Our news...

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30th Birthday party and Christmas Party at Old Court Community School on the 17/12/04
Details to come...

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Helen's ready to run
From "this is Wiltshire" March 2004

HELEN Stacey is running a half marathon to raise money for her three-year-old son's playgroup. Old Court Community Pre-school in Wootton Bassett is fundraising to buy outdoor play equipment for its 100 children.

Mrs Stacey has raised £250 in sponsorship and is hoping more people will pledge funds.

She has been training for the 13 mile race, which takes place in Reading tomorrow.

The 34-year old first took up running in memory of her late mother Maureen Fernyhough, who died at the age of 54 from ovarian cancer.

Helen ran in the Race for Life in 2002 to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and has continued to do charity runs.

She has two children, Sam, three, and Jed, six.

She said: "We want to use the money for outdoor toys and a race track.

"It's really important for them to get exercise at a young age, especially to prevent child obesity and give them good habits early on."

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Thriving nursery school gets a gold star
From "This is wiltshire" May 2001

OLD Court Community Pre-School in Wootton Bassett has received a glowing Ofsted inspection report.

It says: "Children's learning is good in all six areas of the curriculum. Mathematical development is of particular note with effective planning, skilled use of routines and learning inter-woven into the programme, as a whole ensuring children's very good progress.

"Learning is underpinned by very good teaching which is guided by thorough planning and assessment.

"Parents are involved in all aspects of the life of the pre-school, working harmoniously alongside staff in sessions and providing a supportive, enthusiastic committee.

"Children's good progress is celebrated and shared with parents.

"This partnership has a positive impact on the children's learning. This is a thriving, lively group."

Old Court opened in 1974 and has 122 children on its roll, aged from two to five.

The group is a registered charity and is managed by a committee of parents. It is financed by fees and fundraising events and is run by a staff of seven.

The report congratulates Old Court for the implementation of the action-plan developed in response to the key issues raised at the previous inspection in 1999 of the provision for four-year-olds.

Provision for special needs, which was highlighted for action two years ago, is now a strength.

The report adds: "The quality of teaching is very good, underpinned by thorough planning and assessment.

"Key workers use assessments to produce play-plans for each child, enabling the delivery of a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of all children.

"Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills all receive balance and coverage.

"Registration-time is used effectively to promote language skills, with staff speaking clearly and slowly in discussions. The children's responses are confident and articulate.

"The children learn through role-play, with scenarios changed regularly to suit the current topic. They are acquiring early reading and writing skills through structured activities."

The report concludes: "There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving current best practice through careful monitoring and evaluation."