February 2014 www.lymmlife.co.uk 1 2 www.lymmlife.co.uk February 2014 Editor Gary Skentelbery Production Paul Walker Editor’s Comment Advertising Although this is our February edition it is our first of the year - nothing appears to be happening. James Balme so Happy New Year! Common sense would suggest the Nick White introduction of parking restrictions Tony Record As I reported in the last issue - There is obviously a lot of hard Lymm High School has received work going on at Lymm High School from 8am-6pm on one side of the Freephone road - but when relying on common 0800 955 5247 a “good” Ofsted report, with the and it does no one any favours to school “outstanding in many areas” have rumours flying around. sense and highway issues we could be left wating a long time! Editorial with the Executive Principal Tarun Let’s have a line drawn under 01925 623633 Finally congratulations to all those Kapur having a positive impact in the whole sorry saga and move involved in the annual Dickensian Email all areas. forward in a positive light. Festival. Organising such events is [email protected] This is indeed good news for the One other issue which won’t never easy, time consuming and school and those connected with it - go away is the parking problems fraught with frustration. Websites which I suspect will include a large in and around the village caused www.lymmlife.co.uk Keep up the good work - it is chunk of our readership. by the double parking especially appreciated. www.culchethlife.com Unfortunately there are still a lot on the roads feeding the mini www.frodshamlife.co.uk www.warrington- of stories/rumours circulating on the roundabout on Eagle Brow. worldwide.co.uk “grapevine” about the suspension It is only going to be a matter Deadline for www.warrington.tv of Principal Angela Walsh. of time before we are reporting I would suggest it is in the public a serious accident caused by this the March issue Address interest for a public statement to be double parking. New Media Centre published on the suspension - as Local residents have been of Lymm Life Old Road Warrington this will be the only way to stop the campaigning for years for is February 4 WA4 1AT stories/rumours circulating. something to be done and yet Lymm Life is published N & J STANHOPE monthly by Orbit News Ltd. The contents of this magazine Coal and Log Supplies are fully protected by copyright Best Quality Coal and nothing may be reprinted or reproduced without prior Smokeless Fuel permission of the publishers. Logs Supplied in Bags and Bulk The publishers are not liable for Peat Bricks any statement made or opinion Open 7 Days expressed by third parties in this publication. Broomedge Farm Printed by TwentyFourSeven Burford Lane, Lymm WA13 0SE Tel/Fax: 752830 Call today for aassessment free rental ‘Switch’ agents today. We are 100% lettings Call for more information • Specialist independent lettings company • Competitive fees • Experienced fully qualified lettings team • Residential and commercial lettings specialist • Rent paid on time • Regular property inspections TO LET LET STUDIO LET OFFICE TO LET AGREED AGREED TO LET Telephone 01925 599111 | 14a Warburton House, Eagle Brow, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0LJ [email protected] / www.bridgewaterlettings.co.uk February 2014 www.lymmlife.co.uk 3 Super head has positive impact THE appointment of a ‘super head’ with an outstanding track Inspectors also held meetings with greater opportunities for students and record of turning round problem schools is having a ‘positive approximately 50 students from all staff.” impact’ in all areas at Lymm High School according to the year groups. Chair of Governors Kieran Walshe latest Ofsted report. Meetings were held with the added: “This report is really a tribute Executive principal Tarun Kapur in the wide range of extra-curricular executive principal, the chair of the to the hard work and professionalism CBE was drafted in following the activities. This contributes well to their Governing Body, a local authority of the school staff, the whole suspension of controversial Principal good spiritual, moral, social and representative, senior and middle leadership team, and of course Angela Walsh last September. cultural development. leaders, teachers and other academy the students. The school has made Previously an outstanding Attendance is above the national staff. Informal discussions also took great progress under Mr Kapur’s school there were fears in the local average and improving whilst place with staff and students. leadership over recent months, as community that it could be put in exclusions are in line with or below Inspectors took account of the 343 OFSTED observed, though we all special measures following a large the national average, and declining. responses to the on-line questionnaire recognise there is still more to do.” turnover of staff and poor morale. But the report highlights that (Parent View) and the 97 responses But the latest Ofsted says the school staff turnover has been very high in to the staff questionnaire. is good with the recently appointed recent months with 48 new teaching Mr Kapur said: “It is five years executive principal’s vision for staff appointed to the academy in since the school was inspected success and determination to drive September 2013. and the educational landscape has the academy forward “having a The academy also works closely changed significantly during that time positive impact in all areas.” with the Dean Trust which is a multi- and to achieve a good outcome is a The school converted to become academy trust and, although Lymm real credit to the school community, an academy from September 2012. High School is a separate entity, it particularly the staff and students” The report says the school is a is part of the Dean Trust Teaching “We can return to the task of good school where the quality of School Alliance. ensuring that we are consistently teaching is good overall and much The school is not yet considered good as we look to further improve is outstanding, leading to students outstanding because although much examination results and progress of Whites Sports Dartboard 43 x 1: making good and outstanding of the teaching is good or better, students, as well as developing even progress in the majority of lessons. a significant minority requires Students’ attainment is consistently improvement because the activities well above the national average in lessons do not match the students’ Sophies and achievement in mathematics is needs and abilities sufficiently well. Whites Sports consistently outstanding. The marking of books is Soft Furnishings The sixth form is good. The inconsistent. Not all teachers give Warrington Market diverse curriculum and high-quality students enough information about Curtains • Roman Blinds 1901 - 2001 – 100 YEARS OF EXCELLECE enrichment experiences in the sixth how they can improve their work. Cushions • Tiebacks • Poles Specialists in: form results in students’ good success The gap in achievement between Tracks • Valances • Pelmets Darts, Bowls, Snooker, Air Guns, rates. Students with specific needs pupils eligible for the pupil premium We design, make and fit to meet your Walking Sticks, Warrington Town are also supported extremely well. and their peers in English is not exact requirements. Merchandise, Rugby, Cricket, Football Students also behave well in closing rapidly enough. GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE lessons and around the school. Inspectors observed 46 teachers For free home visit or advice ring They have a positive attitude to in 48 part-lessons including three Anne on 01925 754446 Telephone/Fax: learning and make the most of their joint observations with members www.sophiessoftfurnishings.co.uk experiences in the classroom and of the academy’s senior team. 01925 631531 4 www.lymmlife.co.uk February 2014 What’s On in conjunction with Lymm Parish Council Last chance to February 10 LYMM FLORAL ART GROUP LYMM HISTORY SOCIETY Lymm Village Hall The Clives, Cheshire to India & Powys Third Monday of the month (except August) discuss high speed Mark Bevan. at 7.30pm) Lymm Village Hall, 8pm Visitors always welcome LYMM ORNITHOLOGY GROUP More info Lynne Smith 01925 756776 Lymm Village Hall, 7.45pm for 8pm, Last Friday in the month (ex June & July). rail project February 11 Guest speaker, Slide Show, Refreshments. LYMM PARISH COUNCIL Visitors welcome. First visit FREE. Lymm Parish Hall 7.30pm Also field trips. Details: lymmog.co.uk LOW Carbon Lymm are giving local people a last chance to discuss the LYMM LIONS GROUP HS2 high speed rail link before the deadline for commenting on the project Meet: Bridgewater Club, Lymm LYMM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY expires. 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. 7.30pm Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday Contact: 0845 833 5729 (ex July & Aug), 7.30pm They are holding a public meeting at Lymm Village Hall, in Pepper Street, Spread Eagle pub, Eagle Brow. on Monday, January 27 at 7.30pm. LYMM THURSDAY EVENING Details: www.lymmphotosoc.org.uk HS2 will have a major impact on Lymm if it goes ahead and the consultation BRIDGE CLUB LYMM WINE AND BEER CIRCLE Lymm Village Hall every Thursday 7pm exercise which allows local people to comment ends on January 31. Every 4th Wednesday, 8pm Low Carbon Lymm (LCL) chairman Zoe Cohen said: “There will only be MAPLE LODGE ART GROUP Lymm Royal British Legion Club. Details: 01925 604400 days to go when the meeting takes place so we have invited the ABLE Meet each Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm (Agden, Broomedge, Lymm East) group to help you decide whether and how Maple Lodge Guide HQ, Pepper St, Lymm LYMM CONCERT BAND Details: 01925 755126 Rehearsals every Thursday evening you want to respond and to inform our own LCL response.