Families in villages such as Otham, Bearsted, Detling and Langley are being denied places at any of their four nearest secondary schools. Children are being sent miles away, split from friends, and forced into long, difficult journeys — while living right next to multiple schools. This isn’t fair. This isn’t sustainable. And it needs to change.

Every year, families in Maidstone’s eastern villages face the same problem: their children can’t get into their local schools, even when they live within walking distance. This is not a one‑off issue. It is a systemic failure in the way secondary school places are allocated.

 

We’re calling for:

1. A guaranteed local school place for EVERY child

No child should be denied access to the schools closest to their home.

2. A full, independent, review of school catchment areas and admissions criteria

Catchments must be fair, logical, and based on real geography and population — not arbitrary lines that exclude entire communities.

3. Increased capacity at local schools OR a new secondary school

Eastern areas of Maidstone urgently needs additional provision to meet demand.

4. Safe, funded transport for all children sent to distant schools

If a child is allocated a school far away, they must be given safe, reliable, and free transport.

5. Link housing development to school capacity

New homes must come with new school places. Planning and education must work together.

6. Better support and honest advice before and during the appeals process

Families should not be given false hope or encouraged to spend hours writing appeals to oversubscribed schools, as it is proven that the vast majority are not going to win a place. 

 

👉 Sign the petition and help fix a broken system. Our children deserve local schools and a fair chance.