An MP has urged education authorities to create a second site for a primary school, which is "full to bursting."

Whitfield Aspen Primary has almost 500 pupils with four extra mobile classroom now spilled out on one of the school fields.

Even these have run out of space and a satellite site is being use in Aylesham.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke visited school leaders recently and has called on Kent County Council to build the new site.

The authority now says it will happen next year.

He said: "This is a wonderful school with excellent teaching but they are full to bursting. We need to see the second site taken forward as quickly as possible.

“There are now 2,476 more children in good or outstanding schools like Whitfield compared to 2010. Yet their learning environment is incredibly important too. It’s vital that we see progress soon."

The Mayfield Road school has 376 children in mainstream education and another 112 with complex needs.

A second site called Richmond was due to be built off Archers Court Road in 2017, opened last September, but construction has not even begun.

Plans for this include expanding to four forms of entry with new buildings and sports fields, tennis courts and a multi-use games area. It is expected to cater for Key Stage 2 pupils, seven to 11-year-olds.

On top of existing capacity issues, a further 1,050 new houses are planned for the first phase of the Whitfield Expansion development scheme.

Roger Gough, KCC cabinet member for children, young people and education, said: “Kent County Council recognises the need for primary school places in the Whitfield area and is moving forward with plans that will see Whitfield Aspen Primary School expand onto a second site.

" Planning permission has been secured, the land has been transferred from the developer, initial enabling works have been undertaken, and a contractor, Darwin Group, has been appointed, with the satellite site due to open in July 2020.

"Four additional class bases have been provided on the current site to enable the school to continue to provide a high quality, inclusive education to its growing number of pupils until the new buildings are ready.

"We would like to thank staff, pupils, parents/carers and local residents for their patience, understanding and support while these temporary arrangements are in place.

"We look forward to welcoming them onto the new site this time next year.”

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