I write this blog to update Conservative Future members rather than my local residents who I represent in Waddon. However there is one story that I would like to share with you that involves a school in my ward.
For over two years, St Andrews High School in Warrington Road has been operating a successful extended schools cluster, the Waddon Inclusive Network with four local primary schools in the area. I had the pleasure of attending a litter pick that they organised at Duppas Park when I first became elected and saw how supportive the older pupils were to the younger ones.
This is an example of the Government’s Big Society agenda in action as pupils at St Andrews High School had to give up their time outside of school to provide after school and holiday activities for younger pupils.
Recently they have strengthened their bond with St Andrews Church and hope to run an outreach programme there, which will help the elderly and young people in the local area build their skills.
In September they are launching a new project that will see the school link up with a local pupil referral unit. This initiative aims to help young people with the transition from primary to secondary school.
Headteacher David Matthews said: “We think we’ve got a really good model at St Andrew’s for growing the citizens of the future. We’re looking to run lots of activities that children can commit themselves to. If the Big Society is going to work, it’s going to be about forging good relationships with people living nearby.”
Local MP Richard Ottaway visited the school and was very impressed with the benefits that the pupils and local community feel from the projects. He concluded by stating: “The ‘Big Society is certainly flourishing here in Waddon and I wish them all the best with their future plans.”
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| Richard Ottaway MP visiting St Andrew's High School pupils |
I commend the school for these initiaitves and wish them every success with their outreach programme and encourage other organisations in Waddon to strengthen their relationships with the local community in this way.
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