Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what dates (a) letters were sent and (b) meetings were held between (i) officials and (ii) Ministers in her Department with North Kent College on future governance arrangements with Hadlow Rural Community School.

The department values the Hadlow Rural Community School’s land-based curriculum offer. We have been, and remain, willing to consider how the department might support the school to continue to provide a broad land-based offer.

As part of this consideration, in October 2024 departmental officials were in contact with North Kent College to understand their appetite for allowing the school to access the college’s neighbouring land-based facilities.

Ministers have had no contact with North Kent College about this matter.