Hope View School Expands

Hope View School, based at Stour Valley Estates’ site at Chilham Country Park, is expanding. Leasing an additional 15,000 square feet of land adjacent to its existing site, the school plans to have its new facilities in place by the autumn term.

Operated by Carmichael Education Ltd, Hope View is an independent school providing educational opportunities for young people with emotional, social, behavioural and learning difficulties. The school follows the National Curriculum, with lessons underpinned by additional behaviour management, social development and therapeutic intervention.

Despite being a new school – established in 2007 – Hope View has enjoyed considerable success in teaching and motivating children aged between 11 and 17. The school is therefore expanding to enable younger children – aged between 7 and 11 – to join, as well as providing an extra year of education in the sixth form.

The additional land will accommodate two new classrooms and a workshop where pupils can learn practical skills such as motor vehicle repairs & maintenance and construction. There are currently 15 pupils on the roll and, with the new buildings and extra space, the school will soon be able to offer spaces to a total of 30 children.

Says Head Teacher, Carla Kaushal, “We’re really pleased to be expanding in this way because we know that our education here at Hope View has a very positive effect on the lives of our young people, helping them to find a valuable role in the local community.”

Stour Valley Estates is delighted to be supporting the school in its expansion plans. “Our landlord has been very helpful,” admits Carla Kaushal. “Stour Valley Estates has already moved our fencing to accommodate the additional land and the company is also helping us to source the right kind of multi-purpose, prefabricated buildings for our needs.”

In addition, one of the school’s existing buildings was converted by Skelton Group, Stour Valley Estates’ sister company, into 21st century teaching accommodation, including the interior fit-out.

February 2010