Kent Academy gains £25m grant to transform buildings
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School, in Dover, has received confirmation of a £24.9m capital grant from the Department for Education.
The 200-year-old full boarding school for girls and boys aged 11-18, plans to use the funding to transform its boarding accommodation and other teaching facilities. The grant – part of the Building Schools For the Future programme -was awarded when the former Ministry of Defence-run school became a state Academy last year.
Headmaster Charles Johnson said the Duke of York’s Royal Military School was proud of its military history and ethos, which it had retained when becoming an Academy. Its President is HRH the Duke of Kent and the MoD is its Sponsor. However, he added:
“Becoming a state boarding Academy has enabled us to build on our academic success, develop innovative teaching styles and methods, and transform our boarding and teaching facilities. In addition, we have been able to forge mutually beneficial working relationships with a range of schools in Dover.
“Last year we were proud to open a state-of-the-art new 6th form boarding house funded by our Academy sponsor, the Ministry of Defence. We are excited now to announce that the Department for Education’s capital grant will enable us to transform our other boarding houses and enhance teaching and learning throughout the school. It takes us one step closer to achieving our aim to become one of the country’s foremost boarding schools in the state and independent sector.”
A feasibility study is being undertaken with plans expected to be available to view early next year.
