Academy Consultation
Parental Consultation - Main Hall, 7:00pm 13th September
The Ridgeway School is one of the outstanding
schools to have been offered the opportunity to convert to academy status. A
change would mean altering the legal structure and governorship of the school.
We would receive extra funding but would be required to purchase some additional
services as these would not be provided by the Local Authority.
We will consult with parents, staff and the community and are currently
investigating the offer before deciding whether to make a firm proposal.
The Ridgeway School is currently a foundation school (like almost all
former grant maintained schools). Our staff are employed by the school, not the
local authority. Our land and buildings are owned by the school. The Ridgeway’s
governors set our admissions criteria, but these must comply with the national
admissions code. Admissions arrangements would not be changed as a result of
becoming an academy. So our comprehensive status, with no admission by
selection, would be protected.
If you have a question
about a possible change to academy status you would wish us to address, please
send them to
admin@ridgeway.swindon.sch.uk
with "Academy" as the message heading.
Single Academy Article
Draft Model Funding Agreement
Annex C Funding Agreement - SEN
Annex D Funding Agreement -
Exclusions
Further Information
http://www.education.gov.uk/academies/span>
http://www.education.gov.uk/academies/faqs
Year 5 Open Mornings
Click
here for more information
HPSS and SECOND SPECIALISM –
the first casualty of government cuts
Since November 2008 and our ‘outstanding’
OFSTED result we have waited for the much delayed confirmation that we were a
High Performing Specialist School and would be awarded a second specialism.
In early March I was summoned to a attend a conference in London where,
alongside the Heads of other ‘outstanding’ schools, I was told that we had four
weeks to choose a specialism from a list of six and submit a plan to the
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. It was announced that the status
was assured and all that was required was the plan. It was confirmed that this
was not subject to any political change. As you will know, we chose
Languages specialism since it matched our current goals and gave finance to work
with primary schools; alongside this we also placed a bid for Gifted and
Talented Lead School status.
The final approval of the plan was set
for last Friday, 4th June. Assured by the then DCSF
representative in March that the status was agreed we advanced timetable
arrangements and staffing ready for a September start. In the first year
this would have given the school about £77,000 additional monies and in
subsequent years £122,000 per year. All this was much needed money to
allow for innovation and development and further progress with our work to
‘inspire learners for their future’. By email on Monday afternoon we
received the news that the new government had cut the programme and therefore
the funding although it continues for those schools who gained an ‘outstanding’
OFSTED in 2007-8 and before. This can only be described as a very late
decision and an unfair and devastating blow for the school.
Athletics Training
Athletics training is no longer on a Friday due to County and South West
Championships on the 12th and 19th June respectively
Toxic Childhood Presentation - Thursday 1st July (7:00 - 9:00pm)
Sue Palmer, who is a nationally respected authority on literacy teaching, has
more recently caused quite a stir with her books on how the modern world can
damage our children. Her book Toxic Childhood and her presentation looks at 10
aspects of childhood that need detoxing, including such topics as bedtime,
communication and technology. See below for further information.
Letter
Flyer
School Allotment Working Party Dates
We will be tending the allotment as a team on the following dates:
Thursday 17th June
Thursday 8th July
Time: 4:15pm onwards
If you are interested and would like to know where
to meet or would like to help out at another time please contact Emma Hanselman:
hanselmane@ridgeway.swindon.sch.uk or 01793 846113
School Name Change
From September 2010 The Ridgeway School will be changing its name to: "The
Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College".
National Support School
The headteacher and staff at The Ridgeway School, Wroughton have been selected
for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.
Click here
for more information.
Learn French and German with your child
Click here for more information
Exam Dates
Year 10 -
Summer 2010
Well Done Ridgeway Students 2009
A Level
44% of grades awarded were at A and B.
100% pass rate for most subjects.
GCSE
88% of year group achieved at least a C grade in English
78% achieved 5 A*-C and 58% achieved 5 A*-C with English and Maths.
26% of grades awarded were at A* / A.
31% of grades awarded were at B.
Future Dates
(click here)
Pastoral & Parents' Evenings
(click here)
Term Dates & Letters Home
(click here)