SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLDS in parts of Mid-Kent will be able to do their A-levels at more than one school from September, thanks to a new scheme.

The ME16+ consortium has been put together by five Maidstone schools and Mid Kent College, which has bases in Maidstone, Chatham and Rochester.

The schools, all close to one another, and the college, are to combine to offer students the chance to study at more than one site.

The schools involved are: Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Buckland Road; Maplesden Noakes School, Great Buckland; Oakwood Park Grammar School, Oakwood Park; Astor of Hever Community School, Oakwood Park; and St Simon Stock School, Oakwood Park.

Pupils aged 16 and over will have the chance to try a range of courses at more than one site, by taking A-levels and vocational courses offered at Mid Kent College.

The aim of the scheme is to broaden the range of subjects on offer for students.

A Mid Kent College spokesman said: "It is a new way of looking at it and, we believe, is new for this area. It will broaden the range of choices for young people in the area.

"Both students, schools and colleges, and the Learning and Skills Council, made suggestions, and we have worked together to make it happen."

The scheme, due to be launched on Thursday (January 13), at Mid Kent College, will be explained to students and their parents at a series of open evenings to be held at each venue in the coming months.