Grace Dieu outstanding in every way…

Ofsted inspectors paid a surprise visit to Grace Dieu Manor School nursery department in June while children were busy rehearsing for their Prize Day celebrations. After a morning in school, the inspectors judged the quality and standards of the nursery education to be ‘outstanding’, and there were ‘no recommendations for improvement because of the outstanding quality and standards’ in evidence.

The inspectors commented specifically upon the quality of  teaching and learning, the partnership between parents and carers, leadership and management all of which were judged to be ‘outstanding’.

The school as a whole offers a wonderful educational experience for children from 3 - 13 years of age and is conveniently located off the A 512 between Loughborough and Ashby.

The nursery department itself is located in the extensive and beautiful Grounds of Grace Dieu Manor School. The children are surrounded by nature, and have easy access to woodland and streams. This stunning environment provides ample opportunity for outdoor learning experiences for the young children. 
The Ofsted inspectors were also very impressed with ‘the high levels of teaching skills’ demonstrated and noted that a balanced programme of activities was planned to cover all areas of learning.
The high quality of pastoral care at Grace Dieu encourages children to be very aware of the effect of their behaviour on others and teaches them to take responsibility for their own actions. The inspectors noticed that the children responded ‘very positively to the high expectations for behaviour’ and that the children were ‘kind and helpful’ to each other. ‘Children in all groups are very sociable and play happily together during activities’, commented the inspectors.
Grace Dieu headmaster, Charles Foulds, commented that ‘although the timing of the Ofsted visit provided an interesting challenge for us as we were already busily engaged in preparations for the arrival of the Prime Minister of Gibraltar – our Guest of Honour at Prize Day - we are absolutely delighted with the findings of Ofsted. We are not altogether surprised, however, for this judgment replicates not only the assessment made by Ofsted last time they were with us, but also mirrors precisely the comments made by the Independent Schools Inspectorate last October, when five inspectors spent a week at Grace Dieu. The staff in the Nursery and Pre-Preparatory Department, led by Mrs Anne Jenks, provide amazing care for the children, and this inspection simply confirms this’.

Prime Minister at Grace Dieu!

This year’s Prize Day at Grace Dieu Manor School was as popular and well supported as ever by children, parents, grandparents and staff, and over 1,000 people attended in a splendid marquee on the front lawn.

The event was opened by Madeleine Kelly, Head Girl (departing this summer to Repton School with an academic scholarship), and followed by a musical presentation by the Pre-Preparatory Department.  The Headmaster, Mr Charles Foulds and Reverend Brian Cuddihy, IC, Chairman of the Governors, each made an address to the guests and the Hon Peter Caruana, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, was then invited to award children with their certificates, cups and trophies.

Peter Caruana is a former pupil of Grace Dieu Manor School and this was his first visit back to the school in forty years.  In his speech, he commented on the pleasure he had in being welcomed back to be guest of honour at this prestigious event and how he had immediately felt at home the moment that he walked through the door. He talked of how he remembered, with great fondness, his school years at Grace Dieu and then at Ratcliffe College in the 1960’s and how the experiences at school had given him a solid foundation in life.

It was entirely fitting that a former pupil was able to be guest of honour in this the 75th anniversary year of Grace Dieu Manor School.  It was fortunate that Mr Caruana was able to make a break in his busy schedule to attend the event as only a couple of days previously, he had been attending meetings at the United Nations in New York and had pressing ministerial duties to attend to in Gibraltar following his visit to Grace Dieu.

The formal part of Prize Day was closed by a Vote of Thanks from Joseph Livesey, Head Boy and a Mass in the school Chapel was celebrated by the Right Reverend Dom Joseph Delargy, Abbot of Mount St Bernard’s Abbey. The afternoon was taken up with games, bouncy castles, ice cream, all accompanied beautifully by the Hathern Band.

Grace Dieu Sports Day - July 2008

The weather held this year and all the children enjoyed a fantastic day of sport. 

Grace Dieu Celebrates Anniversary!

Grace Dieu Manor School celebrated its history and success on the weekend of its 75^th anniversary.
The school was founded in 1933 by the Rosminian Fathers who opened Grace Dieu Manor as a Preparatory School for Ratcliffe College. Despite many changes over the years, some things have always remained constant: the beauty and peace of the environment, the warmth of the welcome, the care of the individual and the promotion of strong Christian values.

Over the weekend of June 14^th and 15^th, former pupils celebrated the school, past and present. It was an enjoyable weekend for all.

Dr Robert Ryan,  one of the 1^st pupils in 1933 is seen here meeting with Hannah, Marcus and Charlotte, current year six children.

Grace Dieu Summer Ball

The Annual Summer Ball is a much awaited event in the school social calendar. The popular event, organised by the Parents Association, is always wonderful fun and raises funds for school projects. On the evening of Saturday June 7^th the sun came out and bathed the beautiful grounds in warm sunshine. It formed a fantastic backdrop for the guests who were dressed in a stunning array of ball gowns and black tie.

The Ball was very well supported by parents and friends of the school and was full of excitement and glamour.  The evening began with canapés and pre dinner drinks on the lawn before an exquisite five course meal and dancing to a live band in the huge and elegant marquee. 

The night progressed with a fundraising auction which included many signed items of sporting memorabilia which were snapped up by eager bidders . Sponsors for the event included IAS Ltd, DALY TELECOM, COPPER CABLE COMPANY, SCALEMASTER, WOODBOROUGH HALL, GUAVA EVENT CATERING and ALLIANCE BOOTS.

A special thank you goes to the generous parents who kindly donated raffle prizes and auction items and to Mrs Loe for all her hard work with the beautiful flower arrangements and, last but not least, Lesley Isbell in her capacity of chairperson of the Summer Ball committee, for ensuring that the event was extremely well coordinated and the success it was. 

Hockey Team Success

Lucy (yr6), Lauren (yr6) and Alice (yr5) are members of the Ashby RedSox Under 11 Girls hockey team which won the Leicestershire County Championship (U11) in the spring.

They went on to represent Leicestershire at the Midlands regional championship in Cannock where they won their group stage without conceding a single goal – going out in the semi-finals only on penalty flicks.

Well done girls!

MARATHON EFFORT FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Corinne Clarke, a Nursery Nurse from Grace Dieu Manor School, stepped up to the challenge of the London Marathon this year after hearing that her good friend, Pat Keating, had been recently diagnosed with Cancer.

Corinne explained, “Pat always ran the Marathon every year, raising thousands and thousands of pounds for Cancer Research.  Unfortunately, due to his illness, he is no longer able to run it himself so I wanted to do it on his behalf.”  Corinne battled through the rain and the cold weather to achieve the very respectable time of just over three and a half hours.  

Her efforts raised £2059.50 for the Charity and this week a moving ceremony was held at Grace Dieu Manor School  to present the cheque to Debbie Carrolan from Cancer Research UK. Pat Keating  and Tony Wilmott were also present as they were major sponsors of her efforts along with some of the pupils who all helped her raise much needed funds for the Charity.  For Corinne, a keen member of Shepshed Running Club, this was only her second Marathon but she already has her sights on her next major challenge which will be the Warfedale Fell Marathon in Yorkshire. Until then Corinne is busy giving advice and tips to all the children in her class at Grace Dieu in preparation for the School Sports Day in June!

GRACE DIEU INSTRUMENTALISTS SUCCESS

Congratulations to all of these young musicians who have recently achieved well deserved exam success in a variety of musical disciplines.

Qualifications were awarded for woodwind, brass and piano from The Associated board of the Royal School of Music.

GRACE DIEU PRESENTED WITH SHIRT BY ENGLAND CRICKET STAR

To mark the 25th annual Grace Dieu Cricket Tour to Jersey this year's squad members were invited to the Loughborough Cricket Centre of Excellence by England Chairman of Selectors Geoff Miller.

The boys are pictured being presented with a signed Grace Dieu Cricket shirt by England batting star Kevin Pietersen.

GRACE DIEU WIN 6-A-Side Football Tournament 

DERBYSHIRE SELECT GRACE DIEU PUPIL

Barnaby Harrison, of Grace Dieu Manor School, was recently selected for Derbyshire under 10’s. To celebrate he was invited to join the last practice session with the Derbyshire squad at the Loughborough University Centre of Excellence before the team departs for a pre-season tour of the West Indies. Barnaby was photographed being congratulated by the Head of Cricket, John Morris, and newly appointed Captain Rikki Clarke. Young Barnaby enjoyed taking part in a warm up and then a fielding session before watching the final batting and bowling practice. Barnaby said, “The warm up was really exciting though I was a little nervous about making mistakes with these professional players!”

Grace Dieu Headmaster, Charles Foulds commented:  “It is always good to see talent and enthusiasm being recognized. We are all thrilled for Barnaby and wish him a successful season with the County”

GRACE DIEU MANOR SCHOOL INSPECTION A GREAT SUCCESS!

Grace Dieu Manor School ‘promotes a secure and happy environment in which pupils of all abilities flourish’ and ‘a major strength of the school is the quality of its education’, according to the latest inspection report.
The recently published report highlighted many outstanding features about the school both in terms of its academic achievements and pastoral care.
The inspectors commented on ‘a warm and caring family atmosphere’ evident throughout the school and the fact that the ‘quality of teaching is a strength of the school’ and it ‘stimulates and develops curiosity, and promotes an enthusiastic approach to learning’. ‘Examples of outstanding teaching were numerous’ and most importantly ‘Parents have a definite sense of trust in the school’.
The report notes that pupils are performing well above the national average and at age seven are, for instance ‘in the top five percent of the ability range nationally’ for reading and writing.

 Grace Dieu Manor School, situated on the A512 between Loughborough and Ashby, has ‘no significant weaknesses’ and ‘the quality of management is very good, and the leadership has outstanding qualities’.

 Headmaster, Mr. Charles Foulds said: “we have been told by the inspection team that ‘there is a joy in living and learning amongst pupils at Grace Dieu, and a joy in the giving of this...’  Naturally, we are delighted with these findings and we now look forward to pushing ahead with further improvements at Grace Dieu and advancing the excellence of the education for the young people entrusted in our care”