main content Minister congratulates Marjorie McClure School

The excellent teaching and ethos at Marjorie McClure Special School in Chislehurst has been recognised once again in a letter from a Government Minister.

Following on from success at the National Teaching Awards, and being featured on a national schools website, Stephen Twigg, Minister for Schools, has written to the headteacher Mrs Denise James-Mason to congratulate her, her staff and the pupils.

In the spotlight is the school's commitment to inclusion, and its close co-operation with Coopers Technology College, as well as the pioneering work of Guy Wilkins, an advanced skills teacher of PE who won Excellence in Special Needs Teaching at the National Teaching Awards in October last year.

Executive Councillor for Children and Young People Councillor Graham Arthur said: "Marjorie McClure is one of the most special places in our borough. It continues to be a shining example of outstanding achievement."

In his letter, Mr Twigg writes: "The school has clearly caught the imagination of the community as a whole. Its good ties with other educational institutions in the area and successful participation in the Schools Sports Partnership programme are very encouraging."

Marjorie McClure is a hub school for the Schools Sports Partnership, which means it is host to five other primary schools. The programme aims to achieve a minimum of two hours of high quality PE per week in every school. It has been so successful in promoting PE, the whole borough will be adopting the programme from September 2006.

Marjorie McClure's success in these areas was recently featured on the School in Focus website, which highlights schools which demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to raising standards as a way of sharing their skills with others across the country.

Headteacher, Mrs James-Mason said: "It is always encouraging for staff and pupils when professionals outside of the school recognise our hard work and achievements. It was particularly gratifying to receive a visit from Councillor Arthur to celebrate Guy's achievements and to have our inclusive ethos recognised by Stephen Twigg."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Marjorie McClure features on Ofsted's "honours list" of England's most successful schools and colleges published last month. The last time Marjorie McClure was inspected by Ofsted, in 1999, it was described as "an outstanding school with very many impressive features".
• The full text of Stephen Twigg's letter is attached.
• For further information, or to arrange to take photographs, call Mrs James-Mason on 020 8467 0174.
• The full School in Focus feature can be found at www.teachernet.gov.uk/schoolinfocus.
• Further information is also available at www.bromley.gov.uk.