Page 16 - link magazine

EDUCATION MATTERS
16
Not long ago a senior civil ser- a valuable contribution to learn-
vant visited The Ridgeway The Ridgeway School ing; they are run throughout the
School at Wroughton. He was year.
astonished. He had faintly imag- Headteacher Tom Axon continues The Link's series on A house system exists to foster
ined, as in the folk-lore of so second secondary schools to which West Swindon a sense of loyalty and competi-
many people, that comprehen- parents have statutory rights to send their chiiden. tive spirit. Competitive events
sive schoo[s were crumbfing and are held in sport, technology,
tatty, had few resources and that ting challenging goals and on Swindon, round to West Swin- drama writing and crafts.
they were inhabited by grubby, hih expectations. Quite simply, don. The school is well known inna-
rude, badly behaved and illiter- children are expected to come to West Swindon parents who tional educational bodies for the
ate children who cared nothing school to learn. apply in time are guaranteed a pioneering work it is doing with
for themselves or others. The drive for excellence in all place. Most pupils who attend the University of London School
Instead he found smartly- areas of school life has been the school travel to Wroughton Examinations' Board on creating
dressed (in uniform! - he was worthwhile. by free transport arranged by A-levels courses which will be
beside himself!) alert young Over the years A-level results, Wiltshire County. The buses ar- suitable for ex-GCSE candidates.
people, keen to do well for them- 0-level and C.S.E. results, and rive at school from 8.30a.m. and The civil servant seemed to ap-
selves in school and in the future, now the first set of GCSE results leave again at 4.00p.m. During prove of the school when he left
classes that immediately stood have been well above the na- the lunch-break (70 minutes) a even though he was not from the
up for him when he entered - as tional averages; school swim- huge variety of activities, clubs government's education depart-
they would for any adult, huge ming teams have been in the and societies are run by teachers ment. He expressed a recogni-
playing fields, decent facilities, national finals in each of the last and pupils themselves, as well as tion of a controlled, structured
pupils' work displayed all six years; other sporting or na- numerous extra lessons, particu- and friendly environment de-
around the school and no graffiti tional competitions have been larly for older pupils. signed to encourage children to
anywhere. won or nearly won by Rid ewa Educational visits in this coun- give of their best. They usually
try and abroad are encouraged as do!

Choosing a secondary school
for your child. A guide to
finding out more about them

Parents in the West Swindon area have a choice between three secondary
schools designated by the Local Education Authority. These are Bradon
Forest School in Purton, Greendown Community School in West Swindon,
and The Ridgeway School in Wroughton.
Parents of 4th year primary pupils will be asked to indicate their preference
of secondary school before the end of the Autumn term. To aid parents in
making this choice, the three schools announce the following sessions:

Wednesday 12th October at Bradon Forest School Purton.
Tom Axon with pupils from West Swindon who started at Ridgeway in September. The school extends a warm welcome to parents of prospective first year
Left to right: Stephen Grimsdale and James Denny from Westlea School, Helen students to its annual open evening between 7p.m. and 9p.m. when each
Lambert and Alia Sheikh fom Freshbrook School, Richard Ayres ,Oliver Tomkins, faculty will be represented. The invitation is also extended to any parents of
Nikki Haddock, Toothill. younger children who would like to see what the school has to offer.
The astonishment was real. pupils; annual musicals and
The sadness is that there are still plays have had critical acclaim; There will be opportunity to talk to staff and pupils and to see examples of
work and practise. Individual discussions with senior staff will also be
influential people who have so and the school hosts the yearly available. Parents who cannot attend on 12th October are invited to make
little idea of what educational auditions for the National Festi- a seperate appointment to see the work of the school.
quality is available in some com- val of Youth for a huge region of
the country.
prehensive schools today. Wednesday 19th October at The Ridgeway School, Wroughton.
A good proportion of all sixth Parents are invited to attend an open morning commencing with Lower
Ridgeway was the County's
first purpose-built comprehen- formes go on to university, in- School Assembly at 9.55a.m followed by a talk by the Headmaster.
sive schools: it has a roll of 1200 cluding Oxford and Cambridge,
' Lower School pupils will then conduct them on a tour of the school to see
boys and girls, is designed for the and then to careers in areas such
11-18 years' age range and has a as management, financial serv- pupils at work. Refreshments will be available and there will be opportunity
to talk to members of staff.
big sixth form.
ices, law, medicine, engineering,
Built in the 1960's, with later etc. Monday 71h to Friday 11th November - Open week at Greendown
additions, the school now has a Links with local industry and Community School. Parents may visit classes during the day, and/or
great deal of experience in pro- commerce are strong, many and observe special teaching sessions during the evening (from 6.00p.m. to
viding the kind of education for varied, and include the biggest 730p.m.) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, on these
young people of all abilities - firms in Swindon as well as some evenings from 730p.m. to 830p.m. interested parents will also be able to
from the gifted academically to of the smallest. A large number attend special information sessions organised by the senior staff at Green-
those whose talents are not in the of representatives of those firms down.
academic field - that parents and come to the school during a year, Additional 'surgeries':
governors prefer. The whole in addition to those who come for
ethos of the school is a result of a the annual careers convention. In addition to the meetings and events above, senior staff from all three
constant striving towards the Older pupils undertake work schools will be holding surgeries for each of the local Primary Schools. These
surgeries will enable parents to attend at any time during the course of the
highest possible standards over a experience outside school; ex- evening to ask particular questions relevant to their interests. The dates,
long period of time.
ecutive work shadowing is, in times and locations are as shown.
The exceptional reputation of fact, a popular activity with sixth
the school has been built firmly formers! Each surgery will be attended by senior staff from the schools from 730p.m.
on traditional standards allied to The school always has more to 930p.m. on each evening - it is not necessary to make an appointment.
modern teaching methods. In applicants for places than it can
attempting to take our pupils to accept, for reasons of space. First Freshbrook Primary: For parents of Freshbrook and Windmill Schools on
Tuesday 15th November.
their maximum standards we priority at the moment goes to Shaw Ridge Primary: For parents of Shaw Ridge, Salt Way and Brookfield
have to insist on high qualities of people who live in the original School on Thursday 17th November.
discipline and order, on really school area - a large region from Oliver Tomkins School: Tuesday 22nd November.
good relationships between the Oxfordshire border, through Westlea School: Wednesday 23rd November.
pupils and their teachers, on set- the countryside to the south of Toothill School: Thursday 24th November.