fbpx

GRAHAM secures £80m Kent school construction

editor

GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver a major new education hub in Kent, valued at £80 million, which is part of a significant new, wider development area being delivered by leading industry companies. 

Credit: GRAHAM.

The Alkerden Academy, in Ebbsfleet Garden City, will offer more than 2,200 places to primary and secondary school pupils, making it “one of the largest education facilities ever built” in the county. 

Eastern Quarry Limited (EQL), the entity owned and managed by Henley Camland, a joint venture between Henley Investment Management and Camland Developments, hired the contractor. 

Alkerden Academy will occupy an 11.1-hectare site in the Whitecliffe Eastern Quarry Development. 

It will feature an 8-form entry secondary school up to five-stories tall, and a 2-form entry, two-storey primary school, as well as a community hall, sports pitches, car parking, and access roads.  

The design aims for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and adopting BIM Level 2. 

About the Whitecliffe Development 

Henley Camland is the master developer of Whitecliffe, a 660-acre former quarry within the wider Ebbsfleet Garden City, consisting of three villages (Alkerden, Ashmere and Castle Hill).  

They have masterplanned the site and are delivering enabling works and supporting infrastructure across the area, facilitating the delivery of 6,250 homes in total. 

About Alkerden Village 

  • Around 1,700 homes 
  • A market centre  
  • Supermarket 
  • All-through school 
  • Gym  

Development and partnership firm, Chartway Partnerships Group, and Henley Investment Management recently completed a contract for 162 affordable and purpose-built rental properties in Alkerden Village. 

New homes are underway at Alkerden by the following companies: 

  • Bellway 
  • Redrow Homes  
  • Chartway 
  • WesterHill Homes 
  • Henley Investments 

Construction of Alkerden Academy is already underway, with a completion target of July 2026.  

Alkerden Academy. Credit: GRAHAM.

Pat O’Hare, regional director at GRAHAM, said: “Alkerden Academy is a key component of the Whitecliffe development, providing significant educational and recreational benefits to the Ebbsfleet Valley community.  

“Our team is dedicated to delivering a facility that not only meets the highest standards of sustainability but also provides an enriching environment for students and the community.  

“This project demonstrates our capability to manage complex developments, and we look forward to working closely with Eastern Quarry Limited and the consultancy team to bring this vision to fruition.” 

Was this interesting? Try: Construction legends: How Ray O’Rourke built a £4bn business    

If you have a tip or story idea that fits with our publication, please contact the news editor rory@wavenews.co.uk 

Get industry news in 5 minutes!

A daily email that makes industry news enjoyable. It’s completely free.