Category: More News

OXFORDSHIRE primary schools are celebrating after test results for 11-year-olds placed the county above the national averages.

Based on annual tests taken by all children in their final year of primary school, the tables show how well schools have performed in English, maths and science. They also include a Contextual Value Added score (known as the CVA measure) which represents the progress pupils have made throughout their time at primary school.

Attainment of Oxfordshire?s 11-year-olds in English continues to be better than the national average. The number of pupils performing well at the highest level is also better than the national average in English, mathematics and science.

Pass rates at the highest level (Level 5) were as follows:

32 per cent of pupils achieved level 5 in English compared with 30 per cent nationally.

In mathematics, 32 per cent of pupils achieved level 5 compared with 31 per cent nationally.

In science 45 per cent achieved the higher level compared with 44 per cent nationally.

Pass rates at Level 4 or above were as follows:

In the new measure of combined English and mathematics, 73 per cent of pupils in Oxfordshire attained Level 4 or above, matching the national average.

In English, 82 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above. This is the same as last year and one percentage point better than the national average.

In mathematics, 79 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above. This is an increase of two percentage points on last year, and matching the national average.

In science, 88 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above, equalling last year?s results and matching the national average.

Seven county schools achieved 100 per cent in English, mathematics and science at the standard the government expects of 11-year-olds (Level 4). These schools were Appleton, Combe, Cropredy, Ewelme, Nettlebed, Shenington and Woodstock.

Some schools have also performed well, but do not appear in the published tables because the size of the classes entering the tests is too small. These are Enstone, Marcham, Shellingford and St Peter’s in Cassington.

Twelve Oxfordshire schools have CVA measures which put them in the top five per cent of schools nationally. These schools are Combe, Eynsham, Faringdon, Horspath, Kidmore End in Reading, Ladygrove Park in Didcot, Rush Common in Abingdon, St Edburg’s in Bicester, St Leonard’s in Banbury, St Thomas More in Kidlington, Woodstock and Northern House Special School in Oxford.

In addition St Peter’s in Cassington and Shellingford School who had too few pupils to be included in the tables, also had a CVA measure that would have put them in the top five per cent of all schools nationally.

Councillor Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council?s Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, said: “I would like to congratulate all our schools for these results. They reflect a lot of hard work on behalf of pupils and teaching staff. I have observed some outstanding teaching and learning in the county?s primary schools and am constantly impressed by the hard work and commitment of pupils and teaching staff.
“It is great to see the individual successes and that overall Oxfordshire primary schools are performing above the national picture, particularly at the highest level. However, with Oxfordshire?s social background and academic heritage, the county council feels that it should aim even higher. We have a firm commitment to do better and to raise standards even further in the county?s schools.”

Planning Applications Considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning Committee on Tuesday 31 March.

8369
P07/E1324/LB 13 PRIEST END
Demolition of outbuilding. Conversion of existing buildings, including single storey
extensions to annex building and ground floor apartment, to provide a total of 5
residential units. Alterations to garden wall.
Amendment No.1
Correspondence was received from Striblehills, 15 Priest End and Martin
Markcrow Architects. Also, a petition signed by 18 residents.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Out of character in a Conservation Area
2. Contrary to Planning Policy
The Committee particularly remarked upon statements within the architect?s
original design statement, when the importance of a red brick garden wall
was highlighted many times. A brick wall would ?enhance the setting
further?, it would ?complement the symmetry of the college??.
His current proposals were a complete reversal.

8370
P07/E1323 13 PRIEST END
Demolition of outbuilding. Conversion of existing buildings, including single storey
extensions to annex building and ground floor apartment, to provide a total of 5
residential units. Alterations to garden wall.
Amendment No. 1
Correspondence was received from Striblehills, 15 Priest End and Martin
Markcrow Architects. Also, a petition signed by 18 residents.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Out of character in a Conservation Area
2. Contrary to Planning Policy
The Committee particularly remarked upon statements within the architect?s
original design statement, when the importance of a red brick garden wall
was highlighted many times. A brick wall would ?enhance the setting
further?, it would ?complement the symmetry of the college??.
His current proposals were a complete reversal.

8608
P09/E0253 28 & 30 YOUENS DRIVE
Rear single storey extension to nos. 28 & 30 Youens Drive and part conversion
of garage and extension to 28 Youens Drive.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8609
P09/E0260 19 GLENHAM ROAD
Single storey extension to garage to form new living room.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

8610
P09/E0114 110 WELLINGTON STREET
Part single, part two storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

A newly formed Thame scout troop held its first Investiture ceremony yesterday.

Seventeen scouts were invested into Rowallan Scout Troop, which has been reopened after ten years. A blessing was given by Reverend Alan Garratt to the new troop.

The event was supported by parents and scouters of the group, both past and present, who joined in with games and a BBQ which followed.

Thame Scout Group is always looking for Helpers and Leaders to provide a fun and varied educational programme to the Youth of Thame. For more information contact: shelaghhutson@aol.com

OXFORDSHIRE’s branch of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) has launched a hard hitting ?Hands Off Oxford?s Green Belt? campaign to combat what it sees as serious threats.

In a recent press release, the group said: “Whilst the public strongly supports the Green Belt ? a national MORI Poll in 2005 found that 84% believed that it should always remain open and undeveloped, 61% very strongly so ? it has never been under such threat as it is today.”

The CPRE sees serious threats to the Green Belt ringing all round Oxford City, including the so-called ?eco-town? proposal at Weston Otmoor, threats at Marston, Shipton, and Kennington, and the City Council?s plan for an urban extension onto South Oxfordshire?s Green Belt south of Grenoble Road.

Dr Helena Whall, CPRE Oxfordshire Campaign Manager, said: “One of the greatest threats to Oxford?s Green Belt is the City Council?s proposal to build a large urban extension of new business premises and at least 4,000 houses south of the City. Its case for the urban extension has always been that it was to provide much needed housing for the City ? despite the fact they accepted at a Public Inquiry that it could all be built within the City itself. In any case the plan is not to just build houses but to create a ?mixed development? which the Secretary of State has recognised risks making the housing situation worse not better.”

Helena Whall continued: “For some years CPRE has been saying that the City?s urge to sprawl out over the Green Belt (which was specifically set up for the purpose of containing it) is nothing to do with housing need but simple expansionism ? a wish to be Greater Oxford, a new Birmingham.

“Evidence recently obtained by the CPRE of the City?s expansionist tendency from as long ago as 1981 confirms this view. The City?s ?war-map? shows them taking over a long list of surrounding parishes including Kennington to the North and the present so-called urban extension area in the South. Their 1981 plan ? which was claimed to be solely for the good of its victims ? was widely derided by local papers at the time. It simply went underground. Ten years later the City took over Marston and Littlemore. The Grenoble Road extension would be another domino. How long until Kidlington is again in the firing line?”

The CPRE also reports that it finds “alarming” news that South Oxfordshire District Council, which CPRE says has up until now professed itself a strong supporter of the Green Belt when opposing Oxford?s urban extension, is now, in its just published, Core Strategy, proposing two Green Belt “violations” of its own, at Berinsfield and at Wheatley.

Over the next few weeks, CPRE members and Oxfordshire?s Green Belt parishes will receive a ?Hands Off Oxford?s Green Belt? campaign pack including a newsletter, car-stickers and leaflets.

On Sunday, April 19, members of the public who are concerned about threats to the Green Belt are being invited to join a campaign walk from Shotover to Horspath, along part of CPRE?s Oxfordshire Green Belt Way, led by popular TV personality, Wesley Smith, followed by a rally at Horspath Village Hall with a panel of speakers including local M.P. John Howell, Ian Scargill, Chairman of the Oxford Green Belt Network, and Elizabeth Gillespie, District Councillor for Garsington and The Baldons.

Photo: By Christian Guthier, Wheatfields.net

LOOK out for members of Thame Lions Club when you’re out and about in the town on April 11, 2009. They will be running a mile of coins up and down Greyhound Walk, Thame.

Any coinage can be used to help them complete a mile.

All the proceeds will go to Lighthouse and the Thame Summer Playscheme that they organised on the Thame Showground.

COMENCES AT 10AM UNTIL 3PM

FRIDAY, April 24, is the date for your diary, when the Thame and Chinnor Liberal Democrats will be holding a quiz.

Time: 7.30pm for 8pm

John Hampden School

Bring your own nibbles and drinks – Home made desserts available – Raffle

Tables of 6-8 Tickets

FOR one hour, next Saturday, March 28, the people of Thame can join a billion others all over the planet in what is going to be the biggest mass participation event in history.
It is hoped that as many of us as possible will take part in WWF’s Earth Hour, by switching off our lights at 8.30pm, on March 28, for one hour.

In doing so, it is intended to show world leaders that they have to take real action to tackle climate change which is pushing species towards extinction and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.

To be part of this historic event, you just need to click on the link below now and sign up. If you don’t, you can still take part but the organisers won’t be able to add your voice to the millions of others who have already shown their support.

So please take two minutes to get involved and you’ll be updated on the big event.

Sign up now!
Earth Hour LINK

Let ThameNews.Net know what YOU will be doing for that one hour while the lights are out – email: editor@thamenews.net

Photo: courtesy of www.valmouriane.com/bienetre2.php

OLD PROPERTY deeds of Thame, 30 in all, are being sold.
They relate mainly to the area which is now North Street, including number 3, the old Pied Pedaller toy shop, with the ealiest deed dated 1696.

In the past, much of Thame was owned by the Earl of abingdon and the deeds, written in wonderful old English, record the property changes in that part of Thame.

They are availale for sale for offers in excess of

AN Introductory leaflet is on its way to every home in South Oxfordshire this week, explaining about the increased range of recyclable materials soon to be collected from our doorsteps.

From June 8, South Oxfordshire District Council will introduce a separate food waste collection so the waste that currently goes to landfill can be composted and a completely revamped recycling service so residents can recycle more than ever from their home. For the first time, South Oxfordshire residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons such as Tetra Paks from their home.

Under the new service, residents will be given a special food waste bin that will be emptied every week for composting and a small caddy bin for storing in the kitchen. Recycling and any rubbish that can’t be recycled or composted will be collected on alternate weeks from wheeled bins.

The leaflet has information on what bins people will receive and when they can expect to get them. It also has a helpful FAQ section to answer some of the questions people may have, such as why the council is introducing the new service, will their collection day change and where to leave bins for collection, as well as useful contacts for more information. Over the next few weeks the council will be contacting the homes it has identified as not being suitable for wheeled bins with details of their alternative arrangements.

David Dodds, Cabinet member for waste, says:

“As much as 80 per cent of what we throw away can be recycled, but at the moment we’re achieving about 44 per cent. Although very good, this shows there’s room for an improvement and we have to do better, not just to protect the environment but because we get charged for the amount we send to landfill – so the less we send the less we and ultimately taxpayers pay.

?One way we can do this is by collecting our food waste, which currently goes to landfill with our other rubbish, separately for composting. This together with our new and improved recycling service, means residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons like Tetra Paks from their home for the first time, which should make a massive difference to the amount we throw away.

?The leaflet that will be arriving through people’s letterboxes any day now called ?Why is my waste changing??, will explain as simply as possible how the new service will work and the key dates to help make the transition from old to new as smooth as possible.”

A sponsored Spring Walk through the back door into Blenheim Park, will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009.
It will be a Circular Walk, in aid of MIND, from The Cock Inn at Combe around Blenheim Park, Woodstock ? 6.5 miles ? Starting at 11a.m. This walk passes through Combe and into Blenheim Palace, which marks the site of the original Royal Manor House of Woodstock.

In 1704 John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, defeated the French at the Battle of Blenheim. In recognition of his military feat, Queen Anne presented the Duke with the royal manor and funds to build a monumental house. The house was substantially completed by the early 1730?s. It has been described as the largest house in England, and covers some seven acres of beautiful grounds.

Meet outside The Cock Inn in Combe which overlooks the village green. After the walk there will be a stop off at The Cock Inn for refreshments and a rest.

Please wear comfortable shoes and take waterproofs (just in case!) Don?t forget your sponsorship form on the day, together with your water. You will be given a registration form when you arrive. Dogs are welcome provided they are kept on leads. For a sponsorship form or make a donation please contact: Nicky Clargo:

01865 263733 or Email: nicky.clargo@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

OTHER MIND EVENTS COMING UP

Talk by Melvyn Bragg, Friday, 27th March 2009, 5.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m., at The Taylor Institution, St Giles, Oxford Melvyn Bragg is an Author, Broadcaster and the President of Mind. He will be talking about his acclaimed series of ‘autobiographical’ novels (The Soldier’s Return, A Son of War, Crossing the Lines and Remember Me) following the journey of a young man from Cumbria to Oxford and London. This event was kindly organised by Kath Thomson. Admission will be