Page 24 - link magazine

Swindon Wide
24
the bigger picture Money spent on

Over the next education will pay
12 months we’re long term dividends
going to be delv- As recession looms, parents are
ing into The Link recognising the need to invest in
archives for pic- their children’s education to give
tures used over them the best chances in a competi-
the last 30 years, tive job market.
and for interest-
ing images never
used - such as
the dome over
the entrance at
Isambard Com-
munity School in
North Swindon.
An official
opening has yet
to take place
some 15 months
after the first chil-
dren arrived al-
though an event
early in the year
is being consid-
ered.
Families tightening their belts are
being forced to prioritise spending
Magnificent Nova leaves South African visitor speechless but they are not cutting corners
where education is concerned
There were two shocks for Anthony Classon as he arrived in Swindon on a teacher exchange from Cape according to David and Andrea
Town: the freezing temperatures and the new building at Nova Hreod School. Parkinson, who own Aspire tuition
“I couldn’t speak for a couple at Basepoint Business Centre in
of minutes after seeing this mag- Westlea.
nificent structure,” said Anthony, a They have had an increase in
history teacher from Harold Cressy demand for places at their tuto-
High School. “I can’t compare our rial centre. It seems parents have
schools at home with Nova Hreod, picked up on the government’s view
it’s miles ahead in terms of infra- that spending on education is more
structure, development and facili- important than ever in a recession.
ties; I’m completely blown away.” Chancellor, Alistair Darling, has
In October, Anthony and his announced that school building proj-
colleagues welcomed his brother ects are to be brought forward.
Clinton Classon, Nova PE coordina- David said that a contributing
tor, and community coordinator Tom factor is parents’ concern about the
Wilkes to Harold Cressy. Shared low examination results in Swindon.
projects were set up and continued With only 39.9 per cent of pupils
on the return leg of the exchange. gaining five good GCSEs including
Anthony met each year group English and maths, the local author-
in assemblies and taught history Anthony and Clinton with Year 10 learners at Nova Hreod ity was ranked 127th out of 150 for
lessons about District 6, the area South African pupils will learn and hopes that Nova Hreod pupils its performance last year.
where Harold Cressy is situated about the industrial revolution will make the most of their opportuni- “We’ve had more enquiries than
which was forcibly cleared during focussing on Swindon’s railway ties. “Many of the children here don’t we would normally expect at this
the Apartheid era. Anthony and heritage. “In the assemblies here, I have an ambition to go to university time of year and our available
Clinton’s mother was one of the tried to emphasise to the pupils that and study, whereas in South Africa spaces are filling up,” said David.
thousands evicted. they are absolutely privileged,” said it’s a bit different: people are very “Many pupils are desperately trying
Anthony. “It was a shock to learn that aware that education is the route to a to ensure they achieve the basic
Lessons at Nova parents here don’t pay a penny for better life and they push themselves requirement of many employers:
from young education. Our learners, with the harder in order to achieve.” grade C in English and maths
GCSE. Some are looking to achieve
“I’m quite fortunate to be sitting
business star little they have, are required to pay here in England today. Our mother higher grades to give them the edge
school fees.
The efforts of young entrepreneurs “I look round in wonder when I see raised us on her own and couldn’t in the competitive job market.”
at Nova were definitely not to be a photocopier on every floor here afford to send us to university. We In the purpose built Aspire tuition
sniffed at as they worked on a chal- when we have one aging machine had to apply for bursaries and loans centre, youngsters from age 7 work
lenge to design and market their in a school of 800 learners. And it’s which had to be repaid.” with qualified teachers, usually in
own brand of paper tissues. nothing to walk into a class of 50 “The contact with Nova Hreod is a ratio of one to four. During an
The enterprise day was given a learners at Harold Cressy.” going to be so important in helping initial assessment, strengths and
boost by Sabirul Islam who started Despite the hardships and lack make young people in both com- weaknesses are identified and an
his first business when he was just of resources, Harold Cressy has munities more aware of themselves individual programme is devised
14. Now aged 17, he is working with a proud reputation, producing and what they can offer others.” for each learner. Parents are kept
the BBC on a Dragons’ Den style doctors, lawyers and the present Over the next year the two schools informed of their progress with
youth programme. finance minister of South Africa will use the internet to work on regular reports.
The full story with photograph Trevor Manuel. joint projects and there are hopes Call 07925 193321 for details.
can be found at: www.swindonlink. Clinton thought that the two that a student exchange can be www.aspiretuition.co.uk
com schools could learn from each other arranged.

21-52 January 09 extreme.indd 24 15/12/08 15:23:03