The future of a much-loved school farm is feared to be in doubt following a temporary closure.

The smallholding at New Line Learning Academy was shut recently and its livestock moved elsewhere.

A local councillor says the facility is “very important” to young people at the school who may struggle academically or have special educational needs.

Future Schools Trust, which runs New Line, scotched rumours the land is to be sold but conceded “no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the farm”.

It is understood it was run by a mother and daughter who gave notice they had to leave with a few weeks’ notice.

Cllr Paul Thomas, newly-elected Reform UK member at Kent County Council, said: “You can’t put a price on the extra value you get from a brilliant facility like the farm at New Line Learning.

“I have an autistic granddaughter so I appreciate those who are not academically gifted, the farm gives them that something else.

“I firmly believe that life is for living not for existing - that is the angle I come from. New Line would be a much poorer place without the farm, in my view. It’s a bit of a concern.”

Cllr Thomas said he was sure a team of local volunteers could be assembled to keep the farm running.

He added: “It’s all about where we can get additionality by thinking outside the box and building proper community spirit.”

The 560-pupil school in Boughton Lane, Loose, Maidstone, has had a farm on its land for more than 40 years with its current, modern site open since 2016.

Future Schools Trust chief executive Isabelle Linney-Drouet said: “The New Line Learning Farm is currently temporarily closed due to staffing challenges, which made it difficult to operate effectively. All animals previously housed on the farm have been successfully rehoused with farms in neighbouring villages.

“We can confirm there are no plans to sell the land. While a wider strategic review is ongoing across the school and trust, no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the farm, with all decisions in the best interests of all our students.

“We recognise the historical value of the farm and the important role it has played for many young people.

“These decisions are important and take time, as we work carefully to explore positive, sustainable options with the best interests of the young people we serve at heart of any decisions made.”

New Line Learning was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted at its last inspection having previously been rated as ‘requires improvement’ in 2017.

Kent education commentator Peter Read, a former grammar school headmaster, said school farms benefit some children who have difficulty in learning conventionally.

The farms help pupils to get outdoors, to socialise and interact with animals through mucking out, feeding and grooming.

Mr Read added: “New Line Learning is in an area of high-social deprivation so a farm would be of greater value to their children than perhaps other schools.”