downsmail.co.uk ‘Behaviour


maintained’ A GOVERNMENT inspector has ruled that a Maidstone secondary school “takes effective action to maintain high standards of behav- iour” after following up on two complaints to Ofsted made by par- ents.


After making an unannounced


visit to Valley Park School, in Huntsman Lane, the inspector wrote: “Leaders and managers have taken effective action to main- tain the high standards of behav- iour and attitudes identified at the academy’s previous inspection.” However, the inspector, Cather-


ine Anwar, claimed there were “pockets ofweaker practice” at the 1,200-pupil academy, particularly where temporary teachers were standing in. The report said: “In these les-


sons, some students take advan- tage of temporary staff and do not behave as well as they should. Here, students do not always fol- low instructions quickly enough, and they chat to each other rather than working hard.” Afew students also said that, be-


tween each other, inappropriate languagewas sometimes used, and this was not always picked up on by teachers. However, the school – whichwas


given an outstanding rating by Of- sted two years ago – had excellent systems for managing behaviour, the report concluded. The inspector noted that atten-


dance had improved for all groups of students and was now in line with or higher than the national average.


Academy ‘needs further improvement’ - Ofsted


NEW Line Learning Academy in Maidstone has been given a list of areas where it must make im- provements, after an Ofsted in- spection. One of these is in teaching, which


the report describes as inconsistent, with the proportion of students at- taining five or more good GCSE passes, including English and maths, not high enough. The secondary school in Boughton Lane, which converted to academy status in 2007, has been toldweaknesses in teaching in areas including science and geography had left their mark on students, with unmotivated youngsters doing “the bare minimum” in some classes. The inspectors also pulled teach-


ers up for failing to set enough homework – a point made by some parents as well as students – and failing to use marking to improve standards or pupils’ learning his- tory to adapt lessons, which meant for some, classeswere too hard, and too easy for others. It added: “Students’ work in les-


sons is not thoroughly checked and so the standard of written work and presentation is not good enough and too often slower workers do not complete tasks.” Inspectors acknowledged that the curriculum had improved since the previous inspection and the time given to English and mathematics was now at a good level, as was pupils’ safety and behaviour.


There was also praise for voca-


tional and practical subjects, which inspectors felt were taught “well, sometimes exceptionally so, by staff with good, relevant subject knowl- edge” and pupils respondedwell. Academy principal David Elliott


said: “The inspectors recognised the improvements made since our pre- vious inspection, including initia- tives to improve teaching and achievement that have had a posi- tive impact on standards, particu- larly in English and mathematics. “With high levels of parent sup-


port, recent changes to our govern- ing body and initiatives to further improve teaching and learning, we are confident thatNLLwill continue to progress on a positive trajectory.


Call to promote safer cycling in town


MAIDSTONE cyclists say the town needs a progressive cycling strategy to identify new cycle routes and to make it safer for bikes. Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum


has agreed to offer its services to help the council draw up an informed policy. The forum says the strategy also


needs to promote cycling as a healthy, zero carbon and enjoyable way to travel and issued a question- naire to those standing in the gen- eral election seeking their views. Forum chair and Labour councillor


Police); the couple married in Accra in 1961.


When they returned to the UK, Vera became a teacher in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire before seling in Northamptonshire and working as a chef for the Barclays group. Vera was mother to Rodney, who said:


“My mother was a forthright person and a great organiser. She was involved in gardening and her local horticultural society and also chaired her local WI. “She had travelled all over the world, including trips toAustralia, Canada and South Africa, where she flew to the country, returning by ocean liner. During the war she had been seconded to the US Rangers and moved with them as they fought their way across Europe. “She was very close to her daughter-in-


law Gywneth, who looked after her in her final illness.” Vera was widowed at the end of the last century but still lived independently. She leaves Rodney and Gwyneth, grandchildren Susan, Robert, Nicola and Maxine, 10 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.


Iris Bule


IRIS Bule (85) lived in Eccles for 31 years, moving locally on retirement to be near her daughter Barbara. Born Iris Morris in Stockwell, south London, at the age of 17 she became the youngest supervisor at Marks&Spencer andwent on to assist her husband Jim, who worked as a schoolkeeper in Islington. Iris worked in a school in the borough for many years, and raised children Barbara and Terry. Jim Bule said: “Iriswas a great darts


player who competed for her British Legion branch, she loved football – following Chelsea – and lovedwatching tennis, especially players she supported likeAndy Murray and Roger Federer. “After moving to Maidstone Iris loved playing bingo, going to the Star Bingo at the boom of Gabriels Hill. Shewas very caring, and a loving mother whowas full of spirit.” Iris leaves her husband – to whom shewas married for 66 years – son Terry (daughter Barbara pre-deceased her), grandchildren Neil, Daniel and Kirstie and great- grandchildren Logan, Lauren and Hayden.


Cllr Paul Harper and Elliott Dean


Paul Harper said: “By working on a new cycling plan and strategy we can inform the borough and county


John Pay


JOHN Desmond Pay (83), formerly of Maidstone, worked for the Inland Revenue. He spent his final working years as chief inspector of taxes at Medvale House in Maidstone. Born in Maidstone, hewent to Maidstone Boys Grammar School. He played rugby for the school and Maidstone Rugby Club and tennis for Springfield. Johnwas father to Michelle. She said: “John and his wife Joan moved to Braintree in Essex,


where he died. Theywere married for 35 years and his funeralwas held in Braintree. My father had time for everyone. He never complained about his illness and always had a smile. He loved life and will be sadly missed. Hewas loved by all. “ John leaves his wife, daughter and granddaughter Emily and three stepchildren.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Maidstone Town May 2015 41


council of what cyclists need to make Maidstone safer to ride in.” Fellow cyclist and forum member


Elliot Dean, fromMaidstone, used to race semi-professionally for Kent. He said: “I want a town where parents feel it’s safe for children to cycle to school. We need to demonstrate to the councils that cycling can be a positive form of transport and sport and we can use our experience to help realise this.” Anyone wishing to get involved


should contact Cllr Harper at paulharper@maidstone.gov.uk


Obituaries


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