Page 16 - link magazine

EDUCATION MATTERS
16
Ian Perkins, headteacher of Bradon Forest School,
Purton, continues The Link magazines series on
Accountability in Practice secondary schools to which West Swindon parents
The advent of such as the obliga- to observe the commitment, can send their children
tory School Prospectus, the right team-work and pride in the their
of parents to express a choice of achievements of students living
school for their children and the as far apart geographically as
increased influence of governing Ashton 1(eynes and Toothill,
bodies has had a profound effect. who have become firm friends
A school is entirely and rightly and very purposeful colleagues.
accountable to its pupils, to their It is generally accepted that
hat a
parents and guardians and to the school's accountability lies pri-
.-
community at large. Gone surely manly in developing, to the full-
are the days when the impres- est extent possible, each stu-
sive, but too often excessive dent's academic and social p0-
claims of headteachers formed tential. For that not to remain the
the only basis on which any 'empty rhetoric' I mentioned
school could be judged. The earlier, each school must provide
requirement to publish examina- evidence for students and their
tion results, for example, has si- families.
lenced the empty rhetoric of the
Bradon Forest can offer exami-
past. Regular and relevant home nation results in G.C.S.E., R.S.A.
studies enable parents to be and Colleges of Music which Pupils from a wide catchment with Mr. Perkins, from left to right, Jeremy
have been consistently been well
closely involved, Ban ow from Srcells, Kate Kimber from Leigh, Ben Poole from Cricklade,
I was reminded of this at Bra- above national standards and are Sarah Ramsey from Grange Park, Clare Colbert from Spa rcells, Dylan Kaye
don Forest's recent Open Eve- now very substantially so. from Toothill, Sylva Ahmed from Toothill, Carl Stevenson from Purton,
fling where an always welcome In the last year of '0' Level and Katherine Ashburn from Ashton Keynes.
visitor was Marjorie Barker, C.S.E. over 30% of candidates left Grade C or above. That meant in success. In a wide range of
Freshbrook School's head- with at least five '0' Levels or English, for example, over 100 sports, from netball, athletics and
teacher. We recalled the hopes their equivalent. In the first year out of 180 candidates were Grade hockey to soccer, rugby and bas-
and aspirations we had shared of G.C.S.E., witha fewresults still C or above. Barely 2% of all ex- ketball, Bradon Forest students
fiveyears previously for the first awaited, over 34% of candidates amination entries resulted in a represent the county and the
Freshbrook children to transfer have achieved at least five Grade below-pass grade. Early-entry region and compete nationally.

by right to the school. It was C's or above, the highest percent- Maths was once again outstan - Teams regularly win local school
therefore a shared pleasure to see age in the School's history. In ingly successful. What was par- competitions.
evidence of the immensely suc- areas as diverse as the Sciences, ticularly pleasing was the above- In last year's Swindon Boys'
cessful and valued contribution Modern Languages, English, expected achievements by stu- under 15 soccer squad, the
made by young people from Drama, History and Business dents of all abilities, a tribute to school's three representatives
throughout West Swindon to and Information Studies over their dedication, to that of their were all from West Swindon.
Bradon Forest. It was gratifying 50% of those entered achieved teachers and tutors and to paren- Just as importantly, I value the
tal support. letters I receive from other
The many students who con- schools complimenting our stu-
tinue into post-16 education dents on their natural courtesy
Just Think.. mainly select from the very wide and sportsmanship.
Other extra curricular activi-
and challenging options avail-
able at New College and Swin- ties include visits abroad, for
don College. Many too have skiing, for language acquisition,
No more painting one on to further success at for generally furthering knowl-
No more climbing ladders.. University, Polytechnic and Col- edge as well as study visits, self-
lees of Education. development and outward
and No more rot..! Tor those pupils with consid- bound activities at home.
erable learning difficulties or Recent dramatic productions
indeed just a specific one, a very in our well-equipped studio
The exterior able and experienced team of have attracted capacity audi-
of your home Special Needs teachers provides ences and return visits by the
the necessary support. authors and playwrites. Whole
COMPLETELY Bradon Forest, with a role of year musical concerts are a grow-
MAINTENANCE just below 900, has the opportu- ing feature.
FREE nity, which it fully exploits, to The student-run School Coun-
know its pupils individually, to cil has had a growing influence
uPVC be able to identify and provide on school affairs, fund-raising
uPVC FASCIAS for their particular needs . Not for charity and to improve the
SOFFITS & GUTTERING
CLADDINGS least we recognise the priority school environment. The Coun-
requirement to prepare our stu- cil typifies the belief in an ac-
dents for working in a very com- quired self-discipline, in respect
petitive society. Social and Per- for community and property, in
sonal Education and Careers belonging to a united, caring and
programmes provide all young positive team, symbolised by the
people with the capacity, for wearing of uniform, in students
uPVCi
uPVC SUN LOUNGES WINDOWS & DOORS — example, to be effective at inter- and staff working with mutual
r view and to be responsible and respect and understanding, that
loyal employees. The school has the School values.
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