SCHOOL NEWS
Sherborne’s Ted has successful summer
Congratulations to Fifth Former at Sherborne School, Ted Hunt for having come to the end of a highly successful career with his two 13.2 ponies. Ted took on a new project during lockdown 2020 a complete novice 14.2 pony who he successfully partnered to second place in the 2020/21 British Show Jumping Southwest League, and qualified for the British Show Jumping National Championships this summer, where they achieved second place in the Discovery class. They then went on to win the Newcomers at Aintree International. Ted’s aim now is to qualify for the Nationals at this level next year, as well as the Scope Festival and Bluechip Championships.
Soldiers’ Support with Lateral Flow Tests
Blandford Camp must be congratulated for their exceptional support during September in helping Blandford School with lateral flow testing of students. Mrs Sally Wilson, Headteacher, said “I’m delighted not only with their support of this initiative but also the ongoing partnership work between the Camp and The Blandford School. Over the course of two days, Signallers volunteered to help the school with the testing of students. Their assistance in undertaking this vital work in support of keeping our community safe helped us to ensure a smooth start of term for all. It was a delight to work so closely with the Signallers.
Headteacher is appointed for Dorset Council’s SEND school in Shaftesbury Katie Charles has been appointed as the Headteacher of Dorset Council’s new school for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Katie has worked as a professional scientist before a career in education, with experience of both mainstream and special education. Katie is looking forward to welcoming the students. She said: “Our new school is part of a family of amazing special schools in Dorset and I look forward to joining them in providing even more high quality education provision to meet growing needs.” The new school is a central
part of the Dorset Centre of Excellence project on the former St Mary’s School site in Shaftesbury. It will open in 2022, with an initially small cohort of children, which will grow to around 280 students over the next five years. The Dorset Centre of Excellence will also offer training and courses, making use of stateof-the-art facilities, including provision for arts, culture, music and sport. The school will be recruiting staff as it grows. Jobs will be advertised on the Dorset Council Jobs website in the coming weeks. Dorset Council took the step of
securing the extensive site to meet the growing need for more high-quality special education provision. The new school is part of the council’s wider £37.5 million plan to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND. 59
