Amy Saunders, the chair of brand-new special independent school in Ashford, Kings Park says it remains empty months after opening and the council won't 'consult' with them following a rule change.
00:00So we are still empty. We don't have any children. We are consulting with KCC, but Medway have told us they won't consult with independent schools at all.
00:14Um, so we have had contact from a lot of the parents who are obviously been left without a school and we've had quite distressed phone calls from them.
00:31But all we can tell them is that they can't come here, despite the fact that we're empty and that we want them.
00:38Um, yeah, Medway have refused to get in contact with us, haven't they?
00:43They haven't responded to any of our emails where we've said we could help in the short run.
00:48You know, there's lots we can do. We've got teachers and classes.
00:52So even if we need to give them something to do in the interim, but they haven't got back to us.
00:58So we had a meeting with Medway, uh, maybe six weeks ago where they told us that they changed the rules.
01:06They weren't consulting with independent schools at all.
01:10Um, although they said that they can, if it goes to tribunal, there are a few cases that will go to an independent school.
01:20Um, but they weren't going to consult with us.
01:24Um, then when the news of Cornfields and Bellevue came out, we got in touch with them again on Friday and said that we've heard what's happened.
01:32And if you need any help, we want to work with you. We're here.
