News | Education round-up


downsmail.co.uk Students’ trip


a capital idea THIS group of year 11 art and pho- tography students from Invicta Grammar School were certainly in- spired by their trip to London on February 6 if this picture is any- thing to go by. The students were in the capital to visit the TateModern.


Make a splash for school pool


A SPECIAL school in Maidstone is hoping peoplewill ‘create a rip- ple andmake a splash’ as it looks to raise funds for a vital hy- drotherapy pool. The pool at Five Acre Wood


School will cost £850,000, and the school has managed to raise £600,000 through applications to trusts and charitable foundations. And rather than one large


fundraising event, it is hoped that lots of smaller endeavours will bring in the £250,000 to finish fund- ing the project. School fundraiser Alex Meaders


said: “I am seeking support from local businesses, schools, societies, organisations and individuals to dowhat they can. “Whether you throw a small


pebble or a large stone into a pool ofwater, the ripple effect created is felt onwards and outwards. Simi- larly, whether someone raises £50 or £5,000, the effectwill be felt.” The school,which is on the same


campus asNewLine Learning, has more than 390 pupils aged from two to 19, all with a variety of spe- cial educational needs. The costs for the school are phe-


nomenal, with more than 270 staff needed to provide the right educa- tion for the children, who attend


fromall around the county. Staff themselves are helping the


initiative – they were all given a tube of Smarties, courtesy of Sains- bury’s, and once they have eaten the treats, they have been charged with filling the tube with 20p pieces. Mrs Meaders added: “The staff


costs are all funded as they would be in any school, but for all of the extra things we need, we have to find the funds. “This is things like the sensory


room and iPads for children who are unable to speak but can use technology to communicate, as well as toys for themto playwith. “Every penny really does count –


our needs are endless.” Among the initiatives planned for


2018 are a London to Paris bike ride, with a teamof 15 riders – including staff, parents and supporters – set to undertake the trip in July. But although the riders them-


selves are all committed to raising at least £300 each, the school is seeking a corporate sponsor to cover costs. Anyonewho can help the school,


either with the London to Paris jaunt orwith any other idea to help raise funds is asked to email ameaders@five-acre.kent.sch.uk.


Pupils lesson in democracy as they head to the polls to vote


MAIDSTONE primary pupils got the vote when they elected mem- bers to their new school council. Youngsters at Tiger Primary


School did it completely by the book, thanks to the team from Maidstone Borough Council’s electoral services’ officers,who set up polling booths and posters in the school sports hall – just like a real election. MBC’sNicolaRussell andCaro-


line Matthews explained the vot- ing system to the children in assembly before they each chose two from the eight candidates who had put their names forward. The results were announced by


18 Maidstone March 2018


local councillors Brian Clark, Derek Mortimer and Marion Ring, and the successful candi- dates (pictured) will enjoy a trip to the town hall, where they will hold ameeting, talk to councillors and have a tour. Tiger teacher Sarah Newman


said: “The aim of the day was to show children at an early age the importance of voting and howthe electoral systemworks. “They all entered into the spirit


with enthusiasm– and some even had the chance to be poll clerks!” Head teacher Hayley Liddon


said: “Democracy is a fundamental British value and somethingwe’ve


been teaching the children in class. Today, they had the chance to see democracy in action.” Tiger Primary School,


in


Boughton Lane, Loose, is part of Future Schools Trust, which also manages New Line Learning and CornwallisAcademies.


Five Acre Wood School is looking to find the final funds for their much-needed hydrotherapy pool


Invicta Grammar is top inMaidstone


MAIDSTONE has the best and the worst performing schools in Kent, says new data released by the Department for Education. The newleaguesmeasure performance on different criteria,with class-


roomstandards ranked against new indicators. These are called progress 8 and attainment 8, and are considered a better assessment of pupil per- formance across ability ranges. Invicta Grammar School is rated sixth, Maidstone Girls’ Grammar


School ninth and St Simon Stock 14th in the top 14 best-performing schools. These are rated “well above average”. The top two are Tonbridge Grammar School and TunbridgeWells Grammar School. Those falling short of expectations and which could receive special at-


tention from Oftsed are The Holmesdale School, Snodland, Aylesford School – Sports College and Cornwallis Academy.


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