Ofsted:“Brookvale is an outstanding school”
Bloors planning application to be ‘redetermined’ Update from Norman Griffiths If planning applications were decided like some football matches both the builders and the people of Groby would have been put out of their misery by now with a penalty shoot out.
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rookvale High School has become the first secondary school in Leicestershire to be judged by Ofsted to be Outstanding in every area since the introduction of the new, more rigorous inspection framework last year. Scrutiny of the Ofsted website shows just how few schools are now achieving this top grade across the country. Headteacher, Katie Rush, said, “The whole school community is delighted with the outcome of the inspection. Since our last inspection we have secured outstanding practice in all areas of our work. The success of our school is down to the hard work and commitment of the school community. We have a highly dedicated staff and governor team, wonderful students and very supportive parents and carers.” The lead inspector reported, “Students’ achievement is outstanding because they make excellent progress during their time at the school and attain exceptionally high standards by the end of Year 9”. “We are particularly proud of our students”, said Headteacher Katie Rush. “The inspectors were incredibly impressed with their courtesy, their attitudes to learning, and their pride in their school.” The lead inspector reported, “The school is led and managed exceptionally well. The Headteacher, senior leaders and governors have overseen significant improvements in the quality of teaching and students’ achievement over the last two years. All staff are clearly dedicated to the further improvement and continued success of the school.” Co Chairs of Governors, Gill Okuniewski and Anthony Whitfield, are extremely proud of the school. “Our role is to support and challenge, and we are delighted that the exceptional school we know is recognised in the inspection report, as is the dedication of the Brookvale governors.” Headteacher, Katie Rush, commented that, “In an era of school age range change in Leicestershire, Brookvale High School is fortunate in having no need to change age range as we share an 11-19 campus with Groby Community College. Together we form the Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, and because of the strength of our partnership, we exemplify all that can work well in the Leicestershire High and Upper school system. As a consequence we are able focus all our energies towards creating an outstanding 11-19 learning environment.”
But planning isn’t football. A request by Bloors to the High Court to examine how the planning inspector had arrived at his conclusions and whether he correctly applied all the rules has now resulted in a judgement. Some may read it and decide that they have discovered their vocation and they want to be a judge. But most will find it hard to wade through the 43 pages of legal detail and discussion of the arguments. The document is too long and too detailed to summarise in the Spotlight. Readers who have been following the application over the last few years will be aware that under the new planning rules it is important for Planning Authorities to be able to demonstrate that they have a five year housing supply of deliverable housing sites. The outcome of the Review is that Bloors found a weakness in the decision of the Planning Inspector in this respect. It is now subject to further review or “redetermination”. So the company hasn’t got the permission needed in order to build on their land next to the cemetery but neither is the refusal of planning permission final. It isn’t yet clear what will happen next. “The decision has been referred back to the Secretary of State and we are waiting to hear what action he proposes to take,” said a spokesperson for the Borough Council. Based on the precedent set by similar cases elsewhere the final outcome may well be one the people of Groby do not want to hear.
New social group to launch in Groby A NEW and exciting afternoon social group is set to launch at the Groby Community Centre next month. Groby residents, Barbara and John Flynn, are the driving force behind this new venture and will be supported by volunteers from the community as well as Groby, Markfield and Ratby Tenants Association and Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland. Further support and financial assistance will be provided through the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s ‘Active Together’ initiative. The weekly group, which will meet for the first time on Tuesday 6th May from 1pm to 2.30pm, will aim to offer a diverse range of activities each week, from ping pong to beetle drives, arts, crafts and everything in between. For further information, please contact either Emma Hopkins, Physical Activity Co-ordinator at the Borough Council, on 01455 619519 or 01455 255875. Or Kate Webb, Development Worker at Age UKLS&R, on 01455 619519.
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