Leaders of the future - itslearning
Leaders of the future - itslearning
Leaders of the future - itslearning
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A FAMILY OF SCHOOLS EMBRACING THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS<br />
WINTER 2010<br />
Blue Skies<br />
<strong>Leaders</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong><br />
Pinsent Masons<br />
and Manchester<br />
Academy case<br />
study<br />
Ashford School<br />
named Independent<br />
School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year
His Royal Highness The Prince <strong>of</strong> Wales visiting The King’s Academy, Middlesbrough<br />
In this issue:<br />
3 n Emmanuel Schools Foundation joins <strong>the</strong> group<br />
3 n First Cambridge entrants form ULT Cambridge Association<br />
4 n <strong>Leaders</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong><br />
7 n Ashford School named Independent School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year<br />
8 n News<br />
10 n Pinsent Masons and Manchester Academy case study<br />
12 n Investing in <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong>: raising standards across our schools<br />
14 n Developing <strong>future</strong>s: careers and skills training<br />
15 n Leading innovation: business and enterprise<br />
16 n Accrington Academy eco-classroom project stuns world conference<br />
18 n Fostering creativity: arts<br />
19 n Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most inspiring young people I have ever met<br />
Blue Skies – a United Church Schools Trust / United Learning Trust publication<br />
Editor: Mia Iwama<br />
Design: Yeomans<br />
Contributors: Gareth Long, Shola Rashford, Charlotte Rendle-Short,<br />
Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts, Martin Whittaker<br />
Registered Office: 23-25 Chapel Street, Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire NN14 3DA<br />
Editorial queries/comments to mia.iwama@ult.org.uk<br />
All text and images Copyright © United Church Schools Trust 2010 except for<br />
reprinted material<br />
On <strong>the</strong> cover: Academy student and Olympic hopeful chosen as a Lloyds TSB Local Hero<br />
Adelle Tracey, a Sixth Former at Midhurst Ro<strong>the</strong>r College and an internationally ranked runner, has been selected<br />
to participate in <strong>the</strong> Lloyds TSB’s Local Heroes programme, which supports promising athletes on <strong>the</strong>ir journey to<br />
London 2012.<br />
The programme, which is part <strong>of</strong> Lloyds TSB’s London 2012 Olympic Games sponsorship activity, provides funding,<br />
guidance and mentoring with Olympic athletes.<br />
Images courtesy <strong>of</strong> Nour-Eddine El Ghoumari (cover) and Lloyds TSB (left)<br />
2
A growing family<br />
Emmanuel Schools Foundation joins <strong>the</strong> group<br />
The past few months have been momentous indeed. We have<br />
been given <strong>the</strong> wonderful opportunity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Emmanuel Schools<br />
Foundation joining our group, <strong>the</strong>reby expanding our family to<br />
20 academies, 1 City Technology College and 11 independent<br />
schools. Their four schools are situated in <strong>the</strong> North East and are<br />
centred around Emmanuel College, which was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first City<br />
Technology Colleges. It was founded in 1990 and has received<br />
four consecutive ‘Outstanding’ judgments from Ofsted. It is one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> most distinguished schools ever to have joined <strong>the</strong> group.<br />
This also means that we welcome more people with experience<br />
in raising standards and aspirations for young people in seriously<br />
deprived communities. Sir Peter Vardy and his bro<strong>the</strong>r David have<br />
given <strong>the</strong> schools enormous attention and commitment, devoting<br />
<strong>the</strong>mselves to <strong>the</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> education in <strong>the</strong> North East.<br />
Theirs must be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> finest examples <strong>of</strong> private engagement<br />
in public sector education.<br />
The schools are outstanding places, impeccably built and<br />
maintained by David Vardy and his team, as well as giving that<br />
mixture <strong>of</strong> discipline, purpose and happiness which is a sure sign<br />
<strong>of</strong> a successful school. I look forward to seeing <strong>the</strong>m fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
streng<strong>the</strong>n and enrich our group, as we continue to lead <strong>the</strong><br />
way in innovation and to bring out <strong>the</strong> best in more than 30,000<br />
young people.<br />
First Cambridge entrants form ULT Cambridge<br />
Association<br />
Jenny and I were thrilled to host a lunch for our three ULT<br />
academy leavers who have recently started as undergraduates at<br />
Cambridge University. We wanted to recognise <strong>the</strong> significance<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir groundbreaking achievement as <strong>the</strong> first ULT academy<br />
students to gain places at Cambridge.<br />
We spent a lovely afternoon with Holly Murray from Stockport<br />
Academy, Dixy Shah from Northampton Academy and Helen<br />
Creighton from William Hulme’s Grammar School. Holly is reading<br />
Biological Natural Sciences at Trinity Hall, Dixy Natural Sciences at<br />
Churchill College and Helen Economics at Emmanuel College.<br />
Sir Ewan and Lady Harper with Helen, Dixy and Holly<br />
alumni from our academies, boards and central <strong>of</strong>fice are also<br />
being invited to join, so that <strong>the</strong>y can share <strong>the</strong>ir collective<br />
experience and act as mentors for current undergraduates and<br />
recent alumni.<br />
We wish Holly, Dixy and Helen flourishing careers at Cambridge<br />
and beyond. We hope that <strong>the</strong>se trailblazers will inspire a<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> young people to reach for <strong>the</strong>ir dreams and fulfil<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir potential.<br />
As we approach Christmas, we do so with gratitude for all <strong>the</strong><br />
support and encouragement we receive from our growing circle<br />
<strong>of</strong> sponsors and friends. Many <strong>of</strong> you give huge amounts <strong>of</strong> time<br />
and experience to our schools and academies on local governing<br />
bodies and by helping with finance, outings and events. We are<br />
very dependent on you: thank you.<br />
Advent is a period <strong>of</strong> preparation and one <strong>of</strong> reflection on all<br />
that Christmas, Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, will mean for us. We<br />
are all aware <strong>of</strong> those families for whom this will be <strong>the</strong> first<br />
Christmas without a cherished member <strong>the</strong>re; for o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>the</strong>re is<br />
<strong>the</strong> joy <strong>of</strong> family reassembled and even a new member <strong>the</strong>re for<br />
<strong>the</strong> first time. The carol sums it up so well: “and He feeleth for<br />
our sadness and He shareth in our gladness”.<br />
May we wish you every blessing this Christmas and in 2011.<br />
They agreed to be <strong>the</strong> founding members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ULT Cambridge<br />
Association, which seeks to provide fellowship and a supportive<br />
network for ULT academy students at Cambridge. They will also<br />
visit our academies to speak to students about <strong>the</strong>ir Cambridge<br />
experience, serving as a source <strong>of</strong> inspiration and advice. Cambridge<br />
Sir Ewan Harper CBE<br />
Chief Executive<br />
United Church Schools Trust / United Learning Trust
Article<br />
<strong>Leaders</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong><br />
By Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts<br />
Jonathan Scheele, Head <strong>of</strong> European Commission Representation in <strong>the</strong> UK, with Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts and Lambeth Academy students<br />
At Lambeth Academy, we empower young<br />
people with an international outlook and<br />
prepare <strong>the</strong>m to compete and excel in a global<br />
economy. We encourage <strong>the</strong>m to develop skills<br />
for success in an increasingly connected world.<br />
They learn to believe <strong>the</strong>y have <strong>the</strong> potential to<br />
make an extraordinary impact on <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
We celebrate internationalism and multiculturalism every<br />
day. We are proud <strong>of</strong> our global ethos and seek a myriad <strong>of</strong><br />
opportunities to expose our students to innovative and inspiring<br />
projects and events that will expand <strong>the</strong>ir horizons, aspirations<br />
and perspectives.<br />
Igniting <strong>the</strong> Olympic spirit<br />
Since <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> academic year in September, we have<br />
had numerous global events. Following in <strong>the</strong> footsteps <strong>of</strong><br />
Swindon Academy, we launched Be <strong>the</strong> Best You Can Be. This<br />
is a programme developed by 21st Century Legacy, a charity<br />
established by Olympian David Hemery CBE, to inspire and<br />
empower young people. Founded on <strong>the</strong> Olympian principles <strong>of</strong><br />
respect, friendship and excellence and supported by talks from<br />
Olympians and Paralympians, <strong>the</strong> programme seeks to raise<br />
young people’s aspirations and help <strong>the</strong>m realise <strong>the</strong>ir potential.<br />
It allows our students to develop valuable skills such as peer<br />
coaching, goal-setting, teamwork and self-managed leadership.<br />
Olympian Anna Hemmings MBE visited <strong>the</strong> academy on 13<br />
September to celebrate <strong>the</strong> launch. The two-time Olympian and<br />
six-time World Champion canoeist met our incoming Year 7<br />
students. She delivered a dynamic and inspirational presentation<br />
about her life and her childhood dreams <strong>of</strong> achieving success, and<br />
<strong>the</strong> effect on our students was powerful.<br />
They watched video clips with her competing in her sport and<br />
listened with rapt attention to her talk about <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong><br />
friendship and respect amongst athletes from different countries.<br />
Our students were truly amazed to see <strong>the</strong> footage <strong>of</strong> her wearing<br />
<strong>the</strong> Beijing 2008 team outfit.<br />
Lambeth Academy is now also <strong>of</strong>ficially registered with <strong>the</strong> 2012<br />
Olympics. Our students are currently designing versions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Olympic mascots to represent <strong>the</strong> cultural diversity <strong>of</strong> our school<br />
community. We will enter <strong>the</strong>se for a competition to win tickets to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Games in 2012.
Article<br />
Promoting an international outlook amongst<br />
<strong>the</strong> ULT family and beyond<br />
Towards <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> September, we celebrated <strong>the</strong> academy’s<br />
cultural diversity by asking our students with a different<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r tongue to teach <strong>the</strong>ir language on <strong>the</strong> European Day<br />
<strong>of</strong> Languages and to provide information about <strong>the</strong>ir countries<br />
to <strong>the</strong>ir peers. Five local primary schools were invited and after<br />
sessions with our students, <strong>the</strong>y taught Years 5 and 6. Our young<br />
guests sampled a variety <strong>of</strong> Chinese sweets before returning to<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir schools to share what <strong>the</strong>y had learnt.<br />
Working with <strong>the</strong> SSAT and London South Bank<br />
University<br />
In October, we also received <strong>the</strong> exciting news that our academy<br />
has been awarded ‘Confucius Classroom’ status. Our academy<br />
is <strong>the</strong> first UK school to hold a dual status, as we are working on<br />
<strong>the</strong> teaching and learning side with <strong>the</strong> Specialist Schools and<br />
Academies Trust (SSAT) and on <strong>the</strong> wellbeing side with London<br />
South Bank University. We are extremely proud <strong>of</strong> this and are<br />
now looking forward to our upcoming opening ceremony.<br />
On 6 October, <strong>the</strong> academy hosted <strong>the</strong> annual International<br />
Youth Conference, which foremost was a chance to welcome<br />
Sixth Formers from our German partner school – Gesamtschule<br />
Velbert – again. This has become a strong link over <strong>the</strong> last<br />
five years and <strong>the</strong> conference, now in its fourth year, has been<br />
growing steadily. This year was extremely exciting because<br />
we were joined by o<strong>the</strong>r ULT students from North Oxfordshire<br />
Academy and Walthamstow Academy and students from Epsom<br />
College and Bly<strong>the</strong> Bridge High School in Stoke.<br />
The conference was opened by <strong>the</strong> Mayor <strong>of</strong> Lambeth, Councillor<br />
Patil, and Councillor Columba Blango. Our young people were<br />
able to work closely with <strong>the</strong>m throughout <strong>the</strong> day, which was<br />
a fantastic experience for <strong>the</strong>m. Both emphasised global issues,<br />
respect for different nations and cultures and <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong><br />
global understanding. They stressed <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> preparing<br />
for <strong>the</strong> global world <strong>of</strong> work in which technology brings people<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r across nations, traditions and languages.<br />
“They are learning that <strong>the</strong>y can reach out to<br />
<strong>the</strong> whole world from <strong>the</strong>ir school, through<br />
<strong>the</strong> internet and with established links with<br />
schools from Germany to China.”<br />
- John O’Farrell<br />
Chair, Lambeth Academy Local Governing Body
Article<br />
Our voluntary teachers from China have arrived and already<br />
our students feel <strong>the</strong> buzz <strong>of</strong> exploring innovative activities led<br />
by <strong>the</strong>se colleagues. These teachers will be shared with o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
schools so that o<strong>the</strong>r pupils can benefit from <strong>the</strong>ir language and<br />
cultural expertise. These language skills will equip our students<br />
to meet <strong>the</strong> demands <strong>of</strong> a global economy.<br />
Bringing learning to life<br />
We seek opportunities that bring learning to life for our<br />
students, foster skills for employability and let <strong>the</strong>m experience<br />
<strong>the</strong> potential for positive, global change. For <strong>the</strong> second year<br />
running Lambeth Academy won a place amongst 28 o<strong>the</strong>r UK<br />
schools to participate in <strong>the</strong> Foreign and Commonwealth and<br />
British Council Mock European Council in November. We were<br />
delighted that two <strong>of</strong> our Sixth Formers, Stephanie Medhurst<br />
and Sarina Lee, represented <strong>the</strong> General Secretariat, which gave<br />
<strong>the</strong>m a chance to debate real EU issues and to meet Minister<br />
for Europe David Lidington and Jonathan Scheele, Head <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> European Commission Representation in <strong>the</strong> UK. This was<br />
an invaluable experience for our students to develop <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
diplomacy, debating and analytical skills.<br />
In November, we also welcomed a teacher from a secondary<br />
school in Germany for two weeks <strong>of</strong> job shadowing. The teacher<br />
is part <strong>of</strong> a steering group to lead innovation in her school<br />
and has been actively involved in teaching and learning at <strong>the</strong><br />
academy, working closely with students to gain insights from<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir experience. Our students studying German had a chance to<br />
meet her and learn about school life in Germany. In <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong>, we<br />
plan to send members <strong>of</strong> our staff to schools in o<strong>the</strong>r countries<br />
to fur<strong>the</strong>r ideas for innovation and comparative analysis.<br />
Connecting across borders with technology<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most impressive aspects <strong>of</strong> education today is <strong>the</strong><br />
way in which technology breaks down borders and enables our<br />
students to link with schools across <strong>the</strong> world without leaving<br />
<strong>the</strong> classroom. We are currently starting our own podcast and<br />
will invite primary schools to participate in this exciting initiative.<br />
We hope that we can reach our partner schools across <strong>the</strong> UK<br />
and overseas through this project and to share our international<br />
outlook with a wide audience.<br />
We are hoping to include more delegates at next year’s<br />
International Conference via video link. We encourage our<br />
students to embrace <strong>the</strong>se technologies that will be an integral<br />
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>future</strong> careers.<br />
John O’Farrell, Chair <strong>of</strong> our academy’s Local Governing Body, has<br />
a very keen interest in our global outreach. He said: “Lambeth<br />
Academy students are discovering that people from all over <strong>the</strong><br />
world make up <strong>the</strong>ir local community, learning some phrases<br />
<strong>of</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r’s languages, and hearing about each o<strong>the</strong>r’s<br />
countries as <strong>the</strong>y did on European Language Day. But <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
also learning that <strong>the</strong>y can reach<br />
out to <strong>the</strong> whole world from <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
school, through <strong>the</strong> internet and<br />
with established links with schools<br />
from Germany to China. Our<br />
students really do have <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
world in <strong>the</strong>ir hands!”<br />
Being a student at Lambeth<br />
Academy or working here as a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> staff is a fascinating<br />
journey with an international<br />
perspective. It enables us all to<br />
participate in <strong>the</strong> world around<br />
us and to realise that we have<br />
<strong>the</strong> power to effect positive global<br />
change.<br />
Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts is<br />
Assistant Principal <strong>of</strong> Lambeth<br />
Academy.<br />
For more information and<br />
updates about <strong>the</strong> academy’s<br />
international programmes, visit<br />
www.lambeth-academy.org
News<br />
Ashford School named<br />
Independent School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year<br />
Ashford School was awarded <strong>the</strong><br />
coveted title <strong>of</strong> ‘Independent School<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year’ at <strong>the</strong> Independent<br />
School Awards in November. Ashford<br />
triumphed amongst a field <strong>of</strong> leading<br />
independent schools from across <strong>the</strong><br />
country.<br />
The Independent School Awards commend<br />
excellence in <strong>the</strong> strategic and financial management<br />
<strong>of</strong> independent schools. The distinguished panel <strong>of</strong><br />
judges was chaired by Shane Rutter-Jerome, a<br />
former general secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Governing Bodies <strong>of</strong> Independent Schools, and<br />
included Christine Ryan, Chief Inspector and CEO<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Independent Schools Inspectorate; Graham<br />
Able, former Chair <strong>of</strong> HMC and former Master <strong>of</strong><br />
Dulwich College; and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Malcolm McDonald<br />
former Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Marketing and Deputy Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cranfield University School <strong>of</strong> Management.<br />
Mike Buchanan, Head <strong>of</strong> Ashford School, said: “We<br />
are absolutely delighted to be named Independent<br />
School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year. The effective strategic and<br />
financial management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school has played an<br />
integral role in raising pupil engagement and<br />
attainment as illustrated this summer when we<br />
achieved our best ever A level results with 79% <strong>of</strong><br />
students gaining A*-B grades and with nearly a<br />
quarter at A*.”<br />
“These awards would not have been achieved<br />
without <strong>the</strong> United Church Schools Trust, which<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers vital management support and capital<br />
funding. This means that we can focus on delivering<br />
an outstanding education for our pupils.”<br />
Shane Rutter-Jerome said: “The judges were all impressed with<br />
<strong>the</strong> bold nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ashford School strategy and <strong>the</strong> highly<br />
successful outcome. We were unanimous in selecting Ashford<br />
as winners in both <strong>the</strong> Strategic Initiative category and as <strong>the</strong><br />
overall winner.”<br />
Charlotte Rendle-Short, Deputy Chief Executive <strong>of</strong> UCST, said:<br />
“I congratulate Mike and his staff on this achievement which<br />
<strong>the</strong>y so thoroughly deserve. Ashford School has embarked on a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> ambitious projects in <strong>the</strong> past few years and has<br />
excelled at each one, securing a strong, stable and vibrant<br />
<strong>future</strong> for itself.”
News<br />
Hampshire Collegiate School pupils raised more than £600<br />
for locally-based charity Wo<strong>of</strong>ability. They presented a cheque<br />
to charity founder Jenny Clarke on 29 November to help train<br />
assistance dogs for <strong>the</strong> disabled.<br />
Manchester Academy wins<br />
‘Academy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year’ and SSAT<br />
National Literacy Award<br />
Manchester Academy won <strong>the</strong> award for ‘Academy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year’<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Education Investor Awards in London in November. The<br />
Education Investor Awards, sponsored by Sovereign Capital,<br />
seek to recognise <strong>the</strong> education industry’s achievements and<br />
are judged by a panel <strong>of</strong> experts, including Susan Anderson,<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Public Services at CBI, Michael Clark <strong>of</strong> McKinsey &<br />
Company and Sir Bruce Liddington, Director General <strong>of</strong> E-ACT<br />
and former schools commissioner.<br />
The award follows news in September that <strong>the</strong> academy had<br />
won <strong>the</strong> Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) Literacy<br />
Award in recognition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> academy’s sustainable system for<br />
improving students’ literacy levels.<br />
The SSAT judge commented: “They have a proven track-record <strong>of</strong><br />
raising students’ literacy levels, resulting in raising achievement<br />
and providing students with <strong>the</strong> opportunities to succeed in life.”<br />
Kathy August, Deputy Chief Executive <strong>of</strong> ULT and Principal<br />
<strong>of</strong> Manchester Academy, said: “We are doing many things to<br />
improve <strong>the</strong> life chances <strong>of</strong> our students and to ensure our<br />
students enjoy school, achieve <strong>the</strong>ir very best and leave us with<br />
bright <strong>future</strong>s.”<br />
<br />
North Oxfordshire Academy<br />
hosts Chinese Ministerial<br />
Delegation<br />
North Oxfordshire Academy<br />
welcomed a prestigious<br />
group <strong>of</strong> Chinese politicians<br />
and government <strong>of</strong>ficials on<br />
30 September. The academy<br />
was one <strong>of</strong> only two in<br />
<strong>the</strong> country visited by <strong>the</strong><br />
Ministerial delegation. It<br />
was chosen based on its<br />
outperformance <strong>of</strong> national<br />
rates <strong>of</strong> improvement and<br />
its mix <strong>of</strong> academic and<br />
vocational learning. The event<br />
was organised in partnership<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Education Section<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chinese Embassy in<br />
London as part <strong>of</strong> a three<br />
country visit to examine<br />
education in Europe.<br />
The delegation, headed by Mme Lu Xin, <strong>the</strong> Chinese Vice-<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> Education, was greeted by Ruth Robinson, Principal,<br />
and by students and staff. Hampshire Collegiate School pupils<br />
Kenneth Lu and Patrick Huang assisted as interpreters.<br />
Guildford High School achieves<br />
spectacular A Level results<br />
Guildford High School’s superb A Level results placed it second<br />
nationally in The Times’ league table. 44.5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> A Levels<br />
awarded were at <strong>the</strong> new A* grade, and a staggering 88% <strong>of</strong><br />
all A Levels awarded were A* or A grade.<br />
Fiona Bolton, Headmistress <strong>of</strong> Guildford High School, said:<br />
“These results are a testament to outstanding teaching and <strong>the</strong><br />
enthusiasm <strong>of</strong> our pupils.”
News<br />
Deputy Prime Minister<br />
congratulates Paddington<br />
Academy students<br />
Two Paddington Academy students, Shafik Ali and Julia Kaseem,<br />
were invited to celebrate <strong>the</strong>ir impressive GCSE results at<br />
Downing Street, where <strong>the</strong>y were part <strong>of</strong> an exclusive reception<br />
hosted by <strong>the</strong> Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> past two years, Shafik and Julia have participated in <strong>the</strong><br />
talent development programme Success for Life run by Arrival<br />
Education. Shafik was chosen by Arrival Education to introduce<br />
Mr Clegg to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r students and to present him with an<br />
Arrival Education badge. Following <strong>the</strong> reception, Shafik visited<br />
<strong>the</strong> BBC Studios, where he was interviewed by Huw Edwards for<br />
<strong>the</strong> evening news.<br />
ULT academies celebrate dramatic<br />
improvements in GCSE results<br />
All ULT academies have broken through <strong>the</strong> National Challenge<br />
threshold with outstanding results. With an average improvement<br />
rate <strong>of</strong> 8% in 5+ A*-C GCSE grades including English and<br />
maths, ULT academies have outperformed <strong>the</strong> national rate<br />
<strong>of</strong> improvement.<br />
n Barnsley Academy’s results rose from 19% to 51%<br />
Its predecessor school’s final year (2006) results: 6%<br />
n Paddington Academy’s results rose from 34% to 62%<br />
Its predecessor school’s final year (2006) results: 18%<br />
n Stockport Academy’s results doubled from 25% to 51%<br />
Its predecessor school’s final year (2007) results: 14%<br />
n Walthamstow Academy’s results rose from 31% to 49%<br />
Its predecessor school’s final year (2006) results: 15%<br />
n North Oxfordshire Academy’s results rose from 25% to 38%<br />
Its predecessor school’s final year (2007) results: 12%<br />
William Hulme’s Grammar School<br />
meets Christian Malcolm<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Team Superschools<br />
Challenge which pledges to<br />
visit 2012 schools by July 2012,<br />
international athlete Christian<br />
Malcolm visited <strong>the</strong> academy.<br />
The academy’s two young sports<br />
ambassadors, Bisi Adeniji and Ali<br />
Derragia, signed a flag which will<br />
be presented to Team GB at <strong>the</strong><br />
2012 Olympics.<br />
Surbiton High School ski teams victorious at<br />
British Schools Championships<br />
After competing against nearly 200 young skiers from schools<br />
across <strong>the</strong> country at <strong>the</strong> British Schools Artificial Slop Ski<br />
Championships in November, both Surbiton teams finished with<br />
<strong>the</strong> fastest times, placing <strong>the</strong>m first and second respectively.
Article Case study<br />
Law firm goes back to school:<br />
Pinsent Masons and Manchester<br />
Academy case study<br />
By Martin Whittaker, Education and<br />
Employers Taskforce<br />
10
Article Case study<br />
An award-winning partnership between<br />
international law firm Pinsent Masons and<br />
Manchester Academy not only helps raise<br />
young people’s aspirations and academic<br />
achievement – it also brings tangible benefits<br />
for <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
Pinsent Masons has run mentoring and reading and maths<br />
support programmes at <strong>the</strong> academy since 2007 as part <strong>of</strong><br />
a firm-wide community investment programme focused on<br />
‘Inspiring Young Lives’. Staff from across <strong>the</strong> firm have shared<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir experiences and built partnerships with schools in <strong>the</strong><br />
communities close to each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm’s <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
Last year <strong>the</strong> partnership won Pinsent Masons <strong>the</strong> Bank <strong>of</strong><br />
America Merrill Lynch Education Award at <strong>the</strong> Business in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Community Awards for Excellence. Almost a third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
staff in <strong>the</strong> company’s Manchester <strong>of</strong>fice have taken part in<br />
<strong>the</strong> mentoring programme at <strong>the</strong> Moss Side school. Since <strong>the</strong><br />
scheme started, it has given more than 60 students valuable<br />
one-to-one support.<br />
Staff from all departments and at all levels are encouraged to<br />
participate. Under <strong>the</strong> mentoring scheme, employees are paired<br />
up with students for <strong>the</strong> academic year. They <strong>of</strong>fer support<br />
through a combination <strong>of</strong> visits to <strong>the</strong> school and sessions at<br />
Pinsent Masons’ <strong>of</strong>fices. Volunteers also attend <strong>the</strong> Moss Side<br />
school each week during term time to support students with<br />
reading and maths.<br />
Surveys show that employees’ pride in <strong>the</strong> firm has increased<br />
steadily since 2005. And <strong>the</strong>re are definite benefits for <strong>the</strong><br />
company and <strong>the</strong> employees who take part, says Partner and<br />
Manchester CR Leader, Howard Gill. “The Manchester<br />
programme is linked in with our learning and development team,<br />
to make sure it fits with employees’ continuing pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
development,” he says.<br />
“There are opportunities for staff to develop new skills, and<br />
extend existing ones, for example in communication, team<br />
working and time management.<br />
“The partnership also helps us meet our HR objectives in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> recruitment and retention. Staff turnover has reduced, and<br />
while <strong>the</strong>re are undoubtedly a number <strong>of</strong> factors, <strong>the</strong> Manchester<br />
Academy partnership has definitely helped.”<br />
Reprinted with kind permission from <strong>the</strong> Education and<br />
Employers Taskforce<br />
The Education and Employers Taskforce was launched as<br />
an independent charity in October 2009. Its aim is to ensure<br />
that every school and college has an effective partnership with<br />
employers which provides young people with <strong>the</strong> inspiration,<br />
motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities <strong>the</strong>y need to<br />
help <strong>the</strong>m achieve <strong>the</strong>ir potential, and so secure our national<br />
prosperity.<br />
The Taskforce’s Partnership Board comprises <strong>the</strong> leaders <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> main representative organisations from education and<br />
employment. Visit www.educationandemployers.org<br />
The Taskforce has created free one-stop-shop online guides to<br />
education and employer engagement. Visit www.teachersguide.org<br />
and www.employers-guide.org<br />
11
Article<br />
Investing in <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong>: raising<br />
standards across our schools<br />
By Charlotte Rendle-Short<br />
Last year <strong>the</strong> United Church Schools Trust<br />
(UCST) Board allocated up to a quarter <strong>of</strong><br />
a million pounds to support research and<br />
development projects in our independent<br />
schools. The objective <strong>of</strong> this bold initiative is<br />
to raise standards, to identify ground-breaking<br />
methodology and to uncover fur<strong>the</strong>r ways in<br />
which school improvement can be spread<br />
across our family <strong>of</strong> independent schools and<br />
academies.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> summer UCST schools were given <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
to bid for a grant. After considering <strong>the</strong> bids, a panel <strong>of</strong> Board<br />
members approved 11 projects from 7 UCST schools with a value<br />
totalling £216,000. This investment has given <strong>the</strong>se schools<br />
<strong>the</strong> opportunity to make positive changes through an exciting<br />
range <strong>of</strong> innovative programmes. The measure <strong>of</strong> success will<br />
be <strong>the</strong> extent to which <strong>the</strong> research can clearly demonstrate<br />
how standards can be raised both within individual schools and<br />
across <strong>the</strong> group.<br />
The first interim report gives a flavour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> enthusiasm with<br />
which this pioneering initiative has been received.<br />
Harnessing technology to promote literacy<br />
At Ashford School, a whole school project is focusing on reading<br />
and spelling. Pupils are taking part in engaging online quizzes<br />
based on a wide variety <strong>of</strong> fiction and nonfiction books. Parents<br />
are involved and <strong>the</strong>ir enthusiasm for motivating <strong>the</strong>ir children<br />
to read and take an interest in books is proving vital. Findings<br />
already suggest a positive impact on <strong>the</strong> attitude <strong>of</strong> boys to<br />
reading, which is an excellent indication <strong>of</strong> how successful<br />
this scheme can be. The responses being ga<strong>the</strong>red will be <strong>of</strong><br />
immense value to <strong>the</strong> school and <strong>the</strong> UCST/ULT group.<br />
Learning outside <strong>the</strong> classroom<br />
12<br />
Hampshire Collegiate School is seeking to raise standards<br />
by increasing pupil engagement, interest and achievement<br />
through <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> learning outside <strong>the</strong> classroom.<br />
Taking advantage <strong>of</strong> its wonderfully stimulating setting, <strong>the</strong><br />
school is advancing its long-term aim <strong>of</strong> building a classroom in<br />
<strong>the</strong> grounds. The first steps are to develop individual proposals,<br />
such as setting up a science nature trail, and to secure <strong>the</strong><br />
necessary resources, such as data logging equipment, a<br />
wea<strong>the</strong>r station and webcams to place in different habitats.<br />
The aim is to create links across several areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> curriculum,<br />
bringing about positive changes in attitudes, feelings and<br />
behaviour and extending <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> learning for all. As <strong>the</strong><br />
research becomes embedded, <strong>the</strong> school plans to explore how<br />
<strong>the</strong> principles underpinning <strong>the</strong>se ideas can be adapted and<br />
applied within one <strong>of</strong> our highly urban ULT academies.
Article<br />
Using voice recognition s<strong>of</strong>tware to support<br />
pupils with learning difficulties<br />
At Sunderland High School, teachers are using voice<br />
recognition s<strong>of</strong>tware to support pupils with specific<br />
learning difficulties. Three pupils have been chosen to<br />
help pilot <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware. All three have previously used<br />
an amanuensis during lessons and examinations. The<br />
research team anticipates that <strong>the</strong> pupils may respond<br />
positively to <strong>the</strong> voice recognition technique, which can be<br />
operated during external examinations, coursework and<br />
controlled assessment production and homework, <strong>the</strong>reby<br />
overcoming <strong>the</strong> restrictions <strong>of</strong>ten associated with <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
a scribe.<br />
Sharing best practice across <strong>the</strong> group<br />
All <strong>the</strong>se projects have immense potential and are well<br />
supported by all staff. Even at this early stage it is clear that<br />
children and teachers are enthused by this innovative approach.<br />
The opportunity for o<strong>the</strong>r UCST schools and ULT academies to<br />
share <strong>the</strong>se ideas is already evident; this is <strong>the</strong> main aim and it<br />
is marvellously encouraging to sense <strong>the</strong> possibilities which will<br />
emerge as schools gain confidence in growing <strong>the</strong>ir research<br />
and development skills to raise standards and enable pupils to<br />
fulfil <strong>the</strong>ir potential.<br />
Charlotte Rendle-Short is Deputy Chief Executive <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
United Church Schools Trust (UCST).<br />
13
Careers and skills training<br />
Arnold School pupil works with<br />
local MP<br />
Whilst most pupils were on holiday, Jack McGuinness, a Sixth<br />
Former at Arnold School, spent half term working with Mark<br />
Menzies, his local MP for Fylde, both in his constituency and in<br />
Westminster.<br />
Jack said: “I gained a better<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> politics<br />
and discovered <strong>the</strong> work that<br />
MPs do on our behalf. I also<br />
sat in on Prime Minister’s<br />
Questions and Deputy<br />
Prime Minister’s Questions<br />
and took part in parliamentary research to help constituents.”<br />
Developing <strong>future</strong>s<br />
Ex-SAS Author Chris Ryan<br />
visits Salford City Academy<br />
Year 9 and 10 students at Salford City Academy welcomed<br />
Chris Ryan, former British Special Air Services soldier turned<br />
novelist, in November. He gripped <strong>the</strong> students with actionpacked<br />
tales <strong>of</strong> his time in <strong>the</strong> SAS in a bid to motivate students<br />
to enjoy writing and reading.<br />
The sessions brought literacy to life for <strong>the</strong> students, as Chris<br />
spent time relating his real-life adventures, such as escaping<br />
from <strong>the</strong> notorious Bravo Two Zero mission during <strong>the</strong> Gulf<br />
War. He also spent time talking individually to students and<br />
staff and signing copies <strong>of</strong> his books.<br />
Martin Moseley, a Year 10 librarian at <strong>the</strong> academy, was chosen<br />
to assist on <strong>the</strong> day. He said: “The sessions went really well<br />
and inspired both year groups. I really enjoyed <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
to meet Chris and have my photo taken with him!”<br />
Rowan Preparatory School links with <strong>the</strong> world: As part<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> British Council’s Comenius Project, Rowan Preparatory<br />
School has been partnered with five o<strong>the</strong>r European countries,<br />
which has enabled international visits and friendships.<br />
Hull Collegiate School Sixth<br />
Former shadows mental health<br />
doctors<br />
Mahum Naeem, a Year 13 pupil at Hull Collegiate School,<br />
embarked on a challenging summer work experience programme,<br />
shadowing consultants, nurses and o<strong>the</strong>r clinicians working in<br />
mental health.<br />
Mahum was one <strong>of</strong> two applicants chosen from a highly<br />
competitive pool <strong>of</strong> aspiring doctors. She spent three weeks<br />
in different clinical areas learning about all aspects <strong>of</strong> mental<br />
healthcare.<br />
Mahum said: “I had quite a lot <strong>of</strong> contact with patients, which<br />
was great, and I did some home visits with a CPN. I spent time<br />
with <strong>the</strong> crisis team and got an overview <strong>of</strong> different mental<br />
health conditions. The whole experience has been absolutely<br />
brilliant.”<br />
14
Leading innovation<br />
Business and enterprise<br />
Barnsley Academy advances to Coca-Cola Real Business<br />
Challenge regional final<br />
A group <strong>of</strong> Year 10<br />
business studies<br />
students from Barnsley<br />
Academy triumphed<br />
in <strong>the</strong> first phase <strong>of</strong><br />
a competition set by<br />
Coca-Cola Enterprises.<br />
The challenge aims<br />
to enable students to<br />
understand how <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
skills relate to <strong>the</strong><br />
wider world and gain<br />
insights into business<br />
that will give <strong>the</strong>m a<br />
competitive edge in<br />
<strong>the</strong> job market.<br />
The first stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competition invited students to design<br />
a new drink in June to tie in with <strong>the</strong> World Cup. Barnsley’s<br />
team designed a unique bottle in <strong>the</strong> shape <strong>of</strong> a vuvuzela,<br />
which could be used as a trumpet by fans once emptied. The<br />
team defeated schools from <strong>the</strong> Yorkshire and Humber region<br />
to earn a place in <strong>the</strong> top 10 to compete in <strong>the</strong> regional final<br />
in November before a panel <strong>of</strong> judges including senior Coca-<br />
Cola executives.<br />
Salford City Academy works with Salford Business<br />
Education Partnership<br />
Salford City Academy Year 9 students took part in a Young<br />
Enterprise Day in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> Salford Business<br />
Education Partnership and iFlourish, a local design company.<br />
The challenge was to form design teams for a large shoe<br />
manufacturer and to generate <strong>the</strong> best idea for a new brand<br />
<strong>of</strong> plimsolls.<br />
Students assumed roles as marketing managers, design<br />
managers, researchers, brand managers and financial<br />
managers. Each had personal tasks to complete to prepare <strong>the</strong><br />
group’s pitch at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day. They also worked with Rob<br />
Lenihan and Frankie O’Brien, Directors <strong>of</strong> iFlourish, who helped<br />
drive <strong>the</strong> students’ business decisions and improve <strong>the</strong>ir skills<br />
in problem-solving, communication, budgeting, teamwork,<br />
initiative and creativity.<br />
Rob Leinham said: “The task was all about helping <strong>the</strong>m<br />
understand <strong>the</strong> whole product design process from research,<br />
costings and marketing. We’ve spotted some real bright sparks<br />
today with great ideas.”<br />
ULT academies ga<strong>the</strong>r for<br />
challenge set by RAF Shawbury<br />
In November, all ULT academies ga<strong>the</strong>red for a challenge set<br />
and hosted by RAF Shawbury. The task was set around <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>me ‘an international incident’ and divided <strong>the</strong> students<br />
into 17 teams to develop team-building, leadership and<br />
problem-solving skills and to encourage friendships across<br />
<strong>the</strong> group.<br />
15
Article<br />
Accrington Academy eco-classroom<br />
project stuns world conference<br />
By Gareth Long<br />
Four young students from Accrington<br />
Academy not only made history in<br />
September, but also dominated <strong>the</strong><br />
main stage at <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CEFPI<br />
(Council <strong>of</strong> Education Facilities<br />
Planners International) world<br />
conference in San Jose, California,<br />
receiving <strong>the</strong> only standing ovation<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day from several hundred<br />
delegates.<br />
It has been fairly unusual for young people to be<br />
included in this annual conference, and when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
do, <strong>the</strong>y have normally featured in side seminar<br />
sessions. For <strong>the</strong> Accrington Academy youngsters to<br />
be a formal part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial opening presentations<br />
and to speak with real authority and clarity on some fairly<br />
sophisticated design concepts is a first for as long as I have<br />
been attending this conference. And boy, did <strong>the</strong> delegates just<br />
love <strong>the</strong>m!<br />
They spoke with real passion on <strong>the</strong>ir engagement in developing<br />
ideas for a new eco-friendly, sustainable building for <strong>the</strong>ir new<br />
school, setting up <strong>the</strong>ir own group called ‘Roots’, challenging<br />
<strong>the</strong> community to get involved and very positively leaving a<br />
legacy for <strong>future</strong> students and people <strong>of</strong> East Lancashire.<br />
It is, frankly, rare to hear students discuss <strong>the</strong> ‘zero carbon<br />
pyramid’, aiming for a carbon positive building, identifying <strong>the</strong><br />
reasons behind <strong>the</strong>ir choice <strong>of</strong> wood and recycled materials to<br />
create a building that will reduce water and energy consultation,<br />
aiming to collect all energy data for analysis, educating learners<br />
and friends, reasons for <strong>the</strong> attenuation pond, straw bale<br />
insulation, wind turbines, green ro<strong>of</strong> and only using locally<br />
sourced products (including collecting tyres for use by rolling<br />
<strong>the</strong>m – not getting a truck!), creating a green travel plan and so<br />
much more.<br />
This was not just a list <strong>of</strong> key words or jargon being reeled out<br />
– <strong>the</strong>y clearly knew what <strong>the</strong>y were talking about. Some <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m had been engaged with <strong>the</strong> project for three years, and so<br />
impressed <strong>the</strong>ir local area councillors that <strong>the</strong>y are considering<br />
using young people in some o<strong>the</strong>r council projects. How wise <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m, I suggest.<br />
16<br />
Supported by <strong>the</strong> inspirational company Class <strong>of</strong> Your Own, who<br />
have been deeply involved with this project, <strong>the</strong>se learners just<br />
captivated <strong>the</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> architects, builders and education<br />
representatives. The ongoing exceptionally active Twitter stream<br />
was so positive that people following it from outside <strong>the</strong> hall<br />
stopped what <strong>the</strong>y were doing and joined <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r delegates.
Article<br />
with world-renowned technology consultants Richard<br />
Scoble and Ewan McIntosh and presentations at Autodesk’s<br />
headquarters in San Francisco.<br />
Special recognition for <strong>the</strong>m and this project includes CEFPI<br />
– Special Recognition for Outstanding Accomplishment (USA)<br />
and Lancashire Business Environment Award (UK) – Highly<br />
Commended. They are currently shortlisted for o<strong>the</strong>r Community<br />
Responsibility and Environmental Champion competitions.<br />
This is what learning should be about: a project with value<br />
and relevance that has really engaged <strong>the</strong> team, collaborative<br />
working with o<strong>the</strong>r young people and adults, ambition, student<br />
led learning, aspiration and global links. There is no doubt<br />
that <strong>the</strong> experiences that <strong>the</strong>se young people have gained on<br />
this project will have a major impact on <strong>the</strong>m personally, <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
confidence and <strong>the</strong>ir plans for <strong>the</strong> <strong>future</strong>.<br />
This level <strong>of</strong> student engagement is relatively rare in <strong>the</strong><br />
US, although some <strong>of</strong> that is beginning to change. But even<br />
<strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> discussions do not achieve this level <strong>of</strong> detail and<br />
understanding. The fact is that our young people really do have<br />
very clear views, high aspirations and some really good ideas.<br />
They have challenged <strong>the</strong>ir staff, construction partners and <strong>the</strong><br />
community.<br />
This really is how it should be in every project. Everyone in this<br />
project has learnt a lot - and this should translate into ongoing<br />
continuous improvement on <strong>future</strong> projects and ambitions.<br />
There were many people in <strong>the</strong> audience who agreed with <strong>the</strong><br />
CEFPI president’s closing comments that started with “Wow”<br />
but ended with wondering if <strong>the</strong>re were several hundred people<br />
in <strong>the</strong> room that wanted to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong> team jobs straight away.<br />
Most decided that maybe she wasn’t joking!<br />
I have seen a lot <strong>of</strong> versions <strong>of</strong> student engagement - this is<br />
<strong>the</strong> best example <strong>of</strong> real meaningful engagement that I have<br />
seen and will be hard to beat. Just a massive well done to <strong>the</strong><br />
students and staff <strong>of</strong> Accrington Academy and Class <strong>of</strong> Your<br />
Own who supported <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Class <strong>of</strong> Your Own is a company specialising in projects and<br />
workshop concerning sustainability, construction and industry<br />
issues. Workshops with schools enable learners and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
teachers to address sustainability in a very practical way. Judging<br />
by this work, <strong>the</strong>y are really succeeding.<br />
The presentation was only <strong>the</strong> start. For <strong>the</strong> next two days <strong>the</strong><br />
young people manned a small exhibition describing <strong>the</strong> plans in<br />
detail. This allowed hundreds <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals to talk, question,<br />
probe and explore <strong>the</strong> project in real detail with <strong>the</strong> team - <strong>the</strong>y<br />
certainly held <strong>the</strong>ir own and impressed everyone.<br />
These students are used<br />
to success. Whilst on this<br />
trip <strong>of</strong> a lifetime, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were also moving on to<br />
San Francisco to work<br />
with companies <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
Their itinerary included<br />
breakfast with Pulitzer<br />
Prize winner Thomas<br />
Friedman, conversations<br />
Reprinted with kind permission from Gareth Long<br />
Gareth Long is a freelance consultant with major experience in<br />
<strong>the</strong> UK and abroad working on transformation and new school<br />
design. He has advised foreign governments on education and<br />
works with international experts on design. As a secondary<br />
head, he was dedicated to improving failing schools. Read his<br />
blog at blog.garethl.com and visit www.garethl.com<br />
17
Arts<br />
Lincoln Minster School finalist in<br />
BBC’s Choir <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year<br />
The Chamber Choir at Lincoln Minster School was declared a<br />
finalist in <strong>the</strong> BBC’s Choir <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year competition. Defeating<br />
competition from 150 choirs <strong>of</strong> all ages and types, <strong>the</strong> choir first<br />
performed at <strong>the</strong> Sheldonian Theatre. Following success in <strong>the</strong><br />
second round, <strong>the</strong> choir proceeded to <strong>the</strong> finals at Symphony<br />
Hall in Birmingham where <strong>the</strong> group narrowly missed winning<br />
<strong>the</strong> coveted title. However, <strong>the</strong> pupils received superb feedback<br />
from national judges and were featured twice on BBC Radio 3.<br />
James Wafer, a baritone in <strong>the</strong> choir, said: “It was just awesome.<br />
Birmingham Symphony Hall makes Lincoln Ca<strong>the</strong>dral seem like<br />
a small venue!”<br />
Arnold School pupil joins <strong>the</strong><br />
National Youth Orchestra<br />
Arnold School Sixth Former Alex Card has been awarded a place<br />
in <strong>the</strong> National Youth Orchestra <strong>of</strong> Great Britain. The talented<br />
clarinetist received notification following a grueling auditions<br />
process, competing for a place amongst <strong>the</strong> nation’s top musical<br />
talent.<br />
As a member, Alex will attend residential courses throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> country and perform at major venues and festivals, including<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and <strong>the</strong> nationally televised<br />
BBC Proms at <strong>the</strong> Royal Albert Hall.<br />
Fostering creativity<br />
Walthamstow Academy marks<br />
Black History Month with cultural<br />
evening<br />
On 10 November, Walthamstow Academy invited students,<br />
parents, staff and friends to celebrate Black History Month and<br />
<strong>the</strong> diverse heritage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> academy and its local community.<br />
Students explored <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong> ‘My roots’ through displays,<br />
speech, dance, drama and song. Author Wilfred L Fraser spoke<br />
about his childhood in Grenada and his autobiographical novel<br />
The Bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Unicorn.<br />
Guests were encouraged to attend <strong>the</strong> evening in cultural dress,<br />
to sample cuisine from around <strong>the</strong> world and to see displays <strong>of</strong><br />
student talent. Visit www.walthamstow-academy.org to<br />
watch footage from <strong>the</strong> event.<br />
Lincoln Minster School pupil wins national prize<br />
Following an outstanding performance, Rosanna Cooper<br />
was presented with <strong>the</strong> Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Lambert Junior<br />
Recital Prize by <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> English Singers and<br />
Speakers.<br />
18
I joined Manchester Academy in 2008, having<br />
taught in a Performing Arts Community College<br />
in Tameside for nine years. The perception that<br />
my colleagues had on hearing that I was going<br />
to teach at an academy in Moss Side was <strong>the</strong><br />
total opposite <strong>of</strong> what I found on my initial<br />
visit. In short, I was hugely impressed by <strong>the</strong><br />
academy.<br />
Students were appreciative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir teachers and support<br />
staff. There was no shade <strong>of</strong> grey in terms <strong>of</strong> expectations <strong>of</strong><br />
behaviour, uniform and respect for each o<strong>the</strong>r. It was clear that<br />
teachers were valued for <strong>the</strong>ir subject knowledge. I overheard a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> senior leadership team reminding a student that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y had an important responsibility as a learner.<br />
I decided <strong>the</strong>n and <strong>the</strong>re that this was <strong>the</strong> academy for me.<br />
Developing leaders in education<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most inspiring<br />
young people I have ever met<br />
By Shola Rashford<br />
Since joining <strong>the</strong> academy, I have benefited from teaching<br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most inspiring young people I have ever met in my<br />
teaching career and from being a member <strong>of</strong> a team that shares<br />
<strong>the</strong> same objective: to bring out <strong>the</strong> best in everyone. The senior<br />
leadership team promotes respect for all teachers and support<br />
staff. This affects <strong>the</strong> way in which students respond to you in<br />
<strong>the</strong> classroom. I feel that our individual strengths as teachers<br />
are recognised, and we are encouraged to know and work to<br />
our strengths. This, in itself, promotes sharing best practice.<br />
In September 2010, I became Key Stage 3 Director. My role is<br />
to guide and monitor students’ progress across <strong>the</strong> Key Stage,<br />
as well as to play a vital role in ensuring that students are<br />
supported pastorally. The academy’s belief that we should grow<br />
and develop our experience has enhanced my new role.<br />
Manchester Academy has translated its ambition to grow<br />
leaders by encouraging my pr<strong>of</strong>essional development. I have<br />
been able to work alongside specialists in our Deaf Unit at <strong>the</strong><br />
academy and am presently studying British Sign Language (BSL)<br />
NVQ Level 3, which will lead to my achieving a Level 4 NVQ in<br />
Interpreting (BSL/English). It is wonderfully satisfying to be able<br />
to communicate ma<strong>the</strong>matics as a subject to my deaf students.<br />
This is a testament to <strong>the</strong> academy’s insistence that <strong>the</strong>re should<br />
be no barriers to students’ learning. This year I have embarked<br />
upon an MA in Educational <strong>Leaders</strong>hip and Innovation at<br />
Warwick University; <strong>the</strong> programme is <strong>of</strong>fered through ULT as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> its commitment to CPD.<br />
A belief that students can and will achieve, a policy <strong>of</strong> ‘no<br />
excuses’, hard work from teachers and support from parent,<br />
carers and leadership have led to <strong>the</strong> academy being declared<br />
‘outstanding’ by Ofsted last year. I know that if I hadn’t joined<br />
Manchester Academy, I probably never would have had <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunity to contribute to an outstanding school and to give so<br />
many young people hope to achieve <strong>the</strong>ir greatest ambitions.<br />
Shola Rashford is Key Stage 3 Director at Manchester<br />
Academy.<br />
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UCST Schools<br />
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ULT Academies<br />
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Arnold School<br />
Ashford School<br />
Bournemouth Collegiate School<br />
Caterham School<br />
Guildford High School<br />
Hampshire Collegiate School<br />
Hull Collegiate School<br />
Lincoln Minster School<br />
Thanks to <strong>the</strong> vision <strong>of</strong> our founders and <strong>the</strong> support and<br />
passion <strong>of</strong> our benefactors, we provide an outstanding<br />
education for more than 30,000 young people across our<br />
UCST schools and ULT academies.<br />
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Rowan Preparatory School<br />
Sunderland High School<br />
Surbiton High School<br />
The Jubilee Fund was established to enable us<br />
to enrich <strong>the</strong> education <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />
underprivileged children in <strong>the</strong> country by<br />
opening academies and widening access and<br />
opportunities to pupils who want to attend our<br />
UCST schools.<br />
Accrington Academy<br />
Barnsley Academy<br />
Bede Academy<br />
Kettering Buccleuch Academy<br />
The King’s Academy<br />
Lambeth Academy<br />
Manchester Academy<br />
Midhurst Ro<strong>the</strong>r College<br />
It covers five areas:<br />
Northampton Academy<br />
North Oxfordshire Academy<br />
n Sponsoring academies to enable more children to<br />
receive a ULT quality <strong>of</strong> education<br />
Paddington Academy<br />
Salford City Academy<br />
n Funding bursaries to UCST schools, where this is<br />
appropriate for pupils who will benefit from <strong>the</strong> style<br />
<strong>of</strong> education which <strong>the</strong>se schools <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
Sheffield Park Academy<br />
Sheffield Springs Academy<br />
Shoreham Academy<br />
Stockport Academy<br />
Swindon Academy<br />
n Enabling both pupils and teachers to travel, to widen<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir experience and prepare pupils for <strong>the</strong>ir lives in a<br />
global environment<br />
Trinity Academy<br />
Walthamstow Academy<br />
William Hulme’s Grammar School<br />
n Supporting exchange programmes between UCST<br />
schools and ULT academies and with schools overseas.<br />
We will continue widening contacts amongst o<strong>the</strong>r UK<br />
independent schools so that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exchange<br />
programmes may be with schools beyond <strong>the</strong> group<br />
ULT City Technology College<br />
Emmanuel College<br />
n Spreading our support to <strong>the</strong> developing world<br />
through direct contacts with our schools and central<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice services.<br />
The Jubilee Fund<br />
The Jubilee Fund: Bringing out <strong>the</strong> best in everyone<br />
With your help, we can enrich <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> children.<br />
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Please complete and detach this form and return it to: Freepost RRRU-BSUR-XKBC,<br />
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UCST, Registered in England No. 2780748, Charity No. 1016538<br />
Registered <strong>of</strong>fice: 23-25 Chapel Street, Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire, NN14 3DA<br />
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The Jubilee Fund<br />
Help us bring out <strong>the</strong> best in everyone.<br />
What is an academy?<br />
An academy is an independently managed and governed<br />
specialist state school, directly funded by <strong>the</strong> government<br />
at <strong>the</strong> same level as a specialist comprehensive school in<br />
<strong>the</strong> area.<br />
Please contact Jonathan Allen on 020 7920 6407 or<br />
supportus@ult.org.uk to learn more.<br />
Discover how we bring out <strong>the</strong> best in our<br />
pupils every day. Visit www.ucst.org.uk and<br />
watch our pupils’ testimonial videos.<br />
23-25 Chapel Street, Titchmarsh<br />
Northamptonshire NN14 3DA<br />
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to set up a new Direct Debit<br />
NAME OF ACCOUNT HOLDER<br />
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UCST<br />
Midhurst<br />
Schools<br />
Ro<strong>the</strong>r College<br />
Northampton<br />
Arnold School<br />
Academy<br />
North<br />
Ashford<br />
Oxfordshire<br />
School<br />
Academy<br />
Bournemouth<br />
Paddington Academy<br />
Collegiate School<br />
Caterham<br />
Salford City<br />
School<br />
Academy<br />
Guildford<br />
Sheffield Park<br />
High<br />
Academy<br />
School<br />
Hampshire<br />
Sheffield Springs<br />
Collegiate<br />
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School<br />
Shoreham Academy<br />
Hull Collegiate School<br />
Stockport Academy<br />
Lincoln Minster School<br />
Swindon Academy<br />
Rowan Preparatory School<br />
Trinity Academy<br />
Sunderland High School<br />
Surbiton Walthamstow High School Academy<br />
William Hulme’s Grammar School<br />
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ULT Academies<br />
ULT City Technology College<br />
Accrington Academy<br />
Emmanuel College<br />
Barnsley Academy<br />
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Bede Academy<br />
Kettering Buccleuch Academy<br />
The King’s Academy<br />
Lambeth Academy<br />
Manchester Academy<br />
Midhurst Ro<strong>the</strong>r College<br />
Northampton Academy<br />
North Oxfordshire Academy<br />
Paddington Academy<br />
Salford City Academy<br />
With thanks to our<br />
benefactors and friends<br />
Sheffield Park Academy<br />
Sheffield Springs Academy<br />
Shoreham Academy<br />
Stockport Academy<br />
Swindon Academy<br />
Aedas Architects Ltd<br />
Mr John Beardwell<br />
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation<br />
Bestway Foundation Charitable Trust<br />
Bowland Trust<br />
Bowmer & Kirkland<br />
Constance Travis Trust<br />
David Wilson Foundation<br />
Mr Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Davies<br />
Dr Peter Englander<br />
GamesAid<br />
Mr Haruhisa Handa<br />
Sir Ewan and Lady Harper<br />
Honda Motor Europe<br />
The Jerusalem Trust<br />
The Khayami Foundation<br />
The Kirby Laing Foundation<br />
Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable Trust<br />
Manchester City Council<br />
Manchester Diocese<br />
Manchester Science Park<br />
Minton Charitable Trust<br />
Mr and <strong>the</strong> late Mrs Stewart Newton<br />
CM Parker Browne LLP<br />
Stoller Charitable Trust<br />
Mr Colin Tickner<br />
The Ullman Trust<br />
The Vodafone UK Foundation<br />
Whitworth Holdings<br />
Trinity Academy<br />
Walthamstow Academy<br />
William Hulme’s Grammar School<br />
ULT City Technology College<br />
Emmanuel College<br />
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ULT Academies<br />
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Lincoln Minster School<br />
Rowan Preparatory School<br />
Our family <strong>of</strong> schools and academies<br />
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Bede Academy<br />
Kettering Buccleuch Academy<br />
The King’s Academy<br />
Lambeth Academy<br />
Manchester Academy<br />
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Sunderland High School<br />
Surbiton High School<br />
Accrington Academy<br />
Barnsley Academy<br />
Bede Academy<br />
Kettering Buccleuch Academy<br />
The King’s Academy<br />
Lambeth Academy<br />
Manchester Academy<br />
Midhurst Ro<strong>the</strong>r College<br />
Northampton Academy<br />
North Oxfordshire Academy<br />
Paddington Academy<br />
Salford City Academy<br />
Sheffield Park Academy<br />
Sheffield Springs Academy<br />
Shoreham Academy<br />
Stockport Academy<br />
Swindon Academy<br />
Trinity Academy<br />
Walthamstow Academy<br />
William Hulme’s Grammar School<br />
ULT City Technology College<br />
The Jubilee Fund supports scholarship, student<br />
activities, staff development and our objective <strong>of</strong><br />
bringing out <strong>the</strong> best in everyone.<br />
Please join <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Follow us<br />
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Anonymous donors<br />
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Ms Janet Barnett<br />
Mr Stephen Baynes<br />
Mrs Jane Black<br />
Ms Karen Bowles<br />
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The Constance Travis Charitable Trust<br />
Mr Karl Daniels<br />
Mr Christopher Darling<br />
Mr S. Dyson<br />
Mrs D. A. Fenton<br />
Mr Duncan Frost<br />
Mr Daniel Gardner<br />
Mr Gold and Mrs Warneken-Gold<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Gwyn Griffiths<br />
Mr Peter Harper<br />
Ms Clare Harvey<br />
Mr Anthony Hill<br />
Mr John Hosking<br />
Mrs I. J. Hunt<br />
Mr Zaheer Jiwa<br />
Mr and Mrs Alun Jones<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor W. R. Lee<br />
Mr John Lingard<br />
Mrs Kate Lingham<br />
Mrs Jane Loudon<br />
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and donors to <strong>the</strong> Jubilee Fund:<br />
Read our Chief<br />
Executive’s blog<br />
Dr and Mrs J. Lyon-Maris<br />
Mr R. Mancey<br />
Ms Ruth Manson<br />
Mr G. Marsden<br />
Mrs Diana Mat<strong>the</strong>w<br />
Mr and Mrs P. W. McCloskey<br />
Mr and Mrs D. McGraw<br />
Mrs E. Musharo<br />
Mr T. R. Needell<br />
Mr and Mrs Patrick O’Donovan<br />
Mrs C. A. Oldroyd<br />
Mr and Mrs R. L. Pandya<br />
Mr Will Peppitt<br />
Mrs Nigora Pyuman<br />
Mr Mark Robinson<br />
Mr Michael Russell<br />
Mr Brian Rust<br />
Mr and Mrs Iain Steel<br />
Mrs P. Stevens<br />
Mr P. Sweetland<br />
Mr Andrew Tarcy<br />
Mr R. Terry<br />
Mr Paul van den Bosch<br />
Mr Damien Wren<br />
Mr Christopher Zanetti<br />
www.ucst.org.uk<br />
Registered Charity Number: 1016538<br />
Company Number: 2780748<br />
www.ult.org.uk<br />
Registered Charity Number: 1093277<br />
Company Number: 4439859<br />
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