Schools news (Including a reunion for former Grammar School pupils)

Grammar School reunion is a big success

A reunion of Hemel Hempstead Grammar School past pupils was recently held at Leverstock Green Cricket Club.

There was an encouraging turn-out with twenty-four ex-pupils attending, plus three spouses.

The oldest started at the school in 1937 and the youngest in 1947.

Now The Hemel Hempstead School, the facility was officially opened on 14 October 1931 as Hemel Hempstead Grammar School.

It was opened by Lady Cicely Gore, the wife of James Gascoyne-Cecil, fourth Marquess of Salisbury – whose father, Robert Cecil, was the Prime Minister from 1885-1892 and 1895-1902 – and the Marchioness of Salisbury.

It became a comprehensive in 1969, when schools in the town were reorganised.

Time of transition at Lime Grove Nursery

Unfortunately Jo Langley our Deputy has decided to have a change of career and will be leaving us this month.

Jo is going off to be an NVQ assessor. Jo has been a wonderful addition to the senior team and instrumental in the progression of the pre-school room. We wish Jo all the best of luck for the future in her new career.

As we also have lots of children in transition during the next month, to support these children, we have been reviewing our staffing.

To ensure a smooth transition we are planning for Brianie to move into Bumblebees with the children moving up, and Denyse to move up in Pre-school with the children also moving up. Mark will be moving down into the Bumblebees as he has demonstrated how wonderfully he works with the younger children, as he has a very caring nature to him.

The staff have been swapping and spending some time in the different rooms this week and this will be effective from the start of September..

The staff will be speaking to their key parents individually to introduce who will be taking over their key children. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Momentous year for Pixies Hill’s half-century

Pixies Hill School have had a momentous 50th year.

The school has broken its own record of achievement for the second year running with fantastic results and a recent Ofsted visit confirmed that the school ‘is the best it has been for a long time’.

The school attained a ‘Good’ grading for the first time in its history and inspectors made it clear in the text of their report that the school is well on the road to ‘Outstanding’. They commented on the following:

‘Teaching is consistently ‘Good’ and there are examples of ‘Outstanding’ practice’

‘Pupils achieve well. From their average starting points when they join Reception they make good progress to reach above and sometimes well-above average standards at the end of Year 6.’

‘The behaviour of pupils is good. Pupils are polite, helpful and welcoming to visitors. Their positive attitudes are nurtured well through the `value’ of the month.’

‘All leaders, including the governors, with clear direction from the headteacher, have high expectations of all staff and pupils. Morale is high and all are striving towards outstanding.’

Headteacher Martin Smith said: “I’m really proud of the children, staff, governors and parents, all of whom have worked their socks off!

“I arrived at the school two years ago following a significant rise in national Ofsted expectations and since day one there has been a spirit of hard work, innovation and commitment to ensure Pixies Hill becomes a beacon in the community and a place where children can thrive, create and develop.

“We know we are not far away from becoming an ‘Outstanding’ school and everyone is determined to ensure this happens over the next few years in a climate of empathetic values.”

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