Page 15 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2006 15
School with `angel wings' to be built on Shaw Ridge

Plans have been revealed for the fore the end of term so that they
new buildings to replace Shaw start the holidays knowing who
Ridge Primary. they will be with in September."
A larger, circular building will Deputy head Janet Archer de-
be constructed on an adjacent site scribed the needs of the school in
at the end of Ridge Green, to cater the short and longer term. "The
for a larger annual intake of 240 emphasis is increasingly on smaller
children, including those who group teaching as well as whole
would have attended Salt Way class which means we need a vari-
Primary in Middleleaze. ety of spaces. There will be a desig-
After a long battle Salt Way par- nated space for teacher prepara-
ents and school governors were tion work and we are taking the
unable to persuade Swindon opportunity to put the computer
Council and the independent suite and library next to each other.
Schools' Organisation Committee "These arrangements are to be
from pursuing a plan to rational- replicated in the design of the new
ise school places in the area and building."
Salt Way will close in July. In consultation with teachers
Salt Way parents were wel- and parents council architect Nic
comed at a meeting in early April Newland has come up with a cir-
by Shaw Ridge headteacher Sally cular building. When seeing the
Cowell to discuss how the school plans one child described it ashav-
operates and to look at the plans ing'angel wings.'
for the new build with council of- Each classroom will have its own
ficers. Unfortunately, in the coun- entrance and play area or open air
cil's rush to close Salt Way this work space, and one segment of
year, 9 mobiles are to be erected on the circle will be left open looking
the Shaw Ridge playground for out over Shaw Ridge.
the children who will transfer in Swindon education officer Paul
September. Blackmore said the council is work-

The Big Adventure Club
The circular shape of the new Shaw Ridge Primary School with annotations.
1 The existing school; 2 extra car parking off Ridge Green; 3 playing fields; 4
Shaw Ridge; 5 Eastleaze; 6 Upper Shaw Farm Community Centre; 7 The `The Big Adventure Club
Bramptons
is now taking bookings
Mrs Cowell told parents that a ing hard to ensure that the tempo-
lot of planning had been going on rary buildings will be in place by for the Summer Holidays'
by staff at both schools to ensure the end of July. He added that
work topics covered were similar there will be improved signs on
so that children arriving at Shaw walking routes to Shaw Ridge.
Ridge did not repeat parts of the Salt Way parent Sarah Finch said Childcare from only £13
curriculum. "Because of uneven she was resigned to the move. "Salt per school day!
numbers and odd sized classes Way is a perfectly good building
Shaw Ridge children are very used and we still don't understand why
to change every year," she said. it has to close. But the decision has Quad bikes, bouncy castles, football, disco
"Five more teachers have been been made; Shaw Ridge is well run
appointed. The whole school will and it's important for our children rooms, arts and crafts, giant slides, water
be reorganised to ensure all the to enjoy their time there. fights, you name it we do it !!!!
children are fully integrated and Nicola Packer from Ramleaze
because nearly every room is go- said, "I'm sad that Salt Way cannot
ing to have a different use. continue, but the meeting provided Contact Tracey or Peter
"The children will be getting to- a lot of useful information and also on 01793 875992 for more details.
gether with their new teachers be- reassurance."