Brownies need help to survive


VOLUNTEERS are needed to help save Brownie and Guiding packs who are under threat. East Farleigh Brownies was the latest pack


to come under threat of closure after nearly 50 years until two more helpers came for- ward at the 11th hour. More than 20 girls currently attend the weekly meetings at East Farleigh, taking part in a wide range of activities including helping in the community, completing crafts, singing and learning new skills. But when the new term starts in Septem-


ber, local guiders and organisers expect therewill bemore packs across the borough needing support. Brownies – girls aged seven to 10 years


old – love to have fun, being with their friends and experiencing lots of things that


Allotment raid VANDALS ruined months of hard work when they trashed allotments in Yalding. Water butts were overturned,


sheds broken into and tools stolen, while fertiliser and other gardening products were tipped out and emptied over the Vicarage Road site. Anyone who saw or heard anything is asked to contact the police on 101, with crime refer- ence 07/0610 In addition to the vandalism,


an unlocked shed was tipped right over, and damage was caused to netting around crops. The police have been alerted.


leader. Seeing the girls develop their per- sonalities, learn how to trust themselves and feel confident in the decisions they make is very rewarding.” Girlguiding has been in existence for over


100 years and one in four eight-year-olds in the UK regularly attends Brownies, with al- most half the women in theUK having been involved in Girlguiding at some point in their lives. Many of the girls who started at East Far-


Members of Loose Brownies pack


they don’t get to do at school, according to Nikki Lewis, who helps with neighbouring Loose Brownies. She said: “I have always enjoyed working with children and I love being a Brownie


leigh Brownies have gone on to become leaders with other units in the local area. The Girlguiding website (www.girlguid- ing.org.uk) has details on how to volunteer and what is required. Anyone interested in volunteering can also contact Division Com- missioner, Pam Sell on 07725 352895 (evenings only).


School urged to come up with plan


AN Ofsted inspector visited Coxheath Primary School to find out what progress had been made since it was judged to require improvement in Feb- ruary this year. The school was found to be working on an action plan to deal with the Ofsted recom- mendations, and there had been some quick improvement. Theprogressofpupilswho needed extra support had im- proved, due to additional teaching, and writing had im- proved generally.Marking had


improved, although it was not yet consistent across the school. Attainment in English and maths had risen. However, the school lacked a completed school improvement plan with targets, timescales and monitoring system. Al- though there was some evi- dence of improved teaching, more needed to be done to en- sure that teachers made the recommended improvements. The progress made by chil-


dren entitled to a pupil pre- mium was inconsistent, and


there was a gap between them and other pupils which needed to be addressed. Pupils enjoyed school life, be- haviour was good, but pupils said that work was sometimes too easy. The school was advised to construct a long-term strategic plan by September, with clear targets, actions and timescales. More responsibility should be delegated to middle leaders and there should be a school-wide initiative to provide work that is challenging for all pupils.


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