Page 3 - Ickford Informer Newsletter JUNE Issue 2022

I am unable to predict the future with any
certainty but, I would speculate that the
new housing developments in Ickford
will begin to impact on our realistic
catchment area and make it more difficult
to accept children who live beyond the
immediate villages.

At their request, I met with a
A message from John Ronane representative of Deansfield Homes in
May and the person hired by them to
N MANY WAYS, this academic year has been one of the most lead on public relations. The premise
Idifficult I have experienced. of the meeting was, ‘what they could do
for us’ but, I have to say, it was a short
Thankfully, Ickford is fortunate to have So much has happened this year that and fruitless encounter. My request for
such a dedicated team of teachers and convinces me that it marks a milestone in either a large cheque, a new toilet block
support staff who have really delved the direction of the school. The trajectory and an extension to an existing room,
deep into their reserves of resilience of school improvement during the past were politely declined. Deansfield’s
and determination this year and, when decade has at times been exponential but, idea of support is a raffle prize at the
the summer holidays finally arrive, will when you get to the top, the curve begins to Summer Fayre which, I imagine, would
deserve a really well earned rest. flatten and as a school leader one needs to legitimise any claim to be supporting
ensure that the trajectory of the curve can local education. I can confirm that any
Nevertheless, in spite of setbacks, the be reignited upwards before it risks a down money paid by the developers to a
school continues to thrive and remains turn. With this in mind, we are carrying out Community Infrastructure Fund, has not
oversubscribed and popular. We have, a complete revision of our curriculum and come anywhere near the school and, in
I am led to believe, a reputation for looking at ways for possibly restructuring my heart, I doubt very much it ever will.
being pedants when it comes to school class groups. However, it is important to
attendance and, in this supposed post- bear in mind that the data produced for We continue to rely upon the generosity
Covid era, we join schools across the the Government and the public domain is of a number of parents such as Larry
country trying to address low attendance limited to English and Maths test results the Chef who has given so much to help
figures and to tackle the attitude of apathy and yet there is so much more to the raise substantial amounts of funding
that some have towards regular attendance. school than this. I want to ensure that our and on the Parent Teacher Association
At Ickford School we strive to make every music, languages and sports curriculum which, under the superb leadership of
day important in terms of learning however remain strong whilst continuing to develop Jackie Thomas, goes from strength to
as a result, the impact of the ‘odd day off’ is learning beyond the classroom and in fields strength. They say that if you want to get
probably greater than in environments that such as science and engineering. Wishful something done, ask a busy person and
don’t put such a high emphasis on high- thinking possibly but, without the initial Jackie epitomises the highly effective
quality education. thought, nothing is ever developed. ‘busy person’. v

th
A 100 birthday celebration
th
lunch on 19 May was held for
Ron Manning from Tiddington
at the Ickford Village Hall. Ron
HE CLUB HAS BEEN and his wife Joan have been
RUNNING FOR OVER married for 71 years.
T 50 YEARS to provide a monthly get The children from Ickford
together for this very valued section of our School came along to sing
community.
Happy Birthday.
The Darby & Joan team
Martin Armistead
photographed the occasion
and an album of pictures has
been put together for Ron to
have as a keepsake. v

For additional information on
the Darby & Joan Club, contact:
Maureen Parker-Farrell
T : 01844 339417
E : maureenparker@gmx.com

ourickfordnewsletter@hotmail.com 3 June 2022