October 2015
School gets licence for weddings KNIGHTON House has been granted a civil ceremony licence allowing couples to marry within the house and grounds of the wedding and events venue which opened in the spring. The licence covers several indoor and outdoor spaces including The Portman Suite, which has been renovated over the summer and can accommodate up to 90 guests, along with the Drawing Room and Library at the front of the house, the cobbled courtyard and the woodland summerhouse. The grand 18th century property was formerly the dowager house of the Portman family estate, and since 1950 has been home to the school which celebrates its 65th anniversary in the autumn. To celebrate the opening of The Portman Suite, there will be an open house event on Sunday 25th October from 2pm to 6pm when a selection of suppliers will be exhibiting. For more information contact the venue co-ordinator Lucy Hinks on 07759 350407, by email to lucy@knightonhouseweddings.co.uk, or see the website knightonhouseweddings.co.uk.
Ringing the changes IT was with great excitement that Okeford Fitzpaine welcomed Bernard Trowbridge into school for the first ringing of the newly restored bell to announce the start of a new academic year. The school bell will become part of village life marking the start of the school day in a traditional way. On hearing the bell the children went into school ready to start the new term. It also rang the changes for the school, welcoming the new headteacher Alison Chant, as well as Huw Thomas as the new teacher for years 5 and 6, and chair of governors Dee Sale, who took up her role at the end of the last school year.
www.forumfocus.co.uk
SCHOOLS
29
School’s pride over students’ exam results MORE than two-thirds of students at The Blandford School taking GCSE exams this year achieved five or more A*-C grades, and nearly 60 per cent passed with A*-C grades in five subjects including English and mathematics. Performance in English was phenomenal, with an 88 per cent pass rate at A*-C. The highest achievement was for Niko Zachary, who not only achieved an A grade in AS additional mathematics but has also an extremely impressive seven A*s and four As in his GCSEs. Superb results were also achieved by Jasmine Hancock with 11 As, Bethan Amey (3 A*s, 7 As and 1C), Hannah Smith (4 A*s, 6 As and 1B), Alyce Peaty (4A*s, 5 As, 1B and 1C), Luke Powell (5 A*s, 4 As and 2Bs), Emma Sully (5 A*s, 4 As and 2Bs), Conor Mackenzie (2 A*s, 6 As, 2 Bs and 1C), and Verity Ellis (2 A*s, 6 As and 2Bs). Headteacher Sally Wilson said: "I am thrilled for our students who have worked extremely hard for these results. So many youngsters in this year group took advantage of lunchtime, afterschool and holiday revision sessions which definitely improved their performance. We are always delighted with our 'high fliers' and there are 22 of those this year - they should all give themselves a pat on the back. "Over the years we have worked very hard to improve progress between Key Stage 2 and 4. Students of all abilities should be equally proud of the progress they have made.”
High flier Niko Zachary with seven A*s, four As and an A grade in AS additional mathematics.
Hannah Smith, left, with four A*s, six As and one B, and her friend Lucy Brunsden.
Bethan Amey, who now has 11 GCSE's, include three A*, seven A and 1C.
Luke Powell with five A*s, four As and 2Bs.