A new primary school has opened in Tunbridge Wells.

Skinners' Kent Primary School - a collaboration of the Skinners' School and The Skinners' Kent Academy - opened its doors for the first time on Thursday, September 3.

It is being sponsored by the Skinners' School Foundation is running in partnership with Oakley School.

Oakley staff will lead an integrated team offering inclusive provision for pupils with special educational needs, with a focus on children with autism.

Executive Principal, Sian Carr, said: “I was delighted to welcome the first pupils and their families to Skinners’ Kent Primary School.

"Our high quality, bespoke facilities have allowed us to quickly settle pupils and embed the daily routines which will prepare us for our exciting move to new buildings in Knights Wood in 2016.”

One parent, Kitty Forrest, said, “It’s a lot of work setting up a new school. We have all been really impressed with everything done thus far and were just saying what a warm and inviting feel the school already has."

Skinners’ company education officer, Tony Wilson, said: “This wonderful new primary school, which will offer education to boys and girls aged 4 to 11, will benefit many local children and their families and we look forward to seeing it flourish over the years to come.”

Skinners' Kent Primary School intends to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) alongside the National Curriculum.

The purpose built school includes a new main building with a sports hall, all-weather pitch, playgrounds, games courts and parkland play area.

The grounds are a few minutes walk from the new Knights Wood housing development which brought 500 new homes to the area.

A celebratory tea for staff, pupils and parents was held on Friday, September 11, to mark the end of the first full week for pupils.

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