Ashingdon Amenities and Services
SCHOOLS
There is one School in the parish – Ashingdon Schools.
There are three other schools very close by and serve the parish, they are : Greensward College and Plumberow Primary School, in Hockley, but with both lying adjacent to Ashingdon’s western parish boundary.
King Edmund School in Rochford is 200 metres from Ashingdon’s southern boundary.
Many children in Ashingdon go to Holt Farm Infant and Junior Schools and also many go to Saint Teresa’s Catholic School, all in Rochford.
Sixth Form students can leave their senior school to study A Levels at the sixth form college SEEVIC in Thundersley, at any other senior school which accepts them, or at an adult college such as South East Essex College in Southend on Sea, or Chelmsford College, or Thurrock and Basildon College, or Havering College and others in Essex.
There are four Grammar Schools in Southend on Sea and Westcliff on Sea serving children who pass the Eleven Plus exam from Ashingdon and other villages in Rochford District. All four can provide Sixth Form education for children from Ashingdon and other villages in Rochford District.
There are two Roman Catholic senior schools in Westcliff on Sea serving children from Ashingdon and other villages in Rochford District. Both can provide Selective and Sixth Form Education for children from Ashingdon and other villages in Rochford District.
There are two more Comprehensive Schools which provide Selective "11 Plus" Education, they are Cecil Jones High School and Shoeburyness High School.
There is an infants pre-school play group in the Pavilion of the King George’s Field recreation ground, another in the Church Hall and another in The Free Church. All provide crèche facilities, learning, painting, drawing and safe care during week-days during school terms.
Ashingdon Schools - provides Infant and Junior education from 5 years up to 11 years. Tel. 01702 202857.
Holt Farm Infant School - provides Infant education from 5 years up to 7 years. Tel. 01702 544058.
Holt Farm Junior School - provides Junior education from 7 years up to 11 years. Tel. 01702 545131.
Plumberow Primary School - provides Infant and Junior education from 5 years up to 11 years. Tel. 01702 203741.
Saint Teresa’s R.C. Primary School - provides Infant and Junior education from 5 years up to 11 years. Tel. 01702 547918.
Greensward College - provides Senior education from 11 years up to age 16 years and Sixth Form education up to A Levels at 18 years. Tel. 01702 202571. www.greenswardacademy.org
Applications for the 2010-2011 induction must be made before 1st March 2009.
The King Edmund School - provides Senior education from 11 years up to age 16 years and Sixth Form education up to A Levels at 18 years. Tel. 01702 545771.
Roman Catholic Senior Schools - provide Senior education from 11 years up to age 16 years, Selective "Grammar School" education and Sixth Form education up to A Levels at 18 years :
- Saint Bernard's High School, Tel. 01702 343583.
- Saint Thomas More High School for Boys, Tel. 01702 344933.
South East Essex Sixth Form College (SEEVIC) at Thundersley - provides Sixth Form education from 16 years up to A Levels at 18 years. Tel. 01268 756111.
The Grammar Schools - provide Senior education from 11 years up to age 16 years and Sixth Form education up to A Levels at 18 years :
- Southend High School for Boys, Tel. 01702 343074.
- Southend High School for Girls, Tel. 01702 588852.
- Westcliff High School for Boys, Tel. 01702 475443.
- Westcliff High School for Girls, Tel. 01702 476026.
TERM DATES
See the Term and Half-term dates for local schools in the "Dates" Page on this website.
Most schools follow the standard three term dates with half term holidays within the terms. Greensward Acadamy in Hockley follows a different, 5 equalised terms calendar.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN
The Essex School Organisation Plan 2007-2012 is now published and can be seen and feedback and comments can be made to the Essex County Council. See the site by this website link : http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/dis/guc.jsp?channelOid=16355&guideOid=20577&guideContentOid=18877
FOR GRAMMAR SCHOOLS AND THE 11 PLUS TEST - SEE THE END OF THIS PAGE.
YOUTH
"Teen Café" is a new club for young people aged 12 to 19 years. It started in Ashingdon Parish at Ashingdon Schools in March 2009. It is a vibrant youth club with lots to do for the young folk of Ashingdon, South Fambridge and nearby.
Teen Café uses two small buildings at Ashingdon Schools with indoor and outdoor activities, sports, training, illuminated playground, flood-lit sports field, access to a Pool table, X Box, Wii, PC Games, Laptop WiFi internet search, Music, Tea, Coffee, Chatting, Making friends and much more.
Teen Café is held every Thursday night from 6.00 to 9.00 pm, starting on 23rd April 2009. It is available on a first come, first served basis with a maximum of 50 attending. To apply for membership, call Phil Nesbit on 01702 207648 or 07904 382262.
"Young Life" is an online service provided by Essex County Council for all young people. It is full of information to help any young person about almost any subject and it lets them link to whatever may interest them. Essex Young Life groups over 4000 subjects under headings like : To do / To go; Health; Love; School / Study; Work; Care / Home; Law / Rights; Worries; Family. Have a look by clicking on this link : http://www.essexyounglife.co.uk/kbroker/essex/essexcysd/ylbrowse.jsp
LIBRARIES
Membership of your local library is valid for all libraries in Essex County including Southend on Sea and Thurrock Boroughs. You can borrow Books free for 3 weeks. You can borrow for a fee : Audio Books, Language Courses, Music CDs, DVDs and Videos. Fines are charged for late return. You can Photocopy and Print-out for a fee. You can use computers free of charge for library search and free use for 1 hour of internet use.
The nearest libraries are in Hockley and Rochford, both about 3.5 km (2.1 miles) from Ashingdon Church, Post Office and Memorial Hall and 4.25 km (3.5 miles) and 6.25 km (4 miles) from South Fambridge.
The new Rochford Library and Hockley Library both have full opening hours, Monday to Saturday. They are equipped with large stocks of books, periodicals, reports and information. They have catalogue search computers and internet search computers. Rochford's new library has a Meeting Room for hire, Fax Send & Receive Service, Photocopy Service, PC Print-out Service, 2 catalogue search computers and 11 public use internet search computers. Every Friday, 2 to 2.30pm there is a Baby and Toddler Time with stories and rhymes read to children.
- Hockley Library Tel. 01702 203558
- Rayleigh Library Tel. 01268 775830
- Rochford Lbrary Tel. 01702 546688
- Southend on Sea Library, Tel. 01702 534100
- Essex County Council Libraries Tel. 0845 603 7628.
Every two weeks there is a mobile library which visits 3 locations in Ashingdon and South Fambridge from the county town – Chelmsford. Both provide book ordering, internet search and other services. Southend on Sea Borough Library is the largest library nearby and is only 5 to 6 miles and a bus-ride away.
Any member of Essex County Library, Southend on Sea Library and Thurrock Library can use all of the many libraries in Essex County including the two unitary boroughs of Southend on Sea and Thurrock.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels & Guest Houses - There no hotels nor guest houses in Ashingdon Parish, but we have a Guest House B & B quite near at The Dome in Lower Road and four more hotels nearby.
Rochford District :
- The Saltings Guest House, Lower Road, Telephone 01702 230278
- Maison Renouf Hotel, Bradley Way, Rochford, Telephone 01702 544393
- The Cherry Tree Inn, Stambridge Road, Rochford, Telephone 01702 544426
- Essex County Hotel, Aviation Way, Southend Airport, Telephone 01702 279955
- Holiday Inn Express, The Weir, Arterial Road, Rayleigh, Telephone 01268 775001
- The Chichester Hotel, Old London Road, Rawreth, Telephone 01268 560555
Battlesbridge :
- Frasers Guest House, Maltings Road, Battlesbridge, Telephone 01268 561700
- Lodge Country Inn, Rettendon Lodge, Hayes Chase, Telephone 01245 320060
- Innkeeper's Lodge Hotel, Runwell Road, Runwell, Telephone 0845 112 6055
Southend on Sea : has many hotels and guest houses, too many to list here.
See the Southend on Sea Tourism Website : www.visitsouthend.co.uk
The nearest hotel in Southend on Sea Borough is :
- Strawberry Fields Premier Inn, Prince Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, Telephone 01702 338787
- YMCA, Ambleside Drive, Southend on Sea, near Southend East Station.
Camping & Caravans - The nearest site is 4 miles, at Wallasea Island near Canewdon :
Riverside Village Holiday Park, Creeksea Ferry Road, Wallasea Island, SS4 2EY, Telephone 01702 258297
Halcyon Park, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, SS5 6QA, Telephone 01702 230329
Tower Park, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, SS5 5LU, Telephone 01702 230223
Lower Wyburns Farm, Daws Heath Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7NP, Telephone 01268 743378
Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay, CM11 2UD, Telephone 01268 290223
Lawn Farm, Ark House, Hall Road, Rochford, SS4 1PJ, (CC) Telephone 01702 203701
Beside Blountswood Road, Lower Road, Hullbridge, Rayleigh, (Caravan Club site)
ANSWERS DIRECT
Answers Direct is a free information service of Essex Libraries provided by The Essex County Council.
It is an ultra modern 21st Century Libraries and Information Service which means that any person can get data, information and answers to anything about any subject, no matter what it is.
The "Answers Direct" Service provides various types of service and various methods for accessing it :
The Main "Answers Direct" Services are :
- DATABASE ONLINE A wide variety of Databases listed in indexes on many subjects.
- REFERENCE LIBRARY Access to online reference books such as Encyclopedia Britannica.
- BUSINESS ANSWERS Answers to questions from commercial and business users.
- HOMEWORK HELP Answers to questions about school pupil and student homework topics.
- LIBRARIAN ONLINE An online service where a call will be seen by a librarian and answered live.
The Contacts are :
- ONLINE : www.answersdirect.info
- PHONE : 0845 603 7628
- BUSINESS : 01245 492535
DOCTORS
The Greensward Surgery, is a doctor’s surgery in Ashingdon Parish. It is in Greensward Lane, Hockley, SS5 5HQ. They mostly serve Hockley and that part of Ashingdon Parish close to Hockley. Tel. 01702 202353.
The Ashingdon Medical Centre, is the nearest doctor’s surgery to most of Ashingdon. It is at 57 Lascelles Gardens, Ashingdon, SS4 3BW. It is in East Hawkwell, but within 400 metres of the Ashingdon Parish boundary and it serves parishioners of Ashingdon, Canewdon and East Hawkwell. They also have surgeries at 1 Village Green, Canewdon and at The Dome Clinic in Lower Road. Tel. 08444 778674.
Hawkwell Surgery, is at 2 Hawkwell Park Drive, Hawkwell. Tel. 01702 207146.
Hawkwell and Rochford Surgery, is at 1 Leecon Way, Ashingdon Gardens, Rochford. Tel. 01702 200884 or 547828.
The Jones Family Practice, is at 55 Southend Road, Hockley. Tel. 01702 202514.
Rochford Medical Centre, is in Southwell House, Back Lane, Rochford. Tel. 01702 533740 or 533750.
Other doctors are located in Rayleigh, in Great wakering and in many parts of Southend on Sea Borough including Eastwood, Leigh on Sea, Westcliff on Sea, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness.
HOSPITAL AND CLINICS
Southend University Hospital - is the nearest hospital with emergency and out-patient services in Westcliff on Sea 6 to 7 miles away. No. 7 & 8 buses pass nearby and other services in Rochford. Tel. 01702 435555.
Basildon & Thurrock University Hospitals - has emergency and out-patient services, based in Basildon and other services in Orsett and Billericay. Tel. 0845 155 3111.
Mid Essex Hospitals - Broomfield Hospital has emergency and out-patient services, based in Broomfield near Chelmsford and other services in Wood Street, Chelmsford, in Braintree and in Maldon. Tel. 0844 822 0002.
Clinics - The nearest clinics are at the two doctors' surgeries and at the South Essex Mental Health & Community Care NHS Trust clinic in 53 Spa Road, Hockley, SS5 4AR, Tel. 01702 578700; Rochford Medical Practice, Tel. 01702 533750; and others in Rayleigh and Southend on Sea.
First Responders - The Ashingdon First Responders provide heart restart equipment and staff trained the Ambulance Service to help with first heart care treatment and monitoring until either Paramedics or Ambulance staff arrive. The local first reponder is Adrian Eves, Tel. 07802 151459 or 01702 200124, Email ashingdonhs @ aol.com. More volunteers are needed to fill vacancies. Anybody interested in joining the First Responders can call the Community First Responder Manager for Essex - John Hopkins, Tel. 07967 135550.
National Blood Service - The National Blood Donor Helpline is Tel. 0845 7711 711.
NHS Direct - 24 hours healthcare advice and information, Tel. 0845 4647.
Out-of-hours Primary Care Service - For Rochford District is Tel. 0845 850 3194.
South East Essex Primary Care Trust - for advice about health matters, Tel. 01702 224600, www.see-pct.nhs.uk
LAW AND ORDER
Police
Ashingdon Parish includes the villages of Ashingdon, South Fambridge and the outlying areas of the Parish including roads in the Broadlands Estate and several roads in the Harrogate Road area near Hockley. All are all policed by Essex Police. The headquarters is in Chelmsford, www.essex.police.uk. Telephone 01245 491491.
Rochford District is responsible for our Parish and it is managed by Chief Inspector John Walker, based at Rayleigh Police Station in The High Street, Rayleigh. Telephone 01268 775533. The new Non-Emergency number for Essex Police is : 0300 333 4444.
Our Parish of Ashingdon is covered by 3 different Neighbourhood Specialist Officers :
Canewdon – PC Gary Tween, covers the Parishes of Canewdon, Paglesham most of Great Stambridge and most of the Parish of Ashingdon : from Brays Lane north to the River Crouch, Hyde Wood Lane west to the Ashingdon Road, The Chase, Canewdon Road, South Fambridge, Lower Road, Greensward Lane to Crouch View Crescent and all of the side roads off those roads and areas.
Tel. 01268 775533, Mobile 07710 046161; gary.tween@essex.pnn.police.uk
Rochford – PC Michelle Rawson, covers the Parish of Rochford and East Hawkwell as far as the railway line, which includes the eastern/north-eastern part of Hawkwell Parish being the western side of Ashingdon Road, from Ironwell Lane up to The Chase in Ashingdon, which includes part of the Parish of Ashingdon including : Ashingdon Heights, Rectory Avenue north of Footpath 7, properties along the north side of Footpath 7 (FP2), Edward Close and the western ends inside our Parish of : Stanley Road, Clifton Road, York Road, Alexandra Road and Albert Road, plus all of the side roads off those roads and areas.
Tel. 01268 775533, Mobile 07801 461653;
Hockley – PC Steve Joynes, covers the Parish of Hockley and West Hawkwell which includes the western/south-eastern part of Hawkwell Parish, being the part south of the railway and part of Ashingdon Parish in the Hockley area : from Harrogate Drive, Pulpits Farm, Footpath 15, White Hart Lane westwards which includes : Greensward Lane west of Crouch View Crescent, Pulpits Close, Harrogate Road, Leamington Road, Tonbridge Road, Malvern Road, Cheltenham Road. Also the area in The Broadlands Estate in Ashingdon parish : Southview Road, Mapleleaf Close, Westbourne Close, Southbourne Grove, Fox Field Close, Chestnut Close and Beaches Close.
Tel. 01702 530470, Mobile 07710 046161; steve.joynes@essex.pnn.police.uk
Hullbridge – PC Steve Judd, covers Rayleigh and also Hullbridge Parish which is adjacent to our Parish boundary off Lower Road.
Tel. 01268 775533, Mobile 07831 953703.
British Transport Police
The “One” Great Eastern Railway runs right beside our Parish boundary.
All matters concerning the railway such as : damage, trespassing, graffiti, theft or danger must be reported to them at : Southend Victoria Station, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6AE. Officer-in-Charge : Ian Smart. Tel.: 01702 466730
Crouch Harbour Authority
The River Crouch is governed by The Crouch Harbour Authority. Address : The Quay, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AS. They are the legal entity governing all traffic and laws on The River Crouch from the railway bridge 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) west of Battlesbridge to a point out at sea northeast and north of Foulness Point, a distance of 31 km (19 miles). The river is divided into various zones : with moorings and with no moorings, both with an 8 knots speed limit and higher speed zones for water-skiing. In the part of The River Crouch beside Ashingdon Parish (within our parish boundaries) there are 3 zones : The South Woodham Ski Club Area around Brandyhole Reach extending eastward to about 675 metres west of South Fambridge’s bridleway BP13 path to the sea-wall; The North Fambridge Moorings Area extending from 650 metres west of South Fambridge’s BP13 eastward to about 650 metres east of that BP13 path; The East Fambridge Ski Area extending eastward from 650 metres east of that BP13 path to near Lion Creek. The first 1.75 kilometres of that zone is beside Ashingdon Parish.
Harbour Master : Mark Wakelin, LLB. Tel. 01621 783602
Emergency Calls
The Emergency Call Service must only be used to report urgent, important incidents involving danger, accidents, crimes, fire, injury, etc. for emergency services such as : Ambulance, Coastguard, Fire, Police.
The Emergency numbers to be called are : 999 or 112
The Non-emergency number for all other calls is : 0300 333 4444
For non-urgent calls to any of those authorities, their normal telephone numbers must be used.
Crimestoppers
To report details on crimes or to give information on suspicious circumstances or about possible suspects, call Free-phone : 0800 555 111 or online : www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Neighbourhood Watch
For those who wish to establish a neighbourhood watch scheme for their residential or work area should contact the Local Police or online : www.neighbourhoodwatch.net
Community Safety - "See it, Report it"
Environmental Services, To report : Litter, Abandoned cars, Graffiti, Noise, Pollution : Tel. 01702 546366. Or, email to : communitysafety@rochford.gov.uk
Community Safety : Anti-social behaviour, Nuisance, Harassment, Vandalism : Tel. 01702 318103.
PARK AND PLAYING FIELD
The King George's Field is the recreation ground, park and playing field for Ashingdon and East Hawkwell. There is a small park garden with flower beds, shrubs and trees. There are children's play areas with swings, slides, climbing and adventure equipment. There is a combined table and seats dedicated to our Councillor Beryl Webb MBE who died a few years ago aged over 80. The fields extend to nearly 600 metres from the main road and provide pretty rural walks and space for 6 or 7 football pitches, a cricket pitch in the Summer and a basketball goal.
Right beside the boundaries of our Parish is the Magnolia Park Nature Reserve and Parkland with a vast network of woodland areas, copses, clearings, paths, bridleways, lakes and a children's playground. Magnolia Park is a beautiful rural area owned, preserved and managed by Hawkwell Parish Council and accessible from a large number of footpaths and byways. It is a peaceful haven for wild-life, nature, woodland and rural habitats for vast populations of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Frequently seen species include all types of birds including jays and wood-peckers, squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, grass-snakes, adders, slow-worms, great crested newts and some of the most beautiful butterflies, moths, beetles and dragonflies.
PARKING
There is a carpark at The Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall which is open from early morning until 9.00pm for access to the hall, playing fields, the play school and pavilion. The carpark will close later for events held in the hall.
There is a carpark beside the Church Hall in Church Road. There is a small parking area in front of Saint Andrew's Church for visitors to the church.
There is a carpark in South Fambridge in Saint Thomas Road. There is a small parking area opposite All Saints Church.
Elsewhere in Ashingdon and South Fambridge villages and in our Parish near Hockley, parking can be done legally on all roads without yellow lines, providing you do not block any entrances. However, Ashingdon Road is classified as an "urban clearway" Monday to Friday between 8.00 to 9.30am and between 4.30 to 6.30pm, when parking is not permitted except in laybys along the the 2 miles between The Chase in Ashingdon and Hall Road in Rochford. But, remember that our rural Parish has many narrow and winding country lanes where parking might cause danger.
Parking for Ashingdon Schools is restricted in the roads around the school. Visitors and parents must use the schools own overspill carpark just off Fambridge Road.
Parents waiting for children near Plumberow School in Tonbridge Road, Leamington Road, Malvern Road, Orchard Close and Orchard Avenue must not park on corners, nor on the pavement, nor obstruct entrances.
There is a layby adjacent to the bus stop beside Nansen Avenue. On the western side of Ashingdon Road which is Hawkwell Parish, there is a small layby in front of The Ashingdon Post Office with limited waiting times. There are other unlimited laybys near Golden Cross and nearer to Rochford.
PHARMACY
Ashingdon has a pharmacy and chemists shop in Ashingdon Road opposite the Victory public house. The phamacist who runs Nutan Pharmacy stocks and dispenses all types of prescription and non-prescription medicines, treatments, health foods, diabetic products, first aid products, baby products, disabled persons equipment, as well as services such as passport photos, films, developing, dry cleaning and much more. Nutan Pharmacy remains open over extended hours to coincide with the doctors surgeries opening times and opens "on rotation" in collaboration with other pharmacies. Tel. 01702 548452.
Parishioners in the south of our Parish living in Ashingdon Road, Brays Lane, Golden Cross Road, Victory Lane, etc may also use the Golden Cross Pharmacy nearby in Hawkwell Parish at 10 Golden Cross Parade. Tel. 01702 544104.
Parishioners in the west of our Parish near Hockley living in Greensward Lane, Lower Road, Broadlands Estate and roads around Harrogate Road, etc may also use the Hockley Pharmacy in Broad Parade, Tel. 01702 203233; And Chemicrest in Spa Road, Telephone 01702 203674. There are two more in Main Road Hockley and Hawkwell.
POST OFFICE
Ashingdon has a Post Office which is on the East Hawkwell side of the main road, directly opposite the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall and The King George’s Field recreation ground. The Post Office deals with postal services, savings, pensions, benefits, money transfer, banking, bill paying, passports, foreign currency, travel, house and car insurance, it has a bank cash machine, it sells sweets, refreshments, cards, toys, stationery and it provides services such as photocopying, dry cleaning, shoe repairs, clothes alterations and much more. Tel. 01702 545688.
The next nearest Post Offices are in Rochford and Hockley, both at least two miles away.
RECYCLING
For recycling waste materials, there are two recycling areas in Ashingdon Parish, one in the car park of the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall and another in South Fambridge. There is a third site within 250 metres south of the parish boundary at The Golden Cross shopping centre.
For larger items that need to be collected, it is necessary to call Rochford District Council on 01702 546366; Or take them by car to dispose of them free of charge at the Rochford District Waste Disposal site at Rayleigh. Rochford District residents can take waste materials to the Southend on Sea Borough waste disposal site in Stock Road, but they will be made to pay a nominal fee. Tel. 01702 318111. Email wasteteam@rochford.gov.uk
SEE THE ARTICLE IN "NEWS" ABOUT NEW KERBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTION
VILLAGE HALLS
The Ashingdon & East Hawkwell Memorial Hall in Ashingdon Road in the middle of Ashingdon village is the village hall for Ashingdon, East Hawkwell and South Fambridge and it is the war memorial to those who lost their lives in the two World Wars. It is large hall with a stage, theatre curtains, kitchen, meeting room, toilets, tables and chairs to cater for any event. Popular events are dancing, weddings, concerts, theatre, parties, exhibitions and meetings. Tel. 01702 545547.
The St Andrew's Church Hall in Church Road is a traditional wooden village hall with facilities for many types of events. It is planned to build a new hall for the Church and the Parish Council will help with funds. If the project proceeds, the Parish Council will have a permanent office located in the new building.
MISCELLANEOUS
There are 5 Public Telephone Boxes in Ashingdon Parish, they are : In front of King George's Field; In front of The School; In South Fambridge village; In Lower Road; In Pulpits Close. The two on the Hawkwell side of the Ashingdon Road in “Ashingdon” have now neen removed.
There are 5 Royal Mail Post Boxes in Ashingdon Parish including in South Fambridge, another 2 in Hawkwell, 1 in Rochford Parish and 1 in Hockley Parish which also serve Ashingdon. One of the post boxes is an early Queen Victoria letter box in a charming brick setting.
There are 30 Bench Seats in Ashingdon Parish. Most are roadside locations. Many are in the park and in the churchyards in Ashingdon Parish. Of these, 12 are scattered around lanes in the Parish, 9 are in the King George's Field park and 9 are churchyard benches, most in St Andrews and two in All Saints. There are another 4 benches on the Hawkwell side of the main road serving Ashingdon. More benches will be added soon at popular locations and sites to encourage walking. Most will be at sites with beautiful views to provide convenient resting places en route.
There are 5 Car Parks in Ashingdon Parish : One is the car park at the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall - open from early morning until 9.00pm at night; The car park at The Church Hall; The small car park in front of St Andrew's churchyard; The car park behind the village pharmacy and estate agents oposite The Victory pub; And, the car park in South Fambridge. There are private car parks at Ashingdon Schools for staff, visitors and parents; And, the doctors surgery has a private car park.
There are several Notice Boards around the Parish. Two in South Fambridge, one at Pulpits Close near Hockley, one near Ashingdon Schools, one near Church Road, one near King George's Field, two near Ashingdon News. One more notice board may be provided soon near Brays Lane,
There are covered Bus Shelters at nearly two thirds of our bus-stops. New bus shelters will be installed soon, two to replace damaged and unsuitable shelters and additional shelters will be added where none exists when possible. Nearly half of our bus-stops have raised kerbs and we very grateful to the Essex County Council who have installed the raised kerbs for us and we are liaising with the ECC to instal more when possible.
SELECTIVE SCHOOLS
Selective Schools in the County of Essex include the Consortium Schools in Essex County and in the unitary authority of Southend on Sea Borough. Pupils from within unitary authority of Thurrock Council may also apply :
8 Grammar Schools :
2 in Chelmsford :
Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Tel. 01245 352592
King Edward VI Grammar School, Tel. 01245 353510
2 in Colchester :
Colchester County High School for Girls, Tel. 01206 576973
Colchester Royal Grammar School, Tel. 01206 509100
2 in Southend on Sea :
Southend High School for Boys, Tel. 08444 771752
Southend High School for Girls, Tel. 01702 588852
2 in Westcliff on Sea :
Westclif High School for Boys, Tel. 08444 771752
Westclif High School for Girls, Tel. 01702 588852
2 Roman Catholic Bilateral Schools :
2 in Westcliff on Sea :
Saint Bernard’s High School, Tel. 01702 343583
Saint Thomas More High School, Tel. 01702 344933
2 Selective Comprehensive Schools :
1 in Shoeburyness :
Shoeburyness High School, Tel. 01702 292286
1 in Southend on Sea :
Cecil Jones College, Tel. 01702 440000
The qualification for entry to any of these 12 Selective Schools is by taking and passing the 11 Plus Selection Test at Consortium Schools and gaining a recommendation report from the school's head teacher.
The Selection by 11 Plus Test is managed on behalf of all 12 schools by The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex – CSSE, PO Box 3087, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3SY. Tel. 01245 348257.
The procedure for entry is as follows :
- Step 1 - Selection enquiry is made in September; Step 2 - application is made in October; Step 3 - Eleven Plus tests are taken in November; Step 4 - Selective school entry starts in the September of the following year.
- Children who will be aged 11, but under 12 years on 31st August of the year of entry into the school may apply. Children who are younger but are in the Year 6 may be allowed to apply and take the test. If not permitted, they can do it the following year.
- Application must be made via the Local Authority (LA) in th LA area in which you live - either Essex county Council or Southend on Sea Borough.
- Application Packs are available in primary schools from September. First enquiry should be made at the child’s Primary School.
- The first step is to inform the Primary School of your intention to apply and to request Application Packs as early as possible, available in the primary schools from mid September.
- Details on each Selective School are available by request to each of them in September.
- The strict latest deadline for receipt of applications by the Local Authority is 26th October 2009 for Essex CC and 30th October 2009 for Southend on Sea.
- A Supplementary Information Form – SIF must be completed by parents and returned to the CSSE by 30th October 2009 in order to register for the test.
- From 2nd September 2009, application to register for the test can be done online. However, application forms will be needed in writing and you should check to ensure that your registration online was received before the deadline.
- A copy of the SIF Form is available online in the "CSSE Information Guide 2010" on their website www.csse.org.uk.
- The 11 Plus Tests take place in Consortium Schools on Saturday 21st November 2009.
- The 11 Plus Tests comprise test papers on English, Mathematics and Multiple Choice Verbal Reasoning.
- Practice papers can be bought from the CSSE. See their address and phone number above !
