Page 4 - link magazine

4 FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK
Report recognises good teaching,

but criticizes school management

Freshbrook School has been recognised by Ofsted school inspectors as being a harmonious
community, with hard working teachers, where attainment in the core subjects of English, maths
and science is in line with national standards.
However the inspectors, in their The report says, 'attitudes to as a strength of the school.
report published justbef ore Christ- learning are satisfactory and most The inspectors identified weak-
mas, says the match between what pupils respond positively to their nesses in how the school is man-
pupils are offered and the require- teachers and show interest in their aged and called for an effective
ments of the National Curriculum work. Most pupils behave well in structure to be established, which
are not adequate. It criticises in- lessons and their conduct around includes involving governors more
consistent pupil progress, inad- their school is also satisfactory. in school affairs.
equate monitoring of performance, Pupils are courteous and are quiet Over the last ten years the school
and the lack of an effective man- and respectful during periods of has shrunk in size from a peak of
agement structure. reflection in assembly.' 850 children to its present size of
Although a few pupils are dis- 450, and has had to reorganise staff-
l oEr^rroti ruptive, the school has satisfac- ing and management several times.
't 5 tory procedures to promote disci- In the absence of headteacher
I ; J1i11 a ; pline and good behaviour. Phillip Gurney due to illness,
Teachers are commended for
deputy head Jane Parsons said,
their commitment and care. The "we welcome the report as it helps
SAME DAY BUILDING quality of teaching was satisfac- us focus on the future develop-
LOCAL SERVICE n tory or better in four out five les- ment of the school. It identifies the
SERVICES sons seen. However, the inspec- school as offering a good educa-
WHEREVER POSSIBLE
WASHING MACHINES, tors express concern about the bal- tion in the core subjects brought
TUMBLE DRIERS, TWIN TUBS, Extensions, Alterations, ance and breadth of the curricu- about by the quality of the teach-
HOME LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT Renovations lum. 'The disproportionate allo- ing.
& DOMESTIC APPLICANCES cation of time to the core subjects, "The school has been through a
SERVICE • SPAR PAIRS rj All aspects of garden particularly English, leads to an difficult period because of an un-
construction including fencing imbalance of time for other sub- even reduction in the number of
All general building work jects.' Standards of attainment in children and loss of staff. The gov-
information technology, design ernors and headteacher recognise
Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan
t • technology, physical education there have been problems manag-
(01793) 727824 and religious education need to be ing these changes and have started
raised. Communication with par- a comprehensive review of proce-
ents are good and are recognised dures to ensure improvement."
STOP! A new policeman started pounding the streets of Freshbrook from 1
Well travelled bobby on the beat

January.
PC Rob Mortimer has switched
jobs with PC Tim Gardiner, who
will be driving the response car in
LOOK and LISTEN before you commit yourself to any
the north sub-division out of
major home improvement. New windows, doors and Westlea police station.
especially a new conservatory Rob, pictured right, has been with
can transform your home... ^,^EC^IST> the Wiltshire constabulary for
nearly five years. He has a degree
but it worth using this
in forestry from Aberdeen Univer-
simple checklist: ;1 O CH O/CE. • sity and used to be a local author-
Are they offering a good
range of designs and various ity arbocultural officer. When the
locking options? job became desk bound, he took
0 REPUT off on a 14 month trip to South East
AT/ON.• is it a well known
LOCAL firm, wellestab/ished, Asia and the South Pacific, which
with a re included six months as a tree sur-
putation to protect
geon in Australia.
"I play rugby with quite a
O QUAL/7Y Are the pr
oducts they
instal/ supplied by a major number of police officers and my
national manui' . curer like brother is in the CID, so I had a lot As a beat officer Rob will be
Coastal. of encouragement to join the force," getting to know community prob-
said Rob. "The attraction of the job lems and pursuing routine enquir-
0 GUARANW*. Is my investment
Properly protected? is the variety of tasks; you really ies in the area.
don't know what will come up." He can be contacted on 528111.
Police changes from 1 January: police training division and is re-
West Swindon area Inspector placed by WPC Deborah Davey.
ERMIN WINDOWS Chris Williams has been promoted WPC Karen Rosier, beat officer
to police headquarters and is re- for Grange Park, has been ap-
Call Brian Smith on 824419 placed by Inspector Paul Longdon. pointed as Divisional Domestic
Toothill officer PC Dave Violence Liaison Officer and is yet
L A supplier and installer of Windows, doors and conse rv atories
Hobman has joined the Wiltshire to be replaced.