Ofsted progress BARMING Primary School has made a strong start on improv- ing teaching and learning fol- lowing a disappointing Ofsted result earlier this year. The school in Belmont Close


was told in January that it re- quired improvement – a grade 3. However, a monitoring inspec- tion published in June found staff were focusing on the right areas and making a difference. Inspectors were pleased to


see staff, including newly-qual- ified teachers, being supported and challenged. There is still a difference between the attain- ment of pupils entitled to pupil premium and their peers, but inspectors were pleased with theway pupils were now being supported. The school will continue to


be monitored by Ofsted inspec- tors as it improves.


Two in lift ordeal TWO elderly people were trapped in a lift outside Lock- meadow Entertainment Centre for 20 minutes. The friends were descending


in the outdoor lift after a visit to the Odeon Cinema. One of the men wished, via Downs Mail, to thank a mem- ber of staff who freed the stuck lift and the cinema manager who kept the rain off the pair, offered to get a seat and called a taxi after they were rescued.


Director defends ‘failing’ school


KCC’s director of education has reacted to the news that St Fran- cis Catholic Primary Schoolwas placed in special measures. In last month’s Downs Mail


we reported that the school in Queen’s Road had been deemed inadequate by Ofsted and head teacher David Bray had been re- moved from his post. The council’s Sue Rogers has


now said how disappointed the authority was with the inspec- tion ruling, and has highlighted strengths within the school as well as detailing what will be done to help the school improve. She said: “Staff, governors


and the county council are dis- appointed that the school was judged inadequate. The inspec- tors felt the school had not ad-


A FORMER patient who recov- ered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is to help oth- ers recover from mental illness. Tracy Gibbons (pictured) is starting work as a peer support worker at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partner- ship Trust (KMPT) after proving a hit as a volunteer. She will use her experience to support the occupational therapy team at a Maidstone rehabilitation unit. Tracy, who has two teenage


dressed key issues from the pre- vious inspection with sufficient rigour. The school recognises the key issues raised and is working closely with KCC and the Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark to rapidly make im- provements and significantly strengthen leadership in the school. “The county council is put-


ting in place a wide range of professional development train- ing for staff, to make sure all teaching and learning continues to improve. Over the coming term there will be support for school leaders to rigorously monitor performance to make sure expectations are challeng- ing and pupil attainment con- tinues to improve.


children, suffered PTSD after repressed memories of her abu- sive childhood were triggered by the emo- tional stress of a 20-year mar- riage break-up. She said: “I re-lived violent memories as if they were happening in the pres- ent, it was a living hell. I wanted to throw myself off a cliff.”


“Pupil behaviour was seen to


be good, including the way the school keeps children safe; the inclusive atmosphere and pupils’ enjoyment of school were recognised to be good. The inspectors also recognised that there is good and outstanding teaching in some classes. In the early years, both progress and teaching were judged to be good, this was recognised as a strength of the school.” Despite receiving a grade 4 – inadequate – overall, St Francis scored grade 3 – requires im- provement – for the achieve- ment of pupils and quality of teaching, and a grade 2 – good – for the behaviour and safety of pupils. Its reception class was held up as exemplary.


Mental health journey inspires new career Her recovery inspired the for-


mer hairdresser to work in men- tal health therapy. “When you are ill, you feel


you will never get back to real- ity. It’s good for service users to see someone who has come out the other side. “I’m very proud to be the


trust’s first peer supportworker. It shows that if you get the sup- port and help you need, with your own perseverance, you can get better.”


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