Ashley outside the new block.
Ashley was able to see the great work that has gone in to setting up Ridgeways new block. Open for the spring term, the new building includes a new hall, offices and reception. Access to visitors is now only via the Whitley Wood Road entrance and the build has been completed on time. The rest of the buildings rare progressing on time and are due to be fully operational soon. It demonstrates Reading Councils great work in its primary expansion programme.
Reading Council recently received an ill timed and poorly delivered letter from Ofsted about the performance of Free school meals pupils in the area. This was seized upon gladly by Reading East MP Rob Wilson. Let’s be clear, we have a lot to do still in education. The Council’s recently set up school led improvement strategy has a clear plan to help this and targets our schools to be in the top 25% of schools within a couple of years. Some things need to be set straight however. The data quoted is from one year in isolation. Not a trend. It was also a pattern across the South East as the Government had yet again changed GCSE grades and curriculums. The two secondary schools that the local authority has direct control over either saw an increase in free school meal attainment or it stayed at the same level. The fact is this Government has been attacking education ever since they were elected. As a teacher and Councillor I am in a fairly unique position but little angers me more than politicians attacking our students and our teachers. If you want to help Mr Wilson rather than criticise, here is some advice. Don’t vote to cut teachers pay, don’t vote to cut schools budgets, stop meddling in costly academisation, leave our curriculum alone and most importantly back our teachers and students.
Reading buses chief executive Martin Gilbert has alerted us to changes to buses in South Reading from April 11th. The claret 21 will revert to a 15minute frequency after the introduction of the claret 21a services. The bus company are also working with Whitley Big local on a cross Whitley route and incorporating Cressingham Road.
The new Reading Banner
The latest edition of the Labour Party Reading Banner wikl be arriving through your letter box soon. The special election edition includes aspects of Labour’s local election manifesto where as usual we will be fighting for the residents of Reading.
The Everest trophy
The trophies and awards awaiting collection.
Eileen and Ashley were delighted to be invited to attend the Sahara UK Everest trophy competition at Rabsons Rec. The football tournament involved teams from across the country from the Gurkha community, including a veterans (over 40s competition). It helped raise money for Sahara UK to continue their excellent work supporting communities in Nepal, including recently helping to build a new school in a remote community.