East Leake
Mike Elliott 0115 937 6506 elliottnews@btconnect.com
GCSE RESULTS. Students from East Leake Academy, part of Diverse Academies, are celebrating another successful year for GCSE results.
Overall, 80 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in maths and over 84 per cent in English, and 21 per cent of the academy’s grades at the highest levels of 7-9. 66 per cent of students achieved five or more GCSEs - including English and maths- an increase from 62 per cent in 2018.
In total, 48 grade 9s were achieved across the board, with students excelling in business, history, chemistry, physics, French, German and product design. Additionally, six top grades of Distinction* were achieved in music – 50 per cent of the total cohort taking the subject.
In addition to the above, overall attainment also increased from 2018 results.
Some of the outstanding individual results included Isaac Baguley who was the academy’s top performing student with grade 9s in all eight of his subjects, plus the top mark of Distinction*
in music. Isaac said: “I don’t know what to say, I thought my eyes were not working properly at first! I am so thrilled with my results and looking forward to staying on in the sixth form.”
Another high performer – Erin Doherty – achieved five grade 9s in triple science (physics, chemistry and biology), geography and maths, plus two grade 8s in English literature and French. Erin said: “I am so very proud that all my hard work has paid off.”
Year 11 student Jack Osborne also achieved superb results, with six grade 9s in physics, chemistry, history, maths and English, plus a grade 8 in biology and a 7 in French. Jack came away with the top grade of Distinction* for music. He commented: “I’m over the moon with my results and thankful to all my teachers for their support.”
Another high achiever was Kerys Stevenson with four 9 grades in biology, history, maths and physics, two grade 8s in chemistry and German and Distinction* in music. Kerys said: “I’m really happy with all my results, especially my 9 in biology and 8 in German.”
Principal of East Leake Academy, Kathy Hardy, who is leaving to take up a new position elsewhere, said: “We are incredibly proud of our results again this year, particularly the individual successes across many subjects and ability ranges, including many of our students with additional needs.
“Here at the academy, we emphasise the importance of students gaining academic qualifications alongside the skills to equip them for successful futures, therefore we are always delighted to see students do so well.
“It has been a pleasure working with the students over the past few years and I wish them the best of luck for the future.”
The academy invites any students yet to secure a place with a post 16 provider for this September or who is considering their post-GCSE options to visit www. eastleake-ac.org.uk or email sixthform@eastleake-ac.org. uk for more information.
VILLAGE SHOW THIS WEEKEND. East Leake’s village show taking place in the village hall on Saturday this weekend has a long history and records held indicate that the very first one took place 139 years ago, it being in in 1880 when Mr Wass started in and when it was first held in his fields on Lantern Lane, which is where the East Leake Academy now stands.
Entries in those early days were limited to residents of East Leake, West Leake, Costock, Normanton on Soar, and Stanford on Soar.
In 1914 ‘ The East Leake and Allotment Holders Association’ was formed at the time, The Prince of Wales was calling on allotment holders across the county to exhibit in annual village shows.
That led to a show that year being organised by them was held and prizes were awarded.
1917 it is recorded that East Leake was to donate three acres of land and seed potatoes to grow them for the families of Service Men. By 1934 the Annual show had 253 entries.
The current allotments on West Leake Road and have been there since the 1960s, with many of the occupants having been there for long periods of occupancy.
After a significant break caused by the war and passage of time the East Leake Flower Show was resurrected and held In the Village Hall.
These days, as well as flowers, fruits and vegetables, the village show includes exhibits of such as crafts and photography, with new categories having been added to reflect the various crafts and hobbies in the village.
The village show, with its motto ‘By the people for the people’, is organised entirely by volunteers all funds raised will be distributed to local charities.
Entry to the show on Saturday is £1 for adults and under 16’s free. There is session for staging of exhibits on Friday night from 6:30pm to 7:30pm and then on Saturday from 9:00am to 11:00am,. with judging starting then. Doors open to the public at 1:30pm. Trophies will be presenegtd from the stage at 2:30pm and the auction for donated show entries will be at 3:00pm.
NEW AGE KURLING. Due to the Village Hall refurbishments, the August meeting of East Leake WI had to move out of the village and was held at the nearby Normanton on Soar Village Hall where, due to popular demand, they held another session of New Age Kurling.
This indoor version of Ice Curling - without the ice! - is played by pushing stones comprising of bearings along the ground towards a target with the idea being to get as many of your stones closer to the centre of the target than your opponents’ stones.
Five teams competed in tournament style cheered on by spectators and teammates and demonstrated skill, luck and tactical play along with some unconventional moves resulting in the stones taking on gymnastic qualities! A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all with a lot of fun and laughter for everyone.
Forthcoming activities for the branch include a stroll into the country followed by a café stop, a pub lunch, a craft session, an afternoon tea and a cruise down the Trent and a refreshment stand at the village show.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, September 10, at 7.30pm in the village hall on Main Street where the branch will be welcoming Roxanne Dinsdale who will present “Myths about Belly Dancing”
Why not come along as a visitor, join in and find out more about us, says a statement from the WI. “We offer a warm welcome to a range of events and activities with fun and friendship.”
Plans are proceeding for yet another East Leake Live weekend, taking place on September 6, 7 and 8.
The event last year was a big success and involved three days of events at various venues in the village, including the local public houses and churches as well as on-street activities.
A new opportunity this year was for residents in the village being invited to write a song for this year.
The event is billed as a Weekend of Culture, and will be taking place in various premises in the village, including most of the public houses and the parish church and the Methodist Church. Most of the events will, as before says organise Mel Roper, provide musical entertainment but there will also be an art exhibition.
The events will start on the Friday night and other activities will include Clog Dancing and Line Dancing on the Saturday morning in front of the Greengrocers shop and work from the East Leake poetry group.
CONCERT FOR PARKINSON’S UK. The parish church of St Mary’s at East Leake is the venue for an event on Saturday afternoon when Loughborough based soprano Tilly Goodwin and parish church organist Simon Ackroyd team up to provide entertainment through in an event to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.
The Loughborough based singer, known for her heavenly voice, will be giving a vocal recital alongside Simon from East Leake on the piano. The event will start at 2.30pm and admission on the door will be £5. Refreshments will be available.
MEMORY CAFE. East Leake’s Memory Café aimed at providing an activity café with a difference for those with dementia, their family, carers and friends continues to take place on a Tuesday at the village Methodist Church, opposite the village hall.
It opens at 10-30am and runs until mid-day.
The sessions are run under the umbrella of East Leake Community Care and contact for further information is Anne on 01509 559 707.
During the session s there are chair exercises available for those attending, help and advice on general matters, music, fun, and reminiscences.
WOMAN AGED 97 VICTIM OF DISTRACTION BURGLAR. Police are dealing with an incident in East Leake involving a 97 year old woman there who was targeted by a distraction burglar.
An appeal has been made for information to help trace the offender.
A statement from the police said that the man offered to do some gardening work but followed the woman into the house and stole cash. He then said he needed to go and get his mower but did not return to the address,.
The lady later realised that some cash had been stolen following the incident in Oldershaw Road, East Leake, at 5.51pm on Saturday, August 17..
Residents are being urged to be vigilant and don’t accept tradespeople who turn up at their homes unannounced.
If you saw anything suspicious, or have any information that could help the enquiry in regard to the incident on Oldershaw Road please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 652 of 17 August 2019, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111