THERE is evidence that Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre is, in actual fact, a very safe school.

In October 2010 Ofsted carried out an inspection of the school and were extremely impressed with the behaviour of the students both in lessons and around school. They judged the school to be 'a caring school' and said that 'students enjoy coming to school and feel very safe'.

Jane Steele, Headteacher I said that this judgement was accurate at the time and is still the case now. She said that "Ofsted had evidence to show that 'students feel particularly safe in the school and their behaviour is good' and this is our experience of the school every single day. There are a small minority of students who, for a variety of reasons, do not always manage to meet our expectations in terms of behaviour, but we have systems in place to address this'.

On the issue of knives Headlined in The Forester last week In relation to the issue of knives Mrs Steele said that this claim was totally unfounded.

Mrs Steele went on to say "I am extremely disappointed that any member of the public, particularly those with a civic responsibility and office, should express such extreme views without seeking to verify them first.

I am also concerned that if there was a genuine belief that there was a knife problem at the school that the issue would not be brought to the attention of the school immediately. I would take any report of a knife being brought in to school very seriously and there would be major consequences for any student who had brought a weapon in school, particularly if it was used to threaten or hurt someone. However, this is not the case at all.

Mrs Steele I hope that parents and cares will now feel reassured that their children continue to be safe at the school and that their safety and well-being, as well as their learning and progress, continues to be the core business of the school.

Jane Steele

Headteacher