Education

Education Ofsted ‘virtually’ inspect primaries

By Nicci Brown

Two primary schools in North Dorset are among the first in the area to have undergone a ‘remote’ autumn inspection by Ofsted on how they have coped during the covid restrictions since the summer. Durweston Primary and Stower Provost, which both had a full inspection in 2019 and were found to require improvement, were ‘visited’ on December 1 and November 26 respectively by Ofsted inspectors, who spoke with staff about their experience. Headteachers Nicola Brooke at Durweston and James Stanford at Stower Provost were told the inspection contributed to important national work on how the education system was managing the return to education following the extended break in formal Jabs joy Someone should be complimented on the planning and superb organisation that went on for the covid-19 jabs at Digby Hall in Sherborne. The attention, consideration and kindness given by everyone is once again the hallmark of the NHS. Well done and thank you. Mr and Mrs Dick Berry Sherborne involved with the vaccination programme in Sherborne. As one of the lucky ones I received my first jab today at the Digby Hall. From start to finish the procedure was efficient, friendly and fast. All eventualities were covered. I schooling last spring. Around 1,200 schools across all Ofsted grades, types and locations are being visited so that their shared views and experiences shared can be shared with government and the education sector to help to inform future policy. In both cases it was noted that since September 2020 a number of pupils had had to spend some time working at home. No significant concerns were found at Durweston, where teachers had focused at the start of term on the personal and social aspects of the curriculum to enable pupils to settle back into school. Since then, pupils had been studying all the subjects they usually would, but with modifications in some areas. Some in Years 1 and 2 had gaps in their early reading

n I write to thank all skills, and were given extra left having been given a date for the second vaccination and with a magic sticker! My sincere thanks to all involved in this mammoth task. Stay well and safe. Happy 2021 to all. Elaine Edmonds, Sherborne n Yesterday our vaccination day arrived. We had to go to the medical centre in Sturminster Newton. The experience was professional, efficient, caring in every way. What I find difficult to understand is that considering the population of Gillingham and environs a similar state of the art facility cannot be built here. There seems to be ample room for more supermarkets and even a petrol station complex. Yvonne Phillips Gillingham help, spending more time reading in class. In mathematics, teachers emphasised those areas of the curriculum that pupils are not as confident in, such as shape, space and geometry, and some part of other subjects were modified, for example by replacing rugby with orienteering in physical education. Leaders had drawn up plans to provide remote education for a number of individual pupils – a sixth of the total – who needed to work from home. No class ‘bubbles’ had been sent home, but if they were, teachers would set work online as close as possible to what they would have been doing in class. At Stower Provost, pupils studied the full curriculum and staff watched for gaps in pupils’ knowledge. Some, particularly in Year 2, had

n I would like to say WELL DONE to The Blandford Group Practice. I attended the surgery for my first covid vaccination. It was so well organised. There were marshalls in the car park, someone inside to show you where to go. The injection was painless and we were looked after safely distanced in the waiting room for 15 minutes by a nurse then shown the way out by another marshall. I felt very safe and everyone was very helpful and friendly. THANK YOU all very much. Jenny Seare Mapperton n Through your pages, may I congratulate the entire team at the Wilton (Michael Herbert) covid vaccination centre for its incredibly well forgotten certain elements of phonic knowledge that they had previously grasped, and greater emphasis was placed on developing pupils’ reading skills. In mathematics some younger pupils had lost confidence in their understanding of place value and addition and subtraction methods, so were given extra support, and in subjects such as history, as each unit was taught, staff used quizzes to identify what pupils had remembered, and continued to check as the planned curriculum was covered. The inspectors were told that a system was being developed to provide remote education in the future. Staff were receiving training and those studying at home would be set work as close as possible to usual school activities.

Letters

organised operation. After taking two elderly people the 26 miles to the site, I was directed off the street into the car park entrance by wardens. Two greeters then explained the pedestrian access and advised immediate entry was fine, even though we were 15 minutes ahead of the booked appointment time. Another helper guided me to an available parking space. The vaccination process was just as efficient, the pair returned to the car both relaxed and cheerful. Finally, as we were belting up to leave, another helper came to the car and checked we were OK. Very well done to you all, and, thanks for making it so straightforward. Alan Webber Penselwood

Letters Sincere thanks to staff at hospitals for my

n I wish to write publicly to express a recent personal experience with the NHS during the current Covid Pandemic. I was sent to Yeovil District Hospital A&E department on November 12 by my GP and was told to take an overnight bag. I had heard of hospital departments being under pressure, but I have to say the service I received was second to none. The team were waiting for my arrival and within 10 minutes of handing my doctor’s letter to reception I was greeted by a very friendly and courteous nurse who listened and dealt with my situation in a delicate way. The next few hours seemed a blur – so much happened. So many medical people, who all were friendly and not showing the stress of the pandemic, assisted my needs which led to me being admitted to a ward. I stayed in Yeovil District Hospital for 12 nights and my daughter had to add to the overnight bag as I had literally just packed for one night. Throughout this duration the staff on the three wards were all courteous, polite, friendly and nothing was too much bother. I spent my 74th birthday in hospital and the staff tried to make it as best they could by singing Happy Birthday and enjoyed cake with me that my daughter had dropped to the hospital reception to be delivered to me. I cannot fault any of the staff during this stay and all medical staff found the time to discuss my medical needs with my daughter as restrictions were in place for visiting. Unfortunately I was readmitted three days after my discharge and again the service received was first class throughout, even to the extent that staff recognised me and once again nothing was too much bother. I had one young lady who knew I would be awake at 6am and she would 72

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

bring me a cup of tea without me asking. I was discharged again 10 days later after numerous investigations. I was advised that I needed specialist consultation at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. I attended appointments on December 9 and 15 in Bristol. The hospital had cleared my daughter to attend with me and found yet again the hospital to be welcoming, friendly and understanding. We experienced a small issue on our first visit which my daughter brought to the attention of PALS, who were extremely sympathetic. They listened and did everything they physically could to resolve the issue but unfortunately because of protocol during the pandemic it could not be resolved on the day. I have to say by the time we had got on the outskirts of the city I received a call and a new appointment was made for me the following week. During this visit I was advised I required major surgery as a matter of urgency and I cannot fault the consultants’ team, with their prompt and efficient communication with my daughter of the requirements and steps to be followed in preparation for my surgery, which was scheduled for Christmas Eve. Following my appointment on December 15 my admission date and surgery was brought forward and I was admitted to Southmead Hospital on December 22. Upon arrival I experienced a delay in my admission due to the wards changing covid alert levels and them having to find me another suitable bed for my admission. Because of the distance we had travelled my daughter was allowed to stay with me until everything was sorted and I was taken to a ward, this was approximately 2.5 hours after my scheduled admission time. I was finally admitted and underwent a blood transfusion that evening and had my surgery the next morning, which was a success. Yet again friendliness, courteous and politeness of all staff was first class, especially as it was apparent that pressures of this pandemic was higher in this hospital. Yet again staff made the time to speak with my daughter and discuss my progress, even the surgeon called her. I spent six nights in Southmead Hospital. I was given a small gift on Christmas Day and provided with a superb Christmas dinner – it was just unfortunate that the appetite wasn’t there to enjoy it. I was made to feel comfortable and nothing was too much bother. People knock the NHS but within seven weeks I was accessed, diagnosed and had surgery and am now on the road to recovery. Therefore I personally thank all at Yeovil District Hospital and the urology department of Southmead Hospital for their prompt and courteous support and attention throughout what seemed to be a whirlwind few weeks. I would also like to thank Macmillan, who have been a great support to both myself and daughter to ensure everything financially was in place for my recovery. The NHS are under pressure but they met their target in ensuring my health was dealt with efficiently and effectively under such unprecedented times. Again, a personal thanks to all involved. Harry Lawes Bourton Gillingham

n I’m just writing to express my dismay at the cartoon (?) by Lyndon Hall that was printed in the Blackmore Vale magazine on Friday. Why it had to be drawn with

superb treatment during such difficult times

someone’s trousers pulled down was a complete mystery. Did the trousers being down make it more humorous? Perhaps it was the bottom turned towards the man? Perhaps the humour was in the fact that the injection was being administered to the arse? I know some of the Just So Caricature work is good – this was not. Shame on you BMV for publishing it. You both can do better. Phil Buksh

n We read Blackmore Vale every week. Just seen page 62 of Edition 8. What on earth possessed you to publish the crude cartoon by Lyndon Wall? It’s utterly hideous, not in the least bit funny, and in dreadful taste in the midst of a pandemic which has killed 100,000 UK citizens and caused incalculable economic pain and suffering. Such an editorial mistake and misjudgement, in my opinion. You should be ashamed. Michael McGhie

n I have been selling plants from our garden during the summer of 2020 in aid of a coronavirus charity. I am happy to announce that we acquired a total of £200. This has been sent on to the Tom Moore Charity. I would just like to say a very big thank you to everyone who bought plants from the garden and also the only car boot I attended in Sturminster Newton. Liz Walters Sturminster Newton

n On Boxing Day South Somerset was moved into Tier 4, a disaster for the many small businesses in the area and a serious restriction on the lives of the inhabitants. This

n This stunning photograph of the lake at Old Wardour Castle, on the boundary of Tisbury and Donhead St Andrew, was taken by Tisbury resident Philadelphia Whittaker in September

happened because of a rise in the number of infections. There was no obvious change in the behaviour of those living in the area. Indeed, the reason that infections and deaths in south Somerset have been relatively low is the adherence to the rules and consideration for others shown by the local population. What has happened is that we have suffered a huge influx of second homeowners from London and the east who have brought the disease with them. These people seem to think that they are above the law. I took a picture of the rubbish put outside a second home, owned by people from London, below Cucklington for collection on Monday 4th January. The sheer quantity is clear evidence that a major party took place. This sort of behaviour must be stamped on before things get even worse and more people die. Peter Munro Stoke Trister

n We hear so much complaining about our chemists and surgeries. We consider we are very lucky and would like to express our gratitude and thanks to them all. We had our covid jabs at White Cliff Surgery in Blandford and it was a completely brilliantly organised operation. No waiting, no queuing. Just calm, pleasant operation from start to finish. The dorctors and nurses were wonderful, as was everyone involved. Very well done indeed and thank you. Margaret Neill Blandford n News from the coop: Hey, don’t think you're the only ones on lockdown – we’re with you; we know what it feels like too. We really are in it together. Some readers may not know that Defra imposed an AIPZ (that’s Avian Influenza Prevention Zone to you and our keeper) in the UK from the 14th December last year. Imagine that; there we were, strolling around the garden free range one day and then waking up the next to full lockdown! We’ve got enough space and plenty of perches and our keeper gives us some extra greens every day –mmmmmm those sprout tops are pretty tasty! But a bit like you with the covid lockdown we can’t go anywhere, we’re fenced in and netted so we can’t mix with any wild birds and they can’t mix with us. Phew –it’s hard work but we’re surviving so far and know that our keeper will do his best to keep us safe. Which makes it all the more disappointing when he reported back after his daily walk for exercise that he’d seen groups of chickens and ducks on a farm where the farmer hasn’t done anything to keep his birds safe and healthy. We couldn't believe it! That’s not on, is it? But hey, we suppose you always get some who just don’t give a fig. We can’t understand why he’s putting his birds and other keepers’ birds at risk too. Wish us luck with our lockdown and we hope that the vaccine for your covid gets rolled out quickly. We’ll see you on the other side! From Reg, Gertie, Speckly, Red and Titch (Keeper’s name and address supplied)

NUGGETS OF TRUTH: Reg and his coopmates can’t believe other chooks are flouting the AIPZ lockdown 73