Education Matters

THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM -THE PARENTS' VIEW

Education Matters this month is responses, together with the most enter after they leave school (we tician, of whatever party, have written by Rod Leverton who is important aspects of the relevant noticed that technology was in- such power. Indeed we felt that chair of the Greendown Parent sections of the document: cluded, but none of the areas of on an issue of such importance to Teachers Association. If you What is the National Curricu- craft or design). all our children, it was essential would like to respond to the issues lum? The document then raises the that the curriculum could only be raised in this article please write to him. We shall print some of your , The red book, suggests that all schools have a curriculum issue of 'attainment targets'. It seems to suggest that we should decided by the decision of a large number of people - industrialcomments in the next issue. which equips (children) with the reintroduce something like the ists, teachers, parents and other knowledge, skills and under- old eleven plus exam - not only interested members of society.

During the Summer holidays, standing that they need for adult at age eleven, but also at seven, Finally, we all expressed our most Secondary Schools received life'. fourteen and sixteen. We were anxiety about the timing of the a large red book which contained Compaied with our own school- very concerned of our children whole process. We had been given suggestions by the Government ing, which many parents felt was 'failing' such an exam, and had a little over two weeks to talk for the new national curriculum narrow and often irrelevant, this our own memories of the horror about a matter of supreme imfor our state schools. Unfortu- idea seems very welcome. There of our own experience and al- portance. The Government says nately, many, perhaps most, was a lot of support for the idea though we thought that children it wants to give parents power, Primary Schools did not receive that as well as knowing the 'basics', could have a 'target' which sug- but then gives us so little time to the document, and so have not reading, writing, etc. that our gested what they might be able to consider the matter that it seems had time to consider this very children need the benefit of a do at varoius ages, we all know to be taking the power away important issue. The parents at much wider education. how different children are, and before we have really managed Greendown, with the support of The document then makes some how they develop at different to have any influence. the Governors, Staff and mem- suggestions as to what exactly rates. We all felt that the system This summary is only a very bers of the Parents Association this means. Maths, English and being suggested would be totally small part of the wide ranging Committee, decided that they Science form the top priority unfair and we were unanimously discussion which took place. The should try to make some form of subjects, closely followed by against the idea of that sort of parents were quite united in their response to the proposals in the foreign languages, technology, test. We also wondered what was views and if any other people document. Two open meetings history, geography, art, music, supposed to happen to the new would like copies of our full were held, and the thirty or so and PE. In other words, almost GCSE - we're only just begin- response, Greendown School will parents who attended were able exactly what we had when we fling to understand that exam! be happy to supply you with one to read the document and make were at school! This was quite We then talked about who - please call in at the office and comments and suggestions - disappointing - where was the finally decides the curriculum. collect a copy or telephone these were then sent, as sug- moral education, where was the The document seems to suggest 874224. gested, to the Secretary of State use of computers, where was the that it is the Secretary of State for Education, the RT Hon Mr Kenneth Baker MP. development of the skills that our children will need in the who decides. This worried all of us - we were not convinced of TO ADVERTISE IN THE LINK RING: 771534 or 872282

This then, is a precis of their 'high tech' world which they will the wisdom of letting any poli-

SELF-BUILDERS - END IN SITE EXCt71SIONS - & TOURS

Sunday 1st November Bicester Market Saturday 7th November Cardiff for shopping Sunday 8th November Blackbushe Market From left: Steve Mayhew, Peter Collins and Alan, Terry Twyman and A bbye. The Link reported the beginning Group member Terry Twyman of a self-build housing project in is looking forward to a holiday April. Over six months later an when all the work is finished. end is in sight for thirteen families Fellow worker Steve Mayhew who set out to build their own commented "There is great satis- houses in their spare time. faction in building something

With guidance from the yourself and also knowing the Wingate Housing Association saving we've made on top of the the group of men, supported by value the houses are now." wives and girlfriends, have put in Peter Collins confirms that twenty-seven hours a week to the building his own house has been project during evenings and a good experience. "It's been weekends. Five houses are 100% effort by everybody all the occupied and the rest will be way. We're all great friends now" finished by Christmas. said Peter.

for Shopping Saturday 21st November Leicester for shopping Sunday 22nd November Petticoat Lane Market Saturday 28th November London for Shopping

£ 3.00 £ 2.25 £ 4.00 £ 3.00 £ 4.00 £ 3.00

£ 5.50 £ 4.50 £ 4.50 £ 3.50 £ 4.50 £ 3.50 £ 4.50 £ 3.50

Adult Child Saturday 14th November Peterborough

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SCALES AID EAST WEST

The first fundraising event to provide every Health Visitor in RELATIONS West Swindon with a set of por- The Swindon Branch of the Britishtable electronic scales has suc- Soviet Friendship Society have chosen ceeded in raising nearly enough the Link Arts Theatre for a film show money for two units. and social evening to commemorate

At present there are nine the founding of the Soviet Union. Health Visitors but only three portable scales to go round. Debbie Griffiths and other memAdmission is free, the theatre bar will be open, and a speaker has been invited from the Soviet Embassy. The date: Saturday November 7th bers of Shaw Parent & Toddler at 7p. m. All are welcome to see films Group are behind the idea and about the people of the USSR, its hope that other community or- Transport, International co-operation ganisatioi in West Swindon will in Space and Industry and the famous join them in raising enough Georgian Folk Dancers. money. Seventeen under-threes Health visitor Sue York looks on as Suzanne Grier puts James, 5 For more information Contact Alan took part in a sponsored slide months, on the portable scales at Upper Shaw Farm Centre baby clinic. Winmill, telephone 875129. and managed to raise £208. Steve Shaw project can bring results, lllllIIlIlltllIIlllllllllllllllllllIIllllllIllIlIllllllllll Dorling, 2, from Maxey Close, Shaw had some major financial backers and raised £56 from his efforts. The group also secured support from Renault and the "Wouldn't it be good if every Health Visitor could weigh babies every time they visit a home," said Debbie. "We've set the idea in motion; Upper Shaw Farm SAVE PAPER FOR CHARITY A skip will be available at Toothill Village Centre rear car park all day on 7th November for deposits paper for re-cycling. Get your Christmas Bargains at the Link Centre charity market on Saturday 28th November, 10 a.m. —2 p.m., Allied Dunbar Chritable Trust and expect a further £90 to add Playgroup and Wigwams at the Link Centre are also holding Proceeds to local playgroups— save now! in the Malt. lllllllllllllllIlllIlllllIIIllIllIlllllllllllIllIlllllllIl to their total. If babies can be weighed more often, closer monitoring of their sponsored slides and the Link 3-5 Playgroup are making a contribution from their recent A NEW YEAR OF COURSES STARTS by Rod Kensett, Adult & Community Tutor development can take place. sponsored swim. Each set of A large programme of Adult VHS video suite or sound recordParents can take children to the scales costs about £200 so there's Education courses started at the ing equipment. Please phone me four clinics listed on the refer- a way to go. end of September. Apologies to if you are interested. ence page of The Link, but not all do, and they are often the Sponsor forms can be provided and a slide can be lent to any those of you unable to get into the GCSE, Wordprocesing and Help? ones who need to be seen more community group which wants to Information Technology courses. In the course of enrolment we often by Health Visitors. Debbie participate in Scales Aid by con- There are still some places on the dealt with a large number of enGriffiths is convinced that the tacting Julia Morris on 875968. daytime Maths - both GCSE quiries about Education - to do and Return to Learn - and with courses locally, at New English, but very few on the College, Swindon College and Chapel Towse Ltd. evening courses. Further places retraining - all sorts. Very often will be available on Wordproces- we were able to point enquiries sing courses after Christmas but in the right direction or make Insurance Consultants apply soon, they are already introductions. If it helps, ask. going fast! Many of the non-exam courses Something at the Weekend are also full but it's always worth As you saw from last month's

If you own a car or house you need enquiring because a place may be available and, in any case, Link, this year we have attempted a whole programme of weekend insurance. your interest will be recorded and, as soon as is possible, another courses. Full information in a special 'Weekend and Day course will be organised. Un- Course' brochure is available

We would be pleased to discuss your insurance requirements either for Personal Insurance or for fortunately, with exam courses, the fees for which are subsidised by the County Council, further courses can only happen the fol- Computer Club lowing year assuming the County Applications and enquiries are from the West Swindon Library or Greendown.

Commercial Business Insurances. Council make more money avail- invited for a Friday evening able. All other courses can be Computer Club. If you are interduplicated if the accommodation ested telephone me for further

Our advice, like our quotations, is an equipment are available and a details. competent teacher can be found. free and you may be sure will be Use of Facilities Greendown Theatre Group If you want to make use of the A Junior (6-8 p.m.) and Senior competitive. facilities at Greendown there are (8-10 p.m.) Drama Group is a number of ways of doing so. flourishing at Greendown on You may join a class or by being Thursday evenings.

Do not delay! It could be too late. a Community Association mem- Opportunities both in front ber either join one of our clubs or and behind the scenes.

For a fast friendly and reliable make use of the facilities as an Full information from Jules individual. Recently we held a Dowling on 874224. service ring Swindon 37434. weekend familiarisation course for people wishing to use our Further details, or to offer ideas workshops and hope soon to be or suggestions, please contact CONTRACF HOUSE BRAMBLE ROAD SWINDON SN2 SDS able to offer the same for those me at Greendown Community of you interested in using our School. Tel: 871413.

BOOMTOWN LIVING

West Swindon has, without doubt, become a very desirable residential area. From one bed flats through to five bedroom man- Chris Griffin sions, there is a range of accom- The north-south divide of the modation for people on different country can be seen fairly starkly rungs of the housing ladder but as in the area according to Chris prices of some houses rise by up to Griffin. "People from the north a £1,000 per month, many people are buying in West Swindon and are losing the chance to become are finding it very difficult to sell homeowners and some become houses up there; some take a big real casualties of the boom town loss to make the move. In some syndrome. And in the rented places in the north of England, a sector, there are very few prop- three bed house can be bought erties available whilst the waiting for under £10,000." list for local authority housing has become enormously long as the Government restriction on UNDER 5s building new houses bites. The week of 16th to 21st Nov-

According to Chris Griffin, ember is Wiltshire Under 5s Sales Executive with Swindon Awareness Week. There will be Estate Agents Dreweatt, Neate an exhibition in the Link Library Farrant & Wightman, prices and information broadcast on went up by an average of 13% in GWR Radio. the first quarter of the year and The West Swindon Under 5s between 15% and 20% for first Forum will be holding a meeting time buyers. The half year price on Monday 16th November, 7.30 increase was expected to be p.m. in the Community Suite, around 25%. The end of year Link Centre. Anybody who has mark could be 50%. an under 5, works or is concerned "West Swindon is now more with pre-school children is welsettled and has very attractive come to come along. We will be facilities," said Chris recently. looking at the draft of a local "A couple of years ago it was guide for parents with under 5s. difficult to sell a one bed starter flat; now they go like hot cakes. LONE PARENTS In fact everything is going very The Better Halves Lone Parent quickly. We expected the sum- Group welcome any parent on mer, post-election period to be their own at their weekly meetquiet, but prices continued to ings on Tuesday 10.30 a.m. to shoot up, though more slowly." 12.30 p.m. in the Community

The explosion in house prices Suite, Link Centre. Parents with right across southern England or without the children are inand particularly in the Thames vited to meet others in a similar Valley has several causes includ- situation for a friendly chat over ing the opening of the M25 a cup of coffee. motorway around London and the opening up of financial THE LINK markets of The City to inter- CHRISTMAS PARTY national finance houses. Swindon It may be too early to start thinkhouse prices are affected by this, ing about Christmas, but its never and as companies move away too early to start thinking about from high London prices bringing Christmas shopping! people with them, their higher • In order to relieve you of one salaries are able to afford the rising prices. "There used to be burden when shopping - the kids - Link Centre is holding a special lots of houses in the £20,000 to Children's Christmas party on £30,000 bracket," said Chris. Saturday 5th December. Just drop "There's not much under them off at the Centre and we'll £40,000 now. I'm meeting first do the rest. The kids will be fully time buyers from the Thames supervised and will participate in Valley able to spend £50,000, many activities including ice whilst there are several sites in skating, sports, party games and West Swindon offering new much more. houses from £80,000 to well The number of children we over £100,000. It means that can take will be limited so start people with the lower Swindon planning early this Christmas wages are finding it difficult to and book yours into our special stay in touch, they are just being Christmas Party day. You deserve priced out of the market. the rest!

TAKING CARE WITH CREDIT

by Karel Edwards Money advice worker, Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau With only 46 shopping days to *Total amount payable, i.e Christmas, shops and loan corn- cash preice + credit + all other panies are pushing credit to en- payments. The APR is a useful courage you to buy now and pay guide but a low APR does not leter. Credit is the easy way to always mean you pay less in the spend, but what steps can you end, especially if the agreement take to avoid it becoming a is long-term. burden in the new year! *J your home at risk? If a

Can you afford it? Work out loan is 'secured' on your home your outgoings (remembering to and you can't keep up payments, allow for emergencies). Is there you could loose your home. anything over for repayments? *How do you repay the credit?

Shop around for credit? There Can you vary payments, is it are many different types, which easier to pay weekly or monthly. is the cheapest and best suited to Read the agreement carefully. you? Here are some pointers. Ask if you don't understand any- *APR (Annual Percentage thing. Try and take it home to Rate). This shows the real cost of sign as this may give you a short credit on a yearly basis. Interest period to cancel if you have and all other charges made for second thoughts. providing credit are added up There is always some risk to and shown as an annual rate, borrowing but with care you are including arrangement charges less likely to get into trouble. and compulsory payments such If in doubt, get advice from as insurance. An example: the Citizens Advice Bureau, I

A loan company may offer Faringdon Road, Swindon, tel. £200 for a year at 14%. Total 28303 or ask ifor the leaflet 'Shop cost = £228 to be paid in 12 Around for Credit' from the instalments of £19.00. But be- Trading Standards Department cause the loan reduces with each of Wiltshire County Council in payment the APR is almost 28%. Milton Road.

PLAYGROUP AUCTION

BAZAAR The 1st Purton & Lydiard Scout The Rainbow Playgroup hold Group are holding their annual their annual Christmas Bazaar Auction Sale on Saturday 31st on Saturday 21st November in October, 2.00 p.m. Purton Freshbrook Community Centre, Village Hall. Seventy-five per from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon. cent of the sale price is guaranteed Admission lop. on all items sold for over £1.00.

Cakes, Plant Stall, Toys, Bric- The hall will be open between A-Brac, Tombola, Books, Father 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon on sale Christmas. day for the receipt of items.

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