School

An email has been sent to parents by The Head Teacher of Kemsley Primary Academy, Iris Homer, after an alleged attempted kidnapping was reported near the school.

Kent Police have confirmed that they: "were called to a report of an attempted abduction of a child yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 25th April) at around 4.30pm. Officers attended and, as part of their enquiries, arrested two men from Sittingbourne, aged 29 and 60, on suspicion of attempted kidnap. They remain in custody. The victim was able to leave the scene and return home safely” they confirmed.

Families in Sittingbourne will find out today (Tuesday 19th April) which primary schools their children have been offered to join in September 2022, with nine out of ten being offered their first preference.

The parents and carers of 17,592 children who applied for a place at a Kent school will receive their offers via email or online. Of the 17,175 Kent applicants, 16,787 (97.74%) will receive one of their three named schools and 15,486 (90.07%) will be offered their first preference.

Kent County Council (KCC) have confirmed that they are planning to allocate £3 million to "temporarily" enlarge three secondary schools in Sittingbourne, to accomodate extra pupils, from next September (2022) and the following year.

KCC say they have identified the need for extra secondary places schools at Westlands, The Sittingbourne School and Fulston Manor because new housing developments are boosting the borough of Swale's population, saying there is a need for "swift action" as they forsee" a shortfall" of 176 spaces for Year 7 starters in September 2023.

A Sittingbourne Parent and Teachers Association has received a cash boost from the Kent Police Property Fund.

The Tunstall Primary School PTA received the donation at it's summer fete, which took place on Saturday 7th July.

The funds, £400 in total, were handed over by PCSO Ryan Atherton and will be used to fund new playground equipment at the school.

All over Sittingbourne students are finding out whether or not they have acquired the A-level grades they need to take the next steps in their life's journey.

Below is a look at how each school performed:

Borden Grammar School for Boys

116 students sat exams at Borden Grammar school and 64% achieved A*-C.

One pupil at the school who stood-out was Craig Clark who achieved the best results ever achieved by a single pupil.

Westlands/SCC/Swale Skills Centre

Overnight on Monday (13th March) thieves stole the back twin-wheels of Rodmersham School's Ford minibus parked adjacent to the playground.

It is etimated that the repair bill will be in the region of £1,200. Mrs Presdee-Colley, the school's Finance Secretary, told SFM News that: "the children were very upset when they learnt of the discovery on Tuesday morning. We have now had to make alternative arrangements as the minibus was going to be used for several trips over the next two weeks. This is going to be very expensive to cover for a small school like ours".

Picture Courtesy of Andy Hudson - Sittingbourne.me.

Organisers of Tunstall Primary School's Summer Fete were left shocked and distressed after stock and prizes for their event were stolen in a burglary.

It is thought that thieves broke-in to the school's storeroom on Thursday (2nd July) evening and stole soft drinks, alcohol and many of the raffle prizes, most of which had been donated and gifted by parents over the previous year.

Local MP, Gordon Henderson, has welcomed a new £2 billion fund to help rebuild schools most in need of urgent repair, which could benefit schools here in Sittingbourne.

The Government announced a second round of funding for the successful Priority Schools Building Programme, which is already helping 261 schools across England, including Westlands Primary School. 

After much deliberation, Sittingbourne in Bloom have finally decided whose design will be planted on the station roundabout in late May.

Each year, Sittingbourne in Bloom invites the students from all the primary schools in the town to design a layout for the summer bedding on the station roundabout, which is sponsored by ‘Lets Go Green Cabs'.

Members of the NUT (National Union Of Teachers) and NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) are taking industrial action on Thursday 17th October and a number of local schools in the Sittingbourne area are likely to be affected.