An enthusiastic and committed Graduate Assistant is required for our Senior School on a fixed term contract. This exciting opportunity includes a full and active role in the pupils’ games programme, administrative support for our Senior Academic staff, and pastoral care of our boarders.
The successful candidate will play a full and active role in the pupils’ games programme and supporting the Girls’ Games with the provision of training, matches and school events. The successful candidate would have demonstrated proven ability in at least one of the following: Netball, Hockey or Tennis.
The candidate will also provide occasional classroom cover and, where appropriate, may be offered some teaching opportunities. This position would suit a recent graduate looking for experience prior to teacher training or seeking a short-term post prior to embarking on another career path.
This is a live-in position that will involve some evening and weekend work within the boarding house.
Clayesmore is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children’s and young people’s welfare and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Full-time, all year round commencing 1st July 2024
Clayesmore School is located in the village of Iwerne Minster in the shadow of the Iron Age Fort of Hambledon Hill. The breath-taking scenery isn’t really what makes working at Clayesmore a joy. What really makes the school standout is the warmth of the people and the culture and kindness that underpins everything we do.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Second Chef to join our team of talented and experienced staff. Clayesmore prides itself in providing a comprehensive, in-house fresh food service to its pupils and staff. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in high volume catering and be flexible, and able to work as part of a team.
This is a great opportunity to work in catering with primarily daytime shifts. Benefits include a non-contributory pension scheme, Death in Service benefits, a free meal each day and free membership of the Clayesmore Sports Facilities. 6 weeks holiday per year plus bank holidays. Accommodation may be available for the successful candidate.
Please feel free to ring the HR department on 01747 813213 if you would like to discuss this role.
Applications will be considered as soon as they are received and so the deadline may close earlier if we find the right candidate, therefore early applications are advised.
Clayesmore is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children’s and young people’s welfare and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. www.clayesmore.com
From neighbours to award-winning booksellers: FOLDE’s founders Amber Harrison and Karen Brazier talk to Terry about their ‘pandemic-induced mid-life crisis’.
FOLDE, in Shaftesbury, has won the British Book Awards Independent Bookshop of the Year competition for the South West, organised by The Bookseller magazine and judged by a prestigious panel of industry specialists, authors and journalists.
It’s a remarkable achievement for a business started during the pandemic by two women who had never sold books. They’re justifiably proud and deeply happy with their ‘small but mighty, and slightly fighty’ bookshop.
From bingo halls to community calls – Shaftesbury’s Rotakids are a new generation of community champions, leading the charge in innovative community charity work. Peter Sale is president of Shaftesbury Rotary Club, and he chats to Jenny about the work of the group, and the benefits not just to the local community but to the kids themselves.
The barriers are gone – for £1.3m … Dorset residents had almost forgotten what Sturminster bridge looked like – but finally the bank stabilisation work is complete.
April’s BV is OUT NOW … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, SO many horses … and frankly stunning photography. Did I mention it’s FREE?
Why *wouldn’t* you want a flick through?
(*don’t forget, we’re proud to be purely digital. The only way to read us is right here online!)
You can click here https://bvmag.co.uk/Apr24 to dive straight in. Frankly, it’s so jam-packed with Dorset goodness, it’d be rude not to.
The BV is the ‘glossy’ rural monthly digital magazine from Dorset, shortlisted in the 2024 Newspaper & Magazine Awards for ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’.
Despite a typically 2024 grey and chilly spring morning, Dorset clearly decided today was finally a day for fun. Kingston Maurward was busy early as the crowds swiftly gathered to enjoy the county’s first rural show of the year – by lunchtime the main car parks for the very first Dorset Spring Show were full, the overflow car parks were … overflowing, and traffic was backed up on the approach roads to the show.
Heading up the team behind the county’s newest event is Dorset County Show Organiser James Cox, who was thrilled with the turnout: ‘With a brand new show there’s always an element of risk, and of course the weather has not been kind so far this year. But we were confident the show would be great – and the whole team is pleased and grateful so many members of the public agreed! It’s been a fantastic first day.’
The show was spread around the grounds of Kingston Maurward House, a combination of craft and trade tents, big ring entertainment, and have-a-go fun. James says: ‘It’s ended up being a brilliant spring get-together for the county. Whether you want to indulge in delicious Dorset foods, purchase local artisan goods, enjoy watching extreme sport, meet a lamb or watch local craftspeople, Dorset Spring Show has it!’
Maisie wasn’t the only one excited to be in the Food tent. But sadly, despite her careful observation, not one single cheese jumped off the table
Show visitors can have a go with Great Pottery Throw Down finalist (and Weymouth resident) Dan Sandham, who is joined by his fellow Throw Down contestant Ed King
With an emphasis on everything food, farming and flowers, you can watch live demonstrations of beekeeping, falconry and baking. Have a go with Great Pottery Throw Down finalist (and Weymouth resident) Dan Sandham, who is joined by his fellow Throw Down contestant Ed King. See the extreme BMX bikers, the gun dog display, and Sunday visitors get the extra treat of Titan the Robot in the main ring (11:45, 13:30 and 15:00)!
The Food Tent at Dorset Spring Show
Two top tips for your visit – wear wellies, and take cash! The footing was getting mucky today, as you’d expect, and a lot of rain is expected overnight so I’d expect the mud to arrive tomorrow. And as per most rural shows, the data signal vanishes once the crowd starts to swell, so be sure you take cash with you (and don’t do what we did: patienlty navigate the 20 minute queue for a coffee only to find you can’t pay for it!)
If you missed today, you have a second chance tomorrow, Sunday 28th April, 9:30 – 17:00 – children go FREE and Adult Tickets are £15 on the gate. Tickets can be purchased on the gate, but we suggest buying online for faster entry – www.dorsetspringshow.co.uk
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If you buy online, be sure to either print your ticket or screenshot the QR code on your phone before leaving home – signal onsite may not work!
FIND IT – postcode DT2 8PY and then follow the yellow direction signs when nearby.
Free Car Parking | Free Shuttle Bus from Dorchester & Poundbury
Employ My Ability offers vocational training for students with learning disabilities and special educational needs and disabilities. One of their students, Maddie Walters, spent her work experience with us, and now writes a regular column – Ed
Special People On Ice, or SPICE, is an inclusive skating club for people who have additional needs from the age of seven. Since 2002, SPICE’s goal has been helping the skaters participate in ice skating, to improve their skill and to gain confidence in their ability. SPICE runs in the Slough Ice Arena every Sunday from 11am to 12pm. They cover al levels, from learn-to-skate groups to an ice hockey team and two synchronised skating teams. In 2009, aged 12, I watched Ice Princess, a Disney movie – I promptly wanted to start ice skating, and joined SPICE. A couple of years later, I was featured in a BBC Children in Need segment! I talked about how I joined SPICE and why I love skating. The presenters and film crew came to the ice rink to watch me skate – I even did a solo spin at the end of the segment! I joined the SPICE synchronised skating team in 2018 and really enjoyed competing. SPICE Synchro was so popular it eventially split into two teams, SPICE Crystals and SPICE Sparkles – I am on SPICE Crystals. We perform at competitions three times a year: Skate London, The Britannia Cup in Nottingham and the Steel City Trophy. In March I took part in the Steel City Trophy competition in Sheffield – three days of performing and watching and cheering on the other team, it was a great experience. SPICE Crystals chose a Glee mash-up – just like SPICE, on the show they are one big family – and we did Makaton sign language at the end of the performance. We finished in second place and were awarded a silver medal. SPICE Sparkles came in first and got the gold!
To find out more information about SPICE and what we do, please visit spiceskating.org
In the video above, Maddie is on the left of the pair holding hands as they enter the ice
This is a truly nostalgic recipe for me – I remember when I was growing up, there are a favourite of my dad’s.. When testing the recipe this week, a number of the baked biscuits disappeared into my family’s tummies before they ended up in their sandwiched form. It’s a good job that the recipe does yield a large batch!
Ingredients Makes about 16-20 biscuits
170g / 6oz butter
170g / 6oz caster sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
340g / 12oz plain flour
225g / 8oz icing sugar
110 g / 4oz soft butter (spreadable butter works really well)
dark chocolate
Method
Line two baking trays and preheat the oven to 200º/180º fan/gas 6.
Mix together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture turns pale and creamy (about five minutes with a spoon, maybe two minutes with an electric mixer).
Add the eggs and beat well, then gently stir in the flour.
Place the mixture into a piping bag with a star tip. This tip will give the ‘ridges’ to the biscuits – you can pipe the biscuits without it for a smoother bake. Pipe the biscuits onto the tray, either in lines or in swirls if you prefer a circular biscuit.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes (or until golden), remove and allow to cool completely.
To make the buttercream icing, beat together the soft butter and icing sugar. Taste, and if not sweet enough, simply add a little milk and some more icing sugar.
For the finished biscuit – take one biscuit and spread a thick layer of buttercream over the bottom (the flat side). Then press the base of another biscuit to it to make a sandwich.
Melt the dark chocolate, dip each end of the biscuit in the chocolate and leave to set on a wire rack.
Options – if you would like chocolate biscuits, substitute 55g/2oz of flour for the same of sieved cocoa powder. You can also add some jam to one of the biscuits before sandwiching together with the buttercream.
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.
FULL OR PART-TIME LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS (LSA)
Full time based on 34.50 Hours per week, Term Time only (39 weeks).
Part-time hours are negotiable, Term Time only (39 weeks)
Grade 15-14 – £18,456 – £19,078 (full time annual gross salary). Part-time salary reflective or hours worked.
Working hours Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Fri 8.30am-3.45pm and Tues 8.30pm-4.30pm – 34.50 working hours. We can also offer supply hours for those who do not want to conform to a routine working week.
We are seeking to appoint outstanding Learning Support practitioners who are compassionate, dynamic and resourceful individuals to join our dedicated and hardworking team of skilful support staff to work across the whole school. A desired element to this role would be experience of supporting young people with Autism and moderate learning needs. For more details, please refer to the application information pack.
Prospective candidates are warmly invited to visit our school; this can be arranged by contacting [email protected]
Closing/Shortlisting Date: Thursday 16th May Interviews: Tuesday 21st May.
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 an online search for shortlisted candidates and the successful outcome of an enhanced DBS
Note: Eggs can be different sizes, so I weigh my eggs (out of their shells), then use the same measurements for all the other ingredients. So, if the eggs weigh 250g, all other ingredients will be the same – except the baking powder.
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C
Lightly grease and line (with parchment paper) two round 20cm (8”) cake tins.
Put all the measured cake ingredients in a food mixer and blend together until you have a smooth, soft batter.
Divide the mixture evenly between the two tins and bake for about 25 minutes until golden and the cake springs back when pressed. Leave to cool in the tins for a few minutes, then turn out on to a cooling wire rack, remove the parchment paper and leave to cool completely.
To make the filling, beat the margarine with the almond extract until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in the sieved icing sugar – gradually, because it will get everywhere if you don’t!
Spread the dairy free buttercream over the bottom of one of your sponges, then top with raspberry jam and sandwich the other sponge on top.
To top and finish the cake, toast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan for a few minutes – keep an eye on them as they don’t take long.
Make the almond water icing by combining the sieved icing sugar with the warm boiled water and the almond extract.
When the cake is cold, drizzle with the almond water icing and scatter the toasted almonds. Just before serving add a few fresh raspberries.
Now sit back and enjoy with a lovely cup of tea!
NB:You can substitute the dairy free margarine with softened butter if you don‘t need it to be dairy free.
We were thrilled to hear this morning that we have been shortlisted for the 2024 AOP Digital Publishing Awards ‘Small Digital Publisher of the Year’. The Association of Online Publishers (AOP) is a UK industry body representing digital publishing companies. They champion newspaper and magazine publishing, TV and radio broadcasting, and pure online media.
This Small Digital Publisher of the Year category celebrates “the best of those smaller digital publishers [turnover of less than £5M] who are succeeding in building a portfolio of online brands, growing their audiences and their profitability, with smaller budgets, but with ingenuity, innovation, an unbeatable understanding of their audiences and great commercial vision.”
We’re excited just to be on the shortlist among some giants of ‘small’ publishers (you can see a list of finalists on the AOP’s website here – scroll down, ‘small publisher’ is waaay down at the bottom!), but the final round of judging commences now, and the awards night is the ‘digital publishing celebration of the year!’ in June – we’ll keep you posted!
