New William Parker head roars into action
PAYING by fingerprint for school dinners, a specialist unit for misbehaving pupils, and a visit from the Bishop - just some of the major events facing new William Parker head John Court.
Mr Court has long been a familiar sight patrolling the huge Parkstone Road sports college grounds on his quad bike.
He has been second in command for seven years, but is now firmly in the driving seat.
"I was deputy for former head John Wakeley and then Derek Greenup who has just retired," said John. "I owe them a massive debt. We have as head and deputy developed the college to where we are and we are ready for the next bit of the journey."
That "journey" involves major changes.
William Parker has recently been granted voluntary controlled Church of England college status, which is the reason for the Bishop's visit in July.
"It's my job to put that into practice," said Mr Court. "It means we get good links and support from the diocese.
"It says what we care and believe in and what we stand for.
"It won't be that we are only going to teach about Christianity. We are a multi-cultural society and a multi-cultural school, but our ethos is founded in the Church of England.
"In fact the school has gone full circle because we were first set up as a church school for the boys of Hastings by Reverend William Parker in the 1600s."
Rev Parker would certainly have been amazed at the innovative new school payment method being brought in next month.
Biometric fingerprints will be used by both pupils and staff to pay for everything from school dinners to theatre trips.
"We will be the first school in the town to be a cashless college," said John. "All our catering and anything that parents have to pay for will be paid for from online student accounts."
Another step forward takes place in September.
"The new on-site unit for students who find it difficult to cope with normal college life will open then," said Mr Court.
"Previously they may have been excluded and sent home where I know that with the best will in the world most of them would find it much nicer to play on their PlayStation!
"Instead they will be re-focussed, supported and trained to learn. It's about re-educating them back into the classroom."
A former caretaker's bungalow is being converted for the project.
September will also herald the arrival of the first Year 7's who can't leave education until they are 18, under new national rules.
"They have to stay on at college, sixth form, or modern apprenticeships - they cannot go into full-time work and they cannot stay in bed!" said Mr Court.
"This means we have to offer a seven year package."
Assisting him with the developments, Mr Court has replaced himself with not one, but three deputies - Paul Foxley, Steve Ackerley and Ian Gillespie. Danielle Johnson also works as a deputy for both William Parker and Helenswood.
"I thought it was time to bring in fresh ideas and time to extend the leadership team," he said.
With 1550 students, 180 staff, and the highest over-subscribed school in the county, William Parker certainly needs a strong team to run it.
Driving up standards is the mantra father-of-four Mr Court will be following.
However, there will no doubt still be time to occasionally patrol the 55 acres of grounds at lunchtime on his quad bike.
"I'm from the Isle of Man so I grew up with the smell of high-octane fuel!" he laughed.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
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