Page 14 - link magazine

14 swindonlink.com • November 2012
Sixth form planned for West Swindon Drop-in to express

Having delivered the best ever GCSE results in the school's history, options for more
Lydiard Park Academy in Grange Park is proposing to apply to the North school places
Secretary of State for Education to be allowed to open a sixth form in Swindon Council is carrying out
September 2014.
a consultation in November to
Parents of children at Lydiard find out community preferences
Park Academy and also children for providing another 60 primary
at partner primary schools across school places by September 2014
West Swindon are being asked to to cope with the baby bulge in
give their views by 30 November. North Swindon.
The summer 2012 exams saw Two options are being considered:
pupils deliver a 75 per cent pass expanding Orchid Vale Primary
rate for five GCSEs at A* to C and School in Haydon End to become
56 per cent five GCSEs at A* to C a two form entry school, or build-
including English and Maths. ing a brand new single form entry
The proposed expansion would school on a green field site north of
provide for 150 places for students Mouldon Hill Country Park, to the
in Years 12 and 13 studying AS and west of Thamesdown Drive.
A2 courses, along with some GCSE over the last few years. Our tremen- Education officers will show
equivalent and vocational courses at dous GCSE results demonstrate off outline plans and discuss the
level 3. The school's existing autism that, as West Swindon's secondary options at two public drop in ses-
unit will expand to provide post 16 school, we are in a great position sions at:
special educational needs support. to deliver more to the community. • The Tawny Owl Pub, Monday
Headteacher Clive Zimmerman, Many students are suited to the
The Blackthorn School above, said the support of the com- continuity that a sixth form in a 12 November, 3pm to 7pm;
of Photography munity and the school's partners for school provides and will benefit • Orchid Vale School, Tuesday
13 November, 3pm to 7pm.
Digital image-making sixth form provision in West Swin- greatly from continuing to study Parents and other interested par-
and black and white printing don is crucial to the bid. "Under new with the teachers they know and ties are asked to submit comments
based at our specialist arrangements academies can now respect." by 30 November, either at the drop-
teaching centre near Cricklade apply to the Secretary of State for See the summary of benefits put ins or online at www.swindon.gov.
Evening, day and weekend Education to expand into providing forward by the school governors at uk/consultations
courses for beginners and courses for 16 to 18 year olds, but www.bit.ly/LPA6thform A leaflet will be distributed across
advanced photographers we must show there is wide support Parents are asked to send their Priory Vale and parts of St Andrew’s
www.photography-courses.com for the initiative. comments to Lydiard Park Acad- Ward setting out the options.
Tel: 01454 416937 "Lydiard Park Academy contin- emy, Grange Park Way, Grange A report on the way forward will
or 07920 116492 ues to build on the momentum for Park, Swindon SN5 6HN by Friday be presented to Swindon Council’s
excellence that has been developing 30 November. cabinet on 12 December.
Horror drives young to read
If he was your son Over 300 Year 8 students from 11 secondary schools enjoyed a morning

you’d help! of scary stories at Nova Hreod School in October when teen horror
writer Darren Shan talked about his books and answered questions.

You still can!

FREE one-day Introduction to Fostering course Personal contact with writer Darren Shan. Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
Swindon Training Rooms The author was on a national tour showed how much interest there
Monday 26th November to launch 12 stories starring zom- is in reading his work.”
Year 9 Isambard pupil Sam Beeby
bies, to be published in gripping
10.30am—3pm installments every three months. said: “You can’t put down Darren
Alison Slaven, learning resource Shan’s books. They always end on a
If you have a spare bedroom, a driving license, centre manager at Nova Hreod, cliffhanger. I used to get into trouble
no children under 16 & want to make a difference book who organised the event said: because I wouldn’t stop reading his
a place to find out more about fostering. “We’re keen for pupils to meet earlier books.
their writing heroes and discover Year 11 pupil Declan Casey
In return you will receive: £336—£581 per week, what spurs them to write the books added: “It’s not true that boys don’t
that interest young people. Darren read. Darren’s books are great, you
full training, a fulfilling career really had them locked on to what can’t not read them.”
To book call us or email: [email protected] he was saying about all the macabre Girls are quite happy to read
characters that he writes about in about blood and gore as well.“I
0845 6076697 his different series. prefer horror to all the girly stuff
www.blueskyfostering.com “The long line of pupils waiting people think we should read,” said
patiently to have a few words with Lauren Stepp from Highworth
Darren and have a book signed Warneford.

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