Education

‘Positive’ start in bid to improve school

School leaders have heralded a positive start to the new term – despite some controversy over changes. Pupils at the newly-renamed Spalding Academy – formerly the Sir John Gleed – have returned to the classroom under a new regime which has seen a strict new uniform policy and changes to other school rules and procedures. The school’s executive head Laurence ...

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Mixed response in South Holland to PM’s plan for more grammar schools

A new generation of grammar schools should not be implemented in South Holland, according to at least one secondary school headteacher. Prime Minister Theresa May wants to see the ban on new grammar schools lifted and a shake-up of the selection process for pupils. This, she says, will “give every parent access to a good school place for their child”. ...

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Year 3 pupil’s ‘outstanding’ writing ability rewarded

A Spalding Parish Day School student has received a runner-up award in the Lincolnshire Media Education Awards. Emily Wright was the school’s first-ever representative at the awards ceremony in Lincoln and was shortlisted in the Primary Writing Award category. Assistant headteacher Kim Bird said: “Emily was nominated because her writing ability is out-standing and it is always a pleasure to ...

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Two Spalding schools celebrate 100 per cent A-level pass rate

Two Spalding secondary schools are among nine across the county to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate in A-levels. The High School and the Sir John Gleed School took the honours, as early figures available from 30 out of 40 of the county’s sixth forms show that Lincolnshire has outperformed the England average in almost all measures. At 99.1 ...

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Taylor-made guest for students

Former Great Britain hockey goalkeeper and Olympic medallist Ian Taylor was the special guest at Spalding Grammar School’s annual sports celebration evening.   Taylor, who was a member of the bronze-winning squad at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, gave an inspired talk about his experiences and how school sport was the springboard to his career. The event was an opportunity ...

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Headteacher’s vision for Japanese lessons becomes a reality

Pupils at three South Holland primary schools are finding one afternoon a week easy peasy Japanese with the introduction of new lessons. Youngsters at Sutton Bridge’s Westmere, Gedney Drove End and Holbeach St Marks Primary Schools have started learning about Japan after headteacher Karyn Giles went on an education week to the country last year. Since her return she has ...

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Spalding Grammar School pays tribute to teacher Peter’s ‘lasting legacy’

Students, staff, governors and friends dedicated a tree to the memory of a former teacher who taught thousands during his 33 years at Spalding Grammar School. Peter Wasley (pictured), who died earlier this year at the age of 62, was remembered during a special commemoration service at the school he joined as a young French and German teacher in September ...

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Spalding school’s enterprising pupils enter ‘Dragons’ Den’

Year Ten students at The Priory School in Spalding took part in a Dragons’ Den-style experience before a panel of judges from the Rotary Club of South Holland. Six enterprise teams from the special school each showcased a product of their own design with a presentation using multimedia and visual aids. One pupil with speech impairment was applauded by the ...

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Academy plan is ‘anti-democratic’

Plans to force all schools to become academies have been blasted as “ill conceived” and “anti-democratic” – putting children’s education at risk and denying parents choice. The comments have been made by Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for children’s services Patricia Bradwell, who said the county currently has “range of provision” to be proud of. Schools in the county are ...

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Acting head appointed to lead school

A new headteacher has been appointed at Long Sutton’s Peele Community College. Elizabeth Smith took up the permanent position last week after “shining” during the interview process. She had been acting headteacher since September when Simon Gilman resigned citing pressures of the job as his reason for standing down. Last week the board of governors issued a statement thanking everyone ...

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Spalding firm’s free help for struggling Lincolnshire schools

A Spalding company which enables parents to help their children learn more effectively at home is offering its services free of charge to every struggling school in Lincolnshire. Education Quizzes, of Wragg Marsh, supplies online multiple choice questions based on the national curriculum. Parents can choose from thousands of quizzes compiled by qualified teachers and test their children while having ...

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New headteacher for Spalding, Pinchbeck and Surfleet schools

A new executive headteacher has been appointed to take over at three South Holland primary schools. Pinchbeck East Primary, Spalding Primary and Surfleet Primary have announced that Andrew Raistrick is to take over from Tom Verity in September. Mr Verity became headteacher of Pinchbeck East seven years ago and led the school, which was once in special measures, to an ...

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Strike action at Spalding Grammar School ‘inevitable’ as NUT names first date

Strike action by teachers at Spalding Grammar School is now “inevitable”, according to the National Union of Teachers. The union has given the school notice of its first day of industrial action – Wednesday, February 24. Further strikes are earmarked for Wednesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 4. The school says it will be further considering the implications of an across-the-board ...

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Spalding Grammar School governors to look again at pay rise after strike vote

Governors at Spalding Grammar School have vowed to look again at the effect of introducing an across-the-board pay rise after staff members in the National Union of Teachers voted overwhelmingly to back strike action. A ballot of staff in the union – understood to be a high proportion of employees – returned a 100 per cent backing for industrial action. ...

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Spalding Grammar School governors to look again at teachers’ pay rise demand

Governors at Spalding Grammar School have vowed to look again at the effect of introducing an across-the-board pay rise after staff members in the National Union of Teachers voted overwhelmingly to back strike action. A ballot of staff in the union – understood to be a high proportion of employees – returned a 100 per cent backing for industrial action. ...

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NUT wants “serious negotiation” at Spalding Grammar School after 100 per cent backing for strike action

National Union of Teachers officials say they are hoping for “serious negotiation” over a pay dispute at Spalding Grammar School after members voted overwhelmingly to back strike action. A ballot of staff in the union – understood to be a high proportion of employees –  returned a 100 per cent backing for industrial action. The turnout was 77 per cent. ...

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NUT rounds on Spalding Grammar School over preparations for strike action

Trade union officials have criticised Spalding Grammar School for making preparations for strike action by teachers. The result of a formal ballot by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) is expected shortly after it closes on Tuesday. (February 2) The vote came after the school refused to implement a one per cent pay award. The NUT says it was ...

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GCSE results ‘not a true reflection’

Two of South Holland’s six secondary schools fall below “floor” standards for pupils’ achievements in GCSEs. Only 32 per cent of pupils at Spalding’s Sir John Gleed School and 34 per cent at The Peele Community College, Long Sutton, attained five A*-C grades, including English and maths. The “floor” standard set by the Government is 40 per cent. The district’s ...

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Schools may face fines for failing to avoid exclusions

Schools could face financial penalties in a bid to cut the number of children who are permanently excluded. The “pupil reintegration charge” could be levied against schools in Lincolnshire if they are unable to demonstrate they took all possible measures to prevent a child’s exclusion. The county has a poor record on permanent exclusions with the number growing – against ...

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Headteacher says ‘students will be the losers’ if Spalding Grammar staff strike

A Spalding headteacher has said it will be students who will be the losers if teachers go through with the threat of strike action. The National Union of Teachers announced on Friday that an indicative ballot showed an overwhelming majority of teachers at Spalding Grammar School were in favour of strike action after the school refused to introduce a nationally-recommended ...

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