Author: Benjamin

Staff accused the school of misleading them over pensions, with one calling it “a kick in the guts.” Others said they are being priced out of the area, forced to commute long distances while their wages fall behind state school counterparts. Staff gathered on the picket line, voicing frustration with the private school, which charges parents up to £50,000 per year for their children to attend. One teacher said: “In over 25 years of teaching, I have never taken strike action. “It’s a last resort because I’m passionate about education and the children in my care. “But this affects my life…

The number of children offered a place at their first choice of secondary school has risen this year, Kent County Council says.The authority has announced that more than 17,500 pupils across the county have secured spots at their favourite school, rising from 78.62% of students to 80.59%, an increase of 2.5%.Pupils across Kent have been offered school places this week. Picture: David Jones/PAIt comes as 21,767 parents and carers were told yesterday (Monday, March 3) which schools would take their children in September.Meanwhile, more than 96% received an offer from one of their four preferred schools.The number of those offered…

Image Credit: Dolly Parton/Instagram Carl Thomas Dean will always be the one love for Dolly Parton. The country music star‘s late husband died in March 2025. Though fans didn’t know much about him, Dolly occasionally spoke about her spouse in public and in various interviews. He was even part of the inspiration behind her timeless hit single “Jolene.” Amid the news of Carl‘s death, fans are mourning Dolly’s loss with her and wondering about his reported Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis. Below, learn more about Carl’s life, death and health. How Old Was Carl Dean When He Died? Carl, who was a…

Image Credit: Dolly Parton/Instagram Dolly Parton found the love of her life back in the ’60s when she first met her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, an accomplished businessman. The two met in Nashville and married in 1966. Although Dolly became one of country music’s biggest voices, the public rarely ever saw Carl. Nevertheless, the two enjoyed a long and happy marriage until he died in March 2025. While Carl and Dolly likely lived a wealthy lifestyle thanks to her net worth, that did not define the couple’s love. In fact, one of their earliest dates was at a McDonald’s,…

View gallery Image Credit: The Washington Post via Getty Im Linda McMahon has a spot in Donald Trump‘s cabinet. The president-elect nominated McMahon to be the new U.S. Secretary of Education, he announced on November 19, 2024. In a statement, Trump claimed that McMahon “will use her decades of leadership experience, and deep understanding of both education and business, to empower the next generation of American students and workers, and make America number one in education in the world.” Trump then claimed that his cabinet “will send education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort.” After attending her confirmation…

Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton has been an icon in the music industry for her contributions to country music and her captivating stage presence. She has been in the industry for decades and continues to captivate new generations. For instance, she recently collaborated with Sabrina Carpenter on the song “Please Please Please.” Most recently, Dolly made headlines following the passing of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, on March 3, 2025. She took to Instagram to share the news, writing, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60…

Image Credit: WireImage Mardi Gras is here, and New Orleans is ready to celebrate! But could the annual festivities get interrupted by inclement weather? As participants prepare to flood the streets and party all day, some are wondering if they can even move forward with the celebration. Below, learn more about Mardi Gras and how New Orleans is celebrating the day in 2025. What Does Mardi Gras Mean? “Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday.” What Is Mardi Gras? Originating in Medieval Europe, the Catholic tradition calls for participants to consume rich foods, especially various meats. In New Orleans, the…

Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton isn’t just a country legend — she’s the legend of the business, and millions of fans around the world agree. From releasing hit songs like “Jolene” and “9 to 5 to venturing into philanthropy after building her net worth, Dolly is undeniably one of the greats. Most Gen-Z and millennial kids know Dolly from Hannah Montana, since she’s Miley Cyrus‘ real-life godmother and distant relative, but others grew up listening to Dolly’s music. In 2025, Dolly collaborated with Sabrina Carpenter on the latter’s country remix of her song “Please Please Please.” Clearly, the Tennessee…

The London Borough of Bromley Council has confirmed the new rates across multiple car parks, including Palace Grove and Mitre Close. At Palace Grove, the new rates for Saturdays and Sundays, between 8.30am and 9pm, are as follows: £1.70 for up to one hour, £3.10 for up to two hours, £4.50 for up to three hours, and £6.40 for up to four hours. A fixed evening tariff of £1.50 will apply from 9pm to midnight. In Mitre Close, the new rates for every day between 8.30am and 6.30pm will be £1.70 for up to one hour and £3.10 for up…

A paedophile who asked his victim to send him explicit photographs while wearing a school uniform is now behind bars.Sex offender Jack Hickey, 28, was described as a “predator” for trying to speak to children via online messaging platforms in his attempts to find a “secret boyfriend”.Jack Hickey has been jailed for four years and 10 months. Picture: Kent PoliceIn November 2023, Hickey, of Woodlands Avenue, Snodland, created a profile for Chat Avenue, an online chatroom service, before proactively targeting a user he believed to be a teenage boy.After convincing his victim to communicate via Snapchat, which has privacy features…