Page 14 - link magazine

14 The Link Magazine • November 2003
Bishop of Bristol dedicates classroom

Children at Oliver Tomkins Infants School,
Toothill, no longer have to walk across the play-
ground from mobiles, following completion of a
new classroom during the summer holidays.
Within a week of occupation at the beginning of
term the children in Miss French's class had deco-
rated the room with their work ready for the visit by
the Bishop of Bristol Rev Mike Hill to officially open
it. They also had time to rehearse their own Bob the
Builder rap song to entertain him at a special assem-
bly.
Headteacher Penny Summers said the school en-
vironment had already changed. "It's lovely having
all the children and teachers under one roof; there's
a different, positive atmosphere being together."
As a Church of England voluntary aided school,
the school has to raise half the building costs to
repay the diocese. Fundraising to meet the £12,000
required started in the Spring and with an anony-
mous donation of £6,000 and fundraising projects
which have raised over £2,000, including selling
bricks at £1 each, the governors' fundraising com-
mittee is well on the way to meeting its target.

Bishop of Swindon to bless the start of new North church primary school
The Bishop of Swindon Rev Michael Doe and the Mayor coun Derek Benfield will be present on Saturday 29 November to lay the foundation
stone at North Swindon's fourth primary school at the Taw Hill village centre site on Queen Elizabeth Drive.
Called St Francis Church of Eng- Goffs Primary much looking for- Rev Ruth Cram said there had been
land voluntary aided primary School near Ross ward to the exciting considerable interest in enrolling
school, it will be built in conjunc- on Wye, Her- challenge of work- children at the school. "The admis-
tion with a church dedicated to St efordshire, hav- ing with the govern- sion procedure has been estab-
Francis of Assisi, who set aside his ing worked previ- ing body in setting lished and application forms will
wealth to preach the good news, ously in London up St Francis school. be available from 1 November and
and in whose name the wordlwide and Surrey. "I believe that the also at the ceremony on 29 No-
order of missionaries was founded. Mr Westall told new school will pro- vember which starts at noon.
Clive Westall, 38, right, takes up The Link, "it's not vide a genuine focus "We would like to invite as many
his appointment as headteacher in everyday that a for the community people as possible to attend the
January to prepare for the opening headteacher has in Taw Hill, where dedication which will be followed
in September 2004. such a wonderful adults and children by sandwiches at the new Tawny
Married with three primary aged opportunity to can meet and build Owl pub."
children, he is currently in his sixth open a brand new relationships." Rev Cram can be contacted on
year as headteacher of Gorsley school. I'm very Taw Hill vicar 701353.

Windmill Hill rated highly by Ofsted
A second inspection by Ofsted of Windmill Hill Primary School, Freshbrook at the end of May has assessed it as 'a good school with many
very good features' which delivers 'good value for money.'
The report highlights: English, Maths and Science were
• Teaching as good and frequently judged to be well managed but the
better, with very good provision report highlights the need to im-
for the Foundation Stage; prove the role of some subject co-
• Standards in English, Mathemat- ordinators and increased use of
ics and Science being above aver- asessment data to inform future
age when pupils leave Year 6; planning.
• Provision for special educational Chairman of Governors Tim
needs is good; Poole wrote to parents saying that
• The school takes very good care he was delighted with the Ofsted
of pupils and very successfully en- assessment of the school which he
courages their very good attitudes, described as excellent.
behaviour and personal develop- Headteacher David Messenger
ment. Relationships are judged praised the large team of adults
very good; working with the 215 children at
• The school is well lead and day the school. "We're delighted with
to day management is very good. David Messenger with children from each class at Windmill Hill in front of the report, in particular the 87 per
some of the artwork which Ofsted considers outstanding, back from left,
Compared with standards cent of lessons described as 'good
Christopher Blakey, Danielle Marsh, Timothy Rabbitt. Front, Benjamin
achieved by Year 6 nationally, and above.' We are all very com-
Windmill Hill has seen consistent Smythe, Cerys Kingston, Meghann Newcombe, Shaunina Read mitted to maintaining the high
improvement in English over the achieved 'well above average.' 70 per cent 'good and above.' This quality of education and care pro-
last three years from below to The first Ofsted inspection in performance has improved con- vided at the school."
above average and in Mathemat- 1998 asssessed the quality of teach- siderably with 87 per cent ad- The full report can be found at
ics the school has consistently ing as 'satisfactory and above,' with judged as 'good and above.' www.ofsted.gov.uk