The government is celebrating the opening of six new Kent schools ahead of next term.

As pupils prepare to return after a uniquely long time away, the county's pupils will have more choice than ever on where to go.

Among the new openers is the School of Science and Technology in Maidstone which will specialise in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics).

The launch offers 1,200 school places and will see the school partnered with the School of Science and Technology in Singapore.

Julie Derrick, CEO of the Valley Invicta Academies Trust said: “We are very proud to at long last open our brand new School of Science and Technology Maidstone next month.

“This fantastic, state-of-the-art new secondary school will be open to 192 Year 7 students and will offer a specialist curriculum for those students with a real flair for STEM subjects.

"We are very lucky to have the support of our strategic partner, SST Singapore, in developing an innovative, skills-based curriculum to prepare students for the 21st century.

"Our aim is for SST Maidstone students to leave school with a combination of excellent exam results and a unique STEM-based skill set.”

Another school opening in the Maidstone area is Bearsted Primary School in Weavering, which will offer 420 places, a nursery as well as a breakfast club.

Adjoining that will be the Snowfields Academy, which will specialise in teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Ebbsfleet Green Primary will be using Bligh Primary School classrooms to welcome pupils for the first time into nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Northfleet will also have a new school open in the form of Springhead Park Primary School.

The eighth school run by The Primary First Trust, applications are being accepted for its nursery up to Year 4.

Aspire School in Sittingbourne will be opening in September as well, providing specialist education for children with ASD or speech, language and communication needs.

It will provide 168 places to children aged four to 11 in a newly completed building.

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone