Closed farm will not be sold, says school

A Kent school that "temporarily" closed its 40-year-old farm and rehomed its animals says the land will not be sold.

New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone wrote to parents in April announcing its smallholding would shut after its manager and assistant manager left.

Future Schools Trust, which runs the academy, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that "no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the farm" but confirmed "there are no plans to sell the land".

Maidstone South county councillor Paul Thomas said the secondary school would "would be a much poorer place without the farm".

"It's a bit of a concern," he said, adding that he thought local volunteers could be assembled to keep the farm running.

"You can't put a price on the extra value you get from a brilliant facility like the farm," according to the councillor.

Future Schools Trust chief executive officer Isabelle Linney-Drouet said: "We recognise the historical value of the farm and the important role it has played for many young people.

"These decisions are important and take time, as we work carefully to explore positive, sustainable options with the best interests of the young people we serve at heart of any decisions made."

The school rehomed the farm's animals at farms in neighbouring villages, she added.

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