The latest issue of the Parish Council newsletter is now out and dropping through the letterboxes of Lynsted and Kingsdown.  There are updates on the latest planning issues, including news of a drop-in session this Saturday (24th) at Lynsted Church between 10.00 and 12.00.  Burlington Property Group will be presenting their proposals to build houses on the old fete field, opposite The Vallance.

You can read the newsletter HERE

A full Ofsted inspection at Lynsted and Norton Primary School has underlined the “significantly” improved quality of education at the school since its last full inspection in 2021, where it was rated as ‘Inadequate’. The new rating is ‘Requires Improvement’, but Headteacher Catherine McLaughlin, who took on the role in September 2021, says the school is on the right path with clear actions of how to make further improvements.

In a letter to parents and carers she said: “We are really pleased that the inspectors recognised the progress that the school has made and have now taken us out of serious weaknesses.

“The inspectors could see that we all have a shared commitment to improving the quality of education at the school and the progress that we have made in developing the curriculum.” She thanked the staff, governors and Trust team for working so hard to enable the school to now be on such a positive journey.

Following the inspection carried out in March this year, Ofsted rates the early years offering as ‘Good’, stating “teachers and support staff have a clear and shared understanding of what children need to know and be able to do to be ready for Year 1”. They highlight the “nurturing environment’ across the school, but the report suggests that further improvements could be made: “While pupils now follow a broad and balanced curriculum, there is more to do to ensure that all pupils achieve well across all subjects.”

The school became part of Our Community Multi-Academy Trust in May 2021, and made changes to leadership and staff. Ofsted commended their new approach: “School and trust leaders, as well as those responsible for governance, share a clear and ambitious vision. They aspire to provide pupils with an excellent education in their village school. They want the school to be at the heart of the local community. Those responsible for governance provide leaders with strong support and challenge so that the school continues to make progress towards this shared vision.”

At our recent AGM, the Chairman presented his report on the Parish Council’s activities over the past year.  Once again, housebuilding dominated our agenda with applications off Lynsted Lane and Cellar Hill both being referred to the Planning Inspectorate.  We continue to work on analysis of pollution in the Parish and responded to the Government’s consultation on air quality - one of only four Parish Councils in the entire country to do so.  We’ve also been taking action to improve traffic safety in Lynsted and Kingsdown.  You can read the full report HERE

Nearly a fifth of strokes are attributed to exposure (for a year or more) of PM 2.5 concentrations exceeding 10mcg/m3.