Kent County Council axes Kent Children’s University to save £62,000, blaming falling numbers

The Kent Children’s University (KCU) is to cease operation after nearly a quarter of a century.

Falling numbers are being blamed for its decommission today (Thursday).

Cash-strapped Kent County Council (KCC) said £62,000 a year will be saved by its removal and there is one job loss.

The university ran a programme of events, workshops and activities designed to stimulate learning among students of primary and secondary school age.

KCC and Kent-based The Education People ran the KCU.

Liberal Democrat group leader at KCC, Cllr Antony Hook described the decision as “rather sudden” and asked for greater detail for the reasons behind it.

A KCC statement said: “The Kent Children’s University is unsustainable with only 15 primary schools, two secondary schools and fewer than 500 children subscribed.

“With this in mind, the service does not currently have the number of people it needs to continue to run.”

A statement from KCU said: “After nearly 25-years of operating with children, schools and families, a decision by Kent County Council and The Education People has been made to decommission Kent Children's University (KCU).

“This means that KCU will cease activity on Thursday, September 26, following which KCU will close.”

KCU said schools can carry on its involvement bu dealing with the Children’s University Trust, the national body which co-ordinates the scheme.

The statement added: “We would like to thank all the children, families, schools and partner organisations with whom KCU has worked with and all the individuals who have taken part in and enjoyed our programme, events, graduations, at-home challenges and activities.”

Cllr Hook said: “It’s a real loss and this concerns me. KCC members need to be given more information about the decision.

“KCU has been around for a very long time and has done some very valuable work and this decision seems to have been rather sudden.”

A recent KCC report warned residents it must find more than £100 million in savings over the next two years or face bankruptcy.