Page 15 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • April 2006 15
Toothill School moves forward Salt Way and Shaw Ridge
with permanent appointment coming together
Toothill Primary School has a bright future according to Martin The deed is done. Swindon Council's cackhanded dealings with the
Cowell who was appointed headteacher in early March. closure of Salt Way Primary School since its first announcement
during the Easter holidays last year was confirmed by the independ-
ent School's Organisation Committee at the end of February.
Salt Way will close in July and school councils.
the remaining 100 or so children "The Friends of Shaw Ridge have
will start at Shaw Ridge in Sep- asked Salt Way parents to bring
tember. their families to an Easter egg hunt
Planning for such a change has on 25 March and the governors
been going on in the background have invited a Salt Way governor
for some time. The schools are now to join them."
working hard to ensure that there Salt Way headteacher Susan
is a smooth transition for the chil- Smith agrees that disruption
dren. should be kept to a minimum. "We
Shaw Ridge headteacher Sally are working together to make a
Cowell said, "staff have been talk- change of school a positive experi-
ing with each other for some ence for the children."
months to align
Last ditch appeal to keep Salt Way open. The parents who
the curriculum
attended the School's Organisation Committee on 21 February
Martin Cowell with Toothill Primary children, from left, Melina Bhura, Jenna so that Salt Way
Pearce, Ferdinand Moura, Dhiraj Bhura, Sukdeep Gill, Shannon Dunne-Morrissey children do not
repeat topics
He stepped up from the deputy child now comes to school in uni- when they join
role to become acting headteacher form. The changing cultural mix us.
in late 2004 whilst Swindon Coun- of Toothill over the last few years "At the end of
cil consulted on proposals to re- is also a positive development said March the Year
duce the number of primary school Martin. "We have become a multi- 3 and 4 children
places across West Swindon. cultural school and this diversity enjoyed Wind
As the area's oldest primary is really having a good effect on
school, which opened in Septem- teaching and learning here." in the Willows
together and
ber 1978, the present building is no we're holding
longer fit for purpose and every- School closure decision joint meetings
body will be pleased to see the in April or May between the
removal of the mobiles on site if The council's cabinet has recom-
there is agreement to rebuild the mended to the independent School's
school - see right. Organisation Committee that Salt Way memories wanted
"We're not counting our chick- Freshbrook and Windmill prima-
ens and I'm the first to admit that ries be combined in a new school on Staff at Salt Way Primary School do not want the school to be
I'll believe it when I see the build- the Freshbrook site and Toothill forgotten after it closes.
ers arrive, but the prospect of a School be rebuilt, close to Stokesay Hundreds of children have attended the school in Middleleaze since
new school is very exciting for the Drive and the village centre. it opened in September 1988 and deputy headteacher Penny Woods
whole community," said Martin. The cost will be £10.7 million to is keen to put together a record of photographs, memories and school
"There is a very positive outlook be funded by selling the Windmill work.
for Toothill. Apart from teaching site and part of the Toothill School She said, "Salt Way is part of West Swindon's history and should not
children in up to date facilities, the site for housing. Some of the Fresh- be forgotten just because it is to be closed. I'd like to complete the book
new school will also become a fo- brook site may also be sold. All- of memories by July so that parents and children can see it and then
cal point for community educa- weather pitches will compensate they can take it up to Shaw Ridge. In the longer term the book can be
tion, where health and social serv- for the loss of playing fields . kept in a library for future reference."
ices related activities can take Windmill Hill parents argue that If you have any pictures or special Salt Way memories contact Mrs
place." their school should not close and Wood at Salt Way on 881065.
As an example of the new found are preparing to make their case to • Volunteer needed. Help is required to search The Linkarchives to
confidence in the area parents have the SOC when it meets in April or find Salt Way material. If you can spare a couple of hours call 608840.
agreed a dress code so that every May.