News


Academy ‘needs improvement’


NEW Line Learning Academy in Maidstone has been given a list of areas where it must make improve- ments, after an Ofsted inspection. One of these is teaching, which


the report describes as inconsistent, with the proportion of students at- taining five or more good GCSE passes, including English and maths, not high enough. The secondary school in Boughton Lane, which converted to academy status in 2007, has been told weaknesses in areas including science and geography had left their mark on students, with unmoti- vated youngsters doing “the bare minimum” in some classes. The inspectors also pulled teach-


ers up for not setting enough home- work – a point made by some parents aswell as students – failing to use marking to improve stan- dards and pupils’ learning history to adapt lessons to their ability. It added: “Students’ work in les-


sons is not thoroughly checked and so the standard of written work and presentation is not good enough


and too often slower workers do not complete tasks.” Inspectors acknowledged that the curriculum had improved since the previous inspection and the time given to English and mathematics was now at a good level, as was pupils’ safety and behaviour. There was also praise for voca-


tional and practical subjects, which inspectors felt were taught “well, sometimes exceptionally so, by staff with good, relevant subject knowl- edge” and pupils respondedwell. Academy principal David Elliott


said: “The inspectors recognised the improvements made since our pre- vious inspection, including initia- tives to improve teaching and achievement that have had a posi- tive impact on standards, particu- larly in English and mathematics. “With high levels of parent sup-


port, recent changes to our govern- ing body and initiatives to further improve teaching and learning, we are confident that NLL will con- tinue to progress on a positive tra- jectory.


downsmail.co.uk Town marks St George’sday


THEREwasmuch slaying of dragons and rattling of sabres and clogs when folk singers and dancers cameto Maidstone to celebrate all things English for St George’s Day. In a four-hour extrava-


ganza ofmusic, dance and drama, Jubilee Square be- came the place to be, with performances from Kits Coty Morris, Kettle Bridge Clogs and Loose Women Morris and music from band Green Diesel and Black Lion Courtiers. Young thespians from


the Hazlitt Youth Theatre put their own particular twist on the battle be- tween St George and the dragon while there were face painting and pho- tographic opportunities for the children. The event was put together by Maidstone Town Team, in conjunction with the Town Centre Management and Maidstone Council.


Caravan plan


APLANNINGapplication has been submitted to extend a gypsy site in Cradducks Lane, Staplehurst. Oliver Matthewswants retrospec-


tive permission for the existing four static mobile homes in Oak Tree Farm to be swelled by another three static and three touring caravans. The scheme, to be determined by Maidstone Council, also includes three utility rooms.


Bid to fell trees


TWOholly trees could be removed in Broad Street, SuttonValence. A conservation area application


says one of the trees at The Manse is dead, and the otherwas of “inap- propriate size for location”.Aplan- ning application added: “Removal would improve views.” Maidstone Council will decide


on the proposal, which includes work on a bay and yewtree.


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