Shadow Minister for Schools Nick Gibb visited Castle Hill School this week to hear its success story.
Joined by Tory candidate Maria Miller and Paul Miller, standing for Chineham in the borough elections, Mr Gibb met children and teachers on Tuesday, April 27. Castle Hill has achieved outstanding results at Ofsted and is a flagship school for the borough.
Mr Gibb told the Observer it can be a model for schools up and down the country.
“I think the first thing that first strikes you is the politeness of the children and their impeccable behaviour,” he told the Observer. The children are kind, courteous and are rightly proud of their school. The second thing you notice is clean and tidy the school is, it is a great working environment. What is so impressive about Castle Hill is their recognition of achievement, all over the walls are charts and tables celebrating the children’s achievements.”
And Maria believes discipline is the hot topic for parents ahead of the general election and set out the Conservative policies.
“In Basingstoke discipline and behaviour are big issues,” she told the Observer. “As an example, if a children has to be suspended, there is an independent appeals process that entirely undermines the headteacher. This is a totally unnecessary and expensive level of bureaucracy and we aim to get rid of it and trust in the professionals.”
Mr Gibb added: “Of course, there will be an appeals process, but to the school’s Governers, not to an outside body.”
Head teacher John Martin told the Observer of his pride at the school.
“We welcome any visitor to the school,” he said. “The school’s success, in simple terms, is down to community support. We have wonderful, supportive parents, links with companies, universities and more but perhaps most importantly we have fantastic staff.
