Appeals begin PARENTS battling to get their children into Bearsted and Thurnham’s over-stretched pri- mary schools have started the appeal process. More than 40 children in Bearsted missed out on all three of their first choice primary schools, causing an outcry among parents. Mum-of-two Katie Smith, started the SAT – School Allo- cation Trouble – campaign to change the way KCC allocates places, along with her sister-in- law Liz Slavik Smith and the pair were among a number of parents who lobbied KCC leader Paul Carter at a recent meeting of Bearsted Parish Council. Cllr Carter, who represents Maidstone Rural North on Kent County Council, pledged his support for the parents but Liz said: “The appeals have started and we are not very hopeful at themoment.” Parents argue thatKCC should


have predicted the increase in birth ratemore accurately. They were also hopeful that


Cllr Carter could persuade St John’s Primary School in Grove Green, which is an academy, to build additional classrooms.


New jewellery shop TEENAGE student Imogen King has opened a jewellery shop in Lenham. Immy Blingy replaces Bowjangles in The Square.


Hospital Radio..


Kelly knows sign of good driving


A MAIDSTONE-based instruc- tor has set up a driving school that gives lessons in sign lan- guage.


Shelley Saunders (41), from Bearsted, believes she is the only Approved Driving Instruc- tor in Kent who is a competent signer. She said: “It is always easier to teach someone in their own language and when that language is sign language, it makes two-way communication so much better. “The drivers feelmore relaxed


and more at ease, knowing they can get their point across.” Shelley learned to sign many


A£1.3MILLION vocational centre in Maidstone has been officially opened by Kent County Council leader Paul Carter. The Maidstone Skills and Com-


idea to combine her two skills. She said: “I worked for a time


in the deaf unit of a school in Sittingbourne and it made me realise how young people could benefit from learning to drive with an instructor who could sign.


years ago as a Guide. Having a deaf mute great aunt and uncle, she found it a decided advantage in communicating with her eld- erly relatives. She is a Level 2 BSL signer aswell as an ADI and, having been made redundant from a national driving school, she thought it would be a good


KCC chief opens training centre


munity Centre,onTitchfieldRoadin Senacre, is helping young people aged between 14 and 19 to pre- pare for a career in motor vehicle repair, ICT, maintenance or con- struction. Formerly Senacre Community Centre, the building’s original pur- pose has not been forgotten. It has a multi-use hall that hosts a variety of activities and events throughout theweek. There is also a café, kitchen, outdoor sports pitch and parking. Paul Carter is pictured with centremanagerPaulineBlayneyandGary Cooke, deputy cabinet member for education.


Tombola..


Grand Raffle..


“Hearing impaired people should not be disadvantaged in any walk of life and learning to drive is no exception. “There are different sets of


skills needed to teach learner drivers who are hearing im- paired, but being able to com- municate at their level, I am able to give them confidence.”


Play cricket


with the stars LASHINGS World XI is invit- ing supporters to bid for the chance to play in a cricket match at The Mote Cricket Club in Maidstone on August 23, against world famous play- ers including Phil Defreitas and DevonMalcolm. The event will raise money


for chYps Children’s Hospices. The auction ends at 5pm on


July 31, and bids can be sent to Isobel.kerry@chYps.org . ChYps provides hospice care


to more than 120 children in their homes across West Kent, including Maidstone, and the London Borough of Bexley.


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