Page 27 - link magazine

August 2005
I

Governors have great plans

for new secondary school

governors Neil Askins, who lives at Si. We are also conscious that Neil Askins believes that the Priory
y
in Abbe Meads. "We've been the school will be central to the Vale campus will set new directions
engaged with the project for over development of our community. in education. "The secondary
three years, ensuring that the voice "All the children who go to the school will deliver the national
of the community was heard in the school will be special but the first curriculum but we want to be at the
negotiations about finance and Year 7 intake, will be pioneers; leading edge of provision, using
also in the design of the school. they will have an absolutely unique technology to access the curriculum
"It was a considerable opportunity to create the school of from home as well as in school.
disappointment when the council the future. It's very exciting and " With extended schools much in
decided to delay opening SI from the governors want to involve the news, the governors have secured
September 2006 until September them in that process." use of the premises from Sam to
Neil Askins, Chair of S 1 Governors at 2007, but that's behind us. Now " They will certainly get a lot of 6pm before the facilities are
y
S1, at the school site. that construction has started the attention from the staff committed turned over to communit use.
It's been a long time coming but at governors have a major role in to making SI a success from the This extra time gives excellent
last the opening of a secondary preparing for the opening. outset; a lot of responsibility will opportunities to provide an
school within the North Swindon " We'll be deciding the direction be placed on them." enriched curriculum for pupils.
expansion area is a reality - and of the school, whether there should Building seven new schools at the "Creating strong links with the
be a uniform or not, choosing a same time under PFI arrangements campus primary school and the
children about to start Year 5 in
September will be given the name, looking at the possibility of is a brand new concept for special schools on site is going to be
opportunity to go there. opening with specialist status Swindon Council, whilst opening a important in developing education
Most of the publicity about the already in place, and appointing a campus of four schools providing right across the spectrum of age and
new schools in North Swindon has headteacher to start in September education for 4 to 16 year olds, ability. Although it's some time
focused on the tortuous 2006. It's a major task, and we're alongside provision for special before the headteacher arrives, the
negotiations to secure Government looking for more people to join educational needs, presents major governors also want to start building
approval for the Private Funding the governing body to work challenges. It means the governors partnerships with the children and
Initiative, followed by the process through these issues." have to do things differently. With parents at existing primary schools
of identifying the company to Temporary governor Helen a private company managing and across North Swindon."
build and run the schools. Miah, from St Andrew's Ridge, maintaining the schools, as well as To find out about joining the SI
But, in the background and believes that the decisions being providing catering, for the next governing body, contact Neil Askins:
unknown to most, a stalwart made now will have a profound twenty five years, governors and [email protected], or Helen
group of North Swindon residents impact on the future education of staff will be able to concentrate Miah: [email protected] or
have been involved as temporary North Swindon children. "Our their attention on developing Governor Support at Swindon
governors. It's not been without role is to ensure parents have a teaching and learning to the Borough Council, tel: 463875 or
frustration explained chair of clear idea of what will he on offer highest order. mail: [email protected]

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III
George Wimpey
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