News

There are calls to allow Shepway students to benefit from the recently introduced Kent County Council free bus pass scheme; only students in what could be considered as the more affluent areas of Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury can currently apply for the card.

Folkestone and Hythe prospective Tory parliamentary candidate Damian Collins, has called for the Kent County Council “Freedom Pass” bus pass for students in school years 7 to 11 to be extended to Shepway, to make it easier for students across the District to access the grammar schools in Folkestone, and other schools of their choice.

He said: “I want parents and students to have the best opportunities to go to the school of their choice. If they get a place at one of our excellent grammar schools, I believe they should be free to take it.

“Many students, particularly those living in rural areas like Romney Marsh, find they are hit by higher school transport costs, if the school of their choice is not their nearest. This can be a significant problem for families with limited financial means."

Kent County Council recently introduced a Freedom Pass that gives the under 16s unlimited bus travel for less than £1 a week.  

Pupils at The Churchill School could soon be in business if plans to install a poly-tunnel reach fruition.

The Hawkinge and District Gardeners together with the school are applying to the Hawkinge Community Chest for funding.

In this week's edition of the school newsletter, the Churchill Times, headteacher Jennie Carter writes; "Pupils can work with skilled adults to grow bedding plants for sale."

She continues; "This will give them real skills and economic awareness and, hopefully, parents will benefit from the sale of plants and hanging baskets."
 

Teachers, staff, pupils and governors at Dover Grammar School for Girls are celebrating an exceptional report from Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools, which rated it as outstanding - one of a handful of schools in the county to be judged so highly.

The report is a glowing tribute to everyone at the school. Ofsted inspector Helen Hutchings comments: "This is an outstanding school. One parent summed up the views conveyed by many others when stating, 'I am very pleased that my daughter has the opportunity to attend such an excellent, high-achieving school.'

"Standards are very high. Students join the school with standards already above national averages. In each year group, the gap between the school and national levels of performance increases significantly, indicating outstanding progress and achievement. The school has improved the already high levels of performance found in the last inspection and is rightly proud that performance at A level was the highest in the local authority for three of the last five years.

"Another parent commented, 'DGGS is not only teaching my girls what they need to know academically but how to achieve their full potential and aim high with confidence and ability.'

"Undoubtedly the school's success is as a result of the excellence of teaching overall and a rich curriculum which provides students with an outstanding range and quality of learning activities within lessons and beyond.

"Leadership and management are outstanding. The headteacher and senior managers provide excellent leadership and are dedicated to 'academic excellence and personal fulfilment'. One parent commented on the 'welcoming atmosphere which is down to the strong influence of a caring and dynamic headteacher'. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the recent success in achieving specialist humanities status."

In a letter to students at the school, she adds: "I want to thank you for your warm welcome and the contribution you made to the inspection by talking to us about your perceptions of the school. Most of your parents commented very positively in response to our questionnaire. Since the last inspection when the school was judged to be good there have been more improvements. We agree with you that DGGS is an outstanding school."

Headteacher Judith Carlisle said: "This was a robust and thorough inspection of every aspect of school life. I feel so proud of our students and staff, whose efforts have been recognised in every Grade 1 judgement. This is a truly unique school, where every visitor recognises the happy atmosphere and the confidence of the students. To be the headteacher of such a school is a joy."

Chair of Governors John Philpott added: "Governors are delighted with Ofsted's judgement that our school community is 'outstanding' in every area inspected. It's a great team result achieved through exceptional leadership, inspired teaching, excellent support staff and enthusiastic students and parents. A rare accolade indeed, but thoroughly well-deserved."

Cabinet Member for Education John Simmonds said: "At a time when grammar schools are in the spotlight it is so pleasing to hear this news. My sincere congratulations to everyone at the school on this achievement."

A copy of the report is available online at www.dggs.kent.sch.uk (link opens in a new window)
 
 

Time is running out to buy the last few tickets and remember every penny raised goes directly to Selsted School

Dear Editor,

I am a mother of a 12 year old and a 10 year old and both know the basics of sex education.

I feel that in this day and age more children seem to be developing earlier and need to know the basic sex education to alleviate natural fears of their body changes. Also I think that given the information earlier may help to reduce the number of under age pregnancies (it wont stop all of them there will always be the inquisitive ones).

The moral side of the equation should be down to the parents but not all parents are able to communicate with their children well enough to put the issue cross. When teaching them they must be taught the dangers of std's of course and also the American idea of the computerised baby dolls which the children have to take care of are a good idea in preventing pre-adult parenting. I dont mean BABY ANABELLE types but the full on screaming, teething, pooing, grumpy real life dolls. Perhaps a proper supervised 'course' set in age groups and discussing basics including morals and responsibilities at early age through to std's, values, self respect and contraception at year 6/7 (10/11/12 years)should be organised like a youth group, we have a community centre but it is little used for this sort of thing.

I'm sure that for the older ones, health officials could be invited to talk, they are not all straight laced and boring and are geared to educate. And I know from experience that by the time they get to secondary school most of them know already from other children, television, advertising and other sources.

I think what we actually need is education in stages, to reflect the childrens own physical developments. They are taught PSHE (religion, social awareness and how to behave - anti bullying, anti racism)at Primary schools, so they are already being taught family, religious and social values.

It is a very complex subject and yes a lot of the onus should be on the parents, but an earlier education is beneficial.

Jamesem

Dear Editor,

I have noted in recent days County Councillor Susan Carey has used her position as number two in education at County Hall to support the Headteacher and Governors at Churchill School. No harm in that.

It's just a pity she used that same position in an ill informed attempt to try and close another of our local schools, namely Selsted.

Cllr Colin Tearle 
Chairman Swingfield Parish Council

Cllr Susan Carey and Jennie Carter

Mrs Carter had invited Cllr Carey to visit to see the plans for a 'Snoezelen'. 

This is special room to provide a soothing atmosphere and is particularly valued by children with sensory or learning disabilities.

'Snoezelen' is a word made up from two Dutch words meaning to snuffle and to doze. The concept originated in the Netherlands and has spread worldwide. 

Susan commented, 'The Churchill School was the very first school I visited when I became a County Councillor. I've seen many good schools since but none better. It's typical of Jennie and her team that they are introducing yet another improvement to facilities at the school.'

Dear Ed,

Six does sound young to start sex and relationship education but if there's any school that I would trust to do this it's The Churchill School.

The Churchill School is as good at looking after children's emotional development as it is in the more traditional subjects and, in my view, is one of the best schools in Kent.

Sex and relationship education at primary school level is a decision for the school governors in consultation with the parents. Parents have the right to 'opt out' of the sex and relationship lessons DVD for their children but they don't have a right of veto over other parents' choice to 'opt in'

Careys

Dear Ed,

It's okay giving children sex education if it's taught properly. First they need to be taught about self respect. 

The girls as well as the boys have unprotected sex with whom they want when they want, girls used to be call slappers years ago if they slept around. 

They don't teach them about family values, or waiting until you meet the right person before you sleep together, or what you can catch by sleeping around, they think it's uncool to be taught these things. 

The earlier a child is given a sex education, the earlier they try it without any thought about the consequences. 

Children need to be taught self respect, discipline, responsibility and consequences, before they even think about sex education, that goes for everything in life really. X

Nicky123

Dear Ed,

Re:- Outrage at school's graphic sex education video

The BBC TV report about The Churchill School's decision to show the sex education video we have all had the opportunity to watch on several occasions at school was pointless.

I give Jennie Carter and the governors my support in the decision to use this material and of course respect the fact that some parents are choosing to remove their children from that input. 

I think it is a great shame that some parents felt the need to make a fuss and contact the BBC when clearly the decision lies with them to include or exclude their child. 

As far as the implications of being removed and the subsequent bullying some parents seem to fear, I think that the school will be able to deal with any bullying issues very well. The staff are very much on top of things when it comes to listening to pupils, dealing with unacceptable behaviour and making pupils feel safe and secure within the school community.

Sex education at my school was just factual and did not explain anything about love and respect - this program does! 

I think it is up to each family to decide whether they want to teach their children or let the school assist them. Open dialogue with children is better than making the whole subject a taboo when those very children are easily subjected to so much inappropriate information on television. Those of you who let your children have televisions in their rooms - Do you really know what they are watching late at night?

Parents are not forced or pressured into having their children take part in the lesson - we all have a choice and our decisions are respected.

Nadine