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FRee teXt ALeRtS

LOCALJOBSPage 8

500 racerson AsdaCar ParkHundreds of car cruisers

are gathering in variouslocations to race along FortParkway, and near BassettsPole. Sometimes, up to 200 cars aremeeting in one venue. Sergeant Tony Eustace, of WestMidlands Police, said that over 500cars gathered recently on the carpark of the Asda Superstore inMinworth, ready for a racing ses-sion.The problem of car cruising isincreasing in Birmingham, he told ameeting of Castle vale’sNeighbourhood Partnership Boardthis week.Birmingham residents are sufferingbecause the racers have beenmoved away from other regions byeffective council action.Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwelland Walsall Councils have teamedtogether to secure an injunctionthat has cut down the problem inthose areas. But the court order has shifted theproblem to the Birmingham area.One Castle vale resident said carcruisers used to gather on Sundayevenings, but more recently, theracing can be heard on severalevenings of the week.Police say that racers are usingsocial media to communicate witheach other to avoid police patrols. One report suggests that racershave a specific phone ‘app’ to helpthem communicate with each otherand set up ad-hoc meeting venues.Tackling car cruisers is a priority forpolice in this area, SergeantEustace assured the meeting.

FIRST TIMEEvERy TIMEKingsbury’s new boss insists on top discipline

Pupils are working with theirclass teacher. The headteacherwalks into the room. Everypupil stands up silently.He greets them, shares a brief con-versation with them, and asksthem to sit and continue with theirwork. It happens in every classroom atKingsbury. When the head or deputywalks in, the pupils stand up, as a markof respect.The atmosphere around the school ispositive, well ordered, friendly andcalm. The pupils speak highly of their school.They like the recent changes. Theyappreciate the discipline, and goodlearning atmosphere that has been cre-ated this term. Teachers, too, are posi-tive about the new régime.“We needed it,” confided one teacher.This is a school that has been languish-ing in special measures for over a year.It has had some shattering Ofstedreports, and has seen a 13% dip in itsexam results in the past two years.Now the tide has turned. Not beforetime, a new headteacher has beenbrought in, as the school moves into apartnership with Fairfax Academy Trust. Mark Rhatigan is a strong leader with a

good track record. He turned TheColeshill School around, and brought itout of special measures. He led ArthurTerry’s Sixth Form to excellence. Now he’s got the job of turningKingsbury School around, and withinthe first few weeks, he seems to be wellon the way to success.There’s more to do, he admits. But thefocus on discipline seems to be takingeffect. When the pupils first arrive in the class-room, they must enter in silence. Theteacher will greet them at the door.Pupils put their equipment and planneron the desk. They do the first task insilence.This routine is followed by every class.It’s a habit inducing system that pavesthe way for good learning. It will also please parents, all of whomwant to know that their child is learningin a well-managed environment.Ofsted had slammed the school inreports for failing to deal with pupil dis-ruption.That problem has been tackled. Mark Rhatigan’s “First Time, EveryTime” mantra is followed by all teach-ers, and all pupils. It’s a healthy and positive way of pro-moting a good atmosphere that doesn’trely on shouting or punishment. It relies on establishing good habits. And it’s working at Kingsbury. Kingsbury’s new headteacher

Mark Rhatigan with Year 9 pupils

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