Rethink on early-years course decision

Education bosses say one of the courses they had planned to scrap at Ashford College will now go ahead following a review.

The Express revealed at the end of May how 91 students hoping to enrol at the college in Jemmett Road were left in limbo.

Students wishing to study ICT, catering and hospitality, business administration and law, health and care, and early years childcare were told they would have to commute to other campuses in Tonbridge.

The Hadlow Group, which runs the college, said the courses were not economic to run as not enough students had enrolled.

But this week the group said it has reversed its decision and will now run a diploma course for childcare and education and early years, affecting 12 students.

College spokesman Philip Orrell said: “We listened carefully and considered staff and student feedback and counter proposals.

“The course manager Alison Forsyth is thrilled that the course will be running in Ashford as originally planned and would welcome further applications from anyone interested in a rewarding career working with children in their early years.”

He said the course runs for two years and is both a platform for university study or a gateway into employment.

He added: “Ultimately, our course offers have to be developed to meet the needs of the locality, and any closures were well thought out. We do not run programmes that there is no demand for.”

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The college has decided to run a diploma course for earlyyears childcare and education