Page 13 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • May 2005 13
North schools get underway Open day at new extra' education centre
Parents who feel their children need extra help or further challenge
At last the £98 million contract to build and run 7 new schools in
North Swindon and Moredon over the next 27 years has been signed in reading, writing, spelling or mathematics are being invited to an
under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) rules between Swindon Coun- open day at Swindon's new Kip McGrath Education Centre.
cil and education contractor Equiion. Located at the Basepoint Business Centre, Rivermead Drive (behind
the Spectrum! Renault building), the Kip McGrath Centre offers a well
Without doubt this established and proven system for boosting mathematics and literacy
is good news for the
for 6 to 16 year olds.
development of the The centre offers after-school and holiday programmes which have
North Swindon com- benefited many Swindon children says Andrea Parkinson, who with
munity. But anybody
her husband David, launched the centre in January. "The Kip McGrath
who has followed the
system uses computers, audio cassettes and structured worksheets
twists and turns of
which emphasises a 'back-to-basics' approach to education, so that,
education provision in
with the help of a professional tutor, youngsters grasp the aspects they
the area will know that
are weak on, or take on new challenging work.
the schools will open
"The feedback has been great. Many parents have seen a new confi-
four years later than
dence in their children and the children are keen to come back to learn."
hoped. Many parents
The open day takes place on Sunday 8 May, 10am to 4pm. Parents are
will still feel resent- invited to drop in or call 608708 for details.
Vurning the new Hreod Parkway School coon Gary
ment at the raised ex-
Perkins and Hreod headteacher Andrew Fleet, with
pectations and broken
Sarah Heard operations manager for Equiion
promises to deliver.
In July 2000, under a Labour ad-
ministration, Swindon Council What's being built:
• Hreod Parkway School - rebuilt next to
launched a consultation in advance
the present building on the south site - to
of a bid to Government for PFI
open Easter 2007; Professional Tuition 3 For ages 6-16 +4'
funding. The then Director of Edu-
• a secondary school to open in September in English & Maths 3 Individual Workplans t ° -AV
cation predicted that a secondary
2007. on the Priory Vale campus site which
school in North Swindon could 3 Qualified Teachers
also includes:
open in September 2003. Free Assessments 3 SATS/GCSE/Exam Prep
a primary school, and
The proposals to build the 3 Unique programmes
Brimble Hill Special School for
schools was deemed inadequate Kip McGrath - Swindon
2 to 11 year olds: 3 Proven Success .^
by the Department for Education Unit 83. Basepoint Business Centre.
Uplands Special School 3 Affordable Rates
in December 2000 and the whole Rivermead Drive. Westlea SN5 7EX.
for 11 to 19 year olds
process to convince Government
all opening in September 2006.
of the funding case returned to the
drawing board. A second bid was • a primary school at Haydon End, south of
Thamesdown Drive. open September2006;
successful in April 2002 and it has
taken since then to prepare a busi- • new combined Moredon Primary School
ness plan and process tenders. to replace the infant and junior schools,
open September 2006.
Although Equiion was ap-
pointed by the council as the pre- was considered so that there are
ferred contractor in May 2004, the no surprises during construction,
council PFI team were locked in or later in the management and
negotiation on the fine detail of the maintenance of the facilities."
contract with the company until Lead member for education coun
the last moment. Gary Perkins said the North
At a project launch on 4 April Schools project would be a model
council leader coun Mike Bawden for future provision in Swindon.
welcomed the start of the project. "We are committed to developing
"Education is a top priority for extended schools across the town
Swindon and we are determined and I would hope that every older
that our children will strive for school in Swindon will be replaced
high levels of achievement. within 10 years to make them even
"With a £100 million contract it more the heart of the communities
was important that every aspect they serve."
Access from Red gse W
• k
Villa a * r re Secondary school ''
i t.
o --
p •
"" mary ss o •~.
Special schools
C v ^;^' ^ ^, aka
;
Access from Tadpole cane,
y
a .