What do Michael Ball, Rick Astley, comedian Josh Widdicombe and KCC Cabinet Member Shellina Prendergast have in common? Answer: they have all taken part in podcasts produced by pupils at East Peckham Primary School – an initiative that has gained national acclaim. The school near Tonbridge has scooped Best Primary School Radio Station of the…
A trial scheme aimed at promoting active travel to and from school has been made permanent after a reported decrease in car use. Southborough Church of England Primary School was given permission to run the trial School Streets scheme in September 2021 for up to six months. The scheme has also led to a decrease…
Plans to support greener transport, digital connectivity, job opportunities and sustainable infrastructure are among a raft of actions set out in Kent County Council’s (KCC) new vision for the future. Focused on Levelling Up, Infrastructure, Environment and Care and Support, the new four-year Strategic Statement ‘Framing Kent’s Future’ also includes ambitions to improve the lives…
From pudding competitions and national tree-planting schemes, to commemorative 50p coin launches and civic and County Park awards, including for Lullingstone, events to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are already well underway. But activities will reach a whole new level when people across the UK enjoy an extended bank holiday weekend next month to mark…
A growing number of businesses are taking advantage of the support Kent County Council (KCC) offers when it comes to taking on apprentices – but the authority’s Leader wants more firms to come forward and apply for a share of Apprenticeship Levy funding to boost skills, job opportunities and the local economy. As well as…
KCC’s Virtual School Kent (VSK) has become the first virtual school to be awarded the National Nurturing Virtual School Programme Award. The NurtureUK award follows the school’s completion of the National Nurturing Schools Programme and recognises the high-quality whole school nurturing approach. VSK provides co-ordinated educational services to support both children and professionals, promoting the…
Young people in Kent and Medway needing a helping hand to get into work are being urged to apply for a potentially life-changing Kickstart placement by Monday 28 February. More than 3000 16 to 24-year-olds across the county are gaining valuable work experience through the national Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) scheme. For one…
Pupils who sat the Kent Test last month will find out their results today. Families who registered online will be sent an email from Kent County Council after 4pm today (Thursday, October 21) with their child’s assessment outcome. Due to the volume of emails sent out, some providers may delay the delivery of the emails…
A tree with royal connections has been planted in the grounds of a Kent school after pupils and staff were chosen to help celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Parkside Community Primary School in Canterbury was one of only 70 primary schools in the United Kingdom selected to receive a special Queen’s Green Canopy…
Starting a placement as a teaching assistant through a scheme that helps young people into work has already been life changing for one 20-year-old in Kent. Fiona Cashman began a six-month paid placement at The Wyvern School – a special school in Ashford that caters for pupils aged three to 19 – at the start…
After a successful summer of fun, healthy activities for children and young people, preparations are already underway for an even more exciting offer during the Christmas holidays. In the school summer holidays, delivered as part of the Kent County Council-led Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People programme, more than 4,000 four to 16-year-olds enjoyed healthy,…
Food vouchers will be provided for Kent families whose children are entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals this October half-term. Kent County Council has today (Thursday, October 14) announced it will fund one £15 food voucher per eligible child or young person, which can be used in supermarkets and local shops. KCC will fund the…