Plans unveiled for ‘Tiger’ school
PLANS for a primary school on the New Line Learning Academy site at Boughton Lane, Maidstone, have been unveiled to neighbours. The Tiger Primary School, which will
teach Mandarin, is due to open in Septem- ber 2012, subject to final approval by the Department for Education.
If permission is granted, it is expected to
start life as “a school within a school”, using facilities adapted within the existing main building for the first four years, until purpose-built accommodation can be pro- vided within the grounds.
Future Schools Trust, which runs New
Line Learning, held a consultation evening for residents after its application for a Free School was approved by the DfE through to the pre-opening stage.
The trust’s chief executive, Gigi Lus- combe, said: “We are very focused on at- tainment but equally important is the wellbeing of our children. This is a very challenging time for young people. Some of our young- sters come to us at the age of 11 and they don’t have very well-developed social skills.
“We would like to have a
more joined-up approach to education through from four to 18.”
While two nearby primar-
ies – Loose and Boughton Monchelsea – are full, two more – Bell Wood and Oak Tree – are undersubscribed. However, residents were told there was a need to provide parents with choice, and
with future housing development, the de- mand would increase. Plans for the new 420-pupil school in-
clude opening times from 7.30am to 6pm to help working parents, a focus onMandarin alongside English to provide early experi- ence of a foreign language, and abacus tu- ition to improve maths ability. Extension classes would be provided in music, sport and the arts at no extra charge and all children would be encouraged to learn a musical instrument. Residents heard that facilities in the main academy building were flexible and there was spare capacity which could provide separate facilities for the primary pupils. Discussions on the new building were at a very early stage and the submission of a planning application was at least 18 months away.
A consultation evening for prospective parents was due to take place at the acad- emy on Tuesday, November 29, at 6pm.
Proposal ‘defies common sense’ ZOE Trent, who lives in Boughton Monchelsea, had con- cerns about the new school. She is the mother of two young sons who will start school in a few years’ time. She believes that resources should be put into improving under-subscribed schools, Bell Wood and Oak Tree, rather than building a brand new school. She said: “Theywant parents to put five-year-old chil-
dren among 16-year-olds who will have completely dif- ferent issues. I don’t think this is right. “It defies common sense. Most parents around here
say they don’t want their young children to go to the same place as a secondary school. Themoney should be put into improving the primary schools we have here at the moment.
Pub under new ownership THE Paper Makers Arms (pictured), which was established on Upper Stone Street in 1787, has changed hands. The pub
was sold at auction by Christie & Co to Lon- don opera- tor John Comber for £175,000. It is in- tended to refurbish and reopen the pub with a tradi- tional ale and whisky house atmosphere, and bed and breakfast rooms above.
New nursery to open A NEW nursery is due to open at the Turkey Mill Business Park, off Ashford Road,Maidstone, early next year. National chain Kids Unlimited will open
a new branch there on January 16. It is cur- rently beingbuilt byBWMay and Sons and will have an ‘excellent’ Breeam rating – an internationally recognised environ- ment performance target.
Late opening restriction A NEPALESE restaurant has been given permission to trade at 37 Union Street, Maidstone – but with strict opening hours. Maidstone Council said the business can
move into the building thatwas a Cats Pro- tection League charity shop, but trading can only take place between 8am and 11pm to safeguard the quality of life of neigh- bours. In August, the council’s planning depart-
ment refused a similar plan over concerns about its scale and industrial appearance.
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