Search the Community

2th June Slough Sikh school's bid to take over Stoke Poges neighbour By Francis Batt (2) A bid to take over the failing Sikh run Khalsa Secondary Academy in Stoke Pages is being made by the governors and trustees of the 'outstanding' Khalsa Primary School in nearby Slough. Devastated leaders of the trust that runs the Stoke Poges school at Hollybush Hill have been given 'notice to quit' by schools minister Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, after it was found to be 'inadequate' and put in special measures by Government Ofsted inspectors six months ago. Khalsa Primary School in Wexham Road - also a Sikh school - was given an 'outstanding' rating after it received a similar inspection. Many of its pupils transfer to the Stoke Poges school, so the Government might well see it as a logical step that its own leaders should take over. The chairman of the threatened trust at Khalsa Secondary Shaminder Kaur Ryatt has reacted angrily to Baroness Berridge's decision, asking her to give the trust a second chance by allowing Ofsted to visit again. But today the trustees of Khalsa Primary revealed they had had 'initial conversations' with the Regional Schools Commissioner's office and intended to apply to take over at the Stoke Poges school. They maintain that parents need have no fear of the Sikh ethos being lost as Khalsa Primary is also a Sikh faith school, following the values of the religion. Their statement says: " One of our teachers has been recognised by the UK National Teachers’ Awards as a potential Teacher of the Year and our head has been shortlisted for Head Teacher of the Year. "We are aware that the Sikh Ethos is important to the students of Khalsa Secondary Academy and their families. As an existing Sikh Faith School, the vision and values at Khalsa Primary School are based on the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and a very important part of our curriculum that underpins all we do"

New Birmingham school rated outstanding by Ofsted Jul 01, 2014 18:00 By James Cartledge Nishkam High School wins plaudits from inspectors for good teaching and 'exceptional' behaviour from pupils A new Birmingham school has been rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors. Nishkam High, described as a “Sikh-ethos, multi-faith school”, opened in Hockley in September, 2012. It is a free school and is run by the Nishkam School Trust, which also has educational centres in London, Leeds and Kenya. Pupil achievement, quality of teaching, pupil behaviour and safety, and leadership and management were all graded as exceptional. Executive principal Terry Green said: “This represents a tremendous achievement by the whole community which helped to build and partially fund the construction of the school. “Our ‘outstanding’ judgement is not just based on a two-day visit by inspectors. “It is as a result of many years of tremendous effort by our students, staff, governors, parents and community. “I congratulate and thank everyone for creating an exceptional and very special multi-faith inspired school open to all.” Ofsted inspectors found students made rapid and sustained progress across subjects and achieved well, particularly in English and in maths. Teachers were said to have had good subject knowledge and had high expectations of their students’ achievements. Pupils’ behaviour was also reported as exceptional. Birmingham is set for more free schools after the Government last month revealed an extra 38 would be launched across the country. The new schools will include a Perry Beeches primary school and Perry Beeches V and VI. They will be run by Perry Beeches Academy Trust, which already runs three schools in Birmingham. Free schools are independently run but receive state funding. They can set their own pay and conditions for staff and decide on curriculum details. But teaching unions are opposed to them and claim they are unaccountable to communities. Education secretary Michael Gove said last month: “Free schools are giving thousands of children from ordinary backgrounds the kind of education previously reserved for the rich and the lucky.”