College “outstanding” say
education watchdogs
EDUCATION watchdogs have described Warrington?s Priestley College as ?outstanding?.
Inspectors from OFSTED ? the Office for Standards in Education ? looked at five keys areas of college life and grade all as ?outstanding.?
They were Effectiveness of Provision, Capacity to Improve, Achievements and Standards, Quality of Provision, Leadership and Management.
The OFSTED report stated: “Priestley College is an outstanding college where every learner really does matter.
?It does everything in its power to maximise the life chances of its learners in a friendly, caring learning environment that encourages and enables them to do their best and achieve their potential. Learners make excellent progress; they are safe and well supported, and the College is extremely well led and managed.”
Results are at an all time high with A-Level pass rates standing at 99.3 per cent and 34 out of 38 advanced level subjects registered an impeccable 100 per cent record. Fourteen out of 15 advanced vocational subjects also had a 100 per cent record.
Student behaviour, the quality of teaching and the support of progression were recognised as key areas of great success according to OFSTED.
“Attendance is outstanding. Behaviour is impeccable and learners display a respect for adults and each other alike.
“Learners enjoy learning and rise to the teachers high expectations of them and enjoy being challenged. Teachers are enthusiastic, motivating, engaging and have very good subject knowledge. Advice and guidance on progression to higher education and employment or further training are excellent.”
By the time the new academic year begins in September, the college will also be operating out of new and improved facilities when a ?7 million campus development plan is completed.
Among new facilities will be a brand new building which will dominate the entrance to the Loushers Lane site and house new teaching spaces and a high street standard food court.
Special emphasis is made in the report on the opportunities available to students to study abroad, have their voice heard and also contribute to the success of the college.
The inspectors? report states: “A huge range of opportunities is on offer including many study visits to overseas destinations such as Kenya, New York, Poland and Lanzarote. The learner voice is given exceptional prominence at Priestley College through the Student Council, focus groups with the principal, and work with the board of governors. Learners make significant contributions both to the college community and more widely.”
College principal Mike Southworth said: “I am delighted with the findings of the OFSTED inspection report. It is a fitting testament to the way our staff and students contribute to the day to day running of an outstanding campus.
“These are very exciting times to be associated with Priestley. We offer students the broadest range of sixth form choices across the area and believe we have a marked impact on the way our young people develop both academically and socially.
“Our new build programme and ?7 million investment leave us well placed to meet the challenges posed by an ever changing curriculum.”
Culcheth Community Day
brings bumper crowds
by Gary Skentelbery
THE annual Culcheth Community Day organised by Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council attracted bumper crowds to the village on Bank Holiday Monday despite a few afternoon showers.
The event enabled local community groups to promote themselves on the village green.
Vintage cars proved to be a popular new attraction this year.
Police seek pervert
who scared girls
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are seeking help from the public in tracking down a pervert who shocked two young girls with an indecent act in an alleyway.
The offence was committed in an alley off Leatham Close Birchwood.
Two distressed girls ran away from the area after the man exposed himself.
The offender is described as aged 40-50, about 5ft 10 inches tall and of medium build.
He had brown hair and slight stubble and he was wearing a green-khaki pullover and blue jeans at the time.
Police have issued an efit picture of the .
Anyone who believes they may have seen the man in the Birchwood area on April 20, around 8.15pm, of who recognises him from the efit, is asked to inform PC Christopher Barnes on 01244 612646.
Village welcomes visitors
from its twin town
by Lesley Wilkinson
LYMM village welcomes a party from its twin town in France next week with a host of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the partnership.
A group of 44 adults and 10 children from Meung-sur-Loire will arrive in the village on Wednesday May 16, and spend four nights with hosts in and around the village.
On arrival they will enjoy a drinks reception hosted by Lymm Parish Council at the Village Hall.
The following day there will be an informal gathering in Lymm, with a choice of short or longer walks on the Lymm Heritage Trail followed by drinks at Saddlers Bar from noon.
The following day there is an excursion to North Wales including a visit by the miners’ tramway to the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, followed by a steam-train trip from Porthmadog on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway and a late afternoon visit to the picturesque village of Portmeirion.
On Saturday a reception will be held at Lymm High School with a four-course meal, with entertainment by a duo and dancing.
An exhibition for
the naturally curious
by Lesley Wilkinson
VISITORS have the chance to handle fossils and sort through exhibits of animals and bugs if they visit a popular exhibition at Warrington Museum which runs until Saturday.
The Natural Curiosity exhibition is free and looks at a range of natural history themes, from the work of pioneering Victorian explorers to modern research and the preservation of endangered species and their habitats.
The exhibition also follows the natural history contribution of Warrington Museum, founded in 1848, and looks at the contribution of Warrington’s Natural History Society.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council?s executive member for community services, said: “This exhibition has given everybody a wonderful chance to see a unique aspect of Warrington’s history. I would urge everyone to take advantage of it while they still have the chance.”
Chance to win tickets
for blockbuster movie
THE follow up to the hugely successful 28 Days Later movie, picks up six months after the rage virus has annihilated Mainland Britain and now Warrington-Worldwide readers have a great chance to win tickets and merchandise for the sequel 28 Weeks Later.
The new movie involves the US army declaring that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin.
As the first wave of refugees return, a family is reunited – but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret.
The virus is not yet dead, and this time, it is more dangerous than ever!
The cast is led by Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting); Rose Byrne (Sunshine, Troy); Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James, Dahmer); Harold Perrineau (The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions, Lost); Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, Spy Game); Imogen Poots (V For Vendetta) and Idris Elba (The Wire). Also joining the cast is a talented young newcomer, twelve year old Mackintosh Muggleton making his feature film debut.
Now Warrington-Worldwide readers have a great chance to win one of five pairs of tickets and goodies for the movie.
Simply email your contact details by email to [email protected] before May 31 2007 and you will go into the draw for a pair of tickets and merchandise for the movie.
The competition is only open to those aged over 18.
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