosophy that emphasises play, nature, and hands-on experiences to help children develop holistically created by German educator Friedrich Froebe.

Bosses continue: “The primary school will be wholly privately funded in its construction and for the initial daily operations, a capital budgeted amount will be allocated.

“This will allow time to build up the pupil numbers which will be ultimately fee paying places, but allows for the running costs to be covered whilst the school fills up to capacity.

“There will be a number of annual bursaries granted to selected pupils, some of which will be granted to Kingdom Pre-School children to continue helping them along their journey of self-development and continuation of great education.

“This will allow them to remain under the Kingdom banner for a further seven years.”

A house will also be constructed for the principal of the nursery and future primary school, her partner and two children.

It will feature a swimming pool and have four to five bedrooms.

Kingdom bosses had been hoping to welcome students this September, however, permission was only granted on November 15.

The land - neighbouring a Stagecoach depot and a bowls club - is currently made up of grass, trees and tarmac.

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On approving the application, a Dover District Council planning officer said: “The character and appearance, amenity, highways, contamination, drainage and ecology implications of the development would be acceptable, and the proposal is considered to be acceptable in all other material respects, subject to applicable conditions.

“The development will provide economic and social benefits and the environmental impacts are considered to be acceptable or addressed through the imposition of appropriate conditions.”