News | Education


downsmail.co.uk Headwarns as demand rises


THE head of a leading Maidstone infants’ school has spoken about his fears for the future of children’s education in the borough as the council ploughs ahead with more house-building.


Chris James (left)


warned that com- munities were al- ready


Maidstone Bor-


ough Council is committed to build- ing more than 18,000 homes across the area, leading to fears about pres- sure on schools, hospitals and roads. In the latest round of primary


school placements for this Septem- ber, only a handful of places remain unfilled – Langley Park on Sutton Road with the highest at 38, fol- lowed by Marden with 14, Ulcombe, five , and Coxheath, four. Mr James, of Thurnham Infants School, told the annual meeting of Bearsted Parish Council that his school and neighbouring Roseacre Junior School were having to turn away local children. An extra classroom had been


added to St John’s at Grove Green to accommodate more pupils from the area, but even this was proving in-


Bus pass cost to go up £20


THE cost of the Young Person’s Travel Pass is to rise by £20. The county council says with fares


set to increase, it has to raise the price of the ticket for 11-16-year-olds to cover the cost to taxpayers. Matthew Balfour, KCC’s cabinet member for transport, told Downs Mail he still believes the pass represents excellent value and the county council discount remains extremely generous. He said: “We understand fares will rise by3%on average. This means, without an increase, it would cost the taxpayer over £400,000 a year.” The cost of the pass will rise to


£270 a year, a daily rise from£1.31 to £1.42. The KCC subsidy represents £200-£230 per pass. However, an angry father-of-two


fromMarden, now facing a bill of more than £500 a year, says he believes the cost of getting children to school should be fully subsidised. He said: “People pay their taxes and then face even higher financial hurdles in trying to do the best for their children.” The county council says to help


families spread the cost, parents can make two payments of £135. The cost for low income families remains £100 and for families with more


than two children, subsequent passes are free. The cost of the 16+ pass will be kept at £400. Click onto www.kent.gov.uk for details.


being


divided as the bor- ough continues to grow.


sufficient, he said. “Three years ago,wewere unable


to satisfy the demand.Wewere split- ting up communities. People who live in this areawere not getting the school places. These children live in our community and should come to our schools. “We cannot keep building in Thurnham and Bearsted – where are the children going to go?” Mr James also attacked the gov- ernment’s plans to make all schools


academies. “If a school is successful, why change it?” he asked. There is some disquiet within


Kent County Coun- cil (KCC) about the government’s acad- emisation pro- gramme, as it will take schools from under its direct con- trol.


Former deputy cabinet member for education at


KCCGary Cooke (left) said: “I really don’t mind what you call a school – grammar, faith, academy or what- ever. What is important is the edu- cation the child receives. It shouldn’t be about politics but all about the ed- ucation of the children – that’s al- ways been my position.” But Cllr Cooke fears that the risk


of losing parent governors from the governing bodies of academies would “not be helpful”.


Mr Cooke writes, letters page 33


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