Land purchased for new Kenilworth School build while existing site is sold to make way for housing development

Pictured outside the entrance to the land at Southcrest Farm (site for the new Kenilworth School & Sixth Form) from left to right - John Cooke (WDC Councillor), Richard Hales (KMAT Trustee), Hayden Abbott (Executive Headteacher Kenilworth), Shirley Whiting (KMAT Trustee), Andrew Day (Leader WDC)

At the same time, Warwick District Council has purchased the existing school sites at Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane for housing development as part of its Local Plan.

Kenilworth School has been planning this project since 2014 and Trustees, Shirley Whiting and Richard Hales, along with Hayden Abbott, the executive head of Kenilworth School & Sixth Form, and other staff at the School have been involved since its inception.

Warwick District Council has worked closely with the School to ensure the future of the project.

Pictured on the current site of Kenilworth School in Leyes Lane from left to right - Hayden Abbott (Executive Head Kenilworth), John Cooke (WDC Councillor), John Harmon (KMAT Project Manager), Andrew Day (Leader WDC), Shirley Whiting (KMAT Trustee), Richard Hales (KMAT Trustee)

This support includes providing financial contributions from developers that will be due for education and sport as housing developments come on stream in the town.

Hayden Abbott, Executive Head of Kenilworth School & Sixth Form said: “This is a truly exciting time for the School and Kenilworth communities – this represents the culmination of years of planning and tireless negotiations.

"We recognise the contribution of many people, including Warwick District Council and Arup and their team of professionals.

"The support of the trustees and local governors has been invaluable in reaching this milestone. We also acknowledge the ongoing support from the Department for Education”.

The Leader of Warwick District Council, Councillor Andrew Day commented: "All the residents of the District will benefit from not only this first-class new school and brilliant community facilities, but also the unlocking of key housing sites in our Local Plan.

"This is a big and historic step forward for Kenilworth and shows what can be achieved for our community through constructive partnerships."

KMAT Trustees Shirley Whiting and Richard Hales said: “This is the culmination of many years of hard work by all members of the team.

"The new school site will additionally provide new sporting and meeting facilities for use by the whole of the Kenilworth community”

The Chair of KMAT Trustees, Matthew Clements-Wheeler added: “Our plans to move Kenilworth School to the Glasshouse Lane site form the basis for the next phase of the school’s development; having all our students on one site will enhance our community, increase student leadership opportunities and give us a fabulous campus fit for the pupils of Kenilworth and beyond.”

Before the Coronavirus pandemic, the relocation of the school and its sixth form was expected to have been completed by September 2021 but in April this year a revised completion date of September 2022 was announced before this latest date of September 2023 was set. Kenilworth Mayor Cllr Richard Dickson said:This is the biggest-ever inward capital investment in Kenilworth.

"I'm sure that families across the town will join with me in looking forward to it opening for students in September 2023."