Page 18 - link magazine

18 EDUCATION MATTERS

KIDS LANG CO GCSE Results County to make admissions clear
A statement from the West Swindon parents with children transferring to secondary
FRENCH & SPANISH Headteachers of Bradon school have a choice of three schools. Right? Well, not really.
FOR KIDS Forest, Greendown and Parents are often confused about priority to each school depends on
New Classes start 6 November Ridgeway Schools the choices available and frustrated where they live in West Swindon.

Small group tuition if they cannot get what they want. Legally parents have the right toa
during term-time As a result of a decision taken by NowWiltshire Education Depart- place in any local authority second-
Lots of songs, games and all Swindon secondary school ment is providing clearer informa- ary school if there is space available.
activities. Kids learn best headteachers, GCSE results will tion and advice in a hope to reduce But there is free transport only to
not be published this year in any the problems of the past.
designated schools which are over
when they're having fun.
form other than that required by Many parents think there is equal three miles from home.
£30 for 12 x 55min sessions the law. access to Bradon Forest, Greendown
Parents will be visiting and view-
Private tuition by arrangement Therefore TheLink will not be print- and Ridgeway Schools. But where ing the work of the three schools
Translation & interpretation ing the summary table of results there is demand for places, the local during October before being asked
also undertaken from the three secondary schools education authority imposes a range to express a preference.

Tel: 874717 serving the West Swindon area. of criteria, including medical rea- To make admission procedures
sons and whether there am brothers clear, officers from the Education
Department are holding two infor-
Parents of Year 6 pupils at pri- or sisters in the school already.
mary schools will receive prospec- All children have access to Green- mation meetings where parents can
CASH FOR tuses from Bradon Forest, Green- down. However children can also quiz them about admissions. The
downand RidgewaySchools over attend Ridgeway and Bradon For- dates and venues are given in the
CHRISTMAS the next few weeks which will est Schools, though the bottom line advertisement below left.
include details of exam results.
I need some more distributors
of DK's Award Winning Books. The Government will publish its New admission policy change delay
Excellent gifts for everyone own summary of results -School A change in the secondary school admission procedures for WestSwindon
Performance Tables' - for all Eng- children is unlikely to take place for at least two years.
at Christmas &
lish schools in November. These Wiltshire County education offic- dures has been prompted by educa-
good commission for you. will be printed in national and ers were planning to put a proposal tion officers predictions that there
Minimal outlay. local newspapers. before councillors on 24 September will be too few places at the pres-
that another school-Hreod Parkway ently designated schools - Bradon
Contact Mary Poole on Signed: - be made designated to take West Forest, Greendown and Ridgeway.
854753 for details. Ian Perkins, Bra don Forest School Swindon children. But a report to
The county have suggested that
Ian Matthews, Greendown School the Education Committee has been Hreod Parkway should take chil-
Tom Axon, Ridgeway School
delayed until the end of October. dren living in Sparcells and Peat-
This means that any change in ad- moor, but strong objections from
mission policy cannot be put into residents in these areas is one reason
action until at least September 1995. for the delay in putting the issue
The review of admission proce- before county councillors.
Wiltshir MAKING A CHOICE

CO UNTY CO UNCIL Choosing a secondary school for your child is an
important decision. To help parents, here are 15
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
questions which The Link magazine suggests you ask.
West Swindon Area 1. Are you going to visit all the schools available to you? You
need to have a second choice in case you can't get your first.
Secondary Admissions
2. Is the prospectus and other material about the school
September 1994 readable and informative?
3. Are the pupils cheerful and relaxed?
Meetings will be held on: 4. Are the pupils willing to talk to you about the school?
5. Will you be shown all parts of the school?
Monday 4 October at Freshbrook Primary School,
6. Is the school well equipped?
7pm in the Birches Hall
7. Are the staff approachable?
and
8. Are your questions answered directly?
Tuesday 5 October at Brook Field Primary School, 9. What are the basic costs for uniform and equipment?
7pm 10. What other things will you be asked to pay for?
for parents of children due to transfer to 11. Are there equal opportunities for boys and girls in the
secondary school in the West Swindon area curriculum?
(Bradon Forest, Greendown and Ridgeway 12. Does the school show interest in children of all abilities,
and all the different abilities of each child?
Schools) in September 1994.
13. How does the school prepare children to succeed in
The purpose of these meetings will be to examinations?
explain the transfer arrangements and 14. How does the school deal with reports of bullying?
all parents concerned are invited to attend. 15. After the visit, what were your child's impressions of the
school?