Cara Simmonds

3 weeks ago | mykentfamily.co.uk | Cara Simmonds

A primary school has celebrated a “highly positive” Ofsted report after more than five years. An ungraded inspection took place at Leigh Academy Langley Park in Edmett Way, Maidstone, last month. The school – which is part of the Leigh Academies Trust – opened in September 2016 and teaches approximately 446 children from ages three to 11. Evidence gathered during the inspection suggests it has “improved significantly across all areas”.

3 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Cara Simmonds

A restored 75-year-old tractor has travelled 200 miles from Kent back to the place it was first built. The idea came from David Padgett, director at Kent Demolition Company Ltd, who says the journey is of special significance to him. The 62-year-old fondly remembers riding the Nuffield tractor at aged seven with his father, Geoff. It was manufactured at a factory in Drews Lane, Birmingham, in 1950 and was sent to West Malling Airfield, which is now part of the Kings Hill development.

3 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Cara Simmonds

A trainee teacher decided to "take the plunge" and bought a tea room two days before it was set to close down. Jonathan Burton, more commonly known as JB, saved the business on Milton Regis High Street, near Sittingbourne from becoming another empty shop. The 45-year-old, who only lives near the cafe, snapped up the opportunity on the spur of the moment. “My neighbour next door leased it and always knew I wanted to do something like this," he explained.

3 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Cara Simmonds

A primary school has celebrated a “highly positive” Ofsted report after more than five years. An ungraded inspection took place at Leigh Academy Langley Park in Edmett Way, Maidstone, last month. The school – which is part of the Leigh Academies Trust – opened in September 2016 and teaches approximately 446 children from ages three to 11. Evidence gathered during the inspection suggests it has “improved significantly across all areas”.

4 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Cara Simmonds

Six drug dealers have been jailed for a combined total of 40 years after £440,000 worth of drugs were seized during a major police investigation. More than 3.5kg of cocaine and heroin was discovered during the sting, along with several viable firearms and ammunition. Lacey Lynch was the first arrest in the investigation after she was stopped in her car by officers in Maidstone in September 2023.