Schools/colleges

SCORES of parents in Three Rivers have been left bitterly disappointed after their children were denied a place at their preferred secondary school.

Figures released by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) yesterday revealed that 59 per cent (109 out of 186) applicants in the Rickmansworth and Maple Cross area won their top-ranked choice, down from 64 per cent last year.

Just under nine per cent - 23 children in total - failed to achieve any of their top three choices.

A DECISION has been delayed on whether a Northwood Hills school must axe 25 staff and reduce pupil numbers, after breaching the conditions of a planning agreement.

St John's School was granted permission in 2001 to build a single-storey extension for an extra classroom and assembly area with a library for the prep school, together with a first-aid room and staff toilet.

As part of the agreement, the school, in Potter Street Hill, which sits on the Green Belt, was told it could accommodate a maximum of 350 students and 40 full time staff.

THIEVES stole about £100 after breaking into a school in Croxley Green.

Rickmansworth School, in Scots Hill, was targeted between 9.30pm last Tuesday (22) and 8.45am Wednesday (23).

The offenders got in through the kitchen window after forcing entry and causing some minor damage to the building.

Police are appealing for information about the incident - anyone who can help should call 0845 33 00 222.

THE Eiffel Tower and Inspector Clouseau were among the memorable fancy dress costumes worn by students in Northwood to celebrate French culture.

St Martin's School, in Moor Park Road, became a sea of red, blue and white as pupils took part in a day of France-themed activities.

The day included a costume parade, singing, listening to and performing music by French composers and taking part in a quiz.

PUPILS from a Northwood school starred in a road safety film to raise awareness of the '21st Century Green Cross Code'.

Year six boys from St Martin's School, in Moor Park Road, were asked to take part in the video, together with CBBC and The One Show presenter, Angelica Bell.

Rushil Pithia, Michael Forsyth, Rahil Patel and Gregory Kraftman illustrated the correct way to cross the road and acted out scenes with mp3 players and mobile phones, to demonstrate the dangers of being distracted.

THE results of a consultation on five potential locations for a new secondary school in Three Rivers have today (21) been published, with Maple Cross sites proving popular.

Last February the Gazette reported how Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) earmarked £82.5million to increase school places where pupil numbers have risen, and plug a projected deficit of 259 places by 2016.

Five possible sites were selected out of a list of 30, put together by HCC and Three Rivers District Council.

Residents were asked to mark their preferences during the two-month consultation, entitled Site Allocations 'Issues and Options', which ended on January 14 this year.

KIND-hearted pupils at a Northwood primary school have raised vital funds for a poverty-stricken child in northern India.

Children at Hillside Junior School, in Northwood Way, are sponsoring Poonam Lodhi (pictured right), who lives with her family in a slum in Lucknow.

The eight-year-old eats only if her parents have earned money the day before, and often goes to bed hungry.

ALMOST 300 people gathered in Northwood to attend a special service marking 200 years of church school education.

Staff and students from Holy Trinity Primary School, in Rickmansworth Road, were joined by parents, governors, former pupils and congregation members for the ceremony at Holy Trinity Church on Monday (14).

As part of the celebrations, a candle symbolising 'The Light of Christ in Church Schools' will be carried from school to school.

A MOTHER-of-one has blasted 'selfish' parents who occupy valuable parking spaces in her road, while dropping off or picking up their children from school.

Janine Hoole, of Dormans Close, Northwood, describes parking as a 'nightmare' between 8.30am-9am and 3pm-4pm on weekdays, when pupils from Northwood College, in Maxwell Road, are arriving or leaving.

TINKERBELL, Peter Pan and Snow White were among the fairytale characters who attended the unveiling of a new school playground in Maple Cross.

Pupils at Maple Cross JMI, in Denham Way, dressed in costume for a special tea party to celebrate the opening of an improved early years play area at the school on Friday (11).

The £30,000 project has seen the school's existing play area double in size, with new features including a bike trail, a galleon-shaped climbing frame, fencing and a covered area with a parasol.