holsworthyblog.co.uk

December 2008
A major expansion is being proposed for a primary school that is bursting at the seams.
Governors at Holsworthy Primary School are consulting on plans to create a new foundation stage unit which would increase pupil numbers to 315.
They say the school’s current capacity of 280 (which has been 240 for the past five years) and admission number of 42 offers little or no flexibility to admit local pupils moving into the area during the year.
The need to expand is further increased by the forecast number of pupils arising from increasing new housing developments, rising population figures, and lack of affordable homes in rural areas driving many people towards Holsworthy.
Many children are being directed to other local schools and the nearest school, two miles away, is also operating at capacity in most year groups.
Chairman of governors, Rev Michael Reynolds, said: “The primary school is virtually full up and we need more space.
“There is a lot of building happening in Holsworthy. We are already turning children away now and demand will increase in the future.”
The proposed foundation stage unit will accommodate the children at nursery and in reception years.
The change will mean that the school would have 11 classrooms providing greater flexibility for organising year groups.
As pupil numbers increase, an additional teacher and teaching assistant will be needed. The project will be funded by central government though the Children and Young People’s Services Capital Programme.
Mr Reynolds said: “We are thrilled that the needs of Holsworthy are being met by the government.
“Holsworthy, which is an expanding and thriving market town, is being regarded with such solitude by central government.”
Vice chairman of governors, Ian Chouffot, added: “Now, uniquely, all the provision for education and leisure in Holsworthy is on a level site — the children’s centre, nursery, primary and secondary schools, along with the youth centre, memorial hall, skills centre, leisure centre and swimming pool, with a huge car park in the centre. It is a very good result for Holsworthy.”
The closing date for public consultation is 5pm on December 19. More information and an online response form is available at www.consultationfinder.com/devon
Responses can be sent to Rev Michael Reynolds at Holsworthy Primary School, Sanders Lane, Holsworthy, EX22 6HD or by e-mail at admin@holsworthy-primary.devon.sch.uk
The school can be contacted on 01409 253700.

December 2008
Significant improvements have been made to Holsworthy Community College according to inspectors.
The college has been praised as “good” by Ofsted in its latest report highlighting marked improvements since its last inspection three years ago when it was rated satisfactory.
Principal David Fitzsimmons said the report marks a “seal of approval” for the direction in which the college is heading.
In a letter to parents he said: “We were delighted with the progress made since November 2005 and we only just missed receiving an “outstanding” judgement in two areas, namely personal development and wellbeing and curriculum provision. Obviously our goal is to achieve an “outstanding” judgement overall the next time we see Ofsted.”
The report said: “There have been significant improvements made to all aspects of the college’s life since the last inspection.
“Under the good leadership of the principal and his senior leadership team, the college has grasped the nettle of underachievement, particularly in English and mathematics, and has focused the work of the college on raising standards.”
Areas where the school could improve further included improving achievement in all subjects for higher attaining students, developing students’ understanding of cultures other than their own, ensuring that the existing good practice in assessment is shared and developing the monitoring of teaching.
Mr Fitzsimmons added: “The report reflects well on the consistent efforts of staff, pupils, governors and parents to work together to achieve a consistently high standard of education for all pupils at Holsworthy Community College.”

December 2008
Holsworthy Community College has been fighting a 10 year battle to refurbish and extend its science and design technology facilities.
Now the school is forging ahead with its plans and hoping to secure £500,000 from cash raised for capital projects from the sale of Exeter Airport.
Principal of the technology college, David Fitzsimmons, said unlike Bideford, Holsworthy would not get a new school site, but without an increase in facilities, the school will be faced with the need to reduce the curriculum it can offer due to a lack of teaching space.
There are 713 pupils at the school today, compared with 635 five years ago.
The college has sourced £335,000 towards the development of the technology facilities, £185,000 of which came from its devolved formula capital, leaving it short of contingency funding.
It is hoped that the £500,000 shortfall will come from the county council through the sale of Exeter Airport.
Mr Fitzsimmons said the £185,000 was enough to build the second phase — a steel structure with roof and concrete first floor on the foundations of the science and design technology extension which is now underway. It is hoped this part of the renovation project will be complete by spring next year.
The college has seven science teachers but only four labs.
Mr Fitzsimmons said: “We are a specialist technology college, but have a woodwork room and a metalwork room scarcely different from the time when I was at school in the early 70s.
“Our science and technology departments are excellent, consistently achieving A*-C above 70% which for core subjects is outstanding.
“In 1997/98 the college’s art facilities were refurbished instead of the design technology requested. Art achieves results consistently above 90% A*-C. Our argument is that were we to have modern facilities, the already outstanding teaching and learning in science and technology would raise standards still further.”
Ultimately the school would like to undergo a multi-million redevelopment around the artificial pitch with parking and a disabled-friendly reception.
Mr Fitzsimmons said “it would be great to be the next Bideford” but there is no time scale on the Holsworthy proposals.
Bideford College is currently undergoing a £44 million rebuild which should be complete by spring 2010.