A former independent preparatory school building has been given a new lease of life as a school for youngsters with special needs.

Hilden Park School has opened on the site of the former Fosse Bank School in Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough.

Fosse Bank closed in the spring of 2023 after getting into financial difficulties.

But the Victorian Grade II-listed building, known as Mountains Country House, along with its extensive 28 acres of grounds was purchased by the Witherslack Group in September that year and sensitively repurposed to cater for children with special needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

Hilden Park can educate 72 children between the ages of eight and 16.

The Witherslack Group operates 35 similar schools across the country, but this is its first in Kent.

All of its schools currently carry a “good” or “outstanding” Ofsted rating.

Hilden Park took in its first pupils in March, but hosted its official opening ceremony this month with Tom Tugendhat MP doing the honours.

Mr Tugendhat was given a tour of the school and heard from pupils and teachers about life at Hilden Park, before cutting a ribbon to mark its official opening.

Mr Tugendhat said: “It was a pleasure to open Hilden Park School, another school with great potential in our community.

“The staff and management are dedicated towards the growth of the school and providing for local children. I wish them well with their ambitious and exciting plans.”

Head teacher Emma Hirani said: “It was wonderful to welcome Tom to our school to celebrate the opening.

“The young people were so excited to show their local MP round the school and we were pleased to be able to give him a tour of the new facilities. The pupils are already an active part of the local community and we’re excited to continue that with them.”

Mark Bowes, a director with the Witherslack Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to have opened Hilden Park School this year.

“The opening of the school has created over 70 places for children and young people and up to 50 new jobs for the local area too.

“We are looking forward to seeing our pupils excel, both in and outside of the classroom and go on to have outstanding futures.”

All the pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) provided by a local authority.