Autumn 2022

NEWS
“Outstanding” Belle Vue
School Praised for its
Community Work
The school in Jockey Lane, Cranbrook,
received the accolade “in all areas” from
Ofsted which carried out the inspection in
April this year.
Supporting up to 60 pupils aged 11 to
19-years-old, it provides education for
those with special educational needs and
recognises that some need additional
therapeutic and social support in order
to achieve their educational goals and
to thrive. Its ethos – to improve the life
chances of children.
The report stated: “This is a happy place
where pupils flourish... staff have energy
and are enthusiastic about their work.
Consequently, pupils demonstrate a strong
sense of belonging and respond positively
to the high demands made on them... The
model is unique but effective, ensuring that
the school provides an outstanding quality
of education for pupils in a safe and happy
environment.”
While the report said positivity came from
many sources, including parents, staff and
professionals from outside the school, most
importantly, the “evidence of this positivity
comes from the pupils themselves”.
The executive head teacher, Mary
McKeeman, said: “We have now been open
just over a year and this is a fantastic result.
It is not only a reflection of the hard work
and dedication of pupils and staff but is a
reflection of the wider community.
“Our school thrives within the community
and our pupils have involved themselves…
for example with refurbishing the
vandalised [public] toilet block, delivering
food parcels, helping tend the allotment and
are looking forward to doing more.
“I am grateful for all the support which
has been offered to our pupils, particularly
from the parish council and their touching
comments that the school is a shining light
within the community.” Andy Mack
Help Show Kindness
to Asylum Children –
Volunteer
Kent Kindness is a small charity which offers lessons in English
language and customs to unaccompanied asylum seeking
children (UASC). They are all boys aged 16 or 17 who are held
in two reception centres in Kent, one near Cranbrook and the
other in Ashford. These boys stay in the centres until the Home
Office arranges their transfer into the community, which can be
anywhere in the UK. This can take a week or a few weeks.
These boys are just like the teenage boys we know here in our
community – fun, intelligent, mostly keen to learn but not very
good at getting up in the morning!
Kent Kindness is looking for more
volunteers to help us with these
classes which take place between
10am and 12 noon each weekday
morning. The one stipulation,
set by KCC, is that all our
volunteers have to be 25+.
If you think you might be
interested please email me on
contact@kentkindness.org.uk.
Jo Taylor
12 The Cake • Autumn 2022