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YMCA capturing ts Gender focus to ‘good’Ofsted grade


Grammar school slips Road closure fun sessions on film


MAIDSTONE Grammar School has slipped from being an “out- and paren s do.


YMCA has made


most recentOfsted inspection. HeadmasterMark Tomkins has written to parents accepting the “entirely fair, accurate and realis- tic” assesment of the school’s pres- ent position.


a short film about the work staff standing” to a “good” school after itsThe four-minute promotional


Now the 570-year-old school, featuringstaff andgymusersprais- hing the centre for being “suchanice fand friendly place towork out.” It received nearly 1,000 views in sitcshfoirst 10 days of being online. insMany people in Maidstone and Mrurrounding areas have fond roller discos and


video was filmed and edited by Wildwood media over a two-day periodat theMaidstone Sports and Community Centre. The YMCA-funded film was posted on YouTube on February 5 which has ne rly 1,300 student , as invited famili s and carers in or aQ&Asession on February 26. nspectorswent to theBartonRoad ol on January 15 a d 16. The last pectionwas in 2013.


“Governors identifiedthe verymany p si ive aspects of the report and re-


the s Tomkins, pictured, writes: memories of


ho receive their education atMGS will leaveverywellprepar dtomake tsaid: “Themofst popular activity is


he most of uture opportunities. Governors recognise, howev r, that it gives a chance for the kids to use


of teaching and learning and fully


mprovements are needed in respect up their energy after school, and


port most other schools would de- sire.”


Rebecca


The Ofsted report concludes the management has improved teaching quality, but there are still inconsis- tencies. The report


Osbourn (17) atMaidstone YMCA


main co fident that young people we aren’t on a main road or any- wAlexaKersting-Woods, business manager


youth groups at the YMCA and ments.” nowbring their children along.


support thework already underway means don’t think enoughpeople actually know what we do here. We’re pret y tucked away and hidden,


the parents can have a coffee. “We made the video because I in this area as the best means of bringing


bout those improve-


at Maidstone YMCA but school leaders instituted “rigor- ou“But it’s not all about the kids,


definitely our roller-skating events, we do offer a lot of facilities for adults too, including badminton, basketba l, cricket, over 60s ses


thing, butwe justwanted to show two pre-schools, a health and fit- howmuchwe actually do.


The Ofsted teamnoted that GCSE and A level resul s dipped in 2017,


s accountability systems” tomon- itor progress. The 2018 results were not taken into account. The inspec-


sions and fitness classes.” Mums and dads have praised the groupfor its free creche, sopar- tional levels. The progress made by current pupils is good.”


proved.Attainment iswell above na- ents ar able to use the gy with- o t theworries of child care costs. Today, Maidstone YMCA runs


tors’ conclusionswere generallypos- with pas ion and determination”.


different group exercise classes and a place for adults and children to take part inmore than 15 differ- ent sports.


Inspectors rated pupils’ personal ness facility including gymand 65


itive, butKent educationexpertPeter Readsaidthat its “examperformance is poor in grammar school terms”. He said: “It is a semi-super selec- tive school,whichgivespreference to high-performing pupils, sowhy is it doing so badly in relative terms? Having said that, it i an Oftsed re- marshall


Skate instructor


Elaine Carter (47) and skate


teaching over the last 18 months that outcomes have


of exhibition MAIDSTONE Museum has launched a year-long event focus- ing on sexuality and gender issues in history. The project opened on January


South East Museums’ Develop- ment fund for almost £3,000 of fi- nancial support. Supporting the launch were the


35 people from various walks of life, includingMaidstone Borough Council’s Cllr PaulHarper. He said: ”At least 10%of thepop-


says: “Better May Day fun im-


development, behaviour andwelfare as outstanding. The curriculum is “broad, rich d ambitious” and the headmas- er and deputies “lead the school


ulation identify as non-straight, heterosexuals, but in Maidstone they are a hiddenminority. “This event (and associated trial)


THERE is a nine-day road closure inMaidstone so that a zebra cross- ing can be installed. Grovewood Drive North and


New Cut Road were due to close fromFebruary 16 for nine days. Grovewood Drive North will


31 and aims to give the LGBTQ community a voice and “to look at artefacts in a different light”. The museum applied to the


close from New Cut Road to Provender Way. The alternative route is viaProvenderWay,Grove- woodDrive South,NewCut Road and vice versa. New Cut Road will close from


Grovewood Drive North to Bearsted Road from 8pm to 6am. The alternative route is via A20 Ashford Road, A20 Andrew Broughton Way, A249 Sitting- bourneRoad,A249BearstedRoad, NewCut Road and vice versa.


are the start of the museum cele- brating our LGBTQ communities and their heritage and impact. It’s the start of an interesting partner- ship with the LGBTQ community which I am proud to be involved with.” MaidstoneMuseumis home to a


vast collection of fine art and his- torical artefacts, that are free for all visitors to discover.


VISITORS to Kent Life in San- dling can dance along with tradi- tional morris dancers as part of MayDay celebrations. The attraction is also planning a


parade and crowning ceremony for its 2019 Royal Court – the new May King, Queen, Prince and Princesses, as well as a tug of war and fair ground rides. For details, visitwww.kentlife.org.uk.


Maidstone March 2019


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