School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

Plans to expand a secondary school to meet the growing demand for places have been called “strongly in the national interest”.

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

Bears are set to take over a town and Kent’s biggest shopping centre as part of a magical new art trail inspired by a beloved children’s book.

5 brilliant things to see and do at the Kent County Show

Prepare for one of the biggest weekends in Kent’s summer calendar with our guide to this year’s Kent County Show.

Dates for your diary: Kent’s July calendar

Step into summer with arts festivals, outdoor theatre, music concerts, street food feasts and more.

Pageant to celebrate life in Kent as it was 800 years ago

A colourful and spectacular festival will take to the streets to celebrate the medieval pilgrims who flocked to Kent eight centuries ago.

Free day out for people with disabilities and their families at popular attraction

People with disabilities, their families and carers can enjoy a free day out at a popular Kent attraction.

EDUCATION

‘More families should consider a home education – it could help children flourish’

HEALTH

‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

Teens

Schoolboy qualifies as UK’s youngest digger driver

A 13-year-old boy has followed his family's footsteps after qualifying to become the UK’s youngest digger driver.

School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

Plans to expand a secondary school to meet the growing demand for places have been called “strongly in the national interest”.

School’s plans to convert 400-year-old pub approved

"Devastated" campaigners have spoken out after the world's oldest school won permission to transform a historic pub into a study centre.

See all Teens stories

Primary

SEN school rated ‘outstanding’ for fourth time

A special educational needs school has been praised by Ofsted for its top quality education and dedication to its pupils.

Chancellor visits county to promote £1bn free school meals boost

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says an additional 20,000 children in Kent will be eligible for free school meals.

Slushy drinks ‘should not be given to under-7s’ after near-death incidents

New guidance says children under the age of seven should not consume ‘slushy’ drinks after several near-death experiences for kids.

See all Primary stories

Toddler

New soft play to open in shopping centre

A new space-themed soft play is set to open in a shopping centre.

Three schools among first wave getting ‘free nurseries for working parents’

Funding has been secured to open new “school-based nurseries” across several towns in a bid to tackle so-called childcare “deserts”.

Seaside paddling pool to shut for a year for makeover

A paddling pool will not reopen until next summer as it undergoes upgrades as part of a town centre’s £20 million regeneration scheme.

See all Toddler stories

Baby

‘My baby fought back from death after doctors mistook rare heart defect for common chest infection’

A mum is sharing how her newborn baby was misdiagnosed with a common chest infection when she was actually facing heart failure from a rare defect.

Big improvements at maternity units at two Kent hospitals

Maternity units at two Kent hospitals have made “significant improvements” since receiving the worst-possible rating from inspectors.

Mum relives terror of five-week-old baby turning ‘floppy and blue’

A mum has spoken of the terrifying moment her five-week-old daughter stopped breathing - and thanked the emergency crew who saved her life.

See all Baby stories

Pregnancy

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Public health officials have issued a strongly worded message to pregnant women in the county after the deaths of eight babies from whooping cough.

Most popular baby names in England as Olivia and Noah remain on top

Olivia and Noah remain in the top spots, says the ONS, for the most popular baby names in England and Wales but which other monikers made the top 10?

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can apply for a formal certificate from today that will acknowledge the loss of their child.

See all Pregnancy stories

Today on My Kent Family

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Things to do

Magical children’s novel turned into stunning stage show

CS Lewis’ captivating fantasy, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is coming to Kent as part of its nationwide tour.

‘The perfect place to cool off this summer - and we only spent £2.50’

With Kent in the middle of a heatwave, we found the perfect place to spend the day and cool off.

Much-loved log flume returns to theme park after almost 10 years

Kent’s oldest theme park has reopened a much-loved attraction after almost 10 years away.

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

Bears are set to take over a town and Kent’s biggest shopping centre as part of a magical new art trail inspired by a beloved children’s book.

Other great ideas

Magical children’s novel turned into stunning stage show

‘The perfect place to cool off this summer - and we only spent £2.50’

Much-loved log flume returns to theme park after almost 10 years

Schoolboy qualifies as UK’s youngest digger driver

School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

5 brilliant things to see and do at the Kent County Show

5 brilliant things to see and do at the Kent County Show

Dates for your diary: Kent’s July calendar

Dates for your diary: Kent’s July calendar

Pageant to celebrate life in Kent as it was 800 years ago

Free day out for people with disabilities and their families at popular attraction

EDUCATION

‘More families should consider a home education – it could help children flourish’

HEALTH

‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

Teens

Schoolboy qualifies as UK’s youngest digger driver

Schoolboy qualifies as UK’s youngest digger driver

School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

School expansion plan to meet ‘growing demand’ recommended for approval

School’s plans to convert 400-year-old pub approved

School’s plans to convert 400-year-old pub approved

Primary

SEN school rated ‘outstanding’ for fourth time

SEN school rated ‘outstanding’ for fourth time

Chancellor visits county to promote £1bn free school meals boost

Chancellor visits county to promote £1bn free school meals boost

Slushy drinks ‘should not be given to under-7s’ after near-death incidents

Slushy drinks ‘should not be given to under-7s’ after near-death incidents

Toddler

New soft play to open in shopping centre

New soft play to open in shopping centre

Three schools among first wave getting ‘free nurseries for working parents’

Three schools among first wave getting ‘free nurseries for working parents’

Seaside paddling pool to shut for a year for makeover

Seaside paddling pool to shut for a year for makeover

Baby

‘My baby fought back from death after doctors mistook rare heart defect for common chest infection’

‘My baby fought back from death after doctors mistook rare heart defect for common chest infection’

Big improvements at maternity units at two Kent hospitals

Big improvements at maternity units at two Kent hospitals

Mum relives terror of five-week-old baby turning ‘floppy and blue’

Mum relives terror of five-week-old baby turning ‘floppy and blue’

Pregnancy

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Most popular baby names in England as Olivia and Noah remain on top

Most popular baby names in England as Olivia and Noah remain on top

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Today on My Kent Family

Things to do

Magical children’s novel turned into stunning stage show

Magical children’s novel turned into stunning stage show

‘The perfect place to cool off this summer - and we only spent £2.50’

‘The perfect place to cool off this summer - and we only spent £2.50’

Much-loved log flume returns to theme park after almost 10 years

Much-loved log flume returns to theme park after almost 10 years

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

New bear sculpture trail inspired by children’s book unveiled

Coming soon: Don't miss our My Dad special this Father's Day

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