Great to meet the Principal of Mid Kent College Simon Cook

It was great to have a visit from Simon Cook the Principal of Mid Kent College when he visited me at home for one of our regular meetings discussing the education of our young people here in Medway. Like me, Simon is passionate about giving every young person in Medway the opportunity to excell and to make the most of the opportunities on offer to them here in Medway .

A visit from our new Police and Crime Commissioner

Last week I was visited by our brilliant PCC Matthew Scott who visited Sheila and I at home. Having been involved with Medway’s young people for so long, I was really taken back by the passion and energy he brought to the challenge.
We’ve been lucky here in Medway that partners have always championed partnership working through action and not just words. But, that shouldn’t quell my excitement to see Matthew write another chapter for our Children’s future. 

Wishing everyone within the schools community, a very happy and well deserved Summer holiday.

Students and teachers don’t quite often see eye to eye, when it comes to what constitutes a fair amount of homework or what might count as being late. However, we are at that rare time where student and teachers collectively count down their last few lessons and relish with no small amount of satisfaction, their upcoming summer holidays. As tempting as it is however to look at the upcoming holidays abroad or long lie-ins in bed, we have an ideal opportunity to look back as well as forwards. Collectively, we as a community have refused to be complacent, we have fought for each and every school, looking to promote best practise, excellence and above all our children, who a portion of will be leaving school for pastures new.

 Medway, has long had an industrial tradition, and to the many students who will be taking up apprenticeships they will be following in the footsteps of students who for nearly the entire history of Medway have been an indispensable backbone of the work force who worked on the ships that fought against the Dutch invasion of Chatham, to today where BAE systems is an avid investor of our local young people.

 As anyone who follows this blog knows, I couldn’t be prouder of those who leave Medway, to go to Universities nationally and indeed internationally, I know that each and every one of them are the greatest ambassadors to Medway that we could possibly ask for.

Whilst, it was some time ago, I remember sitting my exams and that apprehension knowing how long you have to wait for the results. My thoughts are with you all and I hope that however fantastic your results are, they are in part, an opportunity to go on to achieve even more outstanding things.

 With that, I’d like to wish everyone within the schools community, a very happy and well deserved Summer holiday.

Why I’m glad Theresa is our new Prime Minister

We are fortunate to have so many talented and able people in the Conservative Party. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the high calibre of those candidates who have put themselves forward for the highest position in our country.

For me there was only one clear choice. There was only one person who was ready and able to offer us the strong and stable leadership we need at such a crucial time for our country. That is why I am glad that Theresa May is our next leader of the Party and next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

 Theresa May has the qualification required for high office. She has a proven track record having held the position of Chairman of the Party and is the longest serving Home Secretary in over a century.

 Time and again she has shown her ability to command and negotiate and if anyone can get the best deal for Britain with the EU, it will be here. 

Theresa May is also a unifier, who can bring people together under her vision of a country that will work for everyone. And she is always willing to get stuck in and get the job done, just like the time she visited Gillingham in the cold winter to campaign with the local Conservative candidates. 

At a time of uncertainly for our country, we can rely on the judgement and leadership of Theresa May and I fully endorse her as our next Prime Minister.

 

 

The place to be tomorrow.

  
Please go along to visit Teaching Careers in Medway at the Corn Exchange in Rochester

Medway Teacher Recruitment Fare

News from Medway Council

Medway’s largest teacher recruitment fair takes place later this month in a bid to get more outstanding teachers into local schools.

 

More than 75 schools, recruitment agencies, teacher training providers and teacher support agencies will be at the Corn Exchange in Rochester on Wednesday, 23 March, with a whole host of opportunities for people interested in teaching, newly qualified teachers and current teachers looking for career development opportunities.

 

Running from 10am to 4pm, there will be information about current vacancies, tips on how to get the most from a career in teaching, and even a chance to look around some of Medway’s schools with a minibus service running throughout the day.

 

Medway Council has organised the event on behalf of Medway’s schools as part of its Get Medway Learning campaign which aims to raise standards in local schools.

 

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services Cllr Mike O’Brien said: “This is the biggest event of its kind ever held in Medway and it will be a good way for schools to showcase what they have on offer to prospective teachers, newly qualified teachers and experienced teachers. We are hosting the event on behalf of both local authority and academies in a bid to get even more outstanding teachers into Medway schools.

 

“More than 75 schools will be represented at the fair, so it really is the place to go for anyone interested in a career in teaching. It will be a platform to learn about all kinds of schools, offering all kinds of opportunities, so I urge anyone who would like to find out more about teaching to come along.”

 

Those wishing to attend need to pre-register their interest at http://teachingcareers.medway.gov.uk/

 

 

 

I will be campaigning to stay in Europe

  
For the avoidance of doubt I confirm that I will be campaigning to stay in Europe.

My personal view is that I think the Prime Minister has delivered what I believe to be a tremendous agreement for our Country.

I would urge people to read everything they can to make up their own minds but remember that this will be the most important election in our life time .

Europe wants us, Europe needs us just as we need Europe.

Outstanding school leaders lend a hand to help drive improvement

Medway Matters

Outstanding school leaders from London are working with Medway head teachers to share expertise and good practice, as part of the council’s Get Medway Learning campaign.

Throughout this academic year, head teachers from the capital with National Leader in Education status, will help local primaries on an improvement journey with regular visits and training.

This practical approach is set to drive up standards of leadership and teaching in 13 Medway schools, and consequently improve learning for pupils.

Not only will the National Leaders in Education regularly visit primaries, the Medway head teachers will also travel to their respective outstanding schools as part of the programme.

Schools receiving help via the coaching scheme are either classed as ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted, or schools which would benefit from help in specific areas.

The linking of outstanding schools from outside the area with those who need help to improve in Medway, is set to enable local school leaders to drive progress in their own schools.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services Cllr Mike O’Brien said: “This is a really big and important step in the teaching strand of the Get Medway Learning campaign. Not only do we want to recruit outstanding teachers, but also allow our already good teachers and leaders to access advice and gain tips from the very best.

“Just because a school is receiving advice and help through this coaching scheme it doesn’t mean they are bad school. Advice from those at the top of their field is always useful and should be welcomed with open arms.”

Great news that the 116 Bus Route is returning for Rainham residents

I am really pleased to report that following representations from your Rainham Central Conservative Councillors and other , the 116 Bus route is returning from the 24th January.

Thank you to Arriva for listening and acting on our views. 

I am pictured above with senior members of Arriva when I made representations on our constituents behalf at the November meeting of the Wigmore Residents Community Association.

From the Arriva website

Following a review of the timetables introduced in July and feedback from our customers and drivers, we will be making further changes to our Medway Towns services from 24th January in order to improve reliability.
Additional time has been allowed on a number of routes to avoid late-running and, in some cases, the main daytime frequencies have been reduced slightly as a result to provide a more reliable service.
We had a lot of feedback about the circular ‘Loop’ service and this will be replaced by two separate services to avoid confusion and to improve timekeeping.
New timetable leaflets for the services concerned will be available from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station and other local outlets or by calling 0344 800 4411 and the new timetables will be available online after the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
The full list of changes is shown below. 
LOOP Chatham – Universities – MidKent College – Gillingham – Medway Maritime Hospital – Twydall – Rainham – Parkwood/Wigmore – Hempstead Valley – Hempstead – Luton – Chatham

Following feedback from our customers, including the results of a survey form, the circular ‘Loop’ service will be replaced by two separate services, the 113 and 116.

– The section covering Chatham, the universities, MidKent College, Medway Maritime Hospital, Twydall, Rainham and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre will be renumbered as Service 116. All buses will run via Parkwood, with Wigmore being served by the 113. Beyond Hempstead Valley, the 116 will take a circular route via Hempstead Valley Drive, Pear Tree Lane and Dukes Meadow Drive to Hempstead Post Office, returning via Hempstead Road, Chapel Drive and Hempstead Valley Drive. Service 116 will run every 30 minutes for the main part of the day on Mondays to Saturdays, as ‘Loop’ does at present, and all buses in both directions will serve Twydall.

– The section of the ‘Loop’ route via Luton Road, Pear Tree Lane and Wigmore will be replaced by new Service 113 running hourly for the main part of the day on Mondays to Saturdays. This will run via Luton, Pear Tree Lane, Dukes Meadow Drive, Hempstead Road, Chapel Drive, Hempstead Valley, Wigmore, Wigmore Road, Maidstone Road, Woodside, Bredhurst Road and Fairview Avenue to Maidstone Road, returning to Chatham via the same route.
Service 100 Chatham – Chatham Maritime – St. Mary’s Island

– The 0558 hours Mondays to Fridays bus from St. Mary’s Island to Chatham Waterfront Bus Station will be extended to Chatham Rail Station 

– The 0900 hours Mondays to Fridays bus from St. Mary’s Island to Chatham Rail Station will run five minutes later

– The 0913 hours Mondays to Fridays bus from St. Mary’s Island to Chatham Rail Station will no longer run due to lack of use.

– On Mondays to Saturdays, the buses that terminate at Chatham Waterfront Bus Station during the main part of the day will be extended to Chatham Rail Station.
Sapphire 101 Maidstone – Davis Estate – Chatham – Gillingham

To improve reliability by allowing extra loading time at Chatham Grammar School for Boys, the 1448 and.1500 hours buses from Maidstone to Gillingham on Schooldays will both run five minutes later than at present from all stops between Huntsmans Corner and Gillingham.    
Service 120 Chatham – Medway Maritime Hospital – Darland Estate – Rainham – Otterham Park

The Monday to Friday buses at 1500 and 1740 hours from Chatham to Darland Estate will be extended to serve the whole of the estate, terminating at The Star.
Service 132 Chatham – Chatham Hill – Rainham – Parkwood – Hempstead Valley

The timetable will be revised to allow extra running time and the frequency will be reduced to run every 12 minutes during the main part of the day on Mondays to Saturdays to improve reliability.
Service 133 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Cliffe Woods – Cliffe

The timetable will be revised to improve reliability and buses coming into Chatham will run via New Cut instead of via Chatham Rail Station. The scheduled time between Star Hill and Chatham Waterfront Bus Station will be adjusted to match it to the actual time taken.
Services 140/141/700 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Earl Estate

– The timetable will be revised to improve reliability.

– Buses coming into Chatham will run via New Cut instead of via Chatham Rail Station, except for the evening buses that change to a 132 or 166 and which will continue to serve the station.

– The scheduled time between Star Hill and Chatham Waterfront Bus Station will be adjusted to match it to the actual time taken and there will be adjustments to the timings over the whole route during the morning peak period on Mondays to Fridays.

– The 0747 hours Service 700 bus on Mondays to Fridays from Chatham to Bluewater will run four minutes earlier.
Service 145 Chatham – Rochester – Warren Wood

– The 0730 hours bus on Mondays to Fridays from Chatham to City Way will run one minute earlier

– The 0743 hours bus on Mondays to Fridays from City Way to Chatham via Warren Wood will run two minutes earlier

– The Sunday service will be improved to run every thirty minutes instead of hourly. Buses continue to run every 7 to 8 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays.
Service 166 Chatham – Luton – Lords Wood

– The Monday to Friday buses at 0545 hours from Chatham to Lords Wood and 0616 hours from Lords Wood to Chatham will both run five minutes earlier to improve train connections at Chatham Rail Station

– The evening timetable will be adjusted so that the Saturday service matches the times on Mondays to Fridays 

– An extra bus will run on Sundays at 1800 hours from Chatham to Lords Wood.
Services 169/179 Chatham – Luton – Walderslade – Alexandra Hospital

The timetable will be revised to improve reliability and will no longer serve Chatham Rail Station.
Services 176/177 Walderslade – Weeds Wood – Wayfield – Chatham – Medway Maritime Hospital – Gillingham – Hazlemere Drive

– On Mondays to Saturdays the timetable will be revised to allow extra running time and the frequency will be reduced to run every 12 minutes during the main part of the day to improve reliability. 

– There will be minor changes to the timetable on Sundays.
Service 182 Chatham – Brompton – Gillingham – Twydall

– On Mondays to Fridays the timetable will be revised to allow extra running time and the frequency will be reduced to run every 10 minutes during the main part of the day to improve reliability. The Saturday frequency will remain at every 10 minutes.
Service 190 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Higham – Chalk – Gravesend

– Buses between Gravesend and Chatham will be retimed slightly to maintain the current frequency between Strood and Dockside with Service 191

– Evening buses between Dockside and Chatham Rail Station will run to revised running times to improve reliability.
Service 191 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Hoo – Grain

– Additional buses will serve High Halstow to give an hourly frequency during the main part of the day on Mondays to Saturdays

– The times of some buses will be adjusted to improve reliability

– The Sunday timetable will be revised to improve reliability
Schooldays Service 600 Upnor – St. Mary’s Island – Rochester and Chatham Schools

The 0739 hours bus from Upnor to Chatham will depart eight minutes earlier at 0727 and will run to revised timings to improve reliability.

    

Schooldays Service 670 Marlowe Park – Strood – Rochester – Rochester Grammar Schools – Thomas Aveling School

The timetable will be revised to improve reliability.
Schooldays Service 675 Victory Academy – Princes Avenue – Lords Wood

The 1501 hours bus from Magpie Hall Road to Lords Wood will run five minutes later due to revised school times at Victory Academy. 
Service 700 Chatham – Rochester – Strood – Earl Estate – Bluewater

– Buses coming into Chatham will run via New Cut instead of via Chatham Rail Station, except for the evening buses that change to a 166 and which will continue to serve the station.

– The 0747 hours bus on Mondays to Fridays from Chatham to Bluewater will run four minutes earlier.

Services affected
100, 151

120, 121

132

133, 633

140

145, 135

166

169, 179

176, 177

182

190

191, 193, 796

600

670

675

700

– See more at: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/south-east/updates/changes-to-bus-times-in-the-medway-towns—from-24th-january-2016/#sthash.BQJKjiIv.dpuf