Watling Lower School

Dunstable Gazette – Wednesday, 16th January, 2005

A visit to Dunstable school really was quality time for a leading figure from the Basic Skills Agency.

Angel Taylor (left), assistant director for the eastern region, went along to Watling Lower School to present the team with the agency’s prestigious Quality Mark. Assessor, Pam Greenaway (right), of Bedfordshire County Council, also dropped in at the Bull Pond Lane school for the presentation.

Head, Ian Black said the award reflected the hard work of all connected with the school. And he said ‘I am absolutely delighted for everyone.’

The school received a plaque and various Quality Mark items, including badges and bookmarks for the children.

To gain the award, Watling Lower School had to compile evidence that the school satisfied ten different elements regarding basic skills.

As part of that, the team had to show that Watling Lower had a whole school strategy, including an action plan, to improve performance in the basic skills.

Other elements included looking at pupils’ performance in basic skills, and improvement plans for pupils under-attaining in those areas.

The school also had to show that Watling Lower School met requirements in a range of other areas, including resources, parental involvement and using a range of teaching styles to improve basic skills.

Mr Black said gaining the Quality Mark had left the team ‘very buoyed up’ and he was very pleased that the hard work by everyone had been rewarded.

The school will be reassessed after three years regarding renewal of the award, and the team will be working hard to ensure that standards are maintained.