News


downsmail.co.uk Village school’s Ofsted praise


KINGSWOOD Primary School has been praised by Ofsted as a “peaceful and nurturing school” which continues to maintain a good quality of education.


Executive headteacher Emma Hickling received a special acco- lade for her strong leadership. In its first short inspection carried


out since it was judged to be good in May 2013, the schoolwas said to have improved outcomes for pupils and ensured that those who need to catch up make good progress. InspectorMark Cole, who visited


in March, found that “almost all pupils behave well” and “lunch and break times are calm and pur- poseful”. Pupils take great pride in their work and their school envi- ronment. Writing to Miss Hickling, he said


that she and the head of school, DarrenWaters, had a very clear un- derstanding of what the Cayser Drive school did well and what could be even better. “You have identified that pupils require even more opportunities to develop their problem-solving and reasoning skills in mathematics”, he said. Leaders had created an inclusive


school and also had a clear and un- wavering commitment to the well- being of staff and all pupils. Rates of fixed-term exclusions and inci- dents of serious poor behaviour were declining. Vulnerable pupils received a


wide range of effective support and staff knew pupils very well and worked closely with families and a wide range of external agencies. Safeguarding policies and practices


were effective. The school had been asked at its last inspection to re- duce the number of unnecessary pupil absences and leaders had done this. The attendance level of all pupils had improved in 2016 and this had been sustained and built on this year. The amount of holidays taken during term time had also been reduced. Mr Cole said that recent initia- tives had led more Gypsy, Roma


and traveller pupils and children who have special educational needs coming to school regularly. However, not enough disadvan- taged pupils attended regularly. In a letter to parents and carers,


Miss Hickling and Mr Waters said the inspector clearly stated “that we have worked on the areas of de- velopment from the previous in- spection and have continued to improve the provision for pupils.”


Bearsted Library closure extended


Join hunt for water voles


VOLUNTEERS are needed to help look for water voles in Kent following a rapid decline. Wildlife charity People’s


Trust for Endangered Species is asking helpers to record all sightings and signs of the en- dangered creature. The species has experienced


the most dramatic decline of any wild mammal in the UK over the last century. As part of a national pro- gramme, Kent residents are asked to survey a pre-selected site and report findings back to conservationists at the trust. This will be the third year the


survey has been done. Water voles were once a common sight along river banks andwa- terways, but numbers have de- clined due to pollution, changing agricultural methods and the impact of non-native American mink. To find out more or to take


part in the programme, visit www.ptes.org/watervoles.


26 Maidstone East June 2017


BEARSTED Library will remain closed for another monthwhile the county council continues to investigate the condition of the building - sparking fears that it might be about to shut for good. The news of the continued closure


- until Tuesday, June 13 –will worry some, concerned about the future of the building – once the village school and given the role of library in September 1975. James Pearson, Head of Libraries


with the county council, apologised for the extension to the closure, adding that the library’s condition has deteriorated in recent years and thiswas under review. “If the survey recommends that


significantwork is required,we will relocate the library service to another site in Bearsted,” said Mr Pearson. “Wewill provide more details of our plans toward the end of this one


month closure extension and will ensure that residents of Bearsted are kept informed at every stage so they knowwhere they can access library services. “KCC is committed to continuing


to offer a quality library service for Bearsted and apologises for any


inconvenience caused to our customers.” But the appearance of the latest


notice has sparked fears the library might shut for good. A villager said: “Too often one


hears of a place shut for inspection and never reopening.”


Burglar stole bank cards in house Roof support


A THIEF has been sent to prison for stealing bank cards from a house in Maidstone. Lien David Stafford was sen- tenced on May 5 2017 at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to theft. In August 2016, the 36-year-old,


of The Farrows, Maidstone, stole bank cards worth an unknown


amount from Lancashire Road, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Stafford


to seven days in prison. Because the offencewas committed during the operational period of a sus- pended sentence, the overall length of his sentence is 63 days. He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge.


THE Oak on the Green pub in Bearsted is to contibute £200 to- wards the restoration of Bearsted Cricket Club’s roof which is in ur- gent need for repair. Manager Paul Stewart, who lives in the village, said the Shepherd Neame pub will also consider other community causes. The Oak is situated beside the cricket club.


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