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Grammar school slips to ‘good’Ofsted grade


Ask the Expert


MAIDSTONE Grammar School has slipped from being an “out- standing” to a “good” school after itsmost recentOfsted inspection. HeadmasterMark Tomkins has


written to parents accepting the “entirely fair, accurate and realis- tic” assesment of the school’s pres- ent position. Now the 570-year-old school,


which has nearly 1,300 students, has invited families and carers in for aQ&Asession on February 26. Inspectorswent to theBartonRoad


Eyesight is precious and therefore we all know that we need to look after our eyes, but with 14,000 registered Optometrists in the UK how do you choose the right one for you and what’s the difference between them all?


LOCAL businesses are as important an element to community life as a parish council, cricket club or the Women’s Institute. Here at the Downs Mail we have always recognised the pivotal role commerce plays in a vibrant, thriving economy. Be they small, medium or large enterprises, we have tried to celebrate the great things they bring jobs, career paths, training, entrepreneurship, industry awards, innovation and prestige.


school on January 15 and 16. The last inspectionwas in 2013. Mr Tomkins, pictured, writes:


“Governors identifiedthe verymany positive aspects of the report and re- main confident that young people who receive their education atMGS will leaveverywellpreparedtomake the most of future opportunities. Governors recognise, however, that improvements are needed in respect of teaching and learning and fully


Alisdair Buchanan has been voted Optometrist of the Year and his practice Buchanan Optometrists in Snodland has been voted the best in the UK, winning so many awards that Alisdair was asked to judge the 2018 Optician awards. So we asked him to explain…


That is why we have been promoting our recently enhanced Business Notice Board (BNB) at downsmail.co.uk in recent months.


And it is paying off. Our BNB is rapidly becoming a place where the business world can communicate with one another, share ideas, offer advice, drum up business or simply promote themselves. And it is completely FREE to use.


Aren’t all eye tests the same?


You can use it as many times as you like without having to pay a penny. Perhaps you have news you’d like to share, seek tenders for an important contract, trumpet a new product or put feelers out for specialist expertise. Feel free. Use it, it’s yours!


Taking notice


ORGANISATIONS are able to make as many entries and use as many categories as they wish on our Business Notice Board.


help to improve reading speed and fluency by up to ten times.


Glasses, what’s the difference?


They can upload an image, headline, detailed text, contact details and links to their own and associated websites. The service is quick and easy to use go to the business notice board page on our website and just click on the red post your free listing here button or submit your business news link to get started.


support thework already underway in this area as the best means of bringing about those improve- ments.” The Ofsted teamnoted that GCSE


Directory advert


Certainly not, a lot of practices fulfil the basic requirements for a sight test but no more. Examinations at my practice range from 45-90 minutes allowing us to perform a plethora of additional tests, scans and examinations. Many practices are still relying on technology


100 years ago to diagnose conditions like glaucoma. The OCT scanning machine we use in practice (there are only a few dozen in the U.K) can diagnose glaucoma up to 8 years sooner than standard tests which means the chances of preventing sight loss and progression are significantly better. We also offer additional clinics for dry eyes - using the latest Pulsed Light treatment to offer lasting improvement rather than just over the counter


invented over


dyslexia, Irlen Syndrome and reading difficulties which can


drops, clinics for


and A level results dipped in 2017, but school leaders instituted “rigor- ous accountability systems” tomon- itor progress. The 2018 results were not taken into account. The inspec- tors’ conclusionswere generallypos-


THE Downs Mail Business Directory is a searchable database of local businesses, suppliers and tradespeople where companies can advertise for a year for just £48 plus VAT.


Like all products, there are varying degrees of the quality of spectacle frames. A better- quality product should last longer, be more comfortable, lighter, stronger, come in various sizes or made to measure to fit you properly and also be designed for your lenses and prescription. A lot of practices use unqualified staff to help you choose your spectacles (there is no legal requirement to be qualified). I only use university qualified dispensing Opticians to help you select


very important) but how the frame sits on your face, the centration of the lenses, the height, curvature and distance from your eyes that the frame sits all need to be taken into consideration to ensure a perfectly functioning product.


frames. Having the right frame is not just about looking good (although


this is A great experience obviously


“We are new advertisers from 2018, our experience has been great. We couldn't believe the response we had from the publication.


Lenses, surely they’re all the same?!


This couldn’t be further from the truth. Gone are the days when thickness and coatings were the only discernible difference


Helen Yourston Director, B2B Events


between lenses.


itive, butKent educationexpertPeter Readsaidthat its “examperformance is poor in grammar school terms”. He said: “It is a semi-super selec-


tive school,whichgivespreference to high-performing pupils, sowhy is it doing so badly in relative terms? Having said that, it is an Oftsed re- port most other schools would de- sire.” The Ofsted report concludes the


management has improved teaching quality, but there are still inconsis- tencies. The report says: “Better teaching over the last 18 months means that outcomes have im- proved.Attainment iswell above na- tional levels. The progress made by current pupils is good.” Inspectors rated pupils’ personal


development, behaviour andwelfare as outstanding. The curriculum is “broad, rich


your spectacle


downsmail.co.uk Road closure


THERE is a nine-day road closure inMaidstone so that a zebra cross- ing can be installed. Grovewood Drive North and


New Cut Road were due to close fromFebruary 16 for nine days. Grovewood Drive North will


close from New Cut Road to Provender Way. The alternative route is viaProvenderWay,Grove- woodDrive South,NewCut Road and vice versa. New Cut Road will close from


and ambitious” and the headmas- ter and deputies “lead the school with passion and determination”.


Lovely people to deal with, very efficient, we would strongly recommend anyone to give it a go.”


For over a decade we have not measured clients for spectacle lenses using a ruler. Instead we use a specialist camera to measure every detail of your face and chosen frame to ensure the lenses can be designed for your specific requirements, this allows us to produce diamond cut lenses, adjusted at over a thousand points across the lens for pinpoint sharpness and the thinnest, lightest lenses possible, improving your field of view by up to 40%! Everyone places different demands on their vision – a HGV driver, Teacher, Golfer and someone who works with IT will all have different and specific needs. We tailor each and every lens to the individual, your profession, hobbies or sport.


Grovewood Drive North to Bearsted Road from 8pm to 6am. The alternative route is via A20 Ashford Road, A20 Andrew Broughton Way, A249 Sitting- bourneRoad,A249BearstedRoad, NewCut Road and vice versa.


May Day fun


VISITORS to Kent Life in San- dling can dance along with tradi- tional morris dancers as part of MayDay celebrations. The attraction is also planning a


parade and crowning ceremony for its 2019 Royal Court – the new May King, Queen, Prince and Princesses, as well as a tug of war and fair ground rides. For details, visitwww.kentlife.org.uk.


Business Focus


News


Call our sales team now Response you can believe in.


If you have any further questions you would like to get Alisdair’s opinion on please email info@ optometrists.co.uk or visit www.optometrists.co.uk.


Appointments at Buchanan Optometrists can be booked on


01622 630330 01622 535701


Mid Kent Living Spring Edition deadline 11th March 2019. Book now to avoid disappointment.


Maidstone March 2019 9


Detling Antiques, Vintage &


Collectors Fair


Up to 300 exhibitors in two buildings, marquees & outside offering a wide range of antiques, vintage, retro and collectables.


Sat 12th & Sun 13th January 2019


Cash only entrance:


Saturday: 8.30am (early entry) Saturday: 10am - 4.30pm Sunday: 10am - 3.30pm


Kent County Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF.


Tel: 01636 676531 www.b2bevents.info


- £6 - £5 - £4


£1 off entry


on production of original advert


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