Your letters - June 18

Angry at school report

Further to your article about Bexhill High School and the subsequent letters, I have now read the full HMI report and I am so angry at Mr Conn and his chair of governors for letting all the children down so badly.

For your readers that have not read the report let me enlighten them with some snippets:

"As a result of the inspection on 11 and 12 2008 the school was asked to... improve teaching and learning promptly."

The Inspector continued: "having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made inadquate progress in making improvements and inadequate progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement. Student achievement has weakened since the last inspection.

"Attainment... has remained below the National average for the last two years and the school's targets have been missed. This represents inadequate overall progress... fewer students than expected achieved five GCSEs at grade C or above... there remains some way to go to tackle the legacy of underachievement for these students. Targets for the school's specialist status for technology college have been missed... Work to improve teaching was ineffective in the year following the inspection so that the quality of provision weakened...there is too little good or better teaching and lessons continue to reflect some weaknesses evident in the last inspection...too many lessons are not planned to meet the needs of all abilities...

"Strategic planning reflected too little urgency in bringing about change and the Governing body did not hold the school to account for students' weakening progress...Support from the local authority made an inadequate impact on achievement... there remains uncertainty over the school's capacity to improve."

My son, like all the other children, deserves a lot better than this from their local school and Mr Conn and Mr Kentfield (the chair) should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. When one reads the latest HMI report it becomes clear that these problems have been ongoing for a number of years and are not new. All secondary schools in England were being rebuilt under the last Government's plans so Mr Conn is disingenuous in claiming so much credit for the new school and why has he been absent for so long? He is not an achitect or engineer, and other Heads have had their schools rebuilt without all this failure.

Mr Kentfield and Mr Conn must go, they must do the decent thing and resign and allow someone else to take over the running of our one and only High School.

name and address supplied

Sadness and distress

THROUGH your letters page I would like to be given the opportunity to comment on the front page article featured in the Bexhill Observer Newspaper in relation to Bexhill High School failing its students.

As a former student of the school myself, I am saddened and very distressed to see that the good reputation of the school has now been tarnished in the latest Ofsted report.

I note from reading the full report online that Bexhill High School would appear to have been a "failing school" for the past two years.

This I find extremely difficult to comprehend.

I find it even more incomprehensible that the principal Mike Conn and the entire board of governors had not noticed the schools failings.

If Bexhill High School was operated as a business with the current major failings that have been hightlighted officially in the report, the chairman or CEO of that business would be made to resign.

It is my personal opinion that the current principal has without a shadow of doubt let the school down and this is unforgivable.

Maybe it's time that Bexhill High School seizes the day and the education department replace Mr Conn with a substitute pincipal and should also consider replacing the entire board of governors as they have obviously failed in their duty to keep the standards of the school high and NOT to let their students and staff down.

If Bexhill High School wants some new blood - I am quite prepared to put my money where my mouth is and take on a role of governor to Bexhill High School and help get this school and its students back on track.

Lets make Bexhill High School the best secondary education centre in the area as it was before under the leadership of Hal Baptist.

Brett McLean

Chairman 1066 Federation of Small Businesses

Ex- student

Quick to judge

OVER the last few weeks there has been a lot of speculation over whether Bexhill High is a good school or not. After recent Ofsted reports, I feel the Bexhill community have been very quick to judge without considering the many good and positive beneficial factors that Bexhill High has to offer. I am a 16-year-old student who has just left. I have spent five years at Bexhill High and although some bits have been hard, I am leaving with only positive things to say. The teachers and support staff have encouraged me through every single year, a lot to ask when I sometimes gave them doubt about my place at the school. In year 10 I began to work harder realising that I needed my qualifications, but the support I was receiving never stopped and I was encouraged more than ever. I also know that Bexhill High is not perfect, and does have some problems but what school doesn't? Maybe Bexhill High would be able to function a lot better if it had the support of the local community, as after all, it is a community school.

EX-BEXHILL HIGH STUDENT

Speeding drivers

HAVING moved to Bexhill last October and having the pleasure of coming to a real seaside town my mind was blown.

However, I have to note that De La Warr Parade, from Sea Road to Galley Hill - which is right outside my flat - is busier with traffic than many roads in London.

This in itself is no problem to me, but it is used by "boy racers" constantly speeding up to Galley Hill at more than 50mph, possibly 60mph.

Perhaps they wish to emulate the original motor race for which we are famous? But this is really dangerous as I do not feel they can control their cars, having no experience as to what to do in an emergency.

Many elderly people live along here and I have to ask: why do the police not set speed traps or patrol the area to deter this behaviour?

As a local paper, I have to say that the Observer is first rate, and I look forward to Friday mornings when your publication takes pole position over my daily paper.

L P RAMSWELL

De La Warr Parade

Bexhill

Fly flag for England

Bexhill as an English town should be far more patriotic and behind England in the world cup.

A few shopkeepers have entered into the ferver for which I am extremely happy. However, there a far more who have done nothing to support this very exciting occasion. You do not have to like football to realise that this is a great occasion for England.

The duty manager of one large shop told me that their unEnglish customers may not like it - this is a very poor excuse and one which did not satisfy me one bit.

Neither the Colonnade nor The De La Warr Pavilion is flying the flag of St George - are we not proud to be English?

I realise that very many of the cafes and restaurants (plenty in fact) are not English but they are living in England and gaining from the revenue of Bexhill customers.

Also there are many people in our town who may not be English but I am sure that because they are living in our country that they must love it.

Come on Bexhill - fly the flag.

For England and St George.

One very patriotic English person,

G. Rimmer

Bexhill on Sea

(address supplied)

Fundraising for Hayley

Seeing your article on Hayley sharing the front page of The Observer today with one on the New Inn's preparation for the football World Cup suggests to me that perhaps the association might be taken further.

If England win tomorrow and in subsequent matches, supporters in the pubs might be happy to donate for Hayley in the euphoria which follows. Worth a thought if someone has not already thought of it!

Barbara - A well-wisher

Issue of expenses

HOW on earth can our council leader justify payment of expenses in excess of 15,000? 11,515 apparently is for special responsibilities. Can we possibly, as tax payers, be enlightened as to what these responsibilities entail?

Is Mr C Maynard aware that there are thousands of families in the UK having to exist on an equal amount, and sometimes on less, each year?

J Tollett

Bidwell Avenue

Bexhill

Jill Halsall

I have been saddened to note that over the past weeks there has been no acknowledgement of the departure of Jill Halsall into a nursing home near her nephew in Bolton, due to her illness.

Jill throughout her many years in Bexhill did sterling work for both the Bexhill Caring Community and Bexhill Voluntary Day Centres for the Elderly as their chairman.

She also cooked for the West Centre for over 21 years. Her time spent with colleagues in assisting the elderly with information on attendance allowances and claims etc to assist both monetary and for physical aids was invaluable. I am sure a word of thanks or appreciation would have been of comfort to friends, family and beneficiaries.

Flora Holt

Collington Avenue

Bexhill

Thanks to St Mark's

To all of you at St Mark's pop-in group who have welcomed me into your church and made my re-adjustment to England so easy and comfortable.

I was experiencing some anxiety about my intial visit to your group and more especially to my first visit to an English church service after having been away so long. I felt I had been wandering in the desert and was searching for comfort, love, peace and a feeling of belonging. After finally finding the courage and strength from the Lord, I rang the Rectory and spoke to Mrs Frais who immediately told me about the pop-in group which met every morning on Monday through Friday. On my first visit I was immediately made to feel at home and was welcomed by all those who were there, not forgetting all those I have met in the meantime and have welcomed me with kindness and friendliness. I bless you all and praise the Lord for guiding me to St Mark's Church where I have finally found peace, contentment and the welcome of you all.

Barbara Jeub

Paradise Walk

Bexhill

Access ramp closed

First, at the Bank Holiday weekend, the ramp for disabled scooter, wheelchair and younger push chairbabies' buggies was fenced off at the Clock Tower crossing place as part of the works to the seafront. After my phone call to the project officer the 'fence' was removed later.

However, I have now received a letter from the project officer, who writes that it will be open "until June 7 only at which point the Promenade will then only be accessible for seafront users at the West Parade toilets and adjacent to the site compound and Metropole Lawn until work on the scheme has been completed this autumn".

Presumably this means for all people, not just disabled. As I had already pointed out there is no ramp on the north side of the road at the site compound/Metropole lawn, therefore again the disabled are discriminated against.

I also raised the point there was no notice apologising for the disruption and no notices telling people where access was possible.

The same letter stated that seafront residents had been sent the newsletter she enclosed earlier in the year. We in Clock Tower Court received no such newsletter although 10 of our flats are on the seafront.

Yesterday I checked West Parade to the west of the Clock Tower, on my scooter, there were no notices up at all giving information regarding access or explanation of the work, as the newsletter stated there would be.

Car parking was to be allowed on the seafront, but as the 'fence' goes right up to the road all car users and their children have to walk in the road to one of the access points. This is dangerous.

I asked if information on West Parade and access could be put up on or near the seafront but the officer said this was impossible. As the newsletter is four A4 pages it could easily be put up in the De La Warr foyer, by the works themselves or in the museum. We are all appalled at the complete lack of concern for users of the Promenade, and it is to be deplored, as is the whole attitude of the council in this matter.

Rona Cooke

Park Avenue

Bexhill

DLWP serves public well

THE De La Warr Pavilion, our own unique and iconic building, is revered worldwide as a modernistic masterpiece. But not alas quite so popular here in Bexhill. At least to judge from the letters often published in the Observer. However, to give the majority of writers their due; their main complaint appears to be as to how the Pavilion serves the public.

So no one has doubts as to where I stand, my view is that it serves residents and visitors well. Many of your writers' comments leave me wondering whether they have actually visited the building! And quite why Bexhill-born residents should believe that they have a divine right to criticise the management with such ridiculous comments as "they won't have to see the mess day after day that they've made here and can run away from". You tell me! From other writers we read "Bexhill's new desert, the now mainly empty shell", "the management has snubbed the local community", "reduced to a shadow of its former glory" and many others in a similar vein.

Maybe my wife ,myself and friends visit another DLWP on Bexhill's seafront, as I for one do not recognise any of the above comments referring to the Pavilion that we visit on a regular basis. For a start, the management team are as dedicated a group of people as one would hope to find in any similar role. The fact that some do not actually live in Bexhill is totally irrelevant. Have your readers not heard of commuters?

As regards the building being empty, well for example, last Wednesday afternoon the galleries and roof area were crowded, the coffee shop full and the restaurant about half full. On Saturday evening the building was well and truly a crowded "desert"! The BLODS were staging a show in the auditorium, the galleries busy and in the restaurant we sat down to the latest Dining Club

dinner.

Many complain that the Pavilion does not stay open every evening. As it is virtually impossible to persuade anyone over say 60 to attend evening events, who will take advantage of the late opening times except for special events such as those I have described? If you believe that the art displays are "rubbish" as one writer stated, why not find out why the works are considered by some to be significant and not just "childlike scribbles" And finally, please support the Pavilion with its application for the National Lottery Arts Project Award. For all residents, whether you like it or not the building attracts thousands to Bexhill. Our business and tourist sectors need all the financial support they can raise. The publicity that this award will give could be worth more than its weight in gold to the town!

John Betts

Eden Drive

Bexhill

Could be social hub

I REFER to a report about the De La Warr Pavilion (Observer, June 11) in which its director, Alan Haydon, said a new survey showed most Bexhill and Rother residents are satisfied with the DLWP. This is totally misleading.

Of 3,000 households surveyed, 742 responded and 69 per cent said they enjoyed their visits. 69 per cent of 742 is 512, which in a town and district of at least 20,000 people means at best, around 2.5 per cent of the population.

On that basis, it is just not sensible to declare that MOST residents are satisfied.

Mr Haydon said "avoiding the temptation to rely on statistics" he had concentrated his report on "the value of the arts beyond figures".

Elsewhere he said: "First and foremost we are a centre for the arts, not a restaurant and pub". And on possible admission charges he dismissed the suggestion, saying: "It would be against his religion and the ethos of the building".

What can one say to such pompous and high-sounding nonsense? The District Council is responsible for running Rother's affairs, including the DLWP and this could or should be a hub for social life,

But from my experience, it just does not cater for the wishes of the overwhelming majority of residents.

This is not to deny some of the successes which Mr Haydon reports, but they are too few and far between.

Since some 500,000 of our money is being spent on the DLWP each year, with little or no benefit to most residents, it is time for the council to give matters a real shake-up.

The current director appears to show no interest in the financial aspect of his responsibilities.

One solution is to have a true commercial operator running the show, and at one time Wetherspoon showed an interest. But this was quickly turned down - WHY?

Perhaps a slightly toffee-nosed attitude to commerce is disclosed when our chief executive, Derek Stevens, says: "We did well to avoid the Pavilion becoming an art-deco branch of Wetherspoon!" This might be better than having a perpetual financial white elephant.

J V JONES

West Parade

Bexhill

Thanks for your support

The Bexhill Caring Community would like to thank everyone who so generously contributed to their street collection recently. A total of 475 was raised towards the cost of maintaining services for the residents of Bexhill.

We would also like to thank the people who very kindly helped us to achieve this by collecting around the town.

Bexhill Caring Community are always in need of volunteers and particularly for the Library Service for the Housebound. We help approximately 350 residents who are unable to visit the Library and who rely on this service. If you are a car driver and can spare a few hours once a fortnight please can you contact the office on 01424 215116 for more information.

Margaret von Speyr

Manager

Ex-Royal Naval Electricians

May I extend an invitation to any reader who has served in the Electrical, Radio, Radar, Weapons or Control Branch of the Royal Navy and is looking for his ex-shipmates, to join the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association with its new search facility?

The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association is designed to reunite you with your old shipmates via membership lists, a regular newsletter and the ever popular reunions where old shipmates have met up again and many new friendships been formed. Further details and the latest colour newsletter, our best yet which describes a fantastic day observing today's training methods, are available from Mike Crowe, RNEBA, 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight PO36 8PG, or drop me an email at [email protected].

But that is not all. Thanks to a member's suggestion, we are implementing a very special and comprehensive members' ships list in order that we can search out your old shipmates and contact you when we find someone you served with. A great association gets even better! No we will not tell them you are in the association, we will ask if you want contact, after all you may have pinched his girlfiend or owe him a fiver!

Contact me now, find your ex-shipmates and start swinging that lamp with them.

Mike Crowe

Confusion over fundraiser

In your report of May 28 regarding the spring fair of the Little Common Royal British Legion Women's Section it was erroneously reported that the Club has donated toward Help for Heroes.

Actually all money raised is for the Women's Section and we in turn donate to the RBL headquarters who have themselves donated a large amount to Help the Heroes.

We feel that our members reading your report may think we are donating to the BL Club rather than Headquarter's Benevolent Fund which is what the Women's Section is all about.

June Mantle, Secretary

Sycamore Close,

Bexhill