Head's PageNearly There!We have nearly made it! It seems incredible that when I write this newsletter next term the new building will be open for visits, and should (if everything goes to plan) actually be ours. Handover date is scheduled for the end of June. So let’s hope we don’t have a Wembley Stadium type delay! What I want to stress now is the agreement that we have for the 14-19 year-olds, because I think it is a very good one, and I think it provides excellent opportunities for our older students. It would be wrong if everything was happening for the 3-14 year old pupils and nothing for the older ones. It has been confirmed, as I am sure you all know by now, that our 14-19 students will be staying on our current site, and that we will have the use of the whole site. We had worried that the Bungalow might be sold off because of its obvious potential, but this is not happening – we are keeping it, and we will be able to use it for the benefit of all the students. Up until now we have had to have a class based there because of pressure on space, but we will now be able to base all the classes in the main school building and release the Bungalow so that groups can use it for their Life Skills work. This is an excellent development. The other thing we know is that the Local Authority is spending money on the site, and is committed to refurbishing it. We do not yet know how long we will remain here (there isn’t a clear time scale) and so there is no use worrying about that. What we need to do is get on and make the site work. We will be turning it into a 14-19 Learning Centre, which will operate in new and exciting ways, including:
This is an exciting programme, and I hope it shows that things are happening for the older age group as well. Now we know where we are, we are determined to maximise the opportunities open to us. One more word on the new arrangements. It is not easy to foresee everything, because obviously what is happening next year is new for all of us. So, if there is anything that you are unsure about or that you want to know – please contact us! If we know what your questions are, then we can answer them. Happy Easter to you all,Tony Smith News in BriefGovernor NewsBecause we are officially becoming a new Area Special School in September (still called Dorothy Goodman School!), then we will have a new Governing Body. However, fortunately, all of our current governors have agreed to serve on the new Body, so things will carry on as normal. We do still have a vacancy for a Local Authority Governor, so if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in fulfilling this role, please contact me.
StaffingStaffing continues to be stable, and indeed this is one of the strengths of the school. Because of increased numbers in September we will be employing two new teachers, but I have no concerns about that, having seen how well new teachers in recent years have settled in, and how well the experienced staff have supported them.
New SchoolI have already said a lot about the new school. We are looking forward to it very much, and we will make the split site arrangement work, but it will take a little while to sort out the more detailed arrangements. If we continue to work together as we have done in the past, then what we will end up with is excellent education for our children in the kind of accommodation that we deserve (at last!).
Parent Partnership ServiceThe Local Authority is setting up a SEN Forum, to make sure that the views of people with disabilities, and of parents, are properly represented. They would like a named person from Dorothy Goodman, so that they have someone to contact about parents’ views. If anyone is interest dint his role, please let me know.
DonationsDonations received this term include:
People are pulling out the stops to raise money for our new school – THANK YOU – this is greatly appreciated! It is a huge support to us. Tony Smith page created : 7th April 2006 : Dorothy Goodman school news
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