Podcast: Figures reveal a drop in the number of children applying to some secondary schools in Kent following poor Ofsted ratings

New figures seen by the Kent Online Podcast show there’s been a significant drop in the number of children wanting to go to some schools in Kent after they received poor Ofsted reports.

The figures highlight the impact a ‘poor’ grading given to a school by the watchdog can have on admission numbers.

Also in today’s podcast, three Kent men who were involved in a so-called ‘clocking’ scam involving second-hand cars and vans have avoided jail sentences.

The group from Broadstairs and Chartham wiped two million miles off 23 vehicles before selling them online.

Signs are going to be put up outside play areas and schools in parts of Kent to try and encourage people not to smoke.

Areas including Ashford, Thanet and Maidstone have been awarded funding for the scheme.

Plans to close a Kent leisure centre for a £20 million revamp are going to be reviewed at a meeting later.

Tides in Deal is set to shut this April before reopening under a new operator in January 2026.

East Kent Acro Gymnastics club uses the sports hall for their training sessions.

Football, and Gillingham‘s run of games without a win has continued.

They came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

And, congratulations to everyone who took part in the Canterbury 10-mile road race over the weekend.

The winner crossed the line in 51 minutes and 10 seconds.