Page 17 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • June 1999 17
Top marks for teaching, learning and behaviour Private
An Ofsted report on Greendown Community School in West Swindon praises the quality of teaching,
Tuition
positive attitudes to learning and behaviour.
The inspection, carried out in Headteacher Ian Matthews said,
March, found that the school's "I am delighted about the com- in all subjects
strengths outweigh its weaknesses ments on the quality of teaching & levels
and it offers sound value for and the attitude of students. The • Key Stages 1-4
money. It was the third major school has had significant accom- • GCSE & A Level
inspection to take place since the modation difficulties but, in spite
school opened fifteen years ago. of this, it is clear that we run an • Special Needs
Teaching was satisfactory or orderly and well controlled school Call
better in 93% of lessons and, com- which produces good results." Personal Tutorials
pared with similar schools, per- The school will now produce a
formance in public tests was above development plan to tackle the is- New
average. In particular, students sues raised by the report. teachers 01672 539368
are achieving exceptional stand- Copies are available from the also wanted 01793 538730
ards in Art. school at £1.
There is good support for stu-
dents and the special needs provi- Greendown head teacher Ian Matthews
sion was commended. There are
excellent procedures in place to The inspectors were also critical of accommodation... beNe fi ts...
promote and monitor attendance. the provision of specialist accom- el1ucatioN... family.., health...
Exclusions are low for a school of modation and space generally. Ad-
its size. ditional buildings due to open in justice... money... sport...
September will alleviate this to
The headteacher and senior
managers provided clear educa- some degree. leisure... traiNiNg...
tional direction and leadership. Whilst there are good opportu-
The school provides well for the nities for moral and social devel- AND AL6 THE BITS IN BETWEEN To ZED
community it serves. opment, there are few opportuni- ..
Work is already underway to ties for spiritual development and
improve writing skills throughout for collective worship. The teach- Computer database available to search for answers
the school, particularly for boys, a ing of music and the provision for locally and nationally, plus internet access @
weakness picked up by the report. information technology was re-
garded as unsatisfactory. There is The Youth Unit, Link Centre
Micro maze masters also room for improvement in the
school's use of data - on children's Drop in or make an appointment or
performance, attendance and call Jo Marchment on 465466 for details s^v1nnon
home study, and in monitoring
building matters.

Building start S UPERGLIDE
The Link last month revealed ex-
clusively that an 11 class exten- WARDROBES
sion at Greendown might not be
ready on time for nearly 300 year
7 children starting in September. 7he L e4u^om cia1J,
We also reported that tenders to
Swindon Council had come in
£300,000 over budget.
Contractors are now on site and
the semi-permanent building
Two year 10 students from Green- should be ready by the end of July.
down have high hopes of creat- A new music block and changing
ing a world beating robot at the room are also to be installed.
International Micromouse final In the existing building, science
to be staged in Exeter in July. laboratories and classrooms will
Working after school with gov- be refurbished over the summer
ernor and Neighbourhood Engi- holidays, and a new staff room for
neer Gordon Watt, Rickie Elder the increased number of teachers
and Daniel Grieves built their elec- is to be created. * Superb sliding door wardrobes all made to
tronic micromouse to negotiate a However serious problems with measure in our workshops
maze against the clock. accommodating students during Door panels in laminates, real wood veneers,
Their machine, sponsored by lunch breaks remain.
Royal Mail, came third in the west- mirrors
ern region finals on 20 May. # We can also supply and install: fitted kitchens &
Micromouse is organised by the Challenge day bedroom furniture
Institution of Electrical Engineers Sponsors are needed to help year
to encourage skills in computing, 9 students develop business skills • Over 40 finishes available
electronics, control and mechan- at the Challenge Plus day on 14 * Agents for Hideaway wall beds Call now for
June at Hreod Parkway School.
ics.
"We've rebuilt our micromouse Over 100 students will be ask to free estimate
three times to improve perform- find solutions to an industry based
ance," said Rickie. "It has been problem. on 01793
returning some good times; were To sponsor the event, contact 861584
in with a chance." Hreod Parkway School on 527999.