Investor in People

award for school

CALLINGTON Community College has managed to raise the performance of pupils through a culture of learning amongst its 120 staff and has been recognised as an Investor in People.

Investors in People is the national quality Standard awarded to organisations that have been able to link their organisational aims with the way in which their people have been developed and have tangible results to show for it. The Standard is awarded by Investors in People UK Ltd through Quality South West (QUEST) Ltd, the approved body for the South West Region.

The College has been supported through the Investors in People process by the Learning and Skills Council Cornwall and Devon.

Since committing to the prestigious national Standard in March 1999, the school, which has 1200 students aged between 11 and 18, has maintained steady improvements in academic performance at both GCSE and A Level. This summer, Callington Community College achieved its best ever results at GCSE with 62 per cent of the year group achieving five A*-C grades. Meanwhile, A-Level students gained an impressive average points score of 21.

The college has also received an excellent report from its most recent OFSTED inspection. Inspectors wrote: 'Callington is a good school with many very good features. Standards are high with good examination and test results which are improving consistently.'

These successes have been the result of a long standing commitment to training and developing staff to their best potential

Callington Community Collage has become one of only two schools in the Westcountry to achieve status as a Teacher Training Centre, receiving 65 B Ed students each week. It has also secured enough local sponsorship to become one of only 60 Sports Colleges in England, attracting funding for new indoor tennis courts and other facilities.

Headteacher Steve Kenning says: Investors in People has brought a chance of culture throughout the school, which has 'lifted' everyone. As well as feeling more valued, staff have been encouraged to take responsibility in a range of areas, without waiting for things to happen. As a centre for the training of teachers, our staff run sessions for undergraduates and mentor them through their respective courses. This is brilliant for the development of our own staff as it has led to great improvements in the quality of classroom teaching.'

Christmas fayre

THE Callington branch of the Liberal Democrats held a successful Christmas fayre in the town hall on November 24. The fayre was opened by Colin Breed MP and his wife Janet.

The winners of the raffle were: Mrs Pluckrose, Mrs Breed, Mr Moore, Mrs Hatch, Mrs Skews, Mrs Dawson and Mrs Sharp.

Cake day at Gunnislake

TODAY, Friday, December 7, the Parent Staff Association are holding a cake day at Gunnislake Primary School. The doors open at 2.30, everyone is welcome. As well as the usual cakes and biscuits, there will be a lucky dip, crazy sand, Christmas hamper raffle and the chance to make key rings and fridge magnets.

Last Friday, November 30, the after school drama group, along with their teacher and another member of staff, went on their annual evening trip to The Wharf in Tavistock to see Amanda's School of Dance perform The Hunchback .