Monkton, Kent

For other places with the same name, see Monkton (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 51°20′16″N 1°16′54″E / 51.3379°N 1.2817°E / 51.3379; 1.2817

Monkton
Church of St. Mary Magdelene, Monkton
Monkton  Monkton shown within Kent
OS grid reference	TR286649
Parish	Monkton
District	Thanet
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	RAMSGATE
Postcode district	CT12
Dialling code	01843
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	South Thanet
List of places: UK • England • Kent

Monkton is a village and civil parish in the Thanet District of Kent, England. The village is located at the south-western edge of the Isle of Thanet and is situated mainly along the B2047 road, leading off the A263 road between Canterbury and Ramsgate. The civil parish stretches south to the River Stour and northwards towards Acol.^[1] The hamlet of Gore Street is included in the parish.

The 13th century church is dedicated to St Mary Madgalene.^[2]

Explosion

Monkton suffered an explosion during 2007, and was largely evacuated as a result. The Fire and Rescue service says that crews were faced with "a well developed fire in a large single-storey building", which was among the largest in the village.^[3]

School

Monkton has a small joint junior and infant school. The Monkton Church of England Primary School is situated in the village of Monkton which is in Thanet, Kent. The school was purpose built in 1872 and was extended and modernised in 2007. It currently caters for 109 pupils ranging from 4 to 11 years.^[4]

MonktonSchool

In 2007 Monkton Church of England Primary School celebrated a very successful Ofsted Inspection achieving a "very good" grading.^[5] The registered inspector reported that "Monkton Church of England Primary is a good school with a number of outstanding features. Despite the upheaval of a major rebuilding program and much energy having to be directed to this, good leadership and management have ensured that pupils have continued to benefit from a good quality curriculum, good teaching and exceptionally high levels of care, support and guidance". The Inspector also noted that "the pupils personal development and well-being are outstanding. Their behaviour is exemplary."

The school provides a unique place to work and learn, and combines values in a modern and welcoming building. The staff and Headteacher have high expectations for all children who attend Monkton Church of England Primary School. The staff have a breadth and depth of professional knowledge and experience. The School works together with the community to provide the best education and to develop successful learners and confident individuals for the local population.

Nature reserve

Monkton has a nature reserve, situated on chalk hills to the north of the village. The reserve is set in a 16-acre (65,000 m²) abandoned chalk quarry which has been reclaimed by nature. It is notable for its geology and many important habitats, a pond and rare orchids. It also houses the Thanet Astronomical Observatory and the first artificial bat cave built in the UK. Facilities include a well equipped field centre with a museum, large reference library, bookshop and picnic site. The site is called Monkton Nature Reserve and is run by the environmental charity, Thanet Countryside Trust.^[6]

References

1. ^ Map of civil parish
2. ^ Historic notes on the parish
3. ^ Gas explosion in workshop blaze; BBC news; [2007,11,26]; retrieved on [2007-11-30]
4. ^ Monkton Primary School Website; retrieved on 2008-05-22
5. ^ Monkton Church of England Primary School; retrieved on 2008-05-22
6. ^ Monkton Nature Reserve

External links

• Clubs and societies in Thanet