Artwork by youngsters at Shaw Ridge Primary School was considered so good by Bridgestone Tyres that it was chosen to adorn a racing car - the only school in England to win the accolade.

The whole school enjoyed a road safety presentation at the Link Centre in early July and were able to inspect Jenson Button’s F1 Honda and a GP2 car decorated with their art.

Bert Vanneste of Bridgestone said there had been 40,000 entries from across Europe. “This year in England we asked children to send in art with an ecological message. We were all very impressed by the work from Shaw Ridge. It is very good and the pictures show they are very concerned about the environment.”

Eight year old Jack Ludlow was just delighted to get close to an F1 car. “Me and my dad love motor racing; I watch all the grand prix and sometimes go and watch my dad racing his Metro GTR. It’s fantastic to be next to Jenson Button’s Honda.”

Shaw Ridge headteacher Sally Cowell said, “it’s great for our work on road safety and the environment to be recognised like this. The Bridgestone presentation is a celebration of our successful Ofsted and also achieving an Artsmark Silver award."

Admiring their art work, from left, Freya Lawrence, Amy Blackmure, Jade Elton, Jack Ludlow, George Tindell, Sophia Sheikh, Sarah Whitefield, Nathan Adcock

Ofsted says school has coped well with upheaval

School inspectors say Shaw Ridge is a good school ‘which has had to accommodate considerable change over the last two years.’ 

Since 2005 the school has experienced considerable uncertainty about its future in the rationalisation of schools in West Swindon, it has absorbed some 150 new children when Swindon Council decided to close Salt Way Primary, and then had to completely reorganise itself when mobile classrooms were brought onto site.

The report notes the large majority of parents are positive about the school which has successfully sustained their trust and satisfaction.
Inspectors found pupils happy and relaxed, relationships are warm and friendly and behaviour is exemplary.  Pupils like their school, and find learning fun. The wide range of extra-curricular clubs, trips and visits are popular. 

The stimulating topics act as powerful incentives to learning. Activities provide good levels of challenge and successfully capture the attention and interest of boys and girls.  Practical investigative work is an integral feature of teaching science. 

All these positive factors contribute significantly to pupils’ good achievement and prepare them well for adult life. 

The inspectors say rigorous tracking of pupils’ progress enables staff to pinpoint where pupils need to move on at a faster pace, set challenging targets and get the match of work right.