A head teacher has defended his school’s haircut policy after a pupil was pulled out of class for having a style deemed “extreme”.
Strood Academy boss Jon Richardson says the ban on skin fades is part of dress code guidelines that bring “equality and focus” to the school.
Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Deal man who’s been embroiled in a row with Virgin Media after returning home to find workers digging a huge trench for a broadband cabinet outside his property.
He says he will not give up challenging the communications giant after discovering contractors breaking down the pavement.
Bosses of Kent’s biggest Pride festival have described their shock as council bosses say next year’s extravaganza cannot be held in the park it calls home.
Canterbury City Council has suspended all events at the Dane John Gardens for 2025 to roll out new improvements paid for through the government’s Levelling Up fund.
Maidstone’s LitFest is back for second year from this weekend – the KentOnline Podcast has spoken to one of the authors about her book.
West Malling’s Rosie Hewlett explains what a scary thing it is to put a book out into the world.
And in football we talk to the Gilingham boss ahead of their game away at Crewe Alexandra.
They’re be looking to bounce back after their unbeaten home streak came to an end during the week.
know you can trust. This is the Kent online podcast. Kate Faulkner. Hello. Happy Friday. Hope you're OK. Thank you for downloading today's podcast on October 4th. Coming up today. We'll hear from a man in deal locked in a battle with a broadband company who he's accused of installing equipment on his property. We'll also hear from the drilling manager as they travel to crew Alexandra for their next leg to match. But first, taking a look at our top story today. A school in Medway has defended its haircut policy after a pupil was taken out of class when their hair was deemed too short. Joe Crossley has been following this one for the Kent online podcast is with me now. Joe, thank you for your time. First of all, just so we can get a better understanding of what the problem might be, what is the school's haircut guidelines? Good morning, Kate. Yes. So the school's policy states, night string haircuts, e.g. skin fades, graphic, patterns, lines, and it must be a minimum of a grade one cut or a number one as some people will know it by. And this is at the senior leadership team's discretion. The school say that this allows for quality and focus among students. Of course, we've heard from one parent whose son was put into a behaviour unit because of having the skin fade haircut, that this is a ridiculous measure. And why was the student taken out of class? So Liam had his haircut on Saturday, the 21st of September, but was pulled out of class three days later on Wednesday. When teachers basically said that he had broken the guidelines because his hair was too short. He was then placed in a behavioural unit because he had broken the school's rules, but was pulled out by his mum. The school again say that he had broken the rules and that his haircut did not meet its uniform guidelines. Now he stepped on the other has been pretty open with Sherry's anger about this. What's he been saying? So Liam's step dad has called the school's decision to pull his son, who is in his last year of GCSEs, so year 11, ridiculous and unnecessary. He says that something needs to be done to change what the school is doing as his son shouldn't be missing out on teaching time. He also says that it's not like he has a mohawk or massively long braise or blue hair. He says it's a sensible haircut that pretty much every teenager in Medway has. He also says that professionals have similar haircuts and it wouldn't stop them getting a job. He also mentions the medical problems that Liam has. He has severe eczema and he says that the haircut actually helps in his head call during the autumn and summer months because the heat from wearing a blazer and shirt and coat makes him sweating irritates the skin. And he actually says that the school knows this and they provided all medical details about this to the school. And what's been the school's response? The school's response to the comments made by Liam's dad Barry Sandman were put in a statement which can online was received. It said that surely academy is committed to maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment where high standards of behaviour and appearance are upheld. It adds these standards be consistently applied across the academy to ensure all students are prepared for learning and that our school community remains focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for every child. It says it is aware of the concerns raised by the parent and it is looking to talk to them in a meeting. The academy has also said that it has a clear and well-established stress code including guidelines on appropriate hairstyles which it communicates to parents and students at the beginning of each academic year. And it says these guidelines are in place to promote a sense of equality and focus across the academy. It says again it is in communication with the parent and has offered a meeting to discuss their concerns in more detail. Thanks so much Joe. According to a poll at Kent Online, most readers agree that skin-fade haircuts are a smart style and they should not be banned from the classroom. You can have your say by clicking on the story on our website. Kent Online News. I'm eight stone man who strangled a woman several times during a violent assault has been jailed. Ashley Southgate carried out the attack in February and set upon his victim again two days later. The 57-year-old has been locked up for 15 months. In quests are due to open into the deaths of a Kent couple when a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily. Judy and Jonathan Bloomer from Seven Oaks were among seven people who died following a storm in August. A hearing is being held in Ipswich. A sheppy holiday park boss has been jailed following an attack in August. A sheppy holiday park was found in June 26th. Bernard Saunders left man with serious injuries after hitting him with an axe handle in Stanford. The hope back in March, the 30-year-old who recently invested millions in Eden Leisure Park in East Church admitted GBH and has been locked up for 28 months. Two suspected drug dealers have been arrested after what's thought to be Class A drugs were found at a house in Margate. Officers had visited the property in Addington Street and also discovered cannabis, scales, money and mobile phones. A 37-year-old man and woman whose 44 are in custody. A maidstone man has been jailed after threatening police officers before attacking them with a corrosive powder. Police were called to Charlie Ryder's Night Ryder Street property following reports he'd been smashing it up while being arrested. He threw the powder, which turned out to be drain unblocker. The 26-year-old was already on bail for a violent mugging. He's been locked up for three years and three months. A person's been injured after a crash involving a tractor and a mobility scooter in Faddisham. Emergency crews were called to Bisonwood Road near Sainsbury's yesterday afternoon. The collision caused long delays in the area. An Ashford man, who was banned from the high street for three years, has returned to the town centre just three days later. The 55-year-old had been given a court order after ignoring several warnings about excessive alcohol in public. But he turned up in the bandstand area last month. He was ordered to pay more than £350, but didn't have to pay due to the amount of time he'd spent in custody before appearing in court. A man has been flown to a London hospital. After a crash involving a car and a motorbike in Maidstone. It happened on Sutton Road near the junction with Willington Street yesterday evening. A man in his 20s was injured. Kent Online News. A homeowner in deal is in a round with Virgin Media over claims a broadband cabinet was built on his property without permission. Paul Skinner and his pregnant fiancé, Gemma Parker, say the equipment has been illegally installed on their land in Church Lane. He's been speaking to reporter Chantal Weller. When we came up with the fiancé, I found they were digging outside the property. They hadn't given any notification and they told my fiancé who was pregnant to climb over the pit they created to get in the house. Through a lot of research, we found out this section of land is actually part of private property owned by myself. It was an easement given when building the estate around the corner. Virgin Media, next driver, built on private property. It wasn't a lot of research. He found out this section of land is actually part of private property owned by myself. It was an easement given when it came to the property. Kent County Council has issued a permit for this even though it's not their land to build on. And so far no one is admitting fault and agreeing to remove it or work with me to a solution. That will be beneficial to both parties. So tell me a little bit about how this affected the audience. They arrived in July. And it's still still going on now for you, isn't it? Yeah, it's still ongoing. And there was an altercation where the police had to be called out as the company that was in installing it. Basically told me I wasn't allowed to do any work in my front garden forbid me to be on my property, after which about five to six vans turned up for working on one small unit. More of an intimidation, in fact, because no one was actually working. They were parked on private property around the corner as well. Yeah. And tell me a bit about how that made you feel. You also mentioned that you could feel that without the time. Yeah. It was a good idea. I think it was a good idea because it was a good idea. It was a great idea. It was a great idea. And tell me a bit about how that made you feel. You also mentioned that you could feel that without the time. You told them I'm home. Yeah. I was quite fearful for my fiance as she was out being pregnant. I didn't want any stress to go on for her and the unborn child at this point. So I just asked her not to come back that day until they'd gone for her safety. At that point I actually stayed in the house myself. I refused to come out. As there were so many people here, literally just as I once said the intimidation factor, it was beyond a joke. Police came out to try to liaise between both parties. It was after the police left. That's when multiple war vans turned up. Yeah. And tell me about sort of where you're at at the moment then. So your plan is. No, I'm not going to stop this fight. Once again, it's large companies that feel that they are beyond the reach of the law and can do what they want, take what they want with no repercussions. And it's something that needs to be addressed. So it's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. No, I'm not going to stop this fight. Once again, it's large companies that feel that they are beyond the reach of the law and can do what they want, take what they want with something that needs to be addressed. Government before state, they won't allow things like this yet. It still occurs. And it is beyond a joke at this point. It also said that you wanted to sort of raise that awareness so that it doesn't happen to anybody else. Yes. Because if this has happened to me, and there's so many of these units being placed around deal at the moment, has this happened to someone else who doesn't know about their popular boundaries at that point? I wouldn't actually aware this was a easement until I've researched into this. Luckily, the previous owners would be parents. And they were one that created the easement in the first place. So I had a lot of information there. So I would say if anyone's got one of these been placed outside their property and they're not happy about it, research your deeds, look into it all, make sure that it's been put there legally. And if not, fight it. Highway's authority, Kent County Council says it is now investigating and stated it is not received an application for the works to take place. But that's being disputed by Virgin Media. After Mr Skinner contacted Virgin about the works, bosses there, say they are also looking into the complaint but insist the correct permissions were obtained. Next fiber has also been contacted for a comment. There are calls for anyone with a spare room in Kent to consider becoming a foster carer. Figures from the National Fostering Group show 129 homes are urgently needed to meet an increase in the number of children entering care in the last 12 months. A survey found there are more than 15,000 extra rooms in the community. A number of children were entering care in the last 12 months. A survey found there are more than 15,000 extra rooms in the community. A survey found there are more than 15,000 extra rooms in the county. The share the spare campaign wants those households to get on board. The organisers of Kent's biggest Pride Festival say they are in shock after finding out it can't be held at its usual home next year. Countsbury Pride has been at Danger on Gardens for the last 8 years. But Council have now suspended all activities in the park for 2025 due to improvement works. The event coordinators say they are concerned about the decision and they are hoping to talk to local bosses about a possible solution. The event coordinators say they are concerned about the decision and they are hoping to talk to local bosses about a possible solution. Now there is anger after it was discovered. An abandoned charity shop in Maidstone was still packed with donations, despite claims it had been cleared. Save the children in Union Street has been closed for four years, leaving stock to rot inside. But bosses said all sellable items would be transferred to other sites. Although windows have been blacked out, there are still donations inside. A spokesperson says anything that remains will be rehomed, recycled or disposed. Head to Kent Online to see pictures of what's been left behind. Kent Online News. A survey found there are still donations inside. A spokesperson says anything that remains will be rehomed, recycled or disposed. Head to Kent Online to see pictures of what's been left behind. Kent Online News. We should find out today if a new road tunnel linking Kent and Essex will finally be built. The Labour government has been making a decision on the future of the lower temps crossing after winning the election. If approved, it would run from the east of Gravesand to Thorik in a bid to ease congestion at the current Dartford Tunnel and Bridge. Dartford and P Jim Dixon has been speaking to local democracy reporters Dan Essen and Simon Finlay. Expectors come to a total cost of 9 billion quid. It's the most expensive playing application in history and not a single brick has been built. It is the most expensive application in history and not a single brick. It's the most expensive playing application in history and not a single brick has been placed. Not a single spade has been in the ground. It's all been surveys and paperwork and bureaucracy and planning permission and it's cost more than the economy of some small countries. Why is it that Britain just can't get things built? Well, it's taken too long and so you're absolutely right to say that it's now something like 15 years. And it was the last Labour government that actually decided that they needed to start to get plans in place for this additional crossing out to the left. That's what it's called. We need to get plans in place for this additional crossing outside London. And I think a lot of the delay has been partly a very patient consultation and looking at a whole variety of routes to try and get the optimal route which inconveniences the fewest numbers of people, protects the biodiversity and natural heritage of both north and south. But also I think we have a planning system which takes too long to process big infrastructure projects. And one of the things that the Labour government particularly keen to do and we see that in their consultation on the new national planning guidance is to try and speed these things up. And it really shouldn't have taken as long as it has. But I'm pleased that it's now potentially a Labour government having been in there at the beginning. We've now had a 14-year gap under the last government. That it'll be a Labour government that gives it the go ahead. And I, as I say, identifies the right package to fund it. Something else I wanted to ask about. This is obviously your neighbouring constituency, where the low Thames crossing will actually be. It also has a Labour MP, it's also Lauren Sullivan of Gravesham Borough Council and Kent County Council as well. And as I understand it, her and her colleagues in Gravesham Labour are not as keen on the idea of low Thames crossing because I think it will basically bring the sort of traffic blight that Dartford has with the QE2 bridge to Gravesham. I mean, does that, you know, is this an issue that you and your neighbouring MP have spoken about? Is this an issue of concern or do you think the other government should say, well, a new Thames crossing is in the national interest so that the concerns of local residents need to be overridden by that? Well, I wouldn't want to speak for Lauren. She's a great neighbour of mine and we both campaigned together during the general election. And actually, we share an office in the House of Parliament now, so we're very close buddies. She'll have her own view. Clearly, you have a different perspective where the crossing actually intersects with your own constituency. And I'm sure she'll make those views known to you. But what I would say is there's a really big coalition. Come together in Kent. So the great majority of Kent Labour MPs, business, community organisations, nature organisations, perhaps surprisingly to some people who think it's not an ecologically sound project. But all those organisations have come together in a big coalition saying this really must happen. And Kent County Council as well, so it's great to be working cross-party with Kent, which is Tory controlled with me as a Labour MP. So this really cuts across geography, it cuts across politics, it cuts across sectors because we really need to see this happen. He's been on the latest episode of the Kent Politics podcast. At the time of recording today, the decision hadn't been made public. Head to Kent online to see the latest. A newly opened Burger King in Kent has been given the lowest food hygiene rating out of any of the chain's branches across the country. The restaurant in Tunbridge Wells was created by the United Kingdom. The town in Tunbridge Wells was criticised for using dirty and greasy equipment and had an erating of one out of five stars. Council say the problems at the site in Mount Pleasant Road have been fixed. A reinspection is due to be carried out before the end of December. Gogglebox star Giles Brandreth is going to be coming to Maidstone for this year's Lit Fest. The event's back for a second year to celebrate books, authors and storytelling where small links Rosie Hewlett will also be talking about her book Medea. I'm super excited to be involved. And again, it's so nice that it's just down the road. It feels, yeah, just like very local, which is lovely. And I think it's so important. It's wonderful to see everyone coming together to celebrate stories and authors and also as an opportunity to meet readers and to, I think one of the best parts about books and about reading books and writing books is talking about them with people. You know when you read a really good book, the first thing you want to do is talk to someone and you force your friends to read it so you can have a discussion. I think it's horrible when you're the only one who's read a book and you can't talk to anyone about it. So I think that's why these festivals are so important. You know when you read a really good book, the first thing you want to do is talk to anyone about it so I think that's why these festivals are so lovely because it's just celebrating that love of reading and love of stories and as an author it's wonderful to be invited and to get to talk about our books because we're obviously very proud of them. So it's a great thing. Is it quite nerve-wracking to speak about your book because obviously it's a very personal thing to you. It's your passion but to share it with everybody. How kind of nervous do you get about that and do you like to hear the feedback? What people have had to say about it? I mean I love hearing the feedback when it's positive. But no it's um I mean yes it's definitely scary putting a book out into the world because it's obviously it's so personal and it feels very vulnerable as an author but it's also a wonderful thing to share with people. I think there's a quote from Brandon Sanderson who's a fantasy author and he says a book isn't finished until it's read and I love that idea because it's like the readers as an author you can put everything on the page but it doesn't come alive until someone reads it. So it feels like completing the story when someone reads it and that's really wonderful. So it's scary but it's also a really nice thing and it's lovely to get to share it with people and I love Greek mythology. I've always loved it so for me getting to chat about Greek myth in general and then also getting to chat about my versions of the myth. I mean it's I could honestly talk all day so I love the events. I love chatting about it. It's so much fun. And did you always want to be an author? Was that always the aim? Yes I mean I ever since I was little I was writing stories. My parents still have them all at home of these little books I was writing when I could literally as soon as I could write. But it was always just something that I love to do. I don't think it was a I want my career to be an author initially because I just I liked writing stories and that's what I did and then as I got older I think you hear a lot about becoming an author is such an unlikely career and such an unstable career so I think that kind of put me off a bit. But then when I wrote my first book Medusa and self-published and got such a positive response it sort of just got the ball rolling and I suddenly realized oh wait I could actually maybe do this because people want to read what I'm writing and then when I wrote Medusa and I got the publishing deal it all just kind of took off and now it's just been a dream come true really. It's quite a big step isn't it to self-publish? Was that quite nerve-wracking when you were going through that whole process? Yeah I mean to be honest I don't know what gave me the audacity to just be like yep I can self-publish I'm good enough because I'd never let anyone read my work and then I went from no one reading it to everyone reading it. I think it was honestly lockdown madness because I wrote it during the 2020 lockdown when I was on furlough so it was quite a massive step for me as someone who didn't let anyone read their writing but in a way it was really good that I like just pushed myself off that ledge because it wasn't until people read it that I realized oh maybe actually can write because people did like it so it was really a sink or swim moment. And then I guess there's even more pressure because people want more from you and obviously Medea is out at the moment what is in the pipeline? So I'm currently I literally just sent off my editorial feedback for my next book which I'm working on so it's written it's just on the edits at the moment it's not been announced yet but it's my second book with Penguin who are publishing it and it's another Greek myth retelling along similar lines to my other books and I absolutely love writing it but like you say a lot of pressure because now you kind of delivered on one book you want to make sure the next one stays to that level and you want to make sure you keep your readers happy so I definitely felt the pressure but I also loved writing it so I'm really excited to announce it as soon as I'm allowed to. And he's coordinated Jodie Eels. Last year was the first one we didn't know how well it would be received we didn't know if there would be funding for you too but we're happy to be back and we're in even more schools with our schools program where we're bringing altars into the schools and even more authors as well so there's lots going on. And some really big names as well because obviously you're going to be championing new authors but you've got some very established names coming along too. We do. And I think not only do we want to give space for those authors but also it's still very new made some having a literary festival so for some people who don't necessarily read some of the unknown authors it's great for them to see a big name and then it draws their attention and they're okay let's have a look at the program let's see what else there is but Giles Brandreth has been a real winner this year I think he's really widened our awareness of the festival which has been brilliant and we can't wait to meet him but yes like you say we do have some debut authors as well so we'd really like people to have a look at the program and don't think I don't know that author I'm not quite sure just come along the tickets are really reasonable and just come along for a night out it's always interesting you'll always learn something it's always fascinating and if you like the sound of it you can buy the book and you've got your new best read absolutely and yeah I mean Giles Brandreth what a character I mean I guess an awful lot of people see him on celebrity goggle box if they didn't see him on telly back in the day but perhaps some don't realize he's an author as well I'm still plowing through his book on the Queen which is just wonderful it's so lovely I know we're so delighted to have him with a couple of different generations which can relate to Giles and he is one of my favorite characters on goggle box and always has been so I'm particularly delighted to be able to meet him in person and he's really excited to be coming to Maystone which is also a nice nice tick in the box for our local area within Maystone you're able to use some fantastic venues aren't you for these audience with sessions which is on the River Medway and is beautiful and up until a couple of years ago I haven't actually set foot inside the church and it's stunning so we have got the opportunity to be nosy in some venues around Maystone our event this Friday with Jill Hornby is at the town hall and really you can't get into the town hall very often unless it's heritage open days or if you're part of the council where they hold some of their meetings so we have a lot of work on Maystone library they've moved they've got a new exhibition there so we're able to use one of the upstairs rooms as well and that's just completely stunning and adds to the atmosphere and then everybody's favorite water stains as well so where else but to be in a book shop itself so we really have got a lovely mixture of venues in and around the town centre so very lucky writers have also been visiting local schools to inspire the best head over to the website for more information about where to find tickets Kent Online News hundreds of jobs are set to be created in Kent after DPD signed a deal to fill a new warehouse the delivery firm is set to move into a facility at Panatoni Park near Sittingborne when it's built follow Kent Online on socials to see a Banksy style artwork that's appeared in Maystone the picture of a child carrying a fishing rod has been painted near the lake in you keep their identity a secret a can of resoldier who climbed Everest while using prosthetic legs has been shortlisted for a top award Harry Buddha McGar lost his limbs in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan he's one of three finalists in the Inspiration Award category at the soldering on awards which will be handed out later this month and a Kent actress could be in the running to become the next Bond girl Charlotte Kirk who's been in an incredible appearance in the next 007 movie Sydney Sweeney and Michelle Keegan are also among the bookies favorites Kent Online Sports Football now in Gillingham will be hoping to bounce back from Tuesday's defeat as they travel to Crew Alexandra this weekend the Jills broke their winning streak at Priest Field when they lost one nil to Grimmsby Town but still top of the league two table is manager Mark Bonner. I'm looking so we'll get ourselves turned around we haven't been able to do so much today clearly but we'll do a little bit tomorrow and head up a motorway and get ready for the game so quite looking forward to playing a team who had had a good run of results in recent weeks obviously last week but with disappointing one for them they didn't play midweek due to the Wimbledon situation so they've had the week to prepare for the game so it would be interesting to see or what but we'll have to be able to adjust in the game and I think every time they've ever played Crew over the years you get some really similar traits sometimes in some clubs and they'll probably be no different this time and a couple of their players well they'll be a good side with the ball no question you won't be shocked to hear I watched quite a lot of them last year and that's why I'm rowing early it never arrived here a little bit yeah we've got a bit of an idea with that and those two have got a bit of an idea maybe what might come as well so it's helpful to try and chew their ear off and see if they can give us anything to help with what to expect and how they play having played there before but we want to try and be as well organised as we can be as good with the ball as we can be as dominant as possible in the last couple of games we have more of the ball as creative as we can be with it so it's a nice time to try and get the balance between all of those ultimately at the end of the game we want to be 10 games in and really good points returning I guess the truth is we've already got that but we want to extend it for sure Mark says he's doing his best to make sure the squad are moving on from the disappointing result last time out the key I guess for successful teams is if you win games you want to go on winning and unbeaten runs and make them as long as possible and if you lose games you want to run of losses or not winning games make them as short as possible so the quicker you can respond from a bad result the better and that does your wonders definitely because you like the the crisis that forms in the world of football these days from one defeat can be big from two is like like big and from three it's like the world's ending so you only have a two or three games from a crisis really so the sooner you can avoid that or the less of them you can have in the season the better so we'll certainly try to reverse the result as quick as possible going into the weekend because the benefit to that is very good and the strength you can build as a team when you have a positive result after a negative one is very good for you because you never get then two down hearted by the feet because you're back yourself so you're going to win the next game and that's what we want to try and do. kick off is it three that's all from us today and for the week thank you ever so much for listening don't forget you can follow us on Facebook x Instagram tiktok and threads you can also get the details on the top stories direct to your email each morning via the briefing to sign up just head to kentonline.co.uk and while you're on the website why not check out the latest review from the secret drinker news you can trust this is the kentonline podcast [BLANK_AUDIO]
