Lindsworth School - Lindsworth School - Every Child Matters

Team Lindsworth Raised over £1000 for Movember!

This is a very big "Thank you" to everyone involved in raising money for Movember this year. The school team raised £1042 for a range of men's health charities, under the Movember banner. Special thanks need to go to Dave Stanton, Neil Clapham, Jim McRobie, and especially Matt Williams for their sterling efforts. All the money collected will go to work with the Prostate Cancer Charity and the Institute for Cancer Research.

Thanks again to everyone who was involved, either through growing moustaches, or donating! Our efforts make a real difference.

David McMahon.

Welcome Back!

It gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone back for the new academic year.

Exam Results

I am delighted to report that the pupils delivered a great number of GCSE and other certificate passes in the summer exams. Highlights include 14 passes for GCSE English and 12 passes in GCSE Maths. Moving Image GCSE (Short Course) also scored some noticeable successes with pupils achieving three “B” grades and two “C” grades. Congratulations to all those pupils who worked so hard in all the subjects they studied. We are delighted that so many did well and are now off to college, taking up training, or are in work.
We have been busy over the summer and decoration has taken place in several areas around the school. The school will shortly open a new hairdressing provision which will provide practical support for our children who want to gain skills in this area.

Changes to times of day

We have changed the timetable in order to better meet the needs of the curriculum. As a result some times have changed within the school day. Please note that school on a Friday now finishes for pupils at 2.35pm.
If you have any questions please do get in touch.
Best wishes,

David McMahon
Headteacher.

A Fond Farewell From Lindsworth

Jackie Armstrong
One of the Domestic Team, joined Lindsworth over 20 years ago in the month of May and has helped out in almost every unit on site.  However, she has almost become a ‘fixture’ in Home 6 where she, Janet & Ralph have formed their own early morning fitness crew.  Jackie’s contribution to various levels of school life, her willing and intelligent contributions to meetings will be sorely missed, but we wish all happiness in her retirement.

Rachel Bassi
Rachel joined Lindsworth in 1997.  She has always been based in 2020 but has on occasions supported in the main school.  Rachel has worked almost exclusively with Mob.  She has a new career ahead of her.  All the best.

Roger Belm –
Roger has been at Lindsworth for 16 years.  He is known as a man of few words but to those who have worked with him for a long time as also having a quick wit.  Roger has been a great source of support to Rena, Bev and Len over the years having re-built half of North site! He also has continued to support Rena on South Site as well as the ICT department.  He will be sadly missed.  Good luck!

Joe Birkett
Joe Birkett joined Lindsworth in September 2001, left for a short period realised that he missed Lindsworth and returned in June 2005.  He has proved himself to be an invaluable member of staff and will be sadly missed, not only for his enterprising cooking skills, cross dressing talents and supply of trainers but also for the constant banter on the door to assembly.  Joe is starting out a new life in Australia with his family.  We won’t say that we are jealous but who wouldn’t say no to 365 days of glorious sunshine.  We wish Joe all the very best.

Marlon Bromfield
Marlon has only been at Lindsworth for a very short time, first as a volunteer and then as a painting and decorating instructor.  We wish him well for the future!

Janine Bryant
Janine Bryant started officially working for Lindsworth in Sept 2007 as a TA and Pastoral Manager four days a week.  She became such an invaluable support to so many people that she switched to Pastoral Manager four days a week.  No-one knew how they had coped without this before.  For ten years prior to this Janine had been our School Nurse, a role that despite her protestations some people continued to assume she filled.  Ask her to tell you the tales of some of the things that have happened to her! In true Janine style she is off to fulfil a long term goal of hers and study medieval history at university at the same time train to become a museum curator.  Good Luck Janine!

Caroline Buffery
Our Business Manager, Caroline has worked at Lindsworth since its inception and before that she was the cook at Yewcroft School in Harborne.  It is impossible in a short paragraph to summarise the many years of faithful service that she has given to this school.  She will also be missed for her work in helping create and run our Girlzone Club.  Thank you for everything, Cal!

Matt Cashmore
Matt Cashmore’s career at Lindsworth goes all the way back to the previous century, when he was a classroom assistant in 20/20.  Indeed, the Cashmore family are almost a Lindsworth Dynasty, having a mother and brother who have also worked here.  Matt hasn’t been in school in recent weeks as he has been attending a training course in preparation for his new career, in which we feel sure he will be equally successful.

Matt Clarke
Matt joined Lindsworth seven years ago and has worked on both the north and south sites in the PE department, he has been an integral part of the department and is a fantastic coach who has instrumental in improving many pupils skills across s variety of sports.  He is highly competitive in all areas and has one of the highest castle bandit scores and the reigning staff indoor tennis champion.  He is currently working towards his teaching qualification.  Matt’s first love as always been football as he spent many years as a professional and he will taking up a coaching role in a new venture in Birmingham from September, we wish Matt every success in the future.

Judy Coley
A member of the admin team, Judy has served both in Focus and in the school admin centre.  Focus staff fondly remember her contribution – not just to the work – but to the atmosphere of that unit.  A gifted cook and baker, she helped lay on a beautiful spread for a teacher’s farewell party.  Her sense of humour was much enjoyed by staff in both units.  We wish her every success

Vicky Cook
Vicky has had many roles at Lindsworth; cleaner, minibus escort and finally as a teaching assistant where she has worked mainly with Lucy Phelan.  Lucy will particularly miss Vicky’s organisational skills.  We wish her well whilst she completes her qualifications.

Gemma Cross
Gemma was just 16 when she started as a Domestic in one of the homes.  Having achieved her childcare qualifications she then started as TA.  She had a short spell off with her children and returned in 1998 as a TA.  She spent most of her TA life in Food Technology where she has been a great asset.  Gemma is planning on doing respite fostering, an area in which I am sure she will excel! All the best Gem.

Fiona Dennis-Stephens
Director of the 20/20 Vocational Unit, Fiona has now taken up a position at the new and architecturally exciting Bourneville College (which is actually located at Longbridge).  Fiona’s bright, bubbly and positive attitude will be missed by all who knew her, but we are sure she will find even greater success in her new endeavour.

Pat Donahue. 
“Little Pattie” was one of two “Patties” working in the school kitchen.  Little Pattie actually towered above Pattie Lewis, our cook, who retired last year.  Her constant upbeat personality was much valued here and at our centre in Erdington where she helped out very many years.  
Good Luck, Pattie!

Jayne Francis
Jayne has only been at Lindsworth for a short period of time but has made an impact both with staff and pupils.  She will be sadly missed by many but especially by 10O.  Good luck Jayne.

Samantha (“Sam”) Grant
Sam was pastoral worker for both Focus and 20/20 units.  Her happy smiling face is already missed not only by staff and pupils from those two units but also in Home 2 where she often helped out in the evenings.  Best Wishes, Sam!

Marshall Hailing
Marshall has worked as ‘The IT guy’ in our vocational unit which is called 20/20.  Sadly, because of financial cuts, there will be no 20/20 provision in Lindsworth next year.  We thank Marshall for his many years of service and his invaluable contribution to the lives of so many youngsters.

Juliette Henry
Juliette first joined the Care Team in November 2002 and has worked in almost every unit at Lindsworth.  Never afraid to take on a new challenge, she has been a solid member of the Home 4 team for the past few years.  Juliette always found it easy to approach angry teenage boys even when they were at their most unapproachable! Not easy for most us, she was remarkably successful in her job.  Thank you, Juliette!

Jill Jarvis
Jill is one of the longest serving members of Lindsworth Staff, being with us for over 32 years.  Jill worked in great partnership with Denise in Home 2 and will be greatly missed by all staff who had contact with her in the Residential Unit.  We wish her all the best in the future.

Deborah Leadon
Care worker Deborah started at Lindsworth almost two decades ago as a volunteer.  During her time at Lindsworth, she has served in a number of capacities, the last and longest of which has been in our residential unit.  Colleagues would also wish to record her contribution in helping to create what was, then, a ‘new’ Girls Unit in Home 3.  Deborah will be sorely missed.

Lisa Lyon
Lisa, our Assistant Headteacher, is leaving us to become the Head of a special school in Shropshire.  She will be greatly missed by staff in all areas of the school, as she has been the brains behind timetables, cover lists and countless other duties.  She masterminded (images of her in a swivel chair stroking a white cat!) all the logistics of staff and pupils who made the transfer from Lindsworth North to the site in King’s Norton.  Her inexhaustible reserves of energy have driven us all up the wall, yet she is greatly admired and will be missed with enormous affection.  We want to thank her for lending us her husband, Dave, while one them was having a baby two years ago and we wish them all every success and happiness for the future.

Errol McCalla
Errol is the most recent addition to the Care Team and, sadly, one of the first casualties in the programme of cutbacks.  All staff have commented on what a terrific chap he is and pupils have responded positively to his counsel over the years.  We wish him equal success in his new child care post.

Kate McGeown
Learning Assistant Kate won’t be coming back in September as she is concentrating on her growing duties as a mother.  Her larger than life personality will be mch missed by many colleagues, especially those who worked with her in our Girls Unit.  We won’t forget your kindnesses nor your fabulous cakes!

Dee Miller
Dee joined Lindsworth in September 2006.  In the short space of time she has been here she has worked in various areas.  We wish her well.

Sharon Noakes
Sharon joined Lindsworth North in June 1990 – a mere 21 years ago.  She was crucial to the smooth running of this site – in fact many people firmly believed she was in charge - not a rumour Sharon was keen to squash! A source of information to many, an ear and a kind word to others, the reassuring voice on the end of a phone to many parents and an absolute strength, Sharon has been the rock that many people came to depend on.  Sharon is now retiring and in her own words planning on doing all those things that have just been left for years.  Enjoy Sharon!

Gail Peckham
Gail is another member of our catering team who can trace her career all the way back to Yewcroft School.  Gail has been a tireless worker and always open to new ideas for making our menus more interesting.  Gail is looking forward immensely to her retirement which is starting with a Caribbean Cruise.  ENVY!

Sharon Pettitt
Sharon has served in many capacities during her career here.  I know that many of us will remember her long association with Trish Rodsett.  Sharon has recently celebrated her daughter’s wedding and is eagerly looking forward to her new career of grandmother.  Thanks for everything, Sharon.

Lavon Proctor
Lavon started at Lindsworth North on a temporary contract to cover a long term absence.  She became permanent and a short time later transferred to Lindsworth South.  She has spent the whole time working alongside Bev Compton-Smith.  Lavon is currently doing ICT training and looking for a job.  We wish her well.

Viv Sheldon
Viv has worked at Lindsworth since 1994, first on North and then on South site.  Viv has covered every subject since she has been here; having spent a long time in Science she now is based in H5.  Viv is hoping to move on to a job within a letting agency, we wish her all the best.

George Smith
Scotland’s plan to make ‘Oor Wullie’ understandable to English speaking people was to send emissaries south of the border to gently ease the Scottish brogue into our everyday life.  The plan was flawed from the start by sending a man who has difficulty in pronouncing his own very English name.  As the news of George’s imminent departure spreads, owners of emporiums who are the purveyors of fine foods in the south Birmingham area, are all saying, “Who”? Aldi and Lidl, on the other hand stand to see their share prices plummet.  Shakespeare will become less accessible to the masses as the man who indoctrinated many young minds no longer does assemblies.  The days of the standing room only assembly have passed.
A member of Lindsworth Staff almost from the get go, he has in one way or another had involvement in every member of staff’s working life.  His training courses and humour are legendary amongst schools up and down the country.  George will be fondly and greatly missed.  Enjoy your retirement.
Now George...  “I wonder if you could do me a great kindness...”

Jayne Smith
Jayneis one of the many people who ‘work behind the scenes’ to help make our environment safe and pleasant.  Jayne will be remembered mostly by those who were based in the Focus Unit, where she was always in by 7am and back there again in the early evenings to clean up the mess after staff had gone.  Always greeted people with smile and a friendly word, we wish her all the best for the future.

Jenny Smith
School secretary Jenny Smith has been off work for some time and has decided to opt for voluntary redundancy.  She was a well loved and recognised figure around the school and always a very approachable person in the school office.  We wish Jenny every happiness in her retirement.

Robert Walker
Bob has been at Lindsworth for 6 years, working in 2020.  Employed as a Bricklaying Instructor he has proved to be popular with the pupils.  A man of few words but who could do very good things with some of Lindsworth’s more difficult pupils.  Good luck Bob.

Jacqui Wisdom
Jacqui took up her most recent post as a member of the Care Team in Sept 2004, but had also worked with us before that time.  Her warm and generous personality has been the hallmark of Home 6’s work and many staff have felt saddened at her going.  A wonderful listener and gentle to guide to boys and girls alike, Jacqui was a ‘natural’ at counselling and attentive child care.  Much loved, we wish her every success in her new role.

Lindsworth Autumn Newsletter

The Lindsworth School Newsletter for Autumn 2010 is now available to download in PDF format.  Please click the link below to download your copy.

Lindsworth School Newsletter Autumn 2010