Expansion Project

Over the past four years, we have been increasing our pupil capacity and now have four year groups running at our new capacity of 45 pupils. To support this ongoing growth, we are pleased to announce significant funding of £1.5 million from Chichester District Council. This investment will ensure we have the necessary space and facilities to accommodate our larger pupil numbers and continue to provide a fantastic learning environment and teaching approach for all our pupils. We are excited about the positive impact this expansion will have on our school community.

Below are some photos of the expansion so far. Further updates on the school expansion project will be coming soon as the main building work is expected to start during the 2025/26 academic year. 

School Expansion Consultation - from 09.06.25 until 30.06.25

Over the past four years Portfield Primary Academy has been growing. With the support of the local authority, West Sussex County Council, the school has increased the number of children it takes every year from 30 to 45 pupils.  The school was originally designed to house 240 pupils and over the past few years we have been able to make changes to accommodate this growth but from September 2025 we will need to formally apply to increase the physical capacity of the school with the Department for Education.  As part of this process we are consulting with our parents and wider community to gauge their views.

How will the school’s capacity be increased?

The local and district authorities support the growth of the school as there are housing developments locally which have led to an increase in pupil numbers.  The school has secured £1.5 million of funding from Chichester District Council for building works from their Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is a charge on new developments which can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure projects, including projects like schools, roads, transport, and other facilities that are necessary for accommodating growth. This CIL money will be spent on creating the following additional spaces:

● 4 Additional classrooms

● Dining space

● Learning resource area

● Administration and storage areas

● A new kitchen and improved circulation areas

The school is developing plans to redesign and extend its buildings for better space use, without the need to build on the playing fields. The work will be scheduled for outside of term time, as much as possible, to avoid disrupting learning, and updates will be shared on the school website whenever possible.

Next steps

We’d love to hear your views and answer any questions that you have on this proposal. This consultation will run from 9th June to 30th June 2025 and you are invited to submit comments in writing about the proposal above to Jess Wilks, Head of Asset Development, TKAT, The Atkins Centre, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 5AA or by email to jess.wilks@tkat.org. Please mark the subject ‘Portfield Primary Academy Expansion’. Alternatively, you are invited to attend the school on Thursday 26th June between 5.00pm and 6.00pm to feedback your views.

Following the consultation period, TKAT will consider all the comments and feedback received. These will form part of an application to the Department for Education to seek their consent for the expansion of the physical capacity of the school. Updates will be posted onto the school website.