Category: Education

B&Q stores supporting local community with ‘Community reuse’ scheme

B&Q stores have been donating unsellable materials and products to their local community groups for many years. It’s a great way to reduce waste whilst helping out the community.

The types of material includes:

Wood, including off cuts and single use pallets
Plastic plant pots and trays
Part filled cans of paint. This might be used for a mural or for covering graffiti as well as for decorating
Broken tiles and slabs
Ends of wallpaper rolls
Plants that are not in peak condition and other compostable materials
Old products that have been written off

If your charity, community group, college or school would like to find out more, get in touch with B&Q.  They will add your details to their database of community groups. When a B&Q store has something to donate, they will use this list to get in touch with groups in their area.

Please note that B&Q cannot guarantee what will be offered or when due to the nature of the materials they are donating.

The community groups B&Q have worked with for as part of the Community Reuse scheme have included:

  • Community garden projects
  • Registered charities
  • Schools and colleges
  • Community Repaint
  • Youth groups, Scouts and Guides
  • Hospices
  • Preschool groups and registered child minders

For more information please contact your local store or email Community@b-and-q.co.uk.

Beckenham School Choir Competition at ‘Christmas on the Green’, Saturday 2nd December 2017, Beckenham Green

The Primary School Choir Competition last Christmas was such a success we decided to do it again!

Taking part this year are talented young choirs from THREE Beckenham primary schools.

They have all rehearsed very hard, so please come along to Christmas on the Green this afternoon and give all three your full support:

13:00 – Worsley Bridge Primary School Choir

14:00 – Churchfield’s Primary School Choir

15:00 – Harris Primary Beckenham School Choir

 

At 3.30pm, after the final choir has sung, you will be able to vote for your favourite.

Just go to our Twitter account @CCARA_Beckenham and cast your vote!

The poll will remain open until 18:00 on Sunday and is just for fun.

We think all three choirs are absolutely amazing.

The choir with the most votes will win for their school the 6ft Christmas on the stage, kindly donated by Branching Out plus £50 to buy lights, a stand and decorations.

 

 

Public Consultation – Academy School on Balmoral Avenue – 6.45pm 9 Mar 2016, at St George’s Church Hall, Beckenham

Find out more and have your say about the plans for a new secondary school on Balmoral Avenue. 

E21C  the trust behind the school are running the public meeting at 6.45pm 9th March at St George’s Church Hall on Albermarle Road. This meeting will be the first stage of the consultation process for the planned Beckenham Academy. 

More info can be found at:

Langley Park Primary School Public Consultation – 7pm Thur 20 Jan 2016

You may be aware that a new free school has been proposed in Beckenham –: Langley Park Primary School. The proposal is to open a 2 form entry Primary School for 2016 on a site owned by the Langley secondary schools. This is being done through the government’s free school scheme. As a legal requirement, the directors of Langley Park Academies are now carrying out a formal consultation before the Trust signs a Funding Agreement with the Department for Education. The consultation is about whether a new school should be opened, regardless of time scales.  We wish to formally notify you of this proposal and to inform you that we have begun a formal consultation process with all the stakeholders from our local community, including yourselves. We want to ensure that you have the opportunity to express your views to us should you wish to do so. We are enclosing a copy of the letter explaining the background sent to our supporters with some information about Langley Park Primary School. Also enclosed is a short survey which can also be found on our website at www.langleyparkprimary.org.uk .

For your information, there will be an open Public Consultation Meeting on Thursday 20th January 2016 at 7.00pm at Langley Park School for Girls, when you will have the opportunity to meet Mrs Louise Turner, the Headteacher Designate, as well as members of our proposer group to discuss the project.  If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at parentview@langleyparkprimary.org.uk .

Changes Underway to Beckenham Primary Schools

Many of you will have noticed changes afoot at several primary schools recently – huge mobile cranes, fleets of lorries with pre-fabricated structures on board and a increase in people wearing hi-vis jackets and hard hats.

Worsley Bridge Primary School is having a brand new, two-storey wing built to allow it to increase in size from two to three-forms of entry.  Groundworks began towards the end of February and in March the first pre-fabricated units began to be craned into position.  The superstructure is now in place ready for cladding, fitting out and connection of services.  The completed building should be ready for the start of the new academic year in September.

Clare House Primary School is undergoing a more drastic change, to create a permanent two-form entry school.  While the children continue to be taught in the current building, a brand new, two-storey school building is being constructed on the old playing field.  Groundworks began in March and the first pre-fabricated structure was craned into place on the Mayday Bank Holiday.  Part of the new school building will be ready for occupation in September and the remainder complete by the Autumn Half-Term holiday.  A temporary hard play surface has been provided to allow the children to continue with games and sporting activities.  This will finally be replaced with hard and soft play areas.  Once the new building is complete, the old building will be demolished and replaced with a new, all-weather sports pitch and staff parking.

Bromley Road Primary School is in the process of a more modest change, due to the historical nature of the building and site restrictions.  The existing building is being refurbished internally allowing it to transform from the two-form entry infant school it once was into a one-form entry full primary.  The school is continuing to operate whilst the building works are being carried out, so complex sequencing and careful arrangements between the contractor and the school have been necessary.  Work started shortly after the Easter Holiday.  When complete in September, the school will provide teaching and learning facilities for older primary children and new outdoor sports and play areas.

Harris Primary Academy Beckenham recently secured planning permission for temporary buildings in the grounds of the Harris Academy Beckenham , while a permanent building is developed at the same site.  The new school, in its temporary accommodation, will provide two-forms of entry from this September.  Design proposals for the permanent Primary Academy building were submitted for planning approval in March, along with designs for a brand new Academy building to replace the existing one.

Proposed Harris Primary Academy in Beckenham, November 2014

The Harris Federation has made its second attempt to secure planning permission, for temporary buildings to accommodate two foundation classes (sixty children), to establish a Primary Academy on the site of its Secondary Academy, off Manor Way.  An earlier application was controversially refused over the summer.  A permanent school building is planned, to allow it to grow to an expected capacity of 420.  The reconstruction of the existing Secondary school buildings, together with the new Primary school accommodation, is in the design stage and will be the subject of future planning applications.

The application for the temporary buildings for the Primary Academy is due to be decided by LBB’s Planning Committee on 8th January 2015.

Harris Academy Bromley, Lennard Road – Building Project

If you’re passing Harris Academy Bromley  (the old Cator Park Girls’ School) over the next few weeks you will notice the beginning of a large building  project.  A seven-phase building programme to provide a new science block, sports hall, and revamp the interior of the whole Academy, will keep the school functioning throughout the 2½ year project. The early works phase (all internal) will start in November, and outer blocks will be stripped out March/June. The listed frontage will be left unchanged.

The contractors will work between 8am & 6pm on weekdays, and 8am-1pm on some Saturdays. Dust, noise and vibration levels will be constantly monitored and controlled. A regular newsletter will be issued by Kier, and photos and progress will be updated on the Academy website.

The work should be completed by April 2017. Any queries can be directed to Project Manager Ron Francis, ron.francis@kier.co.uk

Consultation: Worsley Bridge Primary School Proposed Expansion to Three-form Entry

Worsley Bridge Junior School on Brackley Road has announced its intention to consult on a proposal to expand from two to three forms of entry from September 2015, with the total number of children at the school eventually reaching 630.

The school has undergone a number of changes in recent times.  Last year it achieved an Ofsted ‘Good’ grading and  underwent a conversion from junior to a ‘full primary’ status last Autumn.  More recently there has been a change to the school uniform and crest.  Earlier this month it secured planning permission to double its size with a new, two-storey classroom wing, larger staffroom and expanded hall.

The school welcomes any views or comments on its proposals.  This can be done by writing to the Chair of Governors or  sending an email to the School at: admin@worsleybridge.bromley.sch.uk.  Please include your name and address in any correspondence.  The School is also holding an open public meeting on Wednesday 17th September 2014 at 7.00pm at the school.  The closing date for responses to the consultation is Friday 3rd October 2014.

 

Consultation: Clare House Primary School Proposed Expansion to Two-Form Entry

Clare House Junior School on Oakwood Avenue has announced its intention to consult on a proposal to expand from one to two forms of entry from September 2015, with the total number of children at the school eventually reaching 432.

The school has taken a ‘bulge’ class this year and in the two previous years due to the shortage of school places for Bromley children.  Clare House is also embarking on major changes with the construction of a new building and demolition of the existing one granted planning approval today by Bromley Council.

The school welcomes any views or comments on its proposals.  This can be done by: writing directly to the head teacher at Clare House Primary School, Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham BR3 6PJ; or sending an email to admin@clarehouse.bromley.sch.uk.  Please include your name and address in any correspondence.  The school is also holding an open public meeting on Wednesday 17th September 2014 between 3.30 and 6.30pm at the school.  The closing date for responses to the consultation is Wednesday 15th October 2014.

Council Proposal to restructure Bromley Road Infant School – have your say by 15 Feb 2013

This information outlines Bromley Council’s case for the change of age-range at Bromley Road Infant School and how you can respond to the consultation. The deadline for responses is Friday, 15 February 2013.

The Governors of Bromley Road have stated that they wish to review the future organisation of the School. In addition to this, Bromley Council has a duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places available for all children.  The Council must also ensure that the size, location, organisation and number of pupil places deliver best value in the use of public funding.  You can view the relevant Report ‘Review of Primary School Development Plan: Outcomes’ on Bromley Council’s website at:  www.bromley.gov.uk/consultation.

Following discussion with the Governing Bodies of Bromley Road Infant and Worsley Bridge Junior the Council is consulting on changing these linked Infant/Junior Schools to two separate all‑through Primary Schools.  The potential advantages of an all through primary school include:

  • strengthened leadership and management across key stages;
  • consistency of policy and planning;
  • continuity of curriculum organisation and teaching and learning across key stages;
  • continuity in pupil assessment and pupil tracking;
  • staffing, the efficient deployment of expertise and curriculum range, enhanced opportunities for professional development;
  • consistent governance.

A review of the School site and an initial assessment of essential works has indicated that there would be the potential for:

  • A modified School access
  • Multi-use games area
  • Minor decoration and necessary adaptations to ensure facilities are appropriate for junior age children

The proposal for Bromley Road Infant School is to restructure the school from a 3 Forms of Entry Infant to a 1 Form of Entry Primary School from September 2014.

A form of entry is equal to a class of 30 pupils in each year group, so 1 form of entry is equal to 30 pupils in each year group. A Primary School has 7 year groups, running from Reception for the youngest children to Year 6 for the oldest children. Bromley Road already has Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. Under this proposal, the School would grow year to year, rather than all in one go, so that a Year 3 class would be added in September 2014, a Year 4 class in Sept 2015, a Year 5 class in 2016 and finally a Year 6 class in September 2017.

A change to the age range of a school is a prescribed alteration and therefore there is a required consultation and decision making process:

6 November 2012: Report to Education Portfolio Holder (PH) requesting authorisation to consult
11 January – 15 February 2013: Consultation with all interested parties
19 March 2013: Outcomes form Consultation considered by Education PH and decision on proposal made
If proposal approved:  
Late Spring 2013: Publication of Notice and Statement of Case
Summer 2013: Education PH Meeting to consider any objections
Summer 2013: Any objections to be considered by the School Adjudicator
September 2014: Implement Proposal

 

The outcomes from consultation will be reported to the Education Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 19 March 2013 – this is a public meeting which starts at 7pm.

We would welcome your views and comments on our proposal.  You can respond to this consultation in the following ways:

When responding please give your name and address and clarify in what capacity you are responding, e.g. Head Teacher – this will help with the analysis of responses.

A telephone helpline has been set up on 020 8313 4088 and is staffed between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone the helpline if you require large print, audio or Braille versions of this letter, or you require language translation services.

While all responses will be acknowledged, it will not be possible for us to enter into correspondence with individual respondents.  However, Bromley Council’s website will be updated with information as the consultation progresses.

Views and comments received will be summarised in the consultation outcomes report to the Education Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 19 March 2013.  This will be available to view on the Council’s website a week before the meeting.  Information provided in response to this consultation will be published in accordance with access to information regimes including the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We look forward to receiving your views and comments.  The closing date for receipt of responses is Friday, 15 February 2013.

Please note that at the same time as this consultation, Bromley Council will be consulting on a proposal to restructure Worsley Bridge Junior School from a 3 forms of entry Junior School to a 2 forms of entry Primary School. Details of this consultation can be found on here

Council Proposal to Restructure Worsley Bridge Junior School – have your say by 15 Feb 2013

This information outlines Bromley Council’s case for the change of age-range at Worsley Bridge Junior School and how you can respond to the consultation.  The deadline for responses is Friday, 15 February 2013.

The Governors of Worsley Bridge have stated that they wish to review the future organisation of the School. In addition to this, Bromley Council has a duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places available for all children.  The Council must also ensure that the size, location, organisation and number of pupil places deliver best value in the use of public funding.  You can view the relevant Report ‘Review of Primary School Development Plan: Outcomes’ on Bromley Council’s website at:  www.bromley.gov.uk/consultation.

Following discussion with the Governing Bodies of Worsley Bridge Junior and Bromley Road Infant, the Council is consulting on changing these linked Infant/Junior Schools to two separate all‑through Primary Schools.  The potential advantages of an all through primary school include:

  • strengthened leadership and management across key stages;
  • consistency of policy and planning;
  • continuity of curriculum organisation and teaching and learning across key stages;
  • continuity in pupil assessment and pupil tracking;
  • staffing, the efficient deployment of expertise and curriculum range, enhanced opportunities for professional development;
  • consistent governance.

A review of the School site and an initial assessment of essential works has indicated that there would be a need for the replacement/modification of out-buildings and/or modular build to create the necessary accommodation for infant aged children.

The proposal for Worsley Bridge Junior School is to restructure the school from a 3 Forms of Entry Junior to a 2 Forms of Entry Primary School from September 2014.

A form of entry is equal to a class of 30 pupils in each year group, so 2 forms of entry are equal to 60 pupils in each year group. A Primary School has 7 year groups, running from Reception for the youngest children to Year 6 for the oldest children. Worsley Bridge already has Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes.  Under this proposal, the School would grow year to year, rather than all in one go, so that two Reception classes would be added in September 2014, two Year 1 classes in September 2015 and two Year 2 classes in September 2016.

A change to the age range of a school is a prescribed alteration and therefore there is a required consultation and decision making process:

6 November 2012: Report to Education Portfolio Holder (PH) requesting authorisation to consult
11 January – 15 February 2013: Consultation with all interested parties
19 March 2013: Outcomes form Consultation considered by Education PH and decision on proposal made
If proposal approved:  
Late Spring 2013: Publication of Notice and Statement of Case
Summer 2013: Education PH Meeting to consider any objections
Summer 2013: Any objections to be considered by the School Adjudicator
September 2014: Implement Proposal

The outcomes from consultation will be reported to the Education Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 19 March 2013 – this is a public meeting which starts at 7pm.

We would welcome your eviews and comments on our proposal.  You can respond to this consultation in the following ways:

When responding please give your name and address and clarify in what capacity you are responding, e.g. Head Teacher – this will help with the analysis of responses.

A telephone helpline has been set up on 020 8313 4088 and is staffed between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone the helpline if you require large print, audio or Braille versions of this letter, or you require language translation services.

While all responses will be acknowledged, it will not be possible for us to enter into correspondence with individual respondents.  However, Bromley Council’s website will be updated with information as the consultation progresses.

Views and comments received will be summarised in the consultation outcomes report to the Education Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on 19 March 2013.  This will be available to view on the Council’s website a week before the meeting.  Information provided in response to this consultation will be published in accordance with access to information regimes including the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We look forward to receiving your views and comments.  The closing date for receipt of responses is Friday, 15 February 2013.

Please note that at the same time as this consultation, Bromley Council will be consulting on a proposal to restructure Bromley Road Infant School from a 3 forms of entry Infant School to a 1 form of entry Primary School. Details of this consultation can be found here.