Page 24 - link magazine

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EDUCATION MATTERS
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic School, Swindon
Concluding our series on secondary schools designated to take West Swindon children,
headteacher John Williams, describes 'St. Joe's'
Parents and potential parents are versity Students Union. Last year
frequently confused when they Helen Kenny gained a place at
see the School address listed as Balliol College, Oxford, and has
Queen's Drive and Nythe Road, proved her worth by winning the
Covingham. The answer is that Greville-Smith prize for Chemis-
the school is a 'split-site' because try at the University.
of historical reasons. Successive Apart from West Swindon, St.
Headteachers have turned this Joseph's reputation attracts pu-
potential disadvantage into a pils from Malmesbury, Caine,
positive attribute for St. Joseph's Shrivenham and outlying dis-
pupils. Years 1 and 2 are situated tricts of Swindon whose parents
at the Lower School, Queen's seek traditional values and disci-
Drive, which is quite separate plined teaching for their young-
from the Upper School site at sters and are generally more than
Nythe Road. Both buildings are satisfied with the outcome.
complete schools with Laborato- Left: St. Joseph's first year intake
ries, Computer Rooms, Drama from West Swindon. Below: Rachel
Workshops, Halls, Gymnasiums, the whole ethos of the school More than 120 West Swindon Romanelli from Shaw and Karen James
from Westlea in a Tedchnology class.
Libraries, Canteens, etc. but centres around the Christian mes- youngsters take advantage of the
whereas the total school popula- sage. Thus, first and foremost, free transport provided by the
tion exceeds 1,000 pupils, there the pupils are taught to care - for Local Authority to bring them to
are less than 400 at Queen's Drive their colleagues, their families, St. Joseph's. Each site has its own
and a more sheltered 'Middle' their school, their church and the chapel and all children have two
School atmosphere can be main- wider community. This unified periods per week of Religious
tained which helps younger central aim leads to a disciplined Education. This year 167 Fifth
pupils to bridge the gap between approach to study and play and Year pupils took Religious Edu-
Primary and Secondary Educa- has resulted in the exceptional cation at GCSE, in addition to
tion. examination successes that the their 'normal' subjects and 163
In a recent survey to discover school has enjoyed over the years, passed with 78 gaining 'top'
the 10 'best' maintained Secon- coupled with its traditional grades.
dary Schools in London, 6 (in- dominance in Football, Netball The school has maintained its
cluding the top of the list) were and Cross Country events. Local Sixth Form and recent past pu-
voluntary aided schools with a employers, too, frequently re- pils include Patrick Wall from
religious foundation. St. Joseph's mark on the 'quality' of St Jo- Purton who went up to Oxford
aims to follow this pattern and seph's ex-pupils. and became President of the Uni-
Mansfield
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