by Mary Graham

A school won't have to make serious budget cuts after a last minute decision by the government to fund additional pupil places.

At the start of the summer holidays Mascalls School in Paddock Wood faced having to reduce spending on activities or equipment after funding was frozen despite a larger sixth form intake.

That decision has been overturned after head teacher Vanessa Everett and Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark met schools secretary Ed Balls in London.

The government announced earlier in the year it had set aside funding to encourage more pupils to stay on in schools after the age of 16.

Mascalls had already accepted 50 extra pupils into its sixth form when it was told it would receive no extra money.

Mrs Everett said: "When we met the schools secretary face-to-face we left him in no doubt that to freeze funding would be very detrimental to this thriving school.

"I am delighted he has now agreed to provide the funding needed for popular schools such as Mascalls, which have increased numbers in their sixth form."