Page 15 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • January 2005 15
School moves forward with confidence OF
Freshbrook School has been given the all-clear by school inspectors and is no longer in special measures. GORSE
Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) the situation, has contributed to making Fresh- HILL
made a fourth visit in late Novem- Poor school leadership and man- brook School a much more capa-
ber to consider the progress made agement, inadequate support for ble organisation, driven by highly 1 979 - 2004
since the school failed an Ofsted teachers to reach higher standards motivated people who aim for the SPECIALISTS IN WEDDING HIRE
inspection in May 2003 and pro- and an absence of supervision by highest quality of teaching and SENIOR SCHOOL UNIFORM
nounced they were satisfied with the then failing Education depart- learning. KING SIZE MENSWEAR
the achievements. ment at Swindon Council before "HMI particularly noted the AND IN-HOUSE ALTERATION/
The HMI assessment will be he arrived, all contributed to the positive relationships between TAILORING DEPARTMENT
published in January, but situation. children and staff and commented
headteacher Steven Luke said he With a lot of hard work, input on the good behaviour and atti- 124 Cricklade Road
was relieved to announce to The from Swindon Council and targets tudes of children. Given an in- Gorse Hill, Swindon
Link that his school was not in spe- set by HMI, Mr Luke and his teach- creased number of children with J Tel: 642211
cial measures. ers have turned the school around, special needs and statements, the Open: 9arn - 5.30pm
The Link exclusively reported in "I'm particularly pleased for the inspectors praised the inclusive Wed & Sat 9am - 5pm
November2003 thatOfstedinspec- parents who have stuck with us," atmosphere of the school." Free car park
tors had failed Freshbrook six he said, "It has been a difficult
months earlier, information had time for them because they were
not been released to the media. under the impression that the
Mr Luke took up his position in school was better than it was. We
January 2003 and immediately dis- appreciate their support."
covered for himself that the school "We have had many changes in
was unlikely to achieve the level of the teaching body and the teach- a n e d U cat I o I I I o 1 life
competence required by Ofsted ing assistants have had to cope
and advised his governing body of with great upheaval. Everybody Whatever your child wants to achieve in life,
solid ound Wi in and
n
Freshbrook School has received a grant from the Nezo Fund to run is s essential. With the year-round Kumon
a two year programme to boost IT skills in association with Greendown School. With
programmes, children develop confidence,
Greendown teacher Denis Denley runs a weekly Robolab class teaching control discipline and study skills that last them a lifetime.
technology using computers to programme motorised Lego models. Mr Denley, left, Kumon West Swindon Centre
with Steven Luke and Roholab children
Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall
Call Richard Bell on 01285 711170
Centre open 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Mondays and Thursdays
Per almost 50 years, children around the world have benefited from studying the Kumon
maths and language programmes. 45,000 children of all ages and abilities are currents
enrolled at study centres throughout the UK. y^

On the move in Taw Hill
Staff at St Francis Church of England School in Taw Hill packed up
and vacated the temporary buildings they have used since Septem-
ber, ready to reopen in their permanent home at the village centre on
4 January.
A start on building work
was delayed by a late deci- _
sion to remove a church from
the design in 2003.
But this worked to the
school's advantage according
to headteacher Clive Westall.
"It wasn't ideal to start in
mobiles but the experience I
presented positive learning
opportunities and help us cre-
ate a strong school commu-
nity from the outset." err=-
Children and parents were - F
able to enjoy the school in
December for a quiz night and
for three nativity plays.
Clive Westall and adminstrator
Sandra Collis receive help to move
items to the new buildings