Page 14 - link magazine

14 swindonlink.com • August 2011
Ofsted report sets up Greendown

to become Lydiard Park Academy

West Swindon’s secondary school • Achievement is good. Students’ • Lessons are well planned,
Greendown in Grange Park has positive attitudes and good behav- learning objectives are ap-
been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted for the iour play a key role in the quality propriately challenging and
second time in succession. of their learning in the classroom; teachers provide support or
This was an excellent achieve- • The quality of care, guidance and extension where needed;
ment because under a new tougher support students receive is good, • The headteacher and
inspection regime headteacher and this ensures that they feel safe other senior leaders have
Clive Zimmerman was told that in the school; a clear vision of where the
the inspectors would have to be • The curriculum is good and has school is going and this is
convinced that the school should developed well since the last inspec- shared across the school;
retain its status of being in the top tion; • The tracking of students’
25 per cent of schools in the country. • Teaching is good. Teachers show progress is rigorous and
The key points in the report systems are understood well
recognise that: enthusiasm for their subjects and by students. There is regular
have good subject knowledge;
monitoring of the work of
departments;
• Good arrangements for
the care of students con-
tribute well to their good Clive Zimmerman holding the Ofsted report
personal development. The and booklet describing what the Academy
school focuses well on the will offer parents and children
development of literacy as students Mr Zimmerman said, “Ofsted
enter the school; visits have become much tougher
It’s Summer. Brighten up your home • The school is preparing students and more intense since the last
with a rainbow of colours! well for the future; inspection in 2008, with inspectors
spending a lot of time observing
The report concludes that the
Charisma Blinds - the place for quality and value school has a good capacity for fur- classes and assessing the school
ther sustained improvement and generally. It is particularly pleas-
Suppliers of all types of blinds, awnings and shutters to reach the outstanding grade, it ing that Greendown has retained
Full fitting service or cash and carry needs to; its position in the top quarter of
Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm • Be more systematic in ensur- schools in England.
“We have made a promise to
Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm ing that the best assessment and parents and pupils that by the time
BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584 feedback strategies are consistently we officially reopen as Lydiard
applied;
Park Academy in September 2012,
• Develop staff training that is we will have implemented the
bespoke to the identified develop- changes required by Ofsted and will
ment needs of each teacher, so that be operating at a level that Ofsted
all teaching is consistently good or describes as outstanding.
better.
New look and enhanced
offer from 25 year old
BALLET - TAP - MODERN - JAZZ school. Royal relaunch
MUSICAL THEATRE hoped for
& RAD MAJORS
Although Greendown will technically achieve
STREET, HIP HOP & ADULT TAP academy status from 1 August, it will spend a
year implementing changes including a new
Classes from two and half years upwards uniform and logo, new colour scheme through-
Lessons held at Haydonleigh School, out the school and new literature, ready for the
Abbey Meads Community School, Blunsdon Village relaunch as Lydiard Park Academy in Septem- The new school logo
ber 2012, exactly a quarter of a century after it
and also Stratton Community Centre opened in September 1986. based on the coat of
There will be two major specialist developments: arms of the St John
Official Dance Centre • links with the Villiers Park Trust whereby family of Lydiard Park
of the ISTD teachers are trained to prepare pupils with academic aptitude to join
offering FDI & CDE Units a new gifted and talented programme in Year 10 which will see them
individually tutored by Villiers Park staff towards a place at Oxford or
Bring this advert Cambridge University;
with you and receive the • the launch of the Lydiard Park Sports Academy as described in the
first two lessons free July Link. In conjunction with Performance Development Systems, pupils
with sporting talent will work to programmes tailored to the demands of
Contact Sarah Watson training and education. This is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
on 01793 524112 From September 2012 the Academy will be running a bus services from
parts of North Swindon, and from Sparcells and Peatmoor, to make it
or 07825 543529 easier for pupils from further afield to attend.
before 8pm Princes Anne opened Greendown in April 1987. Lydiard Park Academy
is making enquiries as to whether another royal visit might be possible.

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