The Clitheroe


Crowds lim s t walkfor - ty - Pauline K 1


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Valley schools top county list


by Duncan Smith


TWO Ribble Valley schools - Bow- land High and Edisford Primary - are among just 14 in Lancashire identified as “outstanding” in the annual report of Her Majesty's


Chief Inspector of Schools. Published yesterday, the report iden­


tifies and celebrates schools, colleges and early years care and education providers inspected during the academ­ ic year 2005/06. Schools and colleges listed in the


report were judged to be outstanding in their overall effectiveness. For both Bowland High School, at


Grindleton, and Edisford Primary School, in Clitheroe, it is their first time on the list and a significant achieve­ ment. Mr Stephen Cox, who took over as


headteacher at Bowland High this sum­ mer, commented: “ I am absolutely delighted that Bowland’s achievements have been recognised nationally and it is a real credit to the pupils, staff, par­ ents, governing body and the wider school community tha t we are one of only a handful of schools in the county judged to be outstanding. “As the new headteacher at Bowland,


it provides me with a tremendous step­ ping-stone to ensure the school goes on to even greater achievements. “A great deal of credit must also be


given to Maurice Graham, the previous headteacher, who helped ensure such high standards were achieved at the school. “Since the Ofsted inspection we have


had even more exciting developments, including greater vocational opportuni­ ties for pupils, closer collaboration with other schools and the extension of PE opportunities with improved facilities and staffing. “A major new focus is on further


developing our use of ICT across the school. “I am confident that Bowland will go


from strength to strength as constant improvement is a t the heart of our ethos.” Mr Rob Pye, headteacher at Edisford


Primary, said: “We are delighted to be named in the list. The staff, children and parents work as one and richly deserve this accolade. “Since the inspection the school has


continued developing and enhancing its curriculum and we are regularly visited by other schools to share the good prac­ tice. “The school received Grade 1 in all


the areas of the inspection. This in itself is a very rare achievement. In particu­ lar the school was described as having an exceptional community spirit in which the children are avid learners. The quality of teaching is described as excellent, with the school having an exemplary approach for tracking pupils achievements and a wide range of activ­ ities to enhance the curriculum. “With exceptionally strong leader­


ship in the school, there were no issues raised by the inspection.- “In July the school was also awarded


the Lancashire Best Practice Award for developing a unique system of person­ alised learning. This was presented by the High Sheriff of Lancashire at a cer­ emony held at County Hall Preston.” Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of


Schools, Christine Gilbert, said: “My congratulations go out to all involved in these outstanding schools, colleges and early years settings for their success in delivering such a high standard of edu­ cation and care. I am delighted to recognise their achievement and pay tribute to their work.” This year, outstanding providers have


been given a specially-developed “out­ standing” logo which they can use on documents and their websites to com­ municate their achievement.


RHIAN with her American friend Stephanie celebrating a 20-year friendship (A21110G/1)


All the way from the USA


TRANS-ATLANTIC penpals have celebrated a 20-year anniver­ sary. Rhian McKenzie and


Stephanie Seiler met in 1986 on an exchange arranged by Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. The pair’s first meeting was on


home turf for Rhian - the Ribble Valley, and then the following year she travelled to Iowa for the return visit. Over the next few years the pals


telephoned regularly and manag- I continued on page 2


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Thursday, November 23rd, 2006 No. 6,278 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clithoroetoday.co.uk Price GOp vertiser an imes ■ r'y


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