Page 16 - link magazine

16 The Link Magazine • February 2001 www.swirx

COOPERS Hreod aims for quality education
CHEMIST on reduced staffing levels
WEST SWINDON CENTRE With a visit from Ofsted inspectors due in February, senior staff at Hreod Parkway School have been
desperately trying to recruit teachers to provide a full timetable for its 1,330 children.
Fine fragrances, toiletries,
ear piercing etc. Despite national and lo- the quality of education method of dealing with the staff
cal advertising and me- we offer and it is impor- shortage whilst creating time for
APS, developing & printing dia appeals for applicants, tant that we fit the right teachers taking on new subjects to
One free 35mm 24 exp film the school was still six - people to the positions we prepare their lessons. Wednesday
with every 35mm roll teachers short in mid- have available. This lessons have also taken on a new
developed on the premises January and headteacher means we won't take any urgency with teachers and stu-
Andrew Fleet had to rear- applicant, but we have dents realising that the same mate-
Tel: 872033 range the time-table. On been able to redeploy our rial has to be covered in less time.
Wednesdays from 17 staff who have more than Students also have the chance to
Open 7 days a week
January all lessons were reduced one specialism so that other posi- attend supervised after-school
Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, from sixty to fifty minutes long so tions can be filled." study sessions on Wednesday.
Sat 9am- 6pm, Sun 1 Oam - 3pm staff hours could be reorganised to He added that reducing the time- Mr Fleet hopes the reduced time-
provide full cover during the rest table on one day was a low cost table will come to an end soon.
of the week.
Private Mr Fleet au s ed school's d ex-
x-
the y
s rapi
lemswerec aused b y is rapd e Pat pops into Abbey Meads
Tuition pansion and the national shortage Postman Pat with help from Mrs Coggins and PC Selby the village
of teachers in certain subjects. At
policeman paid a flying visit to schools in Swindon to promote their
in all subjects the end of the last school year Swin- show at the Wyvern Theatre on 25 January.
& levels don's secondary schools had forty- They called into Abbey Meads school on 12 January to meet children
four vacancies. We have a greater
• Key Stages 1-4 from Little Scholars pre-school and the infant classes who helped them
need as we have been growing so look for Jess the cat who was hiding in a box in the school hall.
• GCSE & A Level quickly. Our roll has increased by
• Special Needs thirty per-cent in two years as we
cater for North Swindon housing. /
Call "With all the publicity, and va- ►
Personal Tutorials cancies posted on the internet, we r L .
have had considerable interest Y— .
New
teachers 01672 539368 from this country, from abroad and
also wanted 01793 538730 also teachers who have just moved
to Swindon.
"Our aim has been to maintain

INFANT & PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS

For children due to start school in September 2001, January 2002
or April 2002, the closing date for registration or application
at most Swindon infant and primary schools is
Friday 16 February 2001
(the deadline may differ for `church schools'*). Drop in for education advice
If you miss the deadline date you may jeopardise your chances
of obtaining a place at the school of your choice - even if it is your local Education Welfare Officer Ian
school. This deadline date applies even if you wish your child to be Prestwich, who has responsibil-
admitted in January or April 2002, rather than September 2001. ity for Ridgeway and Greendown
secondary schools, and all the pri-
Please contact your local infant or primary school in good time before this mary schools in West Swindon
closing date to complete a registration or application form for your child. holds a monthly drop-in advice
You must make a positive application about which school you want your child point at the West Swindon Fam-
to attend. Do not take it for granted that your child will be allocated ily and Community Project, 15
a school place automatically or that there will be a place available
at the local school, if you apply for a school away from your area. Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook.
Anyone with education related
*Voluntary Aided schools may want you to complete their own application queries is welcome to meet him,
form, and may have their own closing date. no appointment is needed. Ques-
tions include attendance issues,
Advice about admissions policies, procedures and other related matters is bullying, uniform grants, exclu-
published in the composite schools prospectus - 'A Guide to Primary School sions, special needs, child employ-
Admissions', available from local primary schools, libraries ment, school transport and trans-
or from the address below. Ian Prestwhich with education
fer and admissions. He can also colleague Irene Stollery
For further help and advice about school admissions or transfers advise on primary school admis-
in the Swindon area please contact: Swindon Borough Council sions. particularly over the telephone. If
Education and Community Pupil Assessment & Placement Team Ian said the aim of the sessions is I do not have the answer, then I
Sanford House, Sanford Street, Swindon SN1 1QH to provide a direct and easily ac- know someone who does."
cessible link between the commu- The advice point is open from
Admissions helplines for parents living in: nity and the Education Depart- 9.30am to 11.30am on the first Fri-
North-east Swindon: 01793 465789, ment. "We recognise how difficult day of the every month. The next
South and West Swindon (including Abbey Meads), SwinDon
Central and East Swindon: 01793 465790. ,o,ouG,cou,c,L it can sometimes be to get the right is 2 February. For further informa-
information from the right person, tion contact Ian on 465795.