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downsmail.co.uk Village school’s Ofsted praise


KINGSWOOD Primary School has been praised by Ofsted as a “peaceful and nurturing school” which continues to maintain a good quality of education.


Executive headteacher Emma Hickling received a special acco- lade for her strong leadership. In its first short inspection carried


out since it was judged to be good in May 2013, the schoolwas said to have improved outcomes for pupils and ensured that those who need to catch up make good progress. InspectorMark Cole, who visited


in March, found that “almost all pupils behave well” and “lunch and break times are calm and pur- poseful”. Pupils take great pride in their work and their school envi- ronment. Writing to Miss Hickling, he said


that she and the head of school, DarrenWaters, had a very clear un- derstanding of what the Cayser Drive school did well and what could be even better. “You have identified that pupils require even more opportunities to develop their problem-solving and reasoning skills in mathematics”, he said. Leaders had created an inclusive


school and also had a clear and un- wavering commitment to the well- being of staff and all pupils. Rates of fixed-term exclusions and inci- dents of serious poor behaviour were declining. Vulnerable pupils received a


wide range of effective support and staff knew pupils very well and worked closely with families and a wide range of external agencies. Safeguarding policies and practices were effective. The school had been asked at its


last inspection to reduce the num- ber of unnecessary pupil absences and leaders had done this. The at- tendance level of all pupils had im- proved in 2016 and this had been sustained and built on this year. The amount of holidays taken dur- ing term time had been reduced. Mr Cole said that recent initia-


tives had led more Gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils and children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities coming to school regularly. However, not


enough disadvantaged pupils at- tended regularly. In a letter to parents and carers,


Ms Hickling and Mr Waters said the inspector clearly stated “That we have worked on the areas of de- velopment from the previous in- spection and have continued to improve the provision for pupils. “We would like to thank all the


staff and pupils for their hard work over the year and during the day of the inspection and to thank you for your support during the process.”


‘Inspiring’ head pleased by report


Join hunt for water voles


VOLUNTEERS are needed to help look for water voles in Kent following a rapid decline. Wildlife charity People’s


Trust for Endangered Species is asking helpers to record all sightings and signs of the en- dangered creature. The species has experienced


the most dramatic decline of any wild mammal in the UK over the last century. As part of a national pro- gramme, Kent residents are asked to survey a pre-selected site and report findings back to conservationists at the trust. This will be the third year the


survey has been done. Water voles were once a common sight along river banks andwa- terways, but numbers have de- clined due to pollution, changing agricultural methods and the impact of non-native American mink. To find out more or to take


part in the programme, visit www.ptes.org/watervoles.


4 Maidstone Weald May 2017


HEADTEACHER Paul Ryanwas praised as an “inspirational and determined leader” in the latest Ofsted report on St Margaret’s CE School in Collier Street. The primary schoolwas judged as


good following the inspector’s visit in March. Thiswas the first short inspection since it received a “good” grade in July 2013. Inspector Seamus Murphy told Mr


Ryan: “You work tirelessly to provide the best education possible for the pupils in your care. Children enjoy a better start to their education and all pupils benefit froma creative and lively curriculum.” Parents had reported that the


school was “fantastic” andwere positive about Mr Ryan’s leadership. Childrenwere doingwell in the


early years and younger pupils in the school really enjoyed reading. Older pupils made good progress, and were preparedwell for their next stage of education. Mr Murphy said; “Pupils thrive because all staff have a thorough


Headteacher Paul Ryan with some of the pupils from St Margaret’s School in Collier Street, which has maintained its good Ofsted rating


understanding of their strengths and foibles. Pupils relish school because they feel part of a community.” The Christian ethoswas promoted


effectively and the curriculumwas a real strength of the school. The school had successfully


addressed areas that required attention fromthe previous report such as the quality of handwriting and a new maths curriculum.


Caravan blaze holds up trains


COMMUTERS faced delays when trains were held while the fire brigade dealt with a caravan fire in Hampstead Lane, Yalding. It broke out around 5.30pm on


April 5 in a derelict building and spread to the caravan. Kent Fire and Rescue Service


crews used a hose reel jet to tackle the fire that also involved a cara- van, which was destroyed in the blaze. The building suffered extensive


fire damage, but therewere no re- ported injuries and the cause of the blaze was unknown.


A new library building, established


with extensive fundraising, was used verywell and more than a quarter of the school attended reading club. Mr Ryan said: “The school is


delighted with the findings of our latest inspection, especially the acknowledgement of the creative and lively curriculum. We are also very pleased that it recognises our close community.”


Quiz night cash


A QUIZ night has raised £1,265 for Headcorn Scouts. The money raised at Egerton Vil-


lage Hall will be used to fund the group’s four units, comprising Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explor- ers, and will be followed by another quiz on Saturday, October 14.


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