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downsmail.co.uk Head leaves for support job
THE principal of Holmesdale Techology College, Snodland, has been seconded to Swadelands School, Lenham for six months.
Julia Campbell will be working
with the senior team at the second- ary school as it prepares for an Of- sted inspection. With Mrs Campbell as head, Holmesdalewas awarded a grade 2 after its latest inspection last year and rated “good” in all categories. The Ofsted report praised her for being “relentless in her successful drive to improve teaching and raise standards”. Swadelandswas last inspected by
Ofsted in 2012 when the 706-pupil school, headed by Richard Badde- ley, received a grade 2 “good” over- all grade. In a letter to Holmesdale parents,
Visitors enjoy
apple festival Continued from page one
to chop and press them into 20 gal- lons of juice while being serenaded by music duo Llunic. Much of the juice was consumed
on the spot, but some families brought their own containers to take some home to enjoy the next day.
Project leader Pippa Palmar said:
“We had a fantastic day with so many families taking part in our very first Apple Fest at Macey’s Meadow Orchard. The children and parents picked and picked, the apples were carted back by tractor and trailer and then the chopping began. “Then itwas all hands to the deck
to fill the crusher and chop the ap- ples before they entered the press. Everybody said they had never tasted such delicious apple juice.” The recipe competition was won
by Maggie Berry with an apple mincemeat cake and the tied sec- ond prize winnerswere Carl Green with some apple and blackberry leather and Catherine Whitehead with an apple loaf.
Formore local news
FOR the fourth year running, Ton- bridge and Malling Council has been awarded a top honour from the RSPCAfor achieving high standards when dealing with stray dogs. Theaward puts the borough in the
top 15% of local authorities nation- ally for its service. The council said theaward recognised the dedication of dogwarden Lorraine Baseden. In the 12 months ending in April, the borough council dealt with 265
18 Malling October 2015
Mrs Campbell, whowas previously head of school at Astor of Hever, Maidstone, said: “The local author- ity is increasingly looking at leader- ship capacity in schools to identify existing leaders to support schools that might be struggling. “The local authority has looked at
the structure within our Malling Holmesdale Federation and is aware that at principal level, due to the existence of the executive princi- pal, there is capacity. “They have identified a particular
school in need of support and given the nature of the issues within the school and my skillset and experi- ence they have requested that I go to
work in the school. As head teach- ers we have a moral duty to assist where required and I have always actively encouraged our staff to link with other schools.” Holmesdale’s executive principal
Patrick Hannaway, who will take over the head teacher role in Mrs Campbell’s absence, said: “The school needed a package of support. They are getting ready for an Ofsted and Mrs Campbell is very skilled and experienced.” A KCC spokesman said Mrs Campbell (pictured) was being sec- onded to Swadelands until Easter, adding: “She will be working with the senior management team.”
Jo is M&S role model
A KINGS HILL accountant has been selected to front amajor charity ad- vertising splash by retail giantM&S. Jo Ostermeyer (41) who works for
the Charities Aid Foundation, is one of seven women to have survived breast cancer chosen by the store to launch a new range of lingerie, aimed at women who have under- gone mastectomy. Jo, from Penenden Heath, was di- agnosed in 2008 and underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and ra- diotherapy in 2009. A volunteer speaker for Breast
Cancer Care, Jo was delighted to be selected for the fashion shoot and advertising campaign, promoting post-surgery bras, designed by model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Thiswas the second major model-
ling assignment for Jo in as many months. She took part in the 2015 Breast
Cancer Care fashion show at Lon- don’s Grosvenor House Hotel to launch Breast Cancer Awareness month, modelling stunning clothes from a variety of top designers. A keen sport and music lover, Jo
www.downsmail.co.uk Dog warden’s work rewarded
goes to about 20 live gigs each year and also travels with her curling team.
Childminder
‘welcoming’ A CHILDMINDER from Snodland has been praised for providing a welcoming home and for her sound understanding of how chil- dren learn and develop. An Ofsted inspector who visited
Kirsty Hall’s Ashbee Close home said: “The childminder has a secure understanding of how to promote children’s health and well-being. She knows how to create daily op- portunities for children to learn outside and benefit from fresh air and physical play.” There was further praise for her
During one competition earlier
this year, in Italy, €1,000 was col- lected for Breast Cancer Care and presented to her for the charity. Jo said: “As soon as my diagnosis
was announced I received incredible support from all over the world.” However, she said the cancer di- agnosis has also changed her atti- tude to life. “After the initial shock I decided
to take back control fromcancer and have been very open about my ex- perience.”
efforts to improve the learning en- vironment, with the inspector’s re- port noting: “She reflects on her practice and thinks of ways she could adapt it to benefit children. The childminder continues to at- tend related training courses to fur- ther her knowledge in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for any children she may care for.” The childminder setting was
found to meet all the legal require- ments for early years, but as no childrenwere present at the time of the visit, it was not possible for the inspector to make a judgment on the quality of the early years’ pro- vision.
stray dogs – 40% up on the previous year. The majority were reunited with their owners thanks to details on the micro-chips or dog collar tags. However, 76 dogs had to be re- homed. The council won gold in the RSPCA’s stray dog services award. It offers an out-of-hours collection service for strays, kennelling, micro- chipping and runs pro-active work to encourage responsible ownership.
Cllr Jill
Anderson celebrates receiving the award with dog warden Lorraine Baseden
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