Boston Kumon Study Centre
PLANNING SUPPORT STATEMENT
Application Type:
Tel. No:
01205 336446
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.kumon.co.uk/boston
Change of Use from B1 (Offices) to Use Class D1 – Non Residential Institutions (including Non
Residential Education & Training Establishments). The rooms are to be used to facilitate the
delivery of supplementary Maths and English Programmes for children aged between 3 and 19
years.
Signage Permission requested is not different to that used by previous occupiers except for the
additional projecting sign and partial frosting to the windows which will let light in but protect
children from distraction and exposure.
The property is currently vacant and available To Let from a local estate agent.
Site Location:
68 Wide Bargate, Boston, PE21 6RY, first floor offices; no structural changes are required
Applicant:
Noveen Shaikh (Instructor - Boston Kumon), 34 Littlemoor Lane, Sibsey, Boston, PE22 0TU
Background to Kumon Maths and English Programmes:
Kumon Educational is the UK’s largest supplementary education provider, offering maths and
English study programmes for children of all abilities between the ages of 3 and 19. There are
currently over 70,000 Kumon students learning at more than 680 franchised study centres across
the UK, with over 4 million students worldwide. Kumon classes may operate out of rented
municipal premises - traditionally church/community halls or local schools, though larger centres
often flourish more in dedicated permanent/commercial premises.
The Kumon Institute of Education was established in 1958; for over 50 years our unique method of
learning has helped children across the globe to excel academically and develop a love of learning.
Children attend once or twice a week for approximately one hour per session.
The centres are vibrant, inspiring places that make children feel enthusiastic about learning.
During their session, students work on programmes that have been individually tailored to their
own needs and ability levels. At any one time there could be up to 35 children receiving support
and the centre will generate over 75 member visits per day. A mature centre (i.e. allowing a few
years for membership to build up) will have over 200 members, with approximately 20 part time
members of staff employed and will run up to 4 sessions per week.
Boston Kumon Study Centre:
The Boston Kumon Study centre has been operating out of rooms rented at Boston High School,
since May 2011. We currently run after-school sessions twice a week, support over 100 children
and employ 11 members of staff working approximately 5-8 hours per week. At any given time in a
session, we boast a staff to student ratio of 1 member of staff to 3 children. As a priority, Boston
Kumon tries to offer employment to youngsters who often struggle to find part time employment
because of fixed hours of availability, lack of experience and often absence of references. Having
said that, all members of staff of eligible age are DBS checked, where applicable. The centre meets
all current HSE compliance requirements. Boston Kumon also offers supervised volunteering
placements for children aged 14 and over.
Boston Kumon Study Centre will conduct up to 4 (currently 2) fixed, timed classes a week ranging
from 3.00pm to 7.30pm. Administration hours will be flexible and variable as per availability of
staff and the dictates of necessity. Periodically, parent meetings will be conducted outside of class
hours, as and when required. Kumon operates throughout the year and not only during term time.
Town Planning Aspects:
The Kumon use falls within Use Class D1 – Non Residential Institutions (including Non Residential
Education & Training Establishments). No extra facilities, e.g. waste disposal, recycling, etc. are
required over and above the routine as currently offered by Boston Borough Council.
Increasingly, Kumon have been moving into retail centres and high street locations, where they
have been shown to add to the vitality of the local area. Other than the obvious academic benefits
to the local schools’ targets, Boston Town Centre and especially, Boston Business Park, will benefit
hugely from the footfall generated by parents waiting for their children to finish their work. The
presence of the Kumon Centre on Wide Bargate should:
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Increase the number of visits to the stores
Increase customers’ ‘dwell time’ in the stores
Increase customer spend
Attract new customers (Boston Kumon currently supports children from as far as Ancaster,
Holbeach, Spalding, Alford and Donington)
68 Wide Bargate is an ideal location for the centre because the increased footfall will be very
easily absorbed as it has ample free and paid parking for parents/guardians and is within walking
distance of Boston town centre and five of the local feeder schools.
Conclusion:
We, at Kumon, are truly dedicated to working towards enriching our local community here in
Boston. We believe all children have enormous and often untapped potential and that, through
developing strong Maths and English skills, they can experience all round academic success. We
therefore believe all education must focus on delivering a maximum, long-term benefit to each
individual child. All Kumon Instructors are skilled and committed individuals with a passion for
education and a strong desire to see children develop. In Boston, we further demonstrate this
sentiment in our employment strategy and offer volunteering and training opportunities as well as
paid employment to youngsters.
At Kumon, we care about each individual child and giving them the opportunity to succeed in the
global community.