A round-up of events at schools across Kent

Military ways

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School, a high-performing Academy sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, is to advise on the setting up of a new student military cadre at Astor College, a state high school in a deprived part of Dover.

The programme will put a group of Astor College girls and boys aged 11-19 through ceremonial and Combined Cadet Force training (CCF).

They will learn to handle weapons, navigate seacraft and fly planes, and are being kitted out in ceremonial ‘blues’ uniforms to take part in drill practice at school and parades in Dover. So far 50 students have signed up to join the popular military cadre, which launches this month.

Music makers

Orchestra ONE is a new two-year project from Kent Music and Rhythmix, sponsored by The Rochester Bridge Trust, offering free workshops for talented young people who rarely have the opportunity to enjoy shared music making.

Classically trained instrumentalists, DJs and MCs will be joining forces to perform new compositions inspired by the River Medway.

For further information, contact orchestra-one@kent-music.com

Wild times

Students and lecturers from Hadlow College took part in a life-changing wildlife studies field trip to Zambia in Southern Africa.

The trip was organised and led by responsible tourism expert Dr Cheryl Mvula of Tribal Voice Communications. The students, all of whom are studying for a National Diploma in Animal Management, visited the South Luangwa National Park, where they learnt about animal behaviour in the wild and the wildlife conservation and social development challenges faced by developing world African countries.

They raised �1,450 for the communities they met in Zambia from sponsored walks, baking cakes and washing cars. The money will be spent on a poultry project, securing textbooks for two local schools and in funding anti-poaching patrols and putting up chilli fences to prevent elephants from eating villagers’ crops.

On the mend

Families in Tonbridge and Malling are being given the chance to take part in an after-school programme to help them get fitter, healthier and happier.

MEND is a free after-school healthy living programme for children aged seven to 13 and their families. It aims to help children who are above a healthy weight learn how to make healthier choices and get active.

Sessions start after school at The Malling School, East Malling every Tuesday and Thursday for 10 weeks, beginning 27 September. From January 2012, sessions will begin at The Hugh Christie School in Tonbridge.

For further information or to book a place on MEND, please call 01732 876155 or email healthy.living@tmbc.gov.uk.

Top notch

Cranbrook is in the top 12 per cent of secondary schools in England following a report by Ofsted inspectors who arrived with two days’ notice just before the end of the summer term.

It was a particularly busy time with a party of 20 visiting Indian students and three teachers in the school, while other staff and students were preparing for a month-long trip to Tanzania.

Nonetheless, the inspectors awarded the Wealden school the top grade of ‘outstanding’ and commented particularly on the students’ excellent behaviour and their strong commitment to learning and high levels of engagement.