JUDGES awarded the College, which has campuses across Basildon, Southend and Thurrock, for its “broad range of activities which have been achieved and obvious enthusiasm, which provides substantial opportunity for ongoing engagement from staff and students.”
SPY CAMERAS in a Stanford-le-Hope school have been hailed a success. Last year, Big Brother Watch released the results of a Freedom of Information request. It revealed that Hassenbrook Academy were one of over 200 schools in the country that had cameras either in toilets and/or changing rooms. However, in a report on their website, technology providers, ClearView Communications have published a review that highlights the success of the installations.
THE children at Benyon Primary School enjoyed a visit from our local library, to receive their free Book Start packs. Sally from the library showed the children how easy it is to become a member of the library. She then enjoyed sharing the Charlie and Lola book as the children read along with their own copy of the book.
EARLIER this term Woodside won the Thurrock Bike It challenge and in order to keep his promise of cycling a mile for every child’s bike or scooter journey Tim had to cycle to Brighton and back twice. On her own initiative last week a Woodside pupil raised over £50 with a sponsored bike ride to add to the academy’s £750 for Children in Need raised by a cake sale.
CLLR Kent said: “The council’s education team, Gateway Academy and Manor’s head and governing body have come up with a scheme which should solve the short-term places issue and keep both Manor and the free school viable. “We’re not sure if this sort of thing has been tried elsewhere, but as far as I can see, it is a win-win for everybody involved – schools, parents and most importantly, the children themselves.”
PLANS to expand a Thurrock primary school are set to go ahead after Thurrock Council’s cabinet agreed the move on Wednesday (13 November) evening. Following a consultation which showed most people were in favour of doubling the intake of Bonnygate Primary in South Ockendon from one form of entry (30 pupils) to two, members backed the £1.8 million plan.
THE majority of prizes are provided by the William Palmer College Educational Trust, who generously give a huge amount each year to the students in prize money and help with financial assistance in other areas. This is a unique benefit that the College and its students are fortunate to have. Other prizes are kindly sponsored by individuals or local businesses with a current or past connection to the College. This year saw a new prize, the Health & Social Care Award in memory of Anthonia Afelumo, kindly sponsored by The AOFAC Foundation. Anthonia a former Palmer’s student, sadly passed away in September 2012, and was herself nominated for a prize last year, which her mother collected on her behalf.
GOVERNMENT watchdog Ofsted has produced a highly critical report on the standards of performance at Palmer's College in Thurrock.
The last report classified the college as "Outstanding" but the latest report has placed the college in the "Requires Improvement" category. The findings of the report may well go hand-in-hand with the recent education commission which uncovered that only 1% of all Thurrock students gain three A levels at AAB (the standard required to enter the top 25 universities in GB). The national average is 8%.
THE last junior and infant school combination in Thurrock could be set to amalgamate following a meeting of Thurrock Council’s cabinet on Wednesday (13 November). Members heard from infant school chair of governors Angie Gaywood – a cabinet member who left the room during the discussion.
She said the amalgamation was an idea which came from the two schools which had been “working closely together for 18 months and share a leadership team” and one governing body which has led to “rapid school improvement”.
A STANFORD-LE-HOPE parent is angry that their daughter was asked to take their poppy off for a school photograph. Tony Bentham's daughter is in year 6 at St Joseph's RC primary on Southend Road. The class were set to have their photograph taken but before they were going to be snapped, their teacher asked them all to remove the poppies.
WOODSIDE Academy produced two remarkable performances at the Shakespeare Schools Festival at the Thameside Theatre.
The students were not over-awed by the other schools that...
Mike Peters, the council’s new Strategic Leader, School Improvement, Learning and Skills, told members there were improvements at all key stages although some were improving more than others.
The report Headline Key Stage Results states: “As a result of intensive support and training for Early Years teaching and moderation in settings and schools, outcomes for Foundation Stage are above national, as are GCSE and individual subjects at Key Stage 1.”
ON Thursday 7Th November pupils at Woodside Academy are performing at the Thameside Theatre Grays as part of the Shakespeare School’s Festival. The nationwide festival gives young people the opportunity to work with professionals in the arts and perform live theatre. Woodside has two classes in year 5 taking part performing an african themed Macbeth and a modern day Romeo and Juliet.
A CONTROVERSIAL teaching method adopted by Treetops special needs school was the focus of an hour-long documentary on BB4 on Tuesday night. First developed in California in the 1960s, ABA uses a system of rewards to change children's behaviour and teach them new skills.
