Take a break and make a decoration

Get crafty while doing your Christmas shopping in Maidstone.

The Mall in the town centre is inviting shoppers to take a break to make a colourful Christmas creation.

The free arts and crafts station has been set up next to Santa’s Grotto on the upper level of the shopping centre and will be open from 10am until 3pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Children can make their own wibbly wobbly willow Christmas trees or design a beaded ornament.

It will also be open next Saturday, December 17, when children can design Christmas gift labels and a bauble filled with reindeer food.

Suzie Brindle, marketing manager at The Mall, said: “Christmas is a great time to find your creative side.

“And what could be better than making your very own personalised ornaments for the tree or Christmas cards?

“Shoppers loved taking part in our Christmas crafts on Saturday and we’re looking forward to welcome more families along.”

Youngsters can also visit Santa in his grotto between 11am and 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4pm on Sundays/ @ntippingKM Grammar schools in Maidstone are celebrating good results in the Sunday Times Parent Power tables.

Three of the town’s grammars have moved up in the top 250 state secondary schools in the country, improving from last year’s ranking.

Now in its 24th year, the Parent Power table rates schools according to the percentage of exam entries gaining A* to B grades at A-level – given a double weighting – and the percentage of GCSEs returning A* and A grades.

Invicta Grammar School came top in Maidstone, moving up 16 places from last year and breaking into the top 100 in 96th position.

Head teacher Julie Derrick is thrilled with the school’s ranking.

She said: “This is an excellent accolade to the hard work of our students, parents and teachers.

“I feel privileged to be the head teacher of the best grammar school in Maidstone. I am proud of Invicta students not only because of their excellent academic achievements, but also of how they embrace opportunities to prepare themselves for the future.”

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls also improved on last