Cranford Review 2014

Ciphers module and Computing GCSE. In the photos you can see the staff by
the rebuilt and fully operational Colossus, the world’s first electronic digital
computer, developed for British codebreakers for World War 2.
Further TI Days enabled students to visit the Skills London Careers fair at the
Excel Centre which was a very informative and “hands-on” exhibition for year
11; key stage 4 students who were interested in catering attended a Catering
Taster afternoon at the Southall campus of the West London Enterprise and
Skills Academy; Stephen Mann, from Middlesex County Cricket Club, has
worked with our students on their cricket skills and we have now set up a
Cricket Board with them. Dedicated time has also been allocated for students
to work with the community on the Convent Way Community Project.
Key stage 3 students have visited the Science Museum, a London Symphony
Orchestra workshop and the British Airways Community Learning Centre.
Year 8 students have worked in small groups to focus on behaviour, manners
and respect, whilst also developing their
team work and public speaking skills and
year 9 students have had the privilege
to experience a very moving talk from a
Holocaust Survivor.
Motivational speakers and subject specific
specialists have been in on several occasions
to work with various year groups to ensure
they had the knowledge, confidence and
enthusiasm to feel fully prepared for their
forthcoming exams.
Residential trips included students in year
8 taking part in ICT and outdoor activities
at the Kingswood Activity Centre in Kent,
key stage 4 students taking part in their
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver
practice expeditions to the New Forest, Post
16 geography students going to Lulworth
Cove for their field work and the post 16
ADT students visiting the Eden Project in
Cornwall.
Throughout all TI Days opportunities
were afforded where students could work
in small groups with their teacher to help
improve their exam technique, essay
writing skills, confidence in performing,
team building, research skills, and take part
in consultation groups to have their say in
the way the school develops in the future.
Tutors have also been able to have a dedicated interview with each of their
tutees to guide and support them through their academic year.
The TI Days also enable the school to meet their statutory obligation with
regard to Personal Development. Rather than spending a lesson a week all year
to cover the topics, students are able to gain much more from a dedicated day
that meets their specific needs. For example, year 13 students, who will be
venturing into the world of employment or university after the summer enjoyed
sessions on how to cook on a budget and they learnt relaxing techniques in
yoga. Year 11 students benefited from teamwork sessions led by the Army
and learnt how to fuel their bodies to gain maximum impact and year 10
students enjoyed a very thought-provoking theatre performance on the theme
of relationships.
Maria Bramhall
(Assistant Headteacher Raising Achievement and Raising Aspirations Team)
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