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Ofsted praise for grammar school


STUDENTS attending Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maid- stone can look forward to “an exceptional learning experi- ence”, according to Ofsted in- spectors. The team, which judged the school to be outstanding, said the head, governors and senior lead- ers provided an “extremely sup- portive ethos”. This enabled pupils to achieve highly, both personally and academically. Pupilswere said tomake good progress from years 7 to 11, con- sistently achieving above the


Students stay on THE vast majority of students who leave MidKent College at the end of their course go on to employment or further education, a survey has found. The college contacted nearly 2,000 people earlier this year as part of its “stu- dent destinations” report, and revealed that 86% of those who left in July 2011 had gone on to university or employment. A further 5% returned to the college for more studies. Under the previous Gov- ernment’s quality guidelines, which have now been with- drawn, MidKent College would have been graded “outstanding” for the overall findings of the survey. The 91% total figure is also


an increase of 3% on the pre- vious year.


Players wanted BEARSTED FC are looking for new players to join their U12 team for the coming season. The club are looking for pupils


in Year 6 going into Year 7 in September (born between Sep- tember 1, 2000, and August 31, 2001)who are ambitious to play at a high level. The club meets each Tuesday


at 7pm on Bearsted Green. The aim is to put together a


squad in preparation for the Kent Youth League football in 2013/14 The club managers are CRB checked and trained in childpro- tection procedures, and hold FA teaching certificates. For details, call David Day or


Sarah on 01622 631742/07986 494763 or email smithy@sarah- jane 68.freeserve.co.uk


Volunteer drivers IN last month’s Downs Mail, we suggested that the Voluntary Action Maidstone-run commu- nity car scheme had lost its funding. The service is, in fact, self-funded and there is no pos- sibility of VAM’s Transport service being unable to operate. The organisation in question was a Tonbridge-based charity.


16 East


national average in GCSE exam- inations. Effective leadership, accurate self-evaluation and a commit- ment to the success of every stu- dent underpinned the school’s capacity for high performance and improvement. Students showed an enjoy-


ment of learning, and behaviour and attendance was good. They were said to be reflective young people who made an excep- tional contribution to the suc- cess of the school and the well-being of the community.


MAIDSTONE Borough Council is to conduct research into who its customers are and how best it can meet their needs. The council claims services


will be improved as a result of the project, which has just begun.


Cabinet member for corporate


The well-tailored curriculum supported students’ high attain- ment, widened their horizons and inspired them to aim high. Teaching was said to be mostly good across all subjects, and some was outstanding. It ensured students understood how to improve their work, and probed their understanding through excellent questioning. Asurvey of parents and carers confirmed strong support and appreciation of the school. One parent said: “Oakwood strikes the balance between academic


services, Cllr Eric Hotson, said: “Maidstone Borough Council is doing the review to really get to the heart of what its customers need and want. “It will be looking at our model for customer service and how to engage better with peo- ple in the delivery of our serv-


YOUNG entrepreneurs show- cased their ideas to business leaders at a MidKent College trade fair. The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr


Rodd Nelson-Gracie was among the guests who grilled students about their business plans, in- cluding Charlotte May (pic- tured), who was running a pet-sitting service. Abbie Spence (18), from Bearsted, was named overall winner for her “Carping Around” plan to use Kent’s nat-


Pupils sing a song of welcome CHILDREN at Trinity


Pre-


School, Vinters Road, lined up to sing to Maid- stone and the Weald MP Helen Grant when she arrivedtooffi- cially open the school’s new building. Mainly funded


by Kent County Council, with ad- ditional funding from the Big Lottery and Trinity’s own fundraising ef- forts, the new premises has indoor and outdoor facilities to meet the children’s needs. Trinity Pre-School caters for100children, restricted to 40 per session.


Charity cycle ride is a family affair


AFATHERand sonteamare planning to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for charity. Mathew Russell, of Chatham


Road, Sandling, and his son Conor Montague are planning to leave John O’Groats on July 27, and arrive in Land’s End on August 6, and are making the 1,000-mile trip in memory of their friend Mark Porter, who died from cancer, aged 43.


They hope to raise £10,000, which will be shared between two charities – the RoyalMars- den Cancer Charity and the Children’s Trust. To sponsor the pair, visit


www.virginmoneygiving.com/ MathewRussell. Mathew and Conor are also raising money at an open day in Barclays in Maidstone High Street on July 7, when the bank will match donations pound for pound.


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study and wider achievement, and, because of this, my son loves school.” To improve still further, in- spectors recommended that the school increase the proportion of outstanding teaching by shar- ing the very best practice. They should start lessonswith activi- ties that engaged students quickly, capturing their interest. Opportunities for students to


lead learning should be in- creased and the students should have a detailed understanding of how to improve their work.


Council researching how to provide best service


ices. The review will include a number of consultation activi- ties and workshops that I would encourage people to get in- volved in.” The review is expected to be complete by the end of the year, with recommendations being made throughout the project.


Mayor praises students’ ideas


ural resources by way of a fish- ery with accommodation. Cllr Nelson-Gracie said: “It’s


good for the future of the coun- try to have young people with- the confidence to put their business plans forward.” MidKent College is working


to help establish a separate or- ganisation called Entrain, which aims to help young peo- ple set up their own businesses and bid for work. Visit www.midkent.ac.uk for more information.


Student wins


Olympics role AMAIDSTONE street-dancer is to perform at the Olympics opening ceremony. Pat Azimi, 18, from Penenden Heath, will be the envy of mil- lions when he takes part in the event on July 27. The young street-dancer (pic-


tured below), who is studying sport and exercise science at Maidstone and MidKent Col- lege, had to pass challenging auditions to secure his place. Sports science programme manager Vickie Sampson said: “Pat is a gifted dancer and I know he will work incredibly hard to ensure he performs at his best during the ceremony.” An estimated audience of one billion people – 15% of the world’s population – tuned in to watch the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony in 2008.


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