Podcast: Inquest told 'inspirational' headteacher of Barham Primary School near Canterbury took her own life amid fears she was developing dementia

A hearing has been told the headteacher of a school near Canterbury took her own life amid fears she was developing dementia. Alison Higgins had worked at Barham Primary for 10 years before her death, and was described as thoughtful, supporting and caring. Also in today's podcast, the head of a special needs school in Kent has warned they may be forced to make redundancies following a lower than expected funding increase. Five Acre Wood School, in Maidstone, supports nearly 900 students with severe and complex needs. They have received a 1% per-pupil uplift in cash from Kent County Council, but that doesn't account for rising inflation or additional cost pressures. Hear from the head teacher and the response from the local authority. The mother of a young cyclist who was killed in a collision with a bin lorry in Swanley is calling for improved safety measures. 19-year-old Jack Bruce died following the crash on Swanley Lane in September 2021. Investigations from the family's legal team found the refuse truck had one of its mirrors poorly adjusted, and had indicated only moments before. The MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey has led a debate in the Commons over the future of the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery. The vessel sank off the coast of Sheppey in 1944 and government contractors have now been appointed to remove the masts following safety concerns. A Medway woman is still living in a Premier Inn, six months after a car crashed into her home. Jill Robson has been staying at the hotel at Medway Valley Park since the vehicle damaged the front of her property on Cuxton Road last October. And, in sport Maidstone United face Tonbridge Angels in the final of the Kent Senior Cup tonight. The game is taking place at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.