Category Archives: education

Another Snowy Start. Schools were Open

4 Replies

Schools Open as Usual
The Oxfordshire County Council’s web site did not show any schools closed because of snow today. Pictured is Carswell School.
Schools Open as Usual
Larkmead’s school web site said:
Snow – Larkmead School is open as usual.

It also said “OFSTED Inspection – We have been informed that Larkmead School is to receive an OFSTED inspection on Tuesday 3rd February and Wednesday 4th February.”
Schools Open as Usual
Outside the Unicorn School a banner says ‘Ofsted 2012: OUTSTANDING in all areas‘. That’s the way to do it!
Schools Open as Usual
Abingdon must have more salt bins per head of population than your average town, but there were still some slippery places on roads and pavements.
Schools Open as Usual
I saw one boy come off his bike near this spot. He limped a few paces before getting back on the bike and setting off again.

St Edmunds Community Day

1 Reply

Thanks to Theresa for a report and pictures of St Edmunds Community Day …

There were over 30 adults (parents, grandparents, staff and parishioners) and 40 children in school on Saturday at St Edmunds School, Abingdon, to complete projects in the school grounds such as:

* Cleaning and planting pots with flowers and bulbs
St Edmunds Community Day
* Building a ball run and water wall for Foundation Stage
* Cutting back and cleaning the school pond area
St Edmunds Community Day
* Constructing vegetable patches and a bug house
* Sweeping and tidying the outside play areas
St Edmunds Community Day
* Painting stepping stones for the end of the field
* Digging up and replanting the borders at the front and the back of school
St Edmunds Community Day
* Painting a mural in Foundation Stage

Theresa said “It was a fantastic day and lots of fun! We recycled a lot of material donated by parents which would otherwise have gone to landfill. We are planning on holding another Community Day next year.”

Start of School Year 2014/15

11 Replies

Class of 2014 - 15
We are nearing the end of the 2014 season for The Abingdon Boat Centre.
Class of 2014 - 15
Another boat is guided back into position at the end of a fun day.

In another couple of week the boats will be stacked on the oil drums for the off season.
Class of 2014 - 15
Schools are back. On Monday, in Oxfordshire, there was an inset day for teachers. There is much to learn as the primary curriculum is having a radical shake up as the UK tries to emulate the world’s highest achieving schools. Details of the curriculum are on The School Run. Some quick headlines … Computing replaces ICT, with a greater focus on programming. Calculators will not be introduced until near the end of KS2, to encourage mental arithmetic. A language will become mandatory in KS2.

By today, Thursday 4th September, all the pupils had gone back for the year 2014/15.

New Science Centres

6 Replies

Good Teachers
One of the big differences between Independent Schools and State Schools is the amount of money that the Independents can invest in their schools.

Abingdon School are currently building a Science Centre – thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors, parents, and former pupils, and the leadership of their Head and governors.
Good Teachers
Work has begun.
Good Teachers
Nearby at St Helen and St Katherine – another Independent School in Abingdon, the new Science Centre should be up and ready after the summer holidays.