Over the years, TCA Property has worked on numerous projects across the South East. Overviews and endorsements of a selection of these projects are given below:
School: New Line Learning Academies, Maidstone
Project value: £20m
Project Overview: TCA Property was appointed by South Maidstone Schools Federation (New Line Learning) to devise, promote and manage strategic enabling development proposals to provide funding for two new academies in Maidstone.
“New Line Learning worked with TCA Property to great effect in helping to sort out the land issues involved in the merger of two secondary schools together to form one academy. They offered an outstanding personalised service to what was a lengthy and complex project. Their understanding of the issues and their commitment to drive things forward resulted in the best possible outcome for our schools.”
Dr Chris Gerry, New Line Learning Academies
School: Folkestone School for Girls, Folkestone
Project value: £10m
Project Overview: A range of enabling development proposals to part-fund ambitious plans to consolidate the school’s sprawling accommodation (formerly two schools) onto a single site and providing both new and refurbished buildings and new playing fields.
“Having you alongside to guide and advise means that it is 100% less likely that we make a mistake and 100% more likely that a project emerges which has a chance of coming to fruition. I would simply have no idea at all of how to proceed if you were not there. You provide direction and pace. You know who to speak to, when and how. I can’t imagine trying to move forwards with this project without your help.”
Tracy Luke, Executive Head Teacher, Folkestone School for Girls
“The success of the project is in no small measure due to TCA Property's imagination, efficiency and drive. Their ability to relate to people in every area of their work is undoubtedly a significant factor in overcoming the many obstacles the school faced in developing a comprehensive building strategy.
“I would not hesitate to use TCA Property's services for any future developments and can recommend them without reservation as committed, effective professionals who can be entrusted with complex and sensitive projects.
“It has been a pleasure working with you on the project, your high degree of professionalism and efficiency have made it a painless exercise – more than can be said for lots of other areas of my work!"
Shan Mullett – former Head Teacher, Folkestone School for Girls
School: Axton Chase School, Longfield
Project value: £20m
Project Overview: TCA Property secured planning permission for a replacement secondary school for 1,000 pupils on protected green belt land in the village of Longfield. Funding to build the new school was met by TCA Property securing planning permission for 149 detached dwellings on part of the existing site, also in the green belt. The value of the site was estimated at £20m and with planning permission secured provided the funding for a brand-new 6FE Secondary School to be built at a time when funds of this scale would not otherwise be available. (NB. Project has subsequently evolved into what is to be called the Longfield Academy)
“We have benefited significantly from TCA Property's determination to move the project forward. Without their input our project would not have developed as quickly as it has and we would not have been so well informed about the complexities of the planning process. The team's enthusiasm and professionalism has made it a pleasure to work with them."
Kevin Stokes, Head Teacher, Axon Chase School
School: High Halden CE Primary School
Project value: £500,000
Project Overview: The school had a small parcel of surplus land and at the same time needed funding to replace worn out classroom accommodation and (if funding stretched far enough) a new school hall. With the likelihood of the school being able to bring significant new funding to the table, the LEA agreed to provide 50% of the cost of the project on the basis of the school being able to contribute the other 50%. In the end, the school achieved all of its aims.
“As the Headteacher of High Halden CE Primary School, I have been enormously grateful to TCA Property for their professional skills and advice in leading us through a particularly circuitous route in order to secure commitment from Kent County Council to fund our building plans. [Some time ago] they visited me and we discussed a potential plan and although after some discussions it seemed right to put the plans ‘on hold’, TCA Property recognised the difficulties but they were also astute enough to see the long term perspective. Two years later the TCA Property team visited me again with some additional information which they felt would raise the profile of our project. We therefore decided to resurrect the scheme and after a series of meetings with KCC, architects, governors and the local parish council we finally secured funding for the scheme.
“It was TCA Property's thorough groundwork, professionalism, tenacity and the sincere desire to see school buildings improved for our children that they finally secured the commitment from KCC.
“I certainly am very grateful for all you have done for us. I am well aware that if it hadn’t been for your perseverance we would never have got so far with this project.”
Anne-Marie Trustram, Head Teacher, High Halden Primary School
School: Wrotham Road Primary School, Gravesend
Project value: £1.35m
Project Overview: A large primary school on a restricted and sloping site. The school's detached nursery accommodation was in a dangerous condition and urgently needed replacement, but funding was not available. Our proposals involved selling the site of the nursery for enabling development and reinvesting the funds into a new nursery that was integral with the main school buildings. This involved a complicated re-organisation of the schools infant and junior accommodation. Because the school was able to generate substantial funding of its own, the LEA contributed a further sum that allowed the school to undertake a major refurbishment of much of its cramped accommodation.
“We consider ourselves lucky that TCA Property was instructed by KCC to review the school’s problems and to see how they could be overcome as part of the new current scheme. Over the last two years TCA Property has been instrumental in provoking a complete review of the possibilities and the driving force behind moving the project forwards.
“I feel that we would not have got to the present stage without TCA Property's valuable ongoing commitment, advice and vision.”
Ann Walker, Chairman of Governors, Wrotham Road Primary School
School: Dartford Technology College, Dartford
Project value: £25m
Project Overview: A complex school reorganisation that required us to identify surplus land across the site to part-fund a campus style development. This comprised a new primary school, a new Dartford Technology College, refurbished adult education centre and a new private nursery.
“I have had the pleasure of working with TCA Property and have found them to be consummate professionals. The team always meets deadlines, does what they say they are going to do and challenges the status quo. I have no doubt that without their energy and drive the proposed building project would not have got as far as it has.”
Trish Burleigh, Head Teacher, Dartford Technology College
School: Herne Bay Infants School, Herne Bay
Project value: £600,000
Project Overview: The school occupied a small site and its accommodation was unsuitable. We relocated the school's early years pupils into a new building so that this would free up the remainder of the existing buildings for the older children. The project involved negotiating revised boundaries with the junior school next door – in order to create sufficient space for the new early years facility.
“I am extremely grateful for all that TCA Property has done. Their input has been more than valuable. They have been instrumental in shaping our project as well as helping the junior school to get its much-needed accommodation. Their determination to get the optimum results is greatly appreciated.”
Sam Thomas, Chairman of the Governor’s Buildings Committee, Herne Bay Infants School
