Page 17 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 17
Looking forward to new build
in Toothill Anything Stone UK Ltd.

Toothill Primary School's motley collection of derelict mobile class- Suppliers of finely finished granite, marble,
rooms were swept away during the summer holidays. limestone, slate, sandstone and gypsum
Granite Worktops
Table tops, bar tops,
shop counters,
reception desks. '"°
Granite worktops
from £137 per metre.
Local supplier,
stockists & installers
08702 422 998 Unit 41 BSS House, Cheney Manor

On the former mobiles site, head Marl/u Cowell with Samantha Blackman,
Misbah Al Hassan, Ricardo Teixeira, Hannah Platteu, Liam Graham, Rhys Bury
Now the community is looking upturn in the number of children
forward to the crumbling 26 year enrolling with the school.
old main building going the same Governor Yvonne Bowden said
way, says headteacher Martin there is growing excitement in
Cowell. "Losing the mobiles has Toothill about the new school. "We
created problems because they really want the extra community
were useful storage. But it's all for access facilities now being built
the good in the longer term. into schools to provide a strong
"The governors and staff have focal point for our area."
worked closely with council archi- • In Freshbrook a joint working
tects to come up with an innovative group made up of governors from
design for our new building which Freshbrook and Windmill Hill
will give Toothill children the best Schools to plan how the schools
educational opportunities." are to be combined - following
He added that the removal of Swindon Council's decision in July
the mobiles had coincided with an - met for the first time in October.

Do your homework for
parents' evening
Parents will soon be invited into primary schools to chat to teachers
about children's progress, but so often you come away not finding
out what you need to know. Kip McGrath tutor, David Parkinson,
offers advice on preparing to meet your child's teacher. He writes:
The key thing to remember is that, with you if you think a meeting
like the teacher, you have an in- might be difficult;
depth knowledge of the subject of • Ask for details about how your
the meeting— your child. The meet- child is doing. Ask which level
ing is as much for you to discuss your child should be achieving.
what is happening with him or her Are they at that level? What level
you are not just there to listen." were they at this time last year?
• Talk to your child about how Have they made the required
they feel about school and ask them progress?
to suggest questions; Swindon LEA wants every school
• Take notes of any questions or to aim to progress a child without
comments with you and make any identified learning difficulties
notes during the meeting; across two national curriculum
sub-levels each year. For example,
• Check whether your child is ex-
pected to be there; this would translate to a move from
2c to 2a or from 2a to 3b over a year;
• Always turn up on time and try
not to overrun; • Ask for targets set for your child
and ask how you can help them
• Be prepared to listen and don't improve.
jump to conclusions or criticise the
teacher; Kip McGrath offers free advice on
educational matters and free as-
• Ask questions clearly and don't sessments to accurately assess your
be embarrassed to say you don't child's current level. Call Andrea
agree with something; and David Parkinson at on 728481
• Take a family member or friend or mail: mail@ kipswindon.com