People are being asked for their views on plans for what would be the borough’s first free school.

Proposals for the Aspire School in Sittingbourne – for children with autism and speech, language and communication needs – are at an advanced stage.

Campaigners have fought since 2013 for such a school, which would be funded by the government but free from local authority control.

It would be built on the corner of Staplehurst Road and Vellum Drive, the entrance to Archers Park, and could open next year, two years later than originally planned.

The school would be sponsored by Grove Park Academies, which oversees the nearby Grove Park Primary.

A consultation has been launched to gather feedback on the plans.

It includes a survey, a legal requirement when establishing a free school.

A public exhibition of the plans will be held at Grove Park, in Hilton Drive, Sittingbourne, on Tuesday, January 23 from 4pm until 8pm.

A letter sent to parents before Christmas said: “The purpose of our curriculum is to provide pupils with a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare them for their future adult life and inclusion in the community.

“We will provide all pupils with a broad, balanced, relevant and purposeful curriculum that promotes the moral, intellectual, personal, social, cultural and physical development of all students.”

Pupils could also still be taught elements of the national curriculum.

Ceranne Litton, executive head of Grove Park Primary, said: “We’re making good progress in developing the Aspire free school and the consultation gives us a great opportunity to get vital feedback from parents and the local community,

“We know that Swale has a one of the highest number of children with special educational
needs of any district authority in Kent so there is a pressing need for this school."

To respond to the survey, go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WKCHM2G

The consultation ends on Monday, February 5.