News Policewarn of


winter thefts KENT Police have launched their an- nual campaign to help prevent bur- glaries and target those responsible throughout thewinter. Officers are reminding home own-


ers to take simple measures to keep theirproperties secure. With residents leaving their homes


to attende events, such as Christmas, there is typically a rise in burglary re- ports across the county. Policewill be taking aproactive ap-


proach throughout the campaign and willadvisehomeownersof thesimple steps they can take to protect their properties. These include ensuring doors and


windows are secure before going out, keeping keys, cash and expensive itemsoutofview,usingtimerswitches on lights and radios to make your home lookoccupiedandmost impor- tantly keeping gates locked and boundaries secure. JonArmory,Detective Superinten-


dent ofKentPolice, said: “Burglary is a terrible crime that canleavevictims feeling scaredandanxious longafter theoffenceshave takenplace, andwe want to do all we can to make this less likely.”


downsmail.co.uk


VIAT primaries rated as good at first inspection


THEValleyInvictagroupof schools in Maidstone have secured good Ofsted ratings for their three new primary schools, following their first inspection. Valley Invicta Primary Schools at


Leybourne Chase, Kings Hill and Holborough Lakes, near West Malling, were inspected within two weeks of each other, between Sep- tember 25 and October 4. All were graded good. Valley Invicta Academies Trust’s


(VIAT) runsValleyInvictaPrimaryat AylesfordandValleyInvictaPrimary at East Borough, alongwith second- aryschools, InvictaGrammar,Valley Park and The LenhamSchool. Julie Derrick, joint CEO of Valley


InvictaAcademiesTrust (VIAT), said shewasproudof thegoodreportson the trust’snewestprimaryschools, all ofwhich opened in 2015. She said: “To achieve good ratings


across the board for their firstOfsted inspections is a huge achievement, and these reports give us excellent foundations onwhich to build in the future,withclear goals set out forus.


“We have five primary schools


within the Valley InvictaAcademies Trust andall arenowratedgood.We feel extremely positive and excited about themmovingforwardtowards an outstanding rating in the future.” Invicta Grammar in Huntsman


Lane was earlier this year named as the seventh best secondary school in in the country. It was also rated among the very best inKent. The school achieved a five-star, 86%rating in theReal SchoolGuide.


MrsDerrick,who is picturedwith


pupils, saidat the time: “Ibelieve that the achievementswe have are down to the fact that I amveryfirmlyof the opinion thatwe all have a collabora- tive drive for the same thing: out- standingcare,outstandingeducation and outstanding opportunities." Non-selective Valley Parkwas an-


other strong performer,with a three star rating and an above mid-table ranking nationally. It was rated a strong 39th of schools in the county.


Time on your hands?


Don’t know what to do? Why not join the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends


WE URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:


• To staff the hospital shop which is stocked with a wide variety of sandwiches, crisps, drinks, toiletries, greetings cards, sweets, chocolate, etc.


• To take trolleys (containing sweets, drinks, toiletries, etc.) round the wards. • Staff our busy tea bar • Sell books in the book room


The League of Friends is a registered charity and all monies raised ensures that it can respond to requests for equipment and improvements in the hospital.


If you can spare a few hours a week and would like to join a friendly team doing something rewarding for the community please contact:


Jacqui on 01622 224781 12 Maidstone December 2018


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