Education

School praised in Ofsted’s report

A BLANDFORD school has been praised for having a 'caring ethos'.

Ofsted inspectors visited Milldown CofE Academy in October and their newlyreleased report rates the school as 'good' in all areas – and overall.

“Leaders are ambitious to provide pupils with a broad and exciting curriculum from the time they start in Reception,” inspectors said.

“The curriculum is well planned. It sets out the key knowledge pupils need to know, understand and remember.”

It said story time is an important time of the day, with an emphasis put on reading for youngsters.

But the experience doesn't end in the classroom, they noted.

“Leaders provide a range of experiences beyond the academic curriculum,” they said. “Hopes and Aspirations Week gives pupils the opportunity to learn about a range of professions.

“Leaders ensure pupils are ready for the next stage of their education.”

Children also learn the ‘importance of respect and tolerance towards other’, the report notes, and that governors ‘know what is working well and what needs to improve’.

“Pupils are polite, courteous and well mannered,” the report added.

“There is a calm and orderly atmosphere in school and on the playground. Pupils enjoy school, feel safe and attend regularly.”

Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the school said: “We strive to create caring, thoughtful and passionate children who are proud of themselves and the communities they live in, and we are pleased that Ofsted recognised this and praised the school and the children for this.

“Our favourite quote from the report has to be this from

Milldown CofE Academy in Blandford was rated ‘good’ overall PHOTO: Milldown CofE Primary.

one of our children: ‘We don't just want to join the world, we want to make a positive difference to it.’

“This truly lives out our vision of 'Inspire-BelieveAchieve'.”

To read the report in full, log on to https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/ v1/file/50200302.

Hanford triumphs at show jumping

PUPILS from across the year groups at Hanford School, Child Okeford, took part in the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) Grassroots and Regional Points League (RPL) competitions at Moreton Equestrian Centre.

The girls came away with rosettes in every class, many of them being placed first in their class.

Hanford won the 40cm class, 50cm class, 60cm class, 75cm class (pictured) and came second in the 85cm class. In addition, many girls were placed individually.

Head of riding at Hanford Charley Pearson said: “This was a wonderful team effort – everyone played their part beautifully, including the ponies!

“I was proud of how the girls supported and encouraged each other. A big thank you to the parents who helped by transporting ponies and girls to Moreton and got them to the rings at the right time, in the right kit. This was no mean feat at 9am on a Sunday!”

Riding lessons are an important part of Hanford life and, as well as riding, the girls learn how to look after the ponies. Hanford is a Pony Club-linked centre and has its own indoor school.

Education

Back in time for 150th anniversary

CHILDREN at St Nicholas Primary School in Henstridge got all dressed up in Victorian costume to mark the school’s 150th anniversary.

Staff, pupils, governors and parents enjoyed the special Victorian Day, which also included traditional games, visitor sessions and a 150th birthday celebration cake – and the chance to look at the school’s 150-year-old logbook (pictured).

The youngest pupils made a time capsule and it was buried just outside the village hall on the new boules pitch.

The school has also celebrated the long service of the dedicated and hard-working Sandra Raison, a member of staff for 35 years.

Parents: help just a text message away

PARENTS and carers in need of health support and advice can now get it by text.

Parentline, a confidential texting service, has launched in Dorset to support those with children aged from five to 19.

Run by Dorset HealthCare’s School Nursing team, the service offers advice on a range of issues including toileting, sleep, development, behaviour, healthy eating, mental health, bullying, school refusal and exam stress.

Parents and carers simply need to text 07312 263131 and a member of the team will respond.

ParentLine has already been supporting parents and carers of children up to the age of five for just over a year.

One parent, Annalies from Upton, said: “I feel texting is easier than a phone call as my eldest child normally interrupts phone calls and I find it hard to concentrate.

“With a text, I can write it and send it, then give attention to my child.”

Juliet Singleton, from the Trust’s Children and Young People’s Service, said: “It’s fantastic news for parents and carers that we have expanded our ParentLine service to cover the five-19 age group across the county.

“We want to encourage anyone who needs support to text us so we can help them and provide the right advice in an easy, accessible way.”

Parents and carers can seek advice via the five-19 ParentLine service from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday – excluding weekends, bank holidays and school holidays – with a member of the School Nursing team responding to messages within one working day.

If you send text outside these hours, you will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if you need it urgently. ParentLine is not an emergency service – for urgent medical help, contact a GP, NHS 111 or 999.

Specific advice about children aged under five is available by texting 07312 277162.

For more information about the ParentLine service for all age ranges, visit www. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ parentline

Dementia-friendly children

PUPILS at St Mary’s the Virgin Primary School, Gillingham, receive a Dementia Friendly Community award for their school.

Anne Kings from Dementia Friendly Gillingham visited the school to present a window sticker in recognition of the school’s efforts to engage with those in the community who live with memory loss and dementia.

Headmistress Sarah Willoughby says that making the pupils dementia aware from a very young age was vital, particularly as some may encounter the disease within their own families.

School groups sing to people with dementia.

The photo shows some of the children from the team ‘Water’, who through their in-school activities collected £10 which they chose to donate to Dementia Friendly Gillingham.