Page 15 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • August 2008 15
Uplands not content with second best

The care and welfare of pupils is at the heart of Uplands School said
inspectors in the fi rst Ofsted report since it moved to the North Swin-
don learning campus in 2006. FAMILY
“Their enjoyment of school is re- prepares pupils, with opportunities PHOTOGRAPHY
fl ected in their smiling faces as they for work experience, to be indepen- BOUNCY CASTLE HIRE Come and visit our
are greeted by staff when they arrive dent when they leave school. Delivered & Set-up studio located in
and the cheerful, calm atmosphere Recommendations in the Ofsted Fully Insured Debenhams, Swindon.
throughout the school,” they say. report focussed on using data to set Same day
Uplands was judged to be a good individual targets for pupils. “This Fully Certifi ed & Tagged portrait viewing.
school in almost all areas. Pupils’ en- is not a school that is content with Parties Holidays GREAT GIFT IDEAS.
joyment of learning and attendance second best,” wrote the inspectors. BBQs Fetes To book your appointment please
were found to be outstanding. The “The move to the new building has Birthdays Any event call our studio, we are located in
inspectors also praised the school’s motivated staff to look at what they Debenhams, The Parade,
excellent links with parents and provide and improve it further.” 08445 869701 Swindon, SN1 1BB.
external agencies. Headteacher Mary Bishop said, 07014 241703 01793 485774
Pupils have a range of special “I am pleased to see the staff com- www.fun-dayz.co.uk www.portraitplace.co.uk
needs including severe learning mitment was acknowledged. The
diffi culties and autistic spectrum report indicates overwhelming
disorder. Inspectors found that support by parents and we appreci-
pupils make good progress in their ate that very much. As a school, we
communication skills thanks to en- are very proud of our pupils and
couragement from staff. There was students and are pleased that they
praise for the way the sixth form enjoy coming to school.”
Compassionate head to depart
The day after the successful Ofsted was released, Uplands headteacher
Mary Bishop announced she would be leaving at the end of term.
She visited the original Uplands and who is also a very compas-
as a dental assistant in the mid-1960s sionate person and has been an
and decided working with special inspiration to us all.
needs children “She is going to be
was her future. missed very much
After her teach- by all the staff, pupils
er training she and students, and
took up a job at people from other
Uplands and has agencies who work
been there ever with the school.
since. “All the staff
Teacher Lor- would like to wish Swindon
na Breslin said, her well with her College
“Mary, right, is retirement and hope The BEST you can be!

an amazing lady that she will pop
with a wicked back to see us from
sense of humour time to time.”

Flying start for Orchid Vale Still time to apply for full-time

Ofsted inspectors were impressed by Orchid Vale’s polite and friendly courses starting in September ‘08!
pupils during the school’s fi rst Ofsted inspection since opening.
The school was graded as good in older children helping supervise For the full-time course guide, application form
almost every area of the inspection the younger ones during exercise and all the latest news visitwww.swindon-college.ac.uk
that took place in March. sessions. Children also have a
“Pupils achieve well because good understanding of their role
of good teaching and a broad and in society and regularly organise
enriched curriculum that stimulates fundraising events for charities,
their interest and enjoyment of including Street Children in Goa.
learning,” wrote inspectors. “The The report comments on the ex-
school is having a very positive cellent use of the wildlife area to
effect on pupils’ growth towards be- develop pupils’ understanding of
ing well-rounded young people.” the natural world.
There was praise for Orchid Headteacher Debbie Kalynka
Vale’s success in raising standards was pleased with the inspectors’
in mathematics, using a variety of comments, particularly about
strategies including booster groups. pupils’ personal development and
In one initiative, pupils were offered the teachers’ ability to enthuse and
double sessions of maths and foot- motivate pupils. “The report quotes
ball with Players Soccer School. The a parent saying that Orchid Vale is
inspectors recommend that writing a lovely community school which
standards can be improved if pupils always takes children’s needs into
were given more opportunities to consideration and where teachers If you would like to contact us to arrange a visit to the College call Student Services
write independently. make every day new and exciting. on 0800 731 2250 or email: [email protected]
The kindness pupils show each That really sums up the ethos of Swindon College, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1DY
other was remarked upon, with our school.”

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