The Beacon August 2013 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

Women's Fellowship Summer Party
Our summer party was held on 16 th July at Jenny and Jasper's home on a warm
evening during the heat wave. We were able to enjoy the lovely summer
weather sitting out in the garden until about 8.30 pm with the beautiful view of
the downs, an English summer evening at its best. The delicious food, provided
by all our members who were able to attend, was varied and plentiful as usual,
and we were pleased that Richard and Pam Allen and Tony and Colyeen
Blanchard were able to be with us.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 20 th August at 7.30 pm at Margaret
Moore's home when we will have a talk on the work carried out at Knowles
Tooth. Please let Margaret know if you will be attending (01273 843805).
Jenny Bell
Children and Young People
Ditchling (St Margaret's) CE Primary School
Having been expecting an Ofsted inspection all year, with it becoming overdue
after Easter, we were relieved when we finally received the phone call on
Tuesday 2 nd July, getting it out of the way before the summer holiday. The
inspector came in on Wednesday 3 rd and Thursday 4 th July, visiting each class
several times to monitor the quality of teaching, along with looking at many of
the children's books. Inevitably the school's performance data was also closely
scrutinised. The inspector met with teachers, children and governors.
After two days of this rigorous process, we were pleased that the inspector
affirmed the school's judgement that it is a good school. This is the highest
judgement that any school in East Sussex has received under the, yet again,
revised framework. The report noted, "Pupils are well behaved around school
and their positive attitudes mean they are keen to succeed in the work planned
for them. The caring adults and strong emphasis on the school values mean that
pupils feel very safe and respected. They reflect this themselves, helping to care
for others. Teaching is consistently good, and occasionally outstanding. Pupils
make good progress across the school and reach standards which are above
average. Progress in reading is outstanding. Pupils’ achievement is good."
We are very pleased with this outcome, and now begin the next academic year
on the journey to outstanding.
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