EDUCATION
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Grand design for Conifers Famous woodsman Ben Law has led a project to build a camp in the school playing fields at Conifers, Easebourne
Ben Law at the entrance to the camp bursting with Conifers children
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en and his two apprentices have provided an extra outdoor classroom activity for all the children and brought a new dimension to this term’s topic, ‘Structure and Pattern’. A large ash tree formed the central vertical of the structure with a frame around it. Ben chose sweet chestnut for the main structure because of its durability, with zales hammered into the ground to create the frame for the hazel weave. A spiral staircase was carved out of the soil around the tree as the main entry point to the camp. In keeping with the school’s name, conifer branches formed the roof, providing a rich green canopy over the woven frame. Each class got involved: the seniors helped put the main structure together; the middle years took responsibility for weaving; and the younger years brought the branches of fir through the camp and helped thread smaller pieces into the roof. The finished camp blends in with the landscape by using totally natural materials. All the children, from Reception through to Year 6, will enjoy this triumph of structure and pattern. Ben became a celebrity some six years ago when Channel 4’s Grand Designs showed him building his house in the woods near Lodsworth, where he runs his charcoal making, coppice crafts, and round wood timber-framing business.
Herne aims high A successful renewal programme aims to put Herne Junior School back in the top 10% of schools in the country, reports Tony Markham, Head Teacher
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he school has undergone the renewal programme after being declared to be failing and put into ‘Special Measures’ in 2005 – a rapid fall from grace as Ofsted named it one of the top 150 schools in the country in 1998. Having moved from Special Measures to a ‘Notice to Improve’ in 2007, Ofsted found that the senior staff provided ‘outstanding leadership’ the following year. This year, the
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school has celebrated its best SATS results in Maths and English when taken together. The school benefits from a large leadership team, and more than 20 teaching assistants support the children, including those with dyslexia, with maths, reading and writing difficulties, and with their emotional needs. From September, specialist teaching assistants are supporting and challenging the
most able pupils to stretch them even further. This year, the school has achieved the national Enhanced Healthy Schools Award. The very hardworking and expert office staff and Governors have also gained the government’s Financial Management Award. With an ethos for educating children beyond the curriculum, there are over 30 clubs and activities run by a variety of staff from within and outside the school. These clubs include gardening, car racing, cooking, athletics, football and music. Staff and volunteers from the community have worked to improve the grounds, which
include a pond with a variety of wildlife, an outside classroom, playtime games, an organic garden and huge playing fields. The children enjoy all these facilities and contribute their ideas for improving the school through their School Council. Our school is well on its way to achieving its mission to regain its place back in the top 10% of schools in the country. We will keep working hard to make Herne an exciting place to learn, make friends and have fun! Love Lane, Petersfield, GU31 4BP. 01730 263746 admin@herne.hants.sch.uk www.herne.hants.sch.uk 17