Head optimistic after inspection
EAST Borough Primary School achieved a “good” grade in two out of four categories following its latest Ofsted inspection but gained a grade three overall so requires improvement. The school, in Vinters Road, achieved good grades for lead- ership and management and for the behaviour and safety of pupils but the quality of teach- ing and achievement of pupils were graded three. Inspectors recognised im- provements were being made in the teaching of English and maths, but said it could not at- tain a good, particularly in writing skills and vocabulary. The report said the “strong leadership team” was well supported by the governing body. Inspectors said: “They have overcome staffing diffi- culties and improved the qual- ity of teaching.” Attainment by the end of
Year 2 is above average at East Borough; pupils have a good attitude to learning, are well behaved, polite, and feel safe. Head teacher Janet Herbert
said: “We are pleased the in- spectors recognised the strengths of good leadership and management and good be- haviour. The report details a number of good outcomes and we can be satisfied the inspec- tors have recognised these. “The inspection findings are significantly data driven and it is frustrating that historical in- formation has held us back in terms of the overall assess- ment. “We are confident that next
time, with the old data having disappeared, we will be able to show where the school really is at.
“The Ofsted report has its limitations and does not accu- rately reflect where the school
is now. The current standard of teaching at the school is good and our aim now is to consoli- date the good teaching practice that exists and continuously improve it to an outstanding level. Whilst our pupils cur- rently achieve broadly in line with national expectations, we are aiming to improve upon this and secure well above av- erage educational outcomes. "We have invited the school community to come and talk to us and ask questions. Parents have been very supportive and appreciative of the efforts and progress made by their chil- dren at the school. “We are happy to share the
truth, we have nothing to hide. We are keen to get across that this school is going very much in the right direction and the teachers, governors and par- ents can be proud of this school.Watch this space!”
Achievements
are rewarded SWADELANDS School held its annual awards evening at- tended by students, parents, governors and staff at the Mer- cure Great Danes Hotel, in Maidstone. The event celebrated the aca- demic and personal achieve- ments of over 100 students. Guest speaker, former student
An artist’s impression of the new building, and below, heads Julie Derrick and Vic Ashdown get the work started
Joint project will boost two schools
WORK has begun on a £4.9m project at the Valley Invicta Academies in Huntsman Lane. Julie Derrick, head of Invicta Grammar School, and Vic Ash- down, head of neighbouring Valley Park, both donned hard hats and hi-vis jackets as they took to the wheel of a JCB dig- ger to mark the start of a project which will mean new class- rooms and improved facilities for both schools. The building at Invicta will provide a purpose-built English and performing arts building, with eight English rooms, two media rooms, a reading room and dance and drama studios. It replaces the “pod” and “podlet”which were initially built as a temporary classrooms for the English department. Mrs Derrick said: “The growth
in dance and drama at Invicta has necessitated new facilities – in particular, dance which has had a huge growth in the last couple of years. No other girl’s grammar school in Maidstone will have such great facilities.” It is hoped the building will be
and headteacher’s award win- ner HelenaMobbs, spoke about how the school supported her drive and interest in the field of science, leading to her studying for a doctorate at Cambridge University. Headteacher Richard Badde-
ley said: “Swadelands has gone from strength to strength, and this evening celebrates the strong links between staff, stu- dents and parents/carers.” The main award winner of
the evening was Tom Collins, year 11, who won the head- teacher’s trophy for his all- round academic achievement and attainment.
finished by October, after which new tennis courts will be built. Mrs Derrick said: “This is a double win! Our students will benefit from not only great new internal teaching rooms, but ex- ternal space as well!” The Invicta building will be named the Izatt Building, after one of the school’s vice chairs of governors, David Izatt, who has done a huge amount ofwork for both schools. The new classroom building
at Valley Parkwill be named the Taylor Building after Judi Tay- lor, chair of the trust.
Karate success A SWADELANDS pupil has traveled to Finland to take part in the European Karate Open Championships. Christine Bordean has been
part of the Kent karate squad for nine years and is also part of the England karate squad. She trains four times per week in Kimura Shukokai. She took gold in the girls’ Ku-
mite event and was part of the gold-winning cadet Kata team. Her achievements were recog- nised at Swadelands awards evening, when she also won the Gunnell house trophy. Christine is planning fund raising events to get her to the World Championships in South Africa in October 2014.
Downs walk to
boost charities THEWeald of Kent Rotary Club is limbering up for its 28th an- nual North DownsWalk. The walk takes place on Sun-
day, June 30, and anyone is welcome to join in. There is the option to retain half the spon- sorship they raise for a charity – or charities – of their choice. The walk, which offers the choice of a three, six or nine mile walk across the Downs, starts and ends at Harrietsham Village Hall, and supports Can- cer Research UK. On completion, all walkers
are treated to a ploughman’s lunch and strawberries, and en- tertained by a local jazz band. The website – www.weald-
ofkentrotary.org.uk – has full details of routes and registra- tion forms, which can be down- loaded, or walkers can register on the day for a minimum do- nation of £10 per person. To date, the walk has raised
more than £420,000 for local and national charities, with more than £200,000 going to Cancer Research UK. Early risers can get going
from 7.30am, with the last reg- istration taking place at 11am. Call 01622 890650 for more details.
Opposition to
tree-felling BEARSTED parish council is opposed to two ash trees being felled at the foot of Button Lane, which residents say are affecting their TV reception. The trees are subject to a tree preservation order and the council believe they form “an important integral part of the overall landscaping and bound- ary treatment of the Button Lane residential area”. Father-of-two Mr Ian Forrest
has requested permission to fell the trees saying he has had little or no TV reception for almost 10 years. He applied to the council in desperation, but Bearsted Parish Council be- lieves the loss of the trees would be detrimental to the amenity of the local area and to the general landscape. The council has asked that, if Maidstone Council allows the trees to be felled, they are re- placed with semi-mature trees “of an appropriate species”.
Protecting river THE future of the River Len and its environs was discussed at a meeting between parish coun- cil chairman Richard Ash, the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and the Environ- ment Agency. Potential areas for projects were identified to improve the flow of water. MVCP said they were happy
with the condition of the pond on Bearsted Green and no fur- ther work would be needed this year.
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