News


downsmail.co.uk Ofsted joy for Jubilee School


THE Jubilee School in Fant has been upgraded to become an “outstanding” school in all areas by education inspectorate, Ofsted.


Management was “perplexed”


and challenged the lesser “good” rating for teaching, learning and as- sessment outcome after a recent in- spectionof the school,whichopened in September 2014. Ofsted relented, and the Gatland


Road school was given the higher rating. The Ofsted report stated: “Pupils


flourish and thrive because they are extremelywell lookedafter in a nur- turing environment. Individual aca- demic, social and emotional needs are carefully identified and sup- ported. “Pupils love coming to school.


They are completely engaged in their learning and demonstrate ex- emplary behaviour.” Former head Anne Allen, who


was in charge at the time of the orig- inal inspection, told parents: “'A number of youwere as perplexed as wewere thatwe only got a ‘good’ for the teaching, learning and assess- ment outcome, where the descrip- tors clearly highlighted outstanding practice. “Youwill bedelightedto hear that


we challenged this judgement and Ofsted agreed to moderate the evi-


East Farleigh lock reopens


THE recently-renovated East Far- leigh lock has been officially re- opened. On Saturday, September 2, resi-


dents and officials marked the oc- casion, with Maidstone mayor Malcolm Greer cutting the ribbon on the £3.6mproject. The access point actually opened


for craft in July and Environment Agency bosses claim the lock is good for another century. The event was staged on the same day as the annual Court of Survey Cruise, led Cllr Greer. The cruise, which was organised


by Hampstead and Yalding Cruis- ing Club (HYCC), was greeted by the Maidstone Sea Cadets and Mark Smurthwaite, who is the commodore of HYCC and chair- man of the Medway River Users’ Association.


Road closed


A MAIDSTONE road will shut for up to five days to allow for electri- cal works. Queen Anne Rd will be closed outside number 1A from Monday October 30 to allow UK Power Networks to do their work. Aone-way orderwill be suspended to allowfor access,with a diversion routes in place.


26 Maidstone November 2017


dence oncemore. “As a result of this they agreedthat


the overall judgement should have been outstanding and they have amended this. So this means our overall effectiveness judgement is outstanding.” Current head teacher Marilyn


Nadesan said: “We are delighted at the outcome of the inspection and look forward to continuing on this journeywhere all staff and children are inspired, encouraged and chal- lenged to always give of their very best.” Spokesman for the governing


body, Claire Maudhub, said: “Our intention in setting up the school was to provide another excellent choice for parents in our town. “The ‘outstanding’ judgement by


Ofsted is testament to the amount of hardwork that has gone into estab- lishing the school. We would also like to thank all the positive mem- bers of the parent and local commu- nitywho have been such a support.” Jubilee has courtedcontroversy re-


cently by applying to double its entry level intake from 210 to 420 pupils andto extendits facilities,de- spite local protests.


No access to town hall


MAIDSTONE Town Hall will remain closed to the public unless a suitable tenant is found to loof after its reception desk. The decision to limit public access to the landmark building comes


after the lease held by Maidstone’s Involve Kent charity came to an end. A spokesman for


Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) said if a new tenant is found then the historic town centre building may re- open to the public. In the meantime,


it is understood the building will continue to be used for council meetings, while other options are considered. Mark Green, director of finance at MBC, said: “The Town Hall has


never operated a daily, face-to-face contact for residents to access council services. Involve Kent was here for a period of time and provided a manned service point for its customers. However, this was not directly linked to the council.” The public building did act as a visitor information centre, but that


stopped some years ago. Tourist information is now provided at Maidstone Museum. Mr Green added: “While budget constraints are making us look very


carefully at how money is spent, this was not a factor in this instance.” Involve Kent has relocated to the ground floor of The Mall shopping


centre, next to the entrance to the bus station. Its shop, which is also the venue for community workshops, is also a pick-up point for your Downs Mail in Maidstone. For distribution dates and other pick-up points visit www.downsmail.co.uk. Click on the “Distribution” tab and then the edition for your area.


Care home is


‘good overall’ AMAIDSTONEmental health care unit has been rated as good overall by independent regulator, theCare Quality Commission. Glenhurst Lodge, a high depend-


ency rehabilitation unit in Vinters Road was praised for providing a clean and safe environment that contained equipment and facilities that allowed staff to deliver all as- pects of treatment and care. Inspection team leader Scott


Huckle, said that appropriate staffing levels ensured patients were safe, supported and had ac- cess to a full range of interventions to support their recovery and reha- bilitation. The independently run hospital,


which has two locked wards for adults, was rated good good in all categories for providing a safe, car- ing, responsive, effective and well- led service. Mr Huckle said that patients


were actively involved in planning their care and staff from across the multi-disciplinary team, worked with them to ensure that their care was delivered based on individual need. Patients had access to awide range of occupational and psycho- logical groups and activities that were “recovery focused” and tai- lored to their needs.


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