Wednesday September 5 | 2018
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OF TONBRIDGE
INSIDE
Confusion over KCC’s policy on state tuition for grammar entry
CRIME DOESN’T PAY
Securitas thief will not have to return £1.9million Page 4
By William Mata PRIMARY schools might soon be able to coach pupils for the 11 plus exam after an apparent shift in thinking at County Hall. Kent County Council [KCC] Leader Paul Carter has indicated he would support a reversal of the policy that prevents the tutoring of Year 6 students in state schools to help prepare for the so-called ‘Kent Test’ – which pupils need to pass to enter a grammar school. KCC administer the tests and Cllr Roger Gough, Cabinet member for education, has previously stated coaching was ‘not an appropriate approach’ towards the test.
Ability Cllr Carter spoke out about levelling the playing field after BBC South East found nine out of 10 fee-paying primary schools they investigated were tutoring. He said: “Why shouldn’t local schools, as well as private schools, be able to coach? “I think all schools should be helping and supporting those who have the ability to get into grammar schools. “I think state schools should do all they can to help and support them towards the 11 plus, as well as the private schools. His statement appeared to be off-the-cuff and took County Hall by surprise. Any change would have to be agreed by full council. KCC told the Times yesterday [Tuesday] there was currently no official change in policy.
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CLEAN BREAK Lizzy Hall packs toiletries before delivering them to the drop-off points
FUN OF THE FAIR
Medieval and heritage events are back at the Castle Page 4
New Beauty Bank helps pupils to beat ‘hygiene poverty’ trap By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A NOT-for-profit Beauty Bank is looking for volunteers to help low-income families gain access to basic toiletries. Mother-of-two Lizzy Hall launched the initiative last month to tackle ‘hygiene poverty’ among schoolchildren and has seen the idea take off rapidly. The concept is similar to foodbanks, and Mrs Hall set up Beauty Bank Kent ‘because being clean isn’t a privilege, because girls shouldn’t miss school when they have their period and they can’t afford sanitary wear, because looking good makes us feel better’. She told the Times: “I asked foodbanks like Nourish [in Tunbridge Wells and
south Tonbridge] if they took in toiletries. They did, but only in dribs and drabs – and they get handed out very quickly. “So I sent a WhatsApp plea to my friends and it went viral. Now I am creating new drop-off points every day.”
‘For many low-income families, hygiene is a luxury they can’t afford’ Jump-In trampoline park on Morley Roard, Andrew House Dental Practice on London Road and Angelfix hardware store on Quarry Hill Road became the first collection points in Tonbridge last weekend. There are already locations at Café 1809 in Hildenborough and Eden-
bridge Leisure Centre. Now Mrs Hall wants more drop-offs and volunteers to help with collections. The charity In Kind Direct published statistics this summer which showed that one in three teachers nationwide are providing pupils with basic hygiene products such as toothpaste and soap. Eight out of 10 primary school teachers said they had seen a rise in the number of children coming to school unwashed or not looking presentable in the last five years. Almost one in five [18 per cent] say they have to intervene every week. “With little money to cover the cost of everyday essentials, some families are forced to choose between buying food or personal hygiene items,” said Mrs Hall.
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WAR OF WORDS
Six talks examine different perspectives on WWI Page 4
IT’S CRUNCH TIME
TJs put to the test on opening day of rugby season Page 78