Page 70 - Phonebox Magazine November 2010

News from Olney Infant School
SOON AFTER THE general election in May Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, announced that schools that had received an outstanding rating from OFSTED would be able to fast track to academy status by September 2010. A number of schools took advantage of this but at Olney Infants, an outstanding school, we decided to take a more measured approach and wait and learn from the experiences (and mistakes) of others. Governors and staff from the school attended a number of seminars and met with people involved in academies as well as meeting to discuss the issues.
On the 22nd of September, the Governors met at the school for an extraordinary meeting. At the meeting the Governors voted unanimously to take Olney Infant School to Academy status by the end of March 2011.
This is probably the most important decision that I have made in 19 years as a Governor at the school. I can assure you that all Governors put a lot of thought into this issue. Upmost in our minds were the benefits that being an academy will bring to the school, the staff and, of course, to the children. This was the over-riding reason for voting this way.
Becoming an academy means changes in the way the staff are employed and the school is run but as far as the children and parents are concerned, there will be little change. We will still be an outstanding school and still be a place where children enjoy learning. Academy status means that we will have autonomy from Milton Keynes Council which, together with additional funding that we will receive, will allow us to improve areas we feel are underfunded.
The process has already started and I attended an initial meeting with staff in early October where the process to Academy was outlined and the effects on staff were discussed.
Governors will be consulting with parents soon and will have further meetings with staff and Milton Keynes Council. If all goes to plan, Olney Infant School will become an Academy by the end of March 2011, in time for the start of the summer term.
This is an exciting time for Olney Infant School. If you have any questions then please get in touch with me or one of my fellow Governors via the school.
Jeremy Rawlings Chair of Governors
Emberton and District Flower Club
Private Shopping Evening with Floral Demonstration
AT BECKWITH EMPORIUM
Tuesday November 2nd
Pre Booking essentioal, some seats available on the Coach Please ring Sandra 01234 714144
NEW LOCAL BREWERY
OPENS IN OLNEY IN DECEMBER
The new Olney brewery will offer people excellent ales and beers produced locally by self-confessed beer lovers Matthew Hargreaves, David Wright and Mark Hickman.
“Our aim is to offer the people of Olney and surrounding towns and villages a very satisfying, locally-brewed pint in their local pubs, restaurants and clubs - and also available in bottles from shops,” said head brewer Matthew Hargreaves.
“Traditional real ales that really hit the spot and satisfy are the cornerstone of what we brew. With modern, contemporary beers that intrigue, entice and inspire in the pipeline, we will be offering a pint to suit everyone’s palate,” said Matthew.
Matthew, David and Mark are passionate that the brewery stands for local and sustainable produce – they believe it’s the first to serve the Olney area for nearly a century and is a culmination of three years research and development.
David Wright said, “There’s a natural sense of community in producing things to be enjoyed by people near to where they are made. It’s very satisfying to drink an amazing pint that is brewed sustainably within the community, with very few road miles involved. Historically, each community enjoyed having its own brewery and it’s a real privilege to bring this back to Olney and its surrounding villages.”
The brewery will be open for business in December. Look out for us in pubs, shops, restaurants and clubs in the coming weeks.
To be among the first to hear news on free tastings, brewery tours and special offers please email us info@amazing- ales.com and we will send you regular updates.
Matthew, Mark and David
70 Phonebox Magazine