News


downsmail.co.uk School expansion ‘tomeet need’


AN EXPLOSION in housing in theMaidstone area and a concern about the future shortages of school places has led to plans for the expansion ofMaplesdenNoakes.


The school’s governors, along


with Kent County Council, have asked for parents’ views on the proposals to expand the school in Buckland Road, Maidstone, from 180 year seven entry places to 240 by September 2021. It would involve a new three


level building and other improve- ments to copewith the extra num- bers. But head teacher Richard Owen


said the changes will happen “in- crementally”. He added: “Kent County Coun-


cil approached us and asked if it was somethingwewould be inter- ested in. “It is no secret that the popula-


tion of Maidstone is expanding andwill continue to do so, and the council has an obligation to have the capacity tomeet the need. “None of this can happen unless there is investment in the new


Housing fear for teenagers


COUNCIL bosses have sought to calmfears that the scaling back of a sheltered housing scheme for vul- nerable young people will out themon the streets. Trinity Foyer, in Church Street,


Maidstone, has been operating for 20 years, but some residents claim they have been given a month to find alternative arrangements. The Home Group, which runs


the centre for homeless 16- to 24- year-olds, is to be replacedonApril 1 by Look Ahead as provider of support services to those aged 16 and 17. Older recipients would have to go elsewhere. But KCC’s cabinet member for


young people, Roger Gough, said: “All young people currently housedwithinTrinity Foyer are re- ceiving our support, to ensure that they will move into accommoda- tion thatwill best suit their needs.”


Death inMall


A MAN was found dead at The Mall shoppingcentre after a cardiac arrest. Police were seen at the Ice- landentrance inMaidstone at about 1.10pmon Sunday, February 17. Paramedics attended and de-


clared the man dead, despite at- tempts atCPRfrombystanders and crewmembers.


4 Maidstone April 2019 Head Richard Owen andMaplesden Noakes pupils


three-storey building, the addi- tional staff required, updated can- teen and sixth-formfacilities.” The newbuildingwill be located


where the language huts are cur- rently housed.


The school currently has a 1,175


pupil capacity, andhas established a growing reputation as one of the better non-selective schools in the borough. The school received a “good”


Ofsted rating following an inspec- tion lastNovember. MrOwn added: “We have an ex-


cellent reputation thatwe are very proudof here. It is a reallypositive, exciting time to be associatedwith MaplesdenNoakes.” The county council is clearly con-


cerned that, at the present rate of housing growth contained in Maidstone Borough Council’s Local Plan, there will be a serious shortfall in school places. The authority is anticipating that


an extra 430 non-selective places will be needed by 2023. The science and technology


school planned by the Valley In- victaAcademies’Trustwill help to ease some of that burden. The scope for building new


schools is hampered by the fact that much of the available land is earmarked for more houses or is too expensive to acquire.


Witness plea


POLICEare calling forwitnesses to aMaidstone collision that left a 13- year-old girlwith serious injuries. The incident involved a white


BMW. The girlwas on foot. Investigators want to speak to


anyone who saw what happened or has dashcamfootage of the inci- dent on Sutton Road, near Not- tinghamAvenue, at about 8pmon Saturday,March 16. The pedestrian was taken to a


London hospital where she re- mains in a stable condition. If you have information, call


01622 798538 (refRY/MR/38/19), or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.


Bronwyn Langdonewith TV presenter and journalist Helen Fospero and Chris King, fromevent sponsor Plantronics


Award for policeworker


A KENT Police Control Roommem- ber has been honoured for putting officers on the right track. Bronwyn Langdon was assisting


the firearms commander in an op- eration, for another force, to arrest a potentially dangerous offender when she noticed an issuewith the address. Her intervention led to the suc-


cessful arrest at the correct address and earned her the APD Control Room Dispatcher of the Year Award.


Bronwyn’s efforts were recog-


nised to have saved a significant amount of police resources. Her ci- tation stated that she regarded her efforts as “just doing her job”, but her work safeguarded a vulnerable victim and her young daughter, as well as the wider community. After the ceremony she said: “I


love working for Kent Police and have been so supported bymy col- leagueswho all do an amazing job, day in and day out, in the control room.”


Picture:Neil Holmes Photography Lier picks


THE 2019 Great British Spring Clean continues until April 23 in Maidstone. The Keep Britain Tidy initiative


aims to encourage residents, schools and community groups to take part in local “tidy-ups”. Go towww.keepbritaintidy.org.


Going wild


BOROUGH chiefs have launched an initiative to get people out into the open air and look after nature. Go Green GoWild will encour-


age residents to join a groupor cre- ate their own.Maidstone Borough Council will provide information, contacts, and advice.


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