Page 14 - link magazine

14 The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com
Greendown's best ever results boost bid for specialist status
A bid by Greendown Community School in Grange Park to become a specialist school in Maths, Computing and Sport was submitted in
October with the backing of three of the town's largest companies.
A decision from the Department Sarjent. "We had to do four-year
for Education and Skills is expected plans for KS3 and KS4 and plans
in January and if successful will involving our community part-
mean futuristic resources andben- ners. We have to be very specific
efits to the West Swindon commu- about where money is going to be
nity. Funds and offers of help spent.
worth £56,000 from RWEnpower "Maths and science have always
and Lucent Technologies of Wind- been strong subjects at Greendown
mill Hill Business Park and con- but other curriculum areas are now
struction firm Hochtief will be equally good. We have a very en-
matched by the DfES. thusiastic and committed staff and
The money will be used for a good communications and rela-
state-of-the-art independent learn- tionships with parents."
ing centre, a fitness suite and new The school's progress is reflected
technology across the school such in this year's best ever results. At
as whiteboards and computers. KS3, Maths and Science were par-
The learning centre will feature 60 ticularly strong. Over 55 per cent
desks with pop-up laptops built of pupils gained five or more
in. grades A to C in this year's GCSEs.
Equipment for the ICT room has to be spent in the community. "The application for specialist Of note was Matthew Kelly who
been received and nPower are to Projects in local primary schools, status has taken two years to pre- gained 9 A*.
refurbish a classroom to be used at Freshbrook Community Centre pare and we're all very excited Overall, Greendown is in the top
for teaching PE theory for GCSE. and George Tweed Gardens shel- about the prospects and opportu- 25 per cent in the country in terms
Specialist status also attracts an tered accommodation have been nities to be created," said of the educational value added
annual grant, a third of which has identified. Greendown's Head of Maths, Gill during a child's time at the school.

Bringing languages to life at Westlea
Youngsters from Westlea School have been putting their French into practice during a week-long stay in a Normandy chateau.
With two years of French les- bound type activities and made an targets. All primaries are expected sentences, follow a conversation
sons under their belts, the young- excursion to Mont St Michel. to offer a language to all KS2 pu- and have a range of vocabulary."
sters were able to use their French Westlea has embraced language pils by 2010. Unfortunately, youngsters who
in real situations. They visited a teaching well in advance of Gov- Specialist teacher, Louise Miles, go to Greendown will not be able
market, took part in outward ernment Framework for Language joined the school four years ago to to continue French lessons in Year
develop language delivery. Since 7. The secondary school has de-
L
ast Sep tember all K P cided to offer Spanish because chil-
S2 uP ils have
I
had one hour of French a week. dren arrive with very different lev-
The school is now working towards els of French. They will, however,
individual class teachers being re- be able to practice their French at
sponsible for the subject. after-school and lunchtime clubs
"Every single child from age 7 to and will have the option to take
11 has such enthusiasm to do French again in Year 8.
French work," said Ms Miles. hn response to a drop in the
"Some who struggle in English and number of GCSE pupils studying
other subjects, come alive in French languages the Government is re-
because they all started from the viewing its decision to make it
For the latest cut, same point. By the time they leave, optional. Westlea youngsters will
we should be able to write some be well prepared.
colour or re-style
call now for an
appointment
or free consultation
with a member of our
highly skilled team!

_:. tel: 874825

Shaw Village Centre,
Shaw, Swindon

IP To mark the European Daii of Languages in early October, pupils at Toothill's
Schwarzkopf Oliver Tonnkirns Junior School zoo/ca range of national cos tunnes. The aim of the day
P R O F E S S I O N A L is to celebrate languages and language learning so the whole school got dozen to
practising their French counting. They also learned how to salt hello and goodbye
in as many languages as possible. At an end of the dal assembly each class presented
work they had done.