Slough

St Anthony’s Catholic Primary, Slough is good, according to a report out by Ofsted.

Ofsted inspectors judged St Anthony’s to be good in its overall effectiveness stating: “St Anthony’s is a good school which has improved markedly since its previous inspection.”

According to inspectors the Slough improvements have been driven by effective leadership by the head teacher who is well supported by staff and governors at all levels.

The report highlights the quality of teaching as being good – enabling pupils to make good progress, stating: “The effective management of teaching and monitoring of staff performance has led to better teaching which in turn is resulting in accelerated progress for pupils.”

Ofsted inspectors identified the behaviour and safety of pupils as being good, stating: “Pupils were unfailingly polite and courteous…underpinned by a caring and inclusive ethos.”

The report commented on the good start children make to their school, stating: “Children make a good start in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the early years foundation stage because of much improved provision since the previous inspection. Thereafter, pupils make good progress and sometimes exceptional progress in Key Stage 2.”

Inspectors concluded by saying: “The school provides for some memorable experiences for pupils. These opportunities promote pupils’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural development extremely effectively.”

Jim Hayes, the Slough chair of governors at St Anthony’s said: “I am delighted with the report which highlights the school’s many strengths. I would like to congratulate the headteacher Maggie Stacey, the staff, and the pupils and their parents for their contribution to this success.

“I look forward to St. Anthony’s continuing to improve over the coming years.”

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, Slough Borough Council’s commissioner for education and children said: “Congratulation to the headteacher, staff and pupils at St Anthony’s school on this fantastic achievement. Slough Borough Council continues to work closely with all schools in Slough, including those in special measures. We are committed to ensuring all children and young people have the best education.”

Slough Borough Council

Slough Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help in finding a 13-year-old girl who has gone missing from Colnbrook.

Aya Rmiki was last seen on the High Street in Colnbrook, Slough on Monday (19/3) as she got on the number 81 bus heading into Slough.

She was wearing a bright red cardigan, and white and navy-blue horizontally –striped trousers, and was carrying a white handbag.

Slough Officers are growing increasingly concerned about Aya, and appeal to her to get in touch. Her family have said this evening (22/3) “We just want Aya to come home. She is not in any trouble, and we love her very much.”

Acting Det Insp Stuart Bosley from Maidenhead CID who is investigating said, “We believe Aya may be in the Basildon area of Essex. If anyone has seen her or heard from her please contact police”.

If you can help, please call Acting Det Insp Bosley via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, please call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

A Slough man has been given an indeterminate sentence after being found guilty of raping a teenager and having sex with an underage girl.

Ashley Kang, aged 20, Furnival Avenue, Slough, was given an indeterminate man sentence of not less four years and 240 days at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday (16/3). He will remain on licence for life.

The first rape took place on 30 October 2011 at Farnham Park Sports Ground, Farnham Common, Slough. Kang met the victim, then 14, through Facebook and subsequently raped her at the sports ground.

The second incident took place on 5 November 2011, when Kang met a second victim, also 15, through Facebook and arranged to go to her home in Chesham where he committed sexual acts with her. He was charged with having sex with a minor.

Slough Det Con Ghulam Mourtaza, who carried out the investigation with Det Sgt Kerry Bradfield, said: “I am very pleased with the sentence handed to Kang. He used the internet to get to know his victims and gain their trust before betraying them.

“The fact that he will not be allowed parole for at least four years and will be on licence for the rest of his life will mean that he has been punished for committing these crimes.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council has today announced the street level route in Slough through which the Olympic Flame will be carried during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Andrew Stevens, assistant director for Slough culture and skills said: “Back in November we were delighted to hear the Olympic Flame would be travelling through the streets of Slough on 10 July. Now that we have announced the exact route we hope residents will take this once in a lifetime opportunity to line the streets and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay going through their communities.

“We hope that by providing a street level route two months before the flame enters Slough, residents, schools and businesses can start planning where and how they will welcome the flame and the torchbearers to the town.”

The street-by-street detail and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Slough are also be available in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in each region of the UK to devise the route and is taking the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of over 95% of the population.

An average of 115 torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The torchbearers confirmed to carry the flame in Slough include those that were successful through the public nomination process run by LOCOG who has endeavoured to slot all community torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on.

Each Slough torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which has been designed by adidas.

Schools across the UK can now access free learning resources linked to the Olympic Torch Relay through Get Set (london2012.com/getset), the official London 2012 education programme. The activities are designed to help schools and colleges make the most of the relay by lining the route, and cheering on their local torchbearers. Resources include ideas for making flame hats and shakers to welcome the flame, an assembly presentation to get the school behind a torchbearer and a film showing one Get Set network school’s preparations for the relay.

Slough Borough Council.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a couple stole a dog and damaged a car in Slough on Wednesday (14/3).

At about 11.15pm, a woman was visiting a relative in The Spinney, Cippenham, Slough. When the door was opened, the occupant’s dog ran out of the house into the street, where it was picked up by a man and a woman who were walking past.

The woman followed the couple in her car, a red Peugeot 106, and asked for the dog back. However, the man jumped on the car, denting the bonnet and smashing the windscreen and one of the rear windows. The couple then walked off towards the Tuns Slough crossroads.

Slough Officers carried out a search of the area shortly after the incident, but were unable to locate the couple.

The man is described as white, around 5ft 11ins, skinny, with short brown hair and a pale complexion. He was dressed all in black.

The woman is white, about 5ft 2ins and slim. She was wearing a white, knee-length padded-style coat with fur around the hood.

The stolen dog, called Patch, is a five-year-old, brown and white Jack Russell terrier with a brown patch over one eye.

Anyone with any information should contact Slough PC Mike Adams via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a jewellers in Slough was robbed yesterday afternoon (14/3).

At approximately 1.20pm, a grey Audi S4 Estate, on false number plates (D17 RJC) pulled up outside Fancy Jewellers, Baylis Parade, Stoke Poges Lane, Slough.

Three of the four male occupants got out of the vehicle and forced their way into the shop. One of the men used a sledge hammer to smash one of the doors.

Once inside, a large quantity of Asian gold was stolen.

The men then made their escape in the Audi which was later found abandoned in West End Lane, Stoke Poges, Slough.

Det Insp Nicky Hurdley, from Slough CID, said: “This was naturally a very distressing incident for the owners and their staff who were present at the time of the robbery. Some members of staff were threatened by the offender who was in possession of the hammer, but thankfully no-one was injured.

“I am very keen to hear from anyone who saw the Audi described, either prior to or after the incident as it headed towards Stoke Poges. Every piece of information, despite how trivial it may appear, may be crucial in assisting our investigation.

“We know that the Audi was stolen from the Surrey area on 29 February.”

Those with information should contact DI Hurdley via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council’s road safety team has launched a new hard-hitting campaign aimed at warning drivers of the dangers of taking drugs and driving.

The new Slough poster campaign, part of an ongoing programme to reduce casualties on the borough’s roads by educating people of the hazards of drink, drugs and speeding, depicts a badly damaged car on its roof with the message “Before this, the last thing Ricky rolled was a joint. Drugs and driving: it’s a lethal cocktail.”

The campaign partly came about after recent road safety checks by police where they stopped vehicles for traffic related offences and discovered the strong smell of cannabis.

This inevitably led to the vehicles being searched and drugs were found. There were obvious legal implications for those drivers found in possession of drugs and possibly driving while under the influence of drugs.

Keith Beasley, road safety officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “It’s illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs, but irrespective of the legal implications, from a road safety point of view, it is extremely dangerous.

“To consume any substance which alters your behaviour and state of mind and to then drive a motor vehicle is a lethal cocktail. We’ve referred to cannabis in this campaign, but many drugs can alter people’s perception of speed and distance, cause confused thinking, drowsiness and ultimately can seriously affect a driver’s reaction times.”

Commissioner for Slough neighbourhoods and renewal, Cllr James Swindlehurst added: “As a driver, if you take drugs and cause a collision where someone is killed or seriously injured, you will have to live with the guilt of that collision for the rest of your life.

“Drugs and driving can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving and this campaign will hopefully get that message across to people.”

WPC Melonie Powell, Slough Road Safety Constable said “Drink and drug driving is totally unacceptable and is a serious crime. If you are convicted for a drink or drug driving offence, you will not only lose your licence, have a criminal record, but you may even end up in prison.

“Those under the influence are not only putting themselves at risk but other motorists who are innocently going about their normal day to day business.”

It’s also worth remembering that some prescription and over the counter legal medicines can affect people’s driving and if in doubt, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

The campaign posters will be delivered to Slough pubs, clubs, colleges and school sixth forms and to various businesses across the borough.

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police has released CCTV images of two men it would like to speak to in connection with an incident in Slough.

Two men were assaulted by two other men close to a kebab van in High Street West at about 2.15am on Saturday 18 February.

One of the victims, a 32-year-old man, suffered a fractured skull and was left in a critical condition. He remains at Wexham Park Hospital where he is receiving ongoing treatment.

The second victim, also aged 32, suffered minor injuries.

The two offenders were black.

Investigating officer Det Con Emma Mullenger believes the two men she would like to speak to are local to the Slough area.

She said: “One of the victims has suffered very serious injuries following the assault and faces a lengthy period in hospital as a result.

“I would like to speak to anyone who recognises the two men in the images, or anyone who has information on this incident.”

If you can help, please call Det Con Mullenger at Force CID in Slough via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council is asking residents and businesses for their views on whether the town’s ‘no casino’ policy should be renewed.

In 2006, the council put the policy in place to prevent a casino being opened in the Slough borough and the policy was further renewed in 2009.

This Slough policy lapses after three years, and residents and businesses need to give their views on whether the policy should be renewed until 2015.

go here to take part in the consultation.

http://slough-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/sbc/greenbuilt/lisc/no_casino_policy

Considerations for not having a Slough casino may include:

the effect on vulnerable people and their families
personal and religious beliefs
concerns it may encourage criminal activity.

Considerations for having a Slough casino may include:

the creation of employment opportunities
a positive effect on the local economy
giving residents the choice of another local recreational activity.

Mick Sims, licensing manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “We’re encouraging residents and businesses to have their say about this policy, as it concerns everyone in the borough.

“If you do not have internet access, you can submit a response in writing, stating whether you think the policy should be renewed, and any additional comments.”

Written comments should be sent to: The Licensing Team, Landmark Place, High Street Slough, SL1 1JL.

All submissions, whether via the internet consultation or in writing, need to be submitted by May 1, 2012.

Councillor Shafiq Chaudhry, commissioner for community and leisure, said: “At present we have a ‘no casinos’ policy in Slough and we are happy with the status quo. However, we want the views of Slough residents, to see whether they want to continue the current policy until 2015.”

Slough Borough Council

Two men have been remanded in custody following two burglaries in Slough.

Nicholas Wickens, aged 25, of Stratfield Road, Slough, and 22-year-old Stuart Busby, of Convent Road, Ashford, Middlesex, are jointly charged with one count of burglary dwelling and one count of attempted burglary dwelling.

Both charges relate to two separate incidents at properties in Rochford Gardens, Slough, during the evening of 20 February.

A laptop was stolen during one of the incidents, while access was not gained during the other.

Busby is also charged with being in possession of class B, namely cannabis.

The pair appeared before Slough Magistrates’ Court on 1 March where they were remanded in custody.

A plea case management hearing has been set for 15 June.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough