Don’t miss one of the finest shows of summer 2022 as Artsreach brings the Rude Mechanicals to North Dorset
ONE of the most inventive, imaginative and colourful of the summer open-air touring companies, the Rude Mechanicals are coming to North Dorset with a thoroughly entertaining and wildly original take on how we live, social media, reality television and the meaning of love. Gods and Dogs, by the Rudes’ director and founder Pete Talbot, is a brilliantly witty new satire, set in 2084 on the island of Abatina. It’s a century on from Orwell’s classic dystopian fantasy, and our heroine and fellow residents are under the all-seeing eye of the president, Big Al – all fake tan and a floppy quiff, he’s a cross between The Great Oz and Big Brother (and you-know-who across the pond). The celebrity-obsessed residents, policed by the fawning dogs of the state, live for a word of praise from their president, who is beamed into their homes and workplaces by sophisticated technological gizmos. Their dismal lives are brightened by a weekly fix of Marriage Maker, a reality show in which one lucky girl is chosen (out of three) to marry a superstar and have three days of hedonistic luxury and sex, before a divorce. Each eight-episode series mean the star gets to marry eight people over two months. Gods and Dogs follows what happens when one of the hopefuls falls for the footballer she “wins”, while her friend, who is already sceptical about the whole set-up, is properly courted by a charming young man with a flash car, who is at war with his own background.
Mocking insight As always with the versatile Rudes, the style is commedia dell’arte, the faces painted in white-mask, the singing, dancing, musicianship and talent enormous. The Eastbourne-based company has built up an eager following around the areas they have regularly toured since 1999. always bringing an original show to their “open air’ audiences. This year’s company includes regulars, returners and newcomers, as Tom Blake, Georgina Field, Max Gallagher, Evie James, Rowan Talbot, Ed Thorpe and Lia Todd bring 22 characters (and the voice of Big Al) to vivid life. You won’t see a more inventive look at modern society on stage this year. It never takes itself too seriously, but drives its revelations home with a sparkling little hammer.
The tour has four Artsreach-promoted Dorset dates, at East Farm, Tarrant Monkton, on Wednesday 20th July, Stourpaine on 21st, Mill Farm at Bradford Abbas on 22nd and Child Okeford on Saturday 23rd July.
Residents on a new housing development in Okeford Fitzpaine are working together to create a welcome for their African guests, reports Rachael Rowe
Housemartin Shutterstock
If you walk into the Old Dairy estate in Okeford Fitzpaine, you’ll need to watch what is above your head. Thanks to a sterling effort by local residents, this new-build estate has become a magnet for increasingly rare house martins. At the last count, there were at least 36 nests full of healthy chicks among the 35 houses on the estate. It’s clearly a home-from-home for the birds – but how did the human residents help?
Tina and Mike Crimes started encouraging house martins in 2017
Why house martin conservation is important House martins nest in colonies and can raise up to three broods of chicks in one season, often through to September. Raising more than one brood each year increases their chances of survival. From late August onwards, the birds will begin their winter migration, returning the following spring to breed. However, house martins were placed on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) in December 2021 after a 72 per cent decline in population over the last 50 years. The reasons behind this are uncertain but thought to be a consequence of climate change. It is clear they need a little help.
House martins nesting in Okeford Fitzpaine All images: Rachael Rowe
Holiday homes in Dorset Resident Tina Crimes moved into her home in 2017 and noticed a pair of house martins. She set up nest cups and soon had a pair nesting on her roof. The birds may have been in the area before, but as it was previously a chicken production factory, it was probably not an attractive place for any bird to settle. What did attract the birds’ attention was the mud and clay soil left by the builders – the house martins found plenty of material to build their homes. When Tina discovered that house martins were a protected species on the endangered list, she stepped up efforts to attract them. “I placed a dish of mud outside the house. They love clay-based mud, so I kept it topped up. I also used a call signal downloaded from the UK and Ireland House Martin Conservation site. The charity was formed to protect housemartins and they sent me some leaflets which I posted through my neighbours’ doors.” The leaflets helped inform the neighbours on the estate about the birds so they wouldn’t knock down nests and would understand they are a protected species. Tina says: “Most of us love them, though one or two struggle with them, especially if the nest is above a door. But no one has removed a nest. One house has six nests!” The birds are high up in the apex of roofs on brick houses but are not as attracted to render or thatch. Although some residents placed nesting cups on roof areas, some birds nested on top of them instead of inside. However, that’s expected; the birds breed more than once in a season and move the bigger chicks “downstairs” so they can accommodate new babies upstairs.
The Old Dairy estate in Okeford Fitzpaine is welcoming its new African visitors
Watch your head! Naturally, with a plethora of nests and cute chicks, there’s a different hazard around the houses, with bird mess inevitably landing on paths, cars – or people. The birds also clean out muck from nests and are generally very untidy house guests. But, as Tina points out, it is easily cleaned away with a hose or brush. Residents have also taken to placing plant pots underneath the nests to catch droppings, and some houses have mats on window ledges. Vigilance is required when leaving the house – you never quite know what might land! Tina is proud of the way the community has come together. “We have come from all over the country to live here, many from urban environments and unused to anything like this – and yet we have all accepted these wonderful birds into our homes.” Watching the house martins swoop around their homes is mesmerising and has been uplifting for the residents. It is an excellent example of how humans and nature can live side by side in harmony and how new housing developments can be adapted to attract wildlife.
The case of the sea eagle The decision to close the investigation into the poisoned sea eagle by Dorset police, despite finding high levels of rat poison brodifacoum in the eagle, was described as ‘completely baffling‘ by the RSPB, who had been helping with the investigation. The decision also coincided with the Force’s award-winning wildlife crime officer Claire Dinsdale going on long-term sick leave with stress, a re-branding of the Force’s wildlife crime team to remove the word ‘wildlife’, and that astonishing outburst on Twitter by Chris Loder MP, who seemed to criticise Dorset Police for spending time and resources on the investigation and who argued that eagles ‘weren’t welcome’ in Dorset (as per my letter in the May issue of the BV). Now, after large criticism and a FOI request revealed correspondence between Mr Loder, and Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick. A specialist investigator has been brought in by police. But this investigator is from the same police force – is this not a case of marking their own homework? Perhaps Dorset Police can explain why the poisoned eagle investigation was dropped in the first place. And also share the status of the ongoing investigation into alleged raptor poisoning in 2021 on the very same estate where the poisoned white-tailed eagle was found. Obviously these investigations are not easy – but the public should be able to rely on the police to conduct a thorough and complete investigation. Dr Charles Mathews, nr Sherborne
On Simon Hoare I thought Mr Hoare’s answers in the Q&A (The BV, June issue) were surprising – I am not a Conservative voter, and yet I found myself agreeing with many of his points. In a party of liars, cheats, crooks and tricksters I appreciate that our own MP appears to be standing up for the right things, no matter who voted him in. Ian Downton Blandford
I appreciated Simon Hoare’s honesty in the Q&A this month. However I felt an absence of his usual forthright and honest tone when discussing the state of NHS dentistry. Sorry Simon, but this isn’t just a simple lack of trained dentists – every practice is turning away from the NHS because it’s not viable to run their business with the funding they receive. I myself received very poor NHS treatment – basically because I needed a three-tooth bridge, and the NHS pays a flat fee (barely enough) for a bridge. The actual cost of having a three-tooth bridge made is double that of a two-tooth, but dentists are unable to recoup that cost back. So I received an unsuitable treatment which then required me to go private to get fixed correctly. Not the dentist’s fault – a simple lack of funding prevented them from providing the best care. This is NOT how the NHS is supposed to work. By all means recruit more dentists, but take a long hard look at the very model under which they work too – and have a dentist do the review, not a civil servant!
Marion Colly Sturminster Newton
It was refreshing to read an MP being open and honest, and saying in a public forum that he ‘cannot defend the indefensible’ with reference to Johnson and ‘partygate’. Thank you Mr Hoare – you hold in your hands the last remaining shred of trust I have in the Conservative Party. It’s not much, but I suspect without decent MPs like you, our country would be in a far worse state. Jenny Baines Shaftesbury
I particularly appreciated Wendy Darvitt’s question for Simon Hoare on the Nolan Principles. Almost thirty years since the Seven Principles of Public Life were drawn up and it seems like people no longer talk about them, and yet we’re in need of them more than ever. Just this week we hear that Mr Johnson attempted to use his position to get his then-mistress a job (Integrity? Objectivity?), had sex with her in a Ministerial office during normal office hours (Leadership? Plus it seems looking at sex in the House of Commons means you lose your job, but actually having it is fine … ), and then used his influence to pull the independent journalism which had uncovered the fact. The shock is that we’re no longer shocked … Roger Dorn Sherborne
Ukraine benefit Just to let you know that the Ukraine Benefit Concert we held at GMC last Friday evening was very successful. With your kind help we raised more than £2,600. This will be matched by Utility Warehouse to give a fantastic total of £5,200. For those that weren’t able to attend (or were there and want to see it again!), a video of the first half of the concert is now available on YouTube (see above right – Ed), with the second half to follow soon. Even if you have no wish to donate, I would urge you to follow the link and watch the video(s). The combination of Briggs, Hearnshaw, Honeybourne, Hope, Steele-Perkins & Trotter playing organs, a piano and several trumpets is unprecedented for a concert in the UK – indeed anywhere in the world. The atmosphere was electric and putting the videos together has made me realise how very special it was! Gordon Amery Organist & Concert Organiser Gillingham
On your typography Thank you once again for the latest issue, full of interesting articles obviously not vetted by a Commercial Director. A magazine with an EDITOR and how it shows! Sadly as an ex-designer of magazines, local and national, your typography drives me to distraction. No para indents, wayward and irrational text alignment…I could go on and on….and on. I doubt that many of your readers even notice or care. Why [am I writing]? Because overall it is a great local asset. Around 70 to 80 ex-employees of mine have over the years realised that I am a fully qualified pedant…but only over typography. Good typography is I believe a lost art. Paul Killinger by email I did reply to Paul to defend the BV’s style guide: “The lack of indents is fully intentional – every paragraph break is preceded by a subhead, so the indent is superfluous. Text alignment should in all cases (unless I’ve missed one, which is error, not design!) be left, footer notes are italicised and right-align.” Typography, like all things, changes with the years; I’ll stand by mine. Thanks for the compliment on the content though Paul – that means FAR more! Ed
By snail mail The letter below was received by email, courtesy of a kind Stalbridge resident who lives in the original BVM offices:
The old Legends Nightclub in Gillingham is completing its makeover, ready to open this month as Dorset’s newest inflatable play centre
he old Legends Nightclub looks very different inside Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
With the summer holidays rapidly approaching it’s always great to have something new and exciting to do with the kids – especially when that something new is right on your doorstep here in the Blackmore Vale. In April we created quite a stir when we announced a new indoor inflatable world would be opening right here in Gillingham. We had hundreds of entries into our competition to name our space-themed inflatable zone. The old Legends nightclub site will be known as Space Inflaters from now on! As you would expect we’ve cleaned the site from top to bottom, filled more than 15 skips with rubbish and totally transformed the interior. Older clubbers won’t recognise the modern, fun play area and café bar. A new sound system has been installed alongside a revolutionary LED lighting system from Dextra Lighting. The new inflatable brings outer space adventures to kids of all ages, with light reaction games, planet leaps, an interstellar jump into the black hole, the cosmic slide, alien mountain and much more. And it doesn’t stop there – alongside the inflatables for the older kids we’ve created a sensory and play zone for younger members of the community too, where they can explore friendship, lights and sounds. So when does all this come to the Blackmore Vale? We’re pleased to announce that the site will open its doors to the public on Saturday 23rd July – just in time for the traditional UK summer holiday! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing some more updates on where we are as this brand new community venture nears its opening date, along with some of the fantastic events that are happening during the opening weekend. We can’t wait to welcome you through the doors of Space Inflaters!
Get involved This has been a community project from the offset and is part of The Gillingham and Community Leisure Trust Limited, the same organisation that runs RiversMeet Leisure Centre. The Gillingham Community and Leisure Trust is currently looking for additional trustees; if you are interested in becoming part of this exciting local charity please get in contact with Paul Barber on [email protected].
The Countryside Regeneration Trust is keeping alive the legacy of a pioneering Dorset farmer and conservationist, reports Fanny Charles
A group on the new Angela Hughes Nature Reserve All images: Alan Wicks
A new reserve at Bere Marsh Farm, which is owned by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), has been officially opened in memory of the farmer and conservationist Angela Hughes, who died in 2009. A dairy farmer with a passion for protecting and conserving the natural world, Angela championed wildlife-friendly farming. She owned East Farm at Hammoon on the Stour, and bought the nearby Bere Marsh Farm in 1971. She was particularly inspired by its rich diversity of wildlife. The Angela Hughes Nature Reserve was formally opened by her daughter, Fiona Gerardin. The Stour runs alongside the farm, which is home to barn owls, deer, otters, badgers, hares, bats and butterflies. The North Dorset Trailway, on the former Somerset & Dorset railway line, crosses the land. Fiona said: “This is the perfect way of reflecting my mum’s lifetime of work. She absolutely loved the area where the reserve has been created and talked so much of the plans that she had for it. “I am so pleased that the CRT bought the farm because they are sensitively reflecting all that she believed in and worked hard to achieve. It holds so many memories for me that it is reassuring to know the place is in good hands.”
Nesting woodpeckers @Alan Wicks
An inspiring pioneer Angela’s many achievements included co-founding Dorset Wildlife Trust. She was responsible for introducing or reintroducing a number of species to the area, including otters to the Stour, and founded Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground. In 1982 she was awarded the OBE for her services to conservation and nature. Danielle Dewe, chief executive of the CRT, who was unable to travel to Dorset for the opening, described the new Angela Hughes Reserve as “our way of honouring her and all the magnificent work she did in demonstrating, all those years ago, how farming and wildlife could holistically work together. She was both a pioneer and an inspiration, so we hope that the reserve is a fitting tribute to her wonderful memory.” Angela was particularly inspired by Bere Marsh Farm’s rich diversity of wildlife – in part created by the man-made railway embankments and cuttings. At the official opening, attended by trustees and staff of the CRT and some of the many volunteers and supporters of Bere Marsh Farm, Fiona cut the ribbon to a tree-lined corridor rich in birdsong, wild flowers, bees and small mammals, all testament to her mother’s foresight and conservation commitment. The CRT, which added the 92-acre farm to its nationwide portfolio of properties in June 2020, is committed to keeping alive Angela’s legacy. The creation of the nature reserve at Bere Marsh Farm recognises the work she did to achieve her vision of farming and wildlife living in harmony.
Thrush @Alan Wicks
Regenerating the CRT Founded in 1993 by artist Gordon Beningfield and farmer and writer Robin Page, the CRT was originally called the Countryside Restoration Trust. In April this year, it became the Countryside Regeneration Trust. A spokesman explains: “Our regeneration goes much deeper than a name, a new logo and brand colours. These are important to reflect what our charity is all about to the outside world, but this goes to the very root of how we deliver our mission.” Across its 19 farms and properties, the trust is empowering its tenant farmers “to run successful businesses that produce vital food for the nation, while using farming practices that reverse the decline in biodiversity and play their part in storing carbon to tackle climate change.” The trust has a clear view of the vital role of the countryside: “Wildlife, food production, employment, economics and development are all essential. We believe that our future food security, human over-population and the biodiversity crisis must be addressed. “We believe that nature is integral to good farming. That philosophy is put into practice on more than 2,000 acres of working farms, small-holdings and woodland across the country, where, alongside our tenant farmers, we are demonstrating how regenerative farming increases biodiversity and maintains sustainable food production for every one of us.”
One of the Bere Marsh barn owls @Alan Wicks
Look out for … Otters were reintroduced to the Stour by Angela Hughes in 1990. You might be lucky enough to see one of these magnificent, elusive creatures. Barn owls have their home in an old barn near the trailway. The CRT restored the dilapidated building to ensure the beautiful birds have a safe place to breed. See the story, along with more remarkable photography by Alan, in The BV, Sep 21, here. Butterflies abound – you might see a Speckled Wood butterfly in the new Angela Hughes Nature Reserve. The little egret, the most elegant of water birds, is often seen in or by the river, as are grey herons, which have a heronry in the woods.
@Alan Wicks
Courses at Bere Marsh
There is a series of courses at Bere Marsh Farm this summer, starting on Saturday 16th July with the first of two creative writing sessions with Dr Susanna Curtin (also Wednesday 27th July, 10am to 3pm both days). On Sunday 17th July, the resident photographer Alan Wicks, whose beautiful images illustrate this article, leads the first of two photography workshops (and Thursday 21st July, 10am to 3pm both days). Artist Deb Chisman leads drawing workshops on Saturday 6th August and Saturday 13th, 10am to 3pm both days. This is an opportunity to enjoy sketching with charcoal and pencil, to capture some of the wildlife and surroundings of Bere Marsh Farm.
To book for one of the courses, visit theCRT.co.uk/events and for more information on the work of the trust, visit theCRT.co.uk
Archaeologists are poised to pen a new narrative after the latest dig at Hinton St Mary’s famous Roman mosaic site. Roger Guttridge reports
Cardiff Uni students Richard Berry and Tierney Tudor work on the new mosaic during what they call the ‘archaeological opportunity of a lifetime’ All images: Roger Guttridge
Archaeologists are expecting to re-write the story surrounding Hinton St Mary’s iconic Roman mosaic pavement almost six decades after the original discovery. After just two weeks back at the site, archaeologists commissioned by the British Museum have uncovered parts of a second mosaic, plus thousands of other finds ranging from pottery to oyster shells. And dig co-director Peter Guest said the traditional view that this was a Romano British villa may have to change. “We still have a few questions to answer but we’re beginning to show that the story we thought we understood is actually wrong,” he said. “We need to start re-thinking what was happening in this quiet part of Dorset 1,700 years ago. “We would like to explain to people in Hinton St Mary, Sturminster Newton and North Dorset what this place may have looked like and how the mosaic might have been used. “One of the interesting things is that it is very late. The Romans were in Britain for 350 years and the Roman period ended about 400 AD. “Everything we are finding suggests that up until about 350 AD the site was open fields. “But about 350 somebody – or some people – decided to build some elaborate buildings here. “They had the finest mosaics that money could buy and decorated walls around them too. “But it was only used for about 50 years before the Roman occupation ended.”
The earliest Roman Christ The original mosaic was discovered in 1963 behind the then blacksmith’s forge, now owned by equestrian artist Katie Scorgie. The discovery was big news not just in Dorset but in the wider archaeological world, not least because of its central panel – a depiction of a man that is thought could be the earliest representation of Jesus Christ in the entire Roman empire. The mosaic pavement also included depictions of dogs, deer, trees and pomegranates. “It is a unique piece of evidence for the spread of Christianity in late Roman Britain,” said Peter, a freelance archaeologist trading as Vianova Archaeology, contracted by the British Museum to lead the latest dig.
Jonathon Joyner (Cardiff Uni) and Elizabeth Guest (York Uni) with trays of mosaic cubes, oysters, animal bones and pottery. The original site is in the background
There never was a villa “It’s thought that it may represent Jesus Christ. If it’s not Jesus, it might be one of the first Christian emperors but [either way] it’s important. “We now know there wasn’t a Roman villa here. There were Roman buildings but they weren’t part of a big farmhouse or manor. “Clearly it was a place of importance, perhaps religiously.It could have been a shrine or the focus of an early Christian community, perhaps a monastic one. But it was only an important place for a maximum of 50 to 100 years.” Peter believes there was ‘almost certainly’ no overlap into the Anglo-Saxon era for the Hinton site. The evidence that the Hinton buildings were not a villa includes the fact that the eight-by-5 metre double room that housed the original mosaic flooring was not part of a much bigger building. “It was part of a complex of little buildings,” said Peter. “We think there would have been stables and agricultural buildings.” The current four-week dig follows a trial excavation last year and a third season is planned for 2023. It is doubling as a training dig for 15 university students, with pupils of Sturminster’s Yewstock School also involved. New finds include black burnished ware pottery from the shores of Poole harbour and colour-coated ware; low-value coins from the early 300s; an enamel object that may have been a decorated stud; part of a ring with a stone inside; two lead weights; kiln-fired bricks and stone roof tiles; animal bones, probably of pigs and cattle; and oyster shells. “Oysters were a popular snack for the Romans,” said finds officer Christine Waite.
A second mosaic Most excitingly – but frustratingly – the dig has also unearthed a second mosaic, once housed in a second building 10 or 15 yards south-west of the original. “It’s of the same date and must have formed part of the same complex,” said Peter. “Unfortunately we only have fragments. The rest was destroyed when this field was ploughed, probably 1,000 years ago. “I have a suspicion that in its time it was as nice, if not nicer, than the famous one.” Surviving parts include a black-and-white border section, black triangles and a few smaller black, white and red cubes which hint at a more elaborate decoration. The high quality cubes in both mosaics are thought to have been made at Dorchester.
Co-director Peter Guest (third left) briefs students at the Hinton site
Jamie recalls 1963 dig One of the first to work on the Hinton St Mary dig 59 years ago vividly recalls the excitement generated as the site’s archaeological importance became evident. Retired art college lecturer Jamie Hobson, 72, personally helped to uncover the central roundel that turned out to be unique in the Roman empire.
Sturminster School children at the site of the 1963 dig
“There was a lot of excitement and I remember being filmed by the BBC,” says Jamie, who now lives at Salisbury. “It was a real quality find. Nothing like it had been discovered before.” Jamie was a 13-year-old at Sturminster Newton Secondary School in 1963 and remembers headmaster Stan Tozer approaching him in the corridor. “Hobson, you’re interested in archaeology. Walk up to Hinton. Somebody has found something.” There he met Dorset Museum curator Roger Peers and a second archaeologist he remembers as being ‘old school’. “I seem to recall being up there for weeks and not doing anything at school but that may be just my memory,” he says. “I loved every minute of it. I and another boy, Colin Lawrence, uncovered part of the roundel. I went home to Shillingstone but came back next morning. We were beginning to discuss what it was. “Someone suggested it might be the head of Christ.” Jamie’s last memory of the dig is from a wet Saturday when they were using water and sand to clean the mosaic and bring up the colours. “The colours were quite intense when we dug it but they quickly became dull and that’s why we were cleaning it,” he says. “After that I think they covered it with glue and paper, rolled it up and took it to the British Museum.”
Archaeological artist David Neal (foreground) pictured at the 1963 dig. Image courtesy of Sturminster history teacher Pat Moody, and the British Museum Magazine
A new home for the Hinton mosaic?
Could Hinton St Mary’s famous Roman mosaic be on its way back to Dorset after almost 60 years? Since the British Museum’s millennium revamp more than 20 years ago, only the central roundel has been on display in London, with the rest of the pavement in storage. But the digital BV understands that discussions are at an advanced stage with a view to bringing the important Roman artefact to the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester or another site. “Wherever it goes, we would like to be able to better explain it to the public,” said dig co-director Peter Guest. “It is iconic and not just in Britain. Whether it depicts Jesus Christ or a Christian emperor, it’s unique in a Roman world that included the Holy land.” • The dig site will be open to visitors this Sunday 3rd July, from 2 to 5pm.
Shaftesbury School teacher Alex More has been named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners across the country. He received the Award for Digital Innovator of the Year for his outstanding commitment to changing the lives of children. Alex is the school’s Lead Teacher of Innovation in Teaching and Learning, and currently completing his EdD through distance learning at Bath University. He has had a significant impact on Shaftesbury School’s students, parents and the local community, as well as making global connections, including with a school in Ghana.
Alex More receiving his Silver Digital Innovator of the Year award in a school assembly, presented by Donna London-Hill, Headteacher of Shaftesbury School
Donna London-Hill, headteacher of Shaftesbury School said: “We are so incredibly proud of Alex and he is thoroughly deserving of this national award. His energy and drive in thinking about and bringing the future of education to the heart of our school is second to none. I also want to congratulation Becky Yeo, another of our teachers, who was highly commended.” As a Silver Award winner, Alex has now been shortlisted for one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year. These once-in-a-lifetime achievements will be broadcast on the BBC’s The One Show as part of a week-long celebration of teaching. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Congratulations to Alex on this incredible achievement and for the hard work and dedication which led up to it. Winning this award is impressive, well-deserved and shows Alex’s commitment to helping students achieve their full potential.”
Fairmead Community Special School transforms the lives of pupils aged between
4-19 years with additional learning needs (MLD and ASD). The school works in partnership with parents/carers and other stakeholders to develop our pupils in becoming positive individuals who make a valuable contribution to their community.
HIGHER LEVEL TEACHING ASSISTANT (HLTA)
(37 Hours per week – Term Time only – 39 weeks) Grade 12 (£19,499 – £22,398) subject to experience
We are seeking to appoint a professional HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) responsible for learning activities under a system of supervision involving planning, preparation and delivering learning activities to an individual or small group. To monitor, assess and record pupils’ achievement, progress and development. Experience with complex ASD/SLD pupils is essential. This position will be overseen by a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Prospective candidates are warmly invited to visit our school; this can be arranged by contacting [email protected]
Fairmead School is committed to safeguarding the school community. All job applications must contain the disclosure of any spent convictions and cautions. The school will carry out pre-employment vetting procedures, which include the successful outcome of an enhanced DBS
Closing/Shortlisting Date: Wednesday 20th July 2022
