April/May 2007

Brightwell School : An Inspector Calls

Brightwell is a good, friendly and caring school with some outstanding features – and that’s official! Before, it was the ‘brown envelope’ and an anxious wait that could last up to six months. Now, under reformed measures aimed at de-stressing the process, it’s the ‘dreaded phone call’ to announce their arrival the following week. It’s like exchanging being counted out at the end of ten gruelling rounds of boxing for a knockout blow in the first round- they both hurt, but one puts you out of your misery a lot quicker. Yes, the school underwent an inspection by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), almost four years to the day from its last.

A major difference in the process is that the report (available to the public at www.ofsted.gov.uk) now includes a letter addressed to pupils. In that letter, the Inspector, Mr Christopher Parker, told them, “You go to a good school and are able to learn in a friendly atmosphere where the adults take good care of you. You behave well and listen carefully to each others views”. He added that the children made good progress through teaching that was interesting and lively, encouraging them to discuss important issues such as improving the environment. Further, that the school had made secure improvements since the last inspection, including the wider use of ICT to support teaching and learning. He stated also that over the last few years, standards have been high at the end of year six, with those in science being exceptionally high. His ideas for raising standards in writing, from good to very good were welcomed by teaching staff.

Several aspects of school life received special praise: the “very strong and effective guidance” provided by a governing body that works in close partnership with the school and its leaders; the strong partnership with parents; our children’s mature contributions to discussions on religion, environmental conflict, current affairs and their excellent understanding of the importance of staying fit and healthy.

I extend my thanks and gratitude to the whole-school staff, children, parents and governors for their wonderful contribution to our successes. My thanks also go to parent Nicola Lidstone, whose report to the local press forms the basis of this article.

It is a good report but there is no room for complacency. Already we are planning the improvements that will move our school onwards and upwards.

Roger Grant

Allsorts Pre-School

The main news from Allsorts is that we have received a fantastic Ofsted inspection report. This is our first inspection since we moved to the new building and is an official recognition of the learning that the children achieve.

Two inspectors spent two full days with the staff and children observing their daily activities.

Regarding the environment and children's experience of the new building they commented. "Children enjoy daily fresh air, whatever the weather. They develop their physical skills well. They learn to 'warm up' their bodies before exercising...Children use secure, purpose-built premises. These are bright and welcoming for both children and their parents. Facilities for those with physical disabilities are included. Children play in a suitably laid out playroom. They benefit from ready access to the outdoor area and from using some of the adjacent school's facilities. They use high quality, well maintained resources, many of which are new...Children play in safety, with staff supervising them closely at all times."

The inspectors also recognised that, "Warm, caring relationships exist throughout the pre-school. Older children are actively encouraged to care for younger ones and newcomers. All, including volunteers, are valued in this small, friendly pre-school. Staff know the children extremely well and provide high levels of individual support for all. This includes children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, together with children learning English as an additional language. Children play in a room surrounded by positive images of diversity. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered."

We feel that the inspectors comments were fair and that they highlighted many of the areas of which we are most proud. The building is fantastic, but it is only part of what we offer. Allsorts aims to offer children a great start in education.

We are proud to be part of the Village community and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps us to achieve this.

As ever, should you wish to learn more about what we do and about the care we offer please do not hesitate to contact Hilary Smith at the Preschool (telephone 01491 826387).

Natasha Fuller

Village Website

The Brightwell-cum-Sotwell web site will celebrate its third birthday in May – and by then, we hope to be well on the way to a major revamp. As Villager readers may be aware, we have been running an on-line survey since the Autumn.

Although we attract 100-150 visits a day, only 28 survey responses have been received. This limits the value of statistical analysis, but has helped us realise what our priorities need to be

1) Design

While the overall rating was generally adequate to good, there were a few who rated the design as "poor" (and two "very poor"). Comments included:

• "The navigation is very difficult and has not improved since the site was launched."

However, another respondent rated ease of navigation as the site's best feature! The site has been growing apace, often in unexpected directions. Now the content is more stable, we have an opportunity to make it easier for people to find their way about.

• "Could choose a better typeface - your one's a bit too chubby and slightly hard to read. "

This is being addressed in the current redesign.

• "Change the home page to contain links to news events and other important information."

Some links are already present. However, we had been considering moving the existing home page text to an ‘inside’ page. It is clear from survey responses that many people do not realise just how much is on the site, and we need to make the information more accessible.

2) Content

• "Needs updating more frequently."

A perennial problem for a small team of volunteers with busy lives. In the long term, we hope to allow direct updating on-line by the web site group and authorised bodies or individuals. This will be a substantial task. and we appeal for help from anyone with PHP, SQL or CSS experience.

• "It would be nice to have a link to the school and other groups."

Many local organisations (including the school) have links to their own web pages. If an organisation does not already have its own web page(s), the web site group is happy to provide one within the village site.

• "Please include letters page from Villager - sometimes people are asking for information etc and on-line readers might be able to help."

At the moment, our agreement with The Villager is that we have to get permission from the writers for everything that goes online. This would make including all letters impractical. However, we will raise this point with The Villager committee.

• " Where is the section on the villagers? It’s the people that we remember most - without them the village would just be a picture postcard."

We already have ‘Where are they Now?’, which features news from past villagers, and our own News pages. Other news can be found in "The Villager Online". As we don't want to compete for content with The Villager, this is probably the best place. However, we do have the advantage of being able to publish pictures, so perhaps expanding our picture galleries is the best way forward.

• "What is missing is History. The meaning of the name etc..."
• "History from old villagers. Did you know there are very few left from pre war days?"

These are surprising comments, as there is a lot of history and reminiscence on the site. However, if you spot a gap, why not write us an article to fill it?

• "Have more frequent updates of village events preferably with pictures."
• " The village life section could be a lot more exciting. Maybe ask people to submit a few photographs they've taken of the village and post the best ones? "

The site contains a number of areas where pictures are displayed. So far, we have been dependent on a very small number of regular contributors (to whom, many thanks). Pictures and stories can be emailed to the editor via the Contact page on the web site.

• "Why not have a village noticeboard, where villagers can chat about everyday issues? If you create a simple log-in procedure with a valid email address to register the message board will not have any unwanted spam. "

This has always been a popular idea. However, on-line forums are open to everyone with internet access (anyone can supply a valid e-mail address), and we don’t have the resources for full-time monitoring. When we revamp the site, we may be able to have "members-only" message boards for individual organisations. Incidentally, the existing Notice Board for small ads - reached via the Village Life page - is woefully under-used. Do people think this is worth keeping?

All comments and contributions gratefully received at Sally Dugan or Myron Edwards

Myron Edwards and Sally Dugan

Wintry Weather

1929
During the very severe winter of 1929, the Sotwell House moat, where the younger children of today love to feed the ducks, was frozen over with ice so thick that the older children could slide about on it in complete safety. Also, in the meadows nearby the boys were able to crawl along the frozen ditches collecting otherwise unreachable dead sticks, for their small camp fires which they were forever lighting.

1947
Very severe arctic weather in January and February with heavy snowfalls. The Wittenham road starting at Highlands farm entrance was completely blocked by snow even to pedestrians. The snow had been blown off the hill to the north, through the hedges, and had come to rest 4 ft. deep in the roadway, like huge whirls of whipped cream. The thaw, when it did come, was a rapid one, and the countryside below was completely flooded. Rats and rabbits sat about dejectedly on the ground above their flooded holes and tunnels. The foxes couldn’t believe their luck!

1962/63
A long spell of bitterly cold wintry weather lasted from late 1962 to well into 1963. Southwest England had its worst winter weather in living memory. Remnants of snowmen, built by fathers in this winter, could be seen on garden lawns, as late as the following March. At least 10 inches of snow, plus frozen water pipes closed local schools, one sad thing was that the depth of snow was higher than the younger children’s Wellingtons !

1981/82
Arctic weather set in, in early December. Many tree branches were broken down by the weight of the snow. Deep snow from 8 January to the 15 January. One night in Oxfordshire recorded the lowest temperature ever – minus 20 C.

2007
February 8th. A sudden world of white, but the snow was fortunately (or unfortunately !) short lived. I hope the cameras were in action, not only for the snow scenes, but to catch the expressions on the faces of the younger children, some of whom might not have seen snow before.

Ron Wood

On Giving up Bees

March 2nd 2007, a fine Spring morning with a bit of warmth in the sun but, sadly, no reason to walk into the orchard to see who is flying today. It is a quite a wrench not to have any bees after nearly 60 years of having them around. However, being sensible, I realise how lucky I have been to be able to keep them for such a long time.

My father had a couple of hives during the 1939 – 45 war, - I think he kept them purely for their sugar ration, he certainly knew very little about them. When I came home after being in the WRNS he said to me “ Now you can look after the bees”. I knew nothing about them either, but after a little instruction from a nearby beekeeper I made a start. I have had a hive or two ever since until bidding them farewell last autumn.

Before we settled down in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell we had quite an itinerant life so I have kept bees in Barnet, with the railway at the bottom of the garden. A move from there to Kent gave them wonderful countryside to visit. I remember clearly our move from Kent to Hampshire when somehow or other we persuaded the removal chaps to lower the van tail board and strap our hive, complete with bees, on the back. They arrived quite safely at their new home.

In Winchester we became very good friends with our neighbours, Bob and Ros, and are still, nearly 50 years later. Bob became very interested in my bees and Ros always said we would never elope, being two Geminis, we would never get ourselves organised, always having to sort out the bees first. Needless to say Bob soon had his own hives and in due course, introduced his son to beekeeping. When we were moved north for a couple of years he kindly looked after my stocks and returned them to me when we arrived in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell 38 years ago. He has just retired from the post of Chairman of Winchester Beekeepers to become their President, more prestigious and less work!

I am not sure when oilseed rape first became an important crop for farmers but it is since living here that my crop of honey has increased enormously. The fact that it is also a very good area for fruit growing has contributed greatly to honey production. The wild trees, horse chestnut, wild cherry and lime help to produce the wonderful mixture that the bees enjoy first and then allow us to gather. Not unconnected with the increased productivity is the fact that I joined the South Chilterns Beekeepers Association whose members have a vast store of knowledge which they generously pass on and are always ready with a helping hand when needed. This is something that I have really appreciated during the Summer of 2006.

Viola Crowe