News


downsmail.co.uk Mereworth school’s good score


THE running of Mereworth Primary School has earned another “good” grade from Ofsted. It maintains the grade previously


awarded, with much of the praise going to headteacher Amanda Lavelle (pictured), who took over 19 months ago from Diane Moore. In his report, inspector Mark Cole describes the behaviour of the school’s 206 five- to 11- year-olds as “exemplary” and the work environment as “a tranquil place to learn”.


He added: “Miss Lavelle has a


very clear view about what the school does well and where it could do even better. Her plans for improvement are ambitious and focused on improving pupils’ out- comes even further.”


under threat WORKERS at an nationwide insurance firm may be under threat of redundancy. Swinton Insurance has an- nounced 900 roles in the UK are at risk as it “reviews its branch network to meet chang- ing customer demands”. Industry publication Insur-


ance Age said the broker was reviewing the size and struc- ture of its branch network as 90% of its customers now buy insurance online or over the phone. A total of 84 branches are


under review – the Maidstone branch is in King Street. Swinton has confirmed it


will now begin a formal con- sultation with all employees impacted by the proposals, adding that where possible, af- fected staff will be deployed into other parts of the business. These branch changes are in addition to the 130 closures al- ready announced in February last year. Gilles Normand, chief execu-


tive of Swinton, said: “This change is difficult for all col- leagues, especially those who are directly impacted by the proposals, but is vital ifwe are to remain competitive in a chal- lenging insurance market. “While branches continue to


be an important part of our multi-channel business model, we need to ensure that we can interact with customers when- ever, and however, they choose.”


12 Malling May 2017


He said staff provided a “broad, balanced and rich curriculum”, with pupils taught key skills, in- cluding art, from an early age. He added: “Adults are very ambitious for children and give them clear


and age-appropriate guidance about what success in learning will look like.As a result, children make good progress and achievewell.” Miss Lavelle said: “Mereworth School is a very special school with


a caring and dedicated team of staff and governors. “As the headteacher, I have had


the full support of the staff and governors to make the necessary changes needed and we are in a fantastic place to ensure we are outstanding in every area. “Our ‘can-do, growth mind-set approach’ and our values-based curriculum are at the centre of everything we do, enabling pupils to flourish and enjoy the chal- lenges in learning and the wider opportunities on offer at the school.” The school has just earned a Sil-


ver Sing-Up Award for its music provision and school choirs. The inspector’s only suggestion


was to ensure that the school’s as- sessment systems enabled teachers to plan even more effectively.


Swinton jobs Snodland primary’s ‘caring ethos’


PUPILS at a Church of England school in Snodland not only achievewell, but also acquire a car- ing attitude, according to a gov- ernment inspector. The comment came from Ofsted inspector Marcia Goodwin, who made a recent tour of the Church of England primary school in Roberts Road. She said staff, under the leader-


ship of head Holley Hunt, created an ethos and culture of nurturing that extended both to pupils and their families. She added: “The strong Chris-


tian ethos is evident in all aspects of school life. “Around the school and in class-


making good progress as a result. They are polite and friendly, and enjoy talking about their learning. Pupils are rightly proud of their school and their learning and hold a variety of roles with responsibil- ity.”


She added that an inclusive ap- proach to school life, including extra interventions to assist disad- vantaged pupils, had been success- ful, with pupils confident to talk about their learning and having a pride in their achievements. She concluded: “Pupils achieve


rooms, pupils behave well, care about each other and feel safe. “All pupils are engaged and in- terested in their learning and are


well across the school in a range of subjects, with outcomes at the end of the early years and key stages 1 and 2 at or above national figures.”


‘Justice has prevailed’ for Lauren


THE anguish of a West Malling mum whose daughter was mur- dered in Qatar four years ago boiled over this week, with Alison Patterson flying out of the country for awell-earned break. It follows intense pressure on the


mum, from Leybourne Chase, who led a high-profile fight at home and in the Middle East to get justice for the brutal killing of her daughter in Doha. In the latest turn of events, the


man found guilty of fatally stab- bing 24-year-old Lauren Patterson learned he will face the death penalty after the country’s Court of Appeal called for a retrial. A judge has told Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr he will face the ultimate punishment for killing the teacher and burning and


burying her body in the desert. In an emotional message follow-


ing the latest court ruling,mumAl- ison, who is pictured above with Lauren, admitted shewas emotion- ally drained. After months seeking justice for her daughter, she spoke of being inundated with calls and messages from the national press,


which led to her decision to have a few days break abroad. It’s a move that was fully sup- ported by her friends, who say the pressure has been incredible. On her Facebook page, Alison


wrote: “It has been so emotionally draining on the family and I am feeling very emotional, but relieved that the trial is now over. “The family remains devastated


by the senseless and tragic events of October 2013, but due to the thoroughness of the judicial process in Qatar, we now feel that justice has thankfully prevailed for Lauren. “I would like to thank all those


who have supported me during this difficult process and request that our family’s privacy be re- spected at this time.”


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