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Educate educatemagazine.com
FREE Sponsored by
The Magazine for Parents and Pupils January – April 2011
Climatlantic
A fresh approach to tackling climate change Merseytravel’s website prepares for launch
Win
an Amazon Kindle see our competition on page 5
INSIDE Testing, Testing Raising literacy levels
+ The future for school leavers
Spotlight Specialist Arts Schools
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Educate Contents Welcome...
Features
News
09-11
12-14
Testing, Testing? Age 6 Reading Tests
Gold for Evelyn
22-25
20-21
The University of Life What direction should your child take?
Rising university fees
Welcome to the latest issue of Educate where we take a look at whether schools need to do more to improve literacy in early years education and the governments plans to test six years olds reading skills
16-18 Word up
City first for Calderstones
30-30 Meet the Headteacher Phil Jamieson, Alsop High School, Liverpool
34-35 College welcomes acclaimed author
44-45
36-38
Events 47 Pupils look to the future
40 Dear Educate Help & Advice for parents
42-43
48 Talented Merseyside
36-38
Meet the Headteacher Susan Kerwin, St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Maghull
61 Viewpoint Should pupils be able to end academic education at 14 in favour of vocational training?
Original Style Fashion with a twist of lemon
68 Book Review Jennifer Dobson recommends
We also take a look on how to create a splash of seasonal springtime yellow to create some much needed wardrobe sunshine for your children.
49 Celebrating landmarks
50 Future foundations
Finally, we interview Aiden Byrne, the Kirkby born Michelin starred chef who proves that geeks too can have their day.
51 Community links
53
62-63
Where can we go? Out and about in Merseyside
We have all the latest school news from primary to secondary, showcasing schools, teachers and students achievements, talents and events. Educate meets up with the Headteachers, Phil Jamieson of Alsop High Schol who will later this year be stepping down after a career spanning almost four decades. We also chat to newly appointed headteacher, Susan Kerwin who reflects on her first year at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Maghull.
Merseytravel launches new school project
Specialist Arts Schools What is the role of specialist arts and music colleges
66-67
12-14
26-28
09-11
Our focus group for this issue debate about the opportunities that lie ahead and what direction should your child take.
Enchanted tales Many thanks
55
55
Grease is the word
66-67
57 Woolton Rocks
59 Education showcase
60 Aladdin under the sea
70 My school days Aiden Byrne - Michelin starred chef Published by Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151 707 1678 Email: post@merseymirror.com Executive Editor Kim O’Brien Advertising Sales Manager Andy Rogers Tel: 0151 709 7567 Advertising Sales Jo Tait Tel: 0151 709 7567 Photography Tom Murphy Editorial Alan Birkett, Lucy Oliver, Dina Karim, Marya McCann Design & Production Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 706 7411 Email: post@merseymirror.com Distribution Barbara Troughton Tel: 0151 733 5492. Printed by PCP. Educate magazine is published by Mersey Mirror. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted or reproduced without permission. Disclaimer The information contained within Educate we believe to be correct at the time of printing, no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions. © Copyright Mersey Mirror 2009.
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Coming S
oon
www.climatlantic.co.uk
A fresh approach to tackling climate change This Spring, Merseytravel are launching a brand new website for children, teachers and organisations who want to tackle climate change by making sustainable transport choices. The Climatlantic website will have fun, interactive games designed to educate children on climate change, the environment and
sustainable transport choices. The multi-lingual website will include contributions by young people from Merseyside, Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain who will be able to post text, video, images and sounds to the site. Keep a look out for the website when it launches in Spring.
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Poetry Competition
Win a Kindle and see your poem in print! With the launch in Spring of the Climatlantic website Educate magazine have teamed up with Merseytravel to launch a special poetry competition. The theme of the competition is climate change and the environment. We want schools and pupils to get involved and send in their written poems about climate change. There are four age groups and the best poem from each group will win not only an Amazon Kindle but have their poem printed in a special poetry book to be published this year. Four runners up from each group will receive a ÂŁ20 Waterstones voucher and their poem printed also. So get thinking, get writing and maybe you could be one of the lucky winners and see your poem in print. Send Completed poems to: Educate Poetry Competition 36 Henry Street Liverpool L1 5BS
The four categories are: Primary age groups 7 - 9 yrs 10 - 11 yrs Secondary age groups 11 - 13 yrs 14 yrs plus
or email it to competition@educatemagazine.com
Competition rules Open to all Merseyside school children. There are four age group categories. Poems must be written about the theme of climate change and the environment. Poems should be legible, either written or typed and no more than 150 words long. Poems must be submitted on a single A4 with the pupil’s name, age, class and school on the reverse or if emailing, in a Word document attached to the email. The closing date for entries will be the 31st March 2011. Only one entry per child. Please note poems will not be returned. All winners will be notified.
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StCatholic Vincent de Paul Primary School Pitt Street Liverpool L1 5BY “Serving With Love … Striving For Excellence”
❤
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
OFSTED Oct 2007 - ‘St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School is an outstanding school.’ Convenient City Centre Location Places Available Breakfast Club: open from 7.30am Range of After-School Extra-Curricular Activities
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Two Computer Suites Educational Visits in our Private Minibus Healthy Schools Award Activemark Gold Basic Skills Quality Mark Liverpool Hope University Articled School Status Archdiocesan Religious Education Inspection “an outstanding school”
For further details, contact the Headteacher: Mr P Stewart on
0151 709 2572
Fax 0151 707 8942 email: stvincentdepaul@merseymail.com
Broadgreen International School Join the Journey …….. In our sixth form
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 10th February 6.30pm to 8.00pm We have a broad and balanced curriculum offering a diverse range of courses to meet the needs of every sixth form student. We offer: • The prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma • Institute of Legal Executive course • NVQS in football coaching and hairdressing • A range of level 2 and 3 courses in Business Studies, Science, ICT, Health and Social, Performing Arts, Sport and Dental Nursing • In addition we offer a Level 2 Foundation Pathway programme which includes literacy, numeracy, ICT and customer service. Recent quotes from our last inspection in May 2010 include : “The school works effectively with other sixth form providers to extend its range of courses and qualifications to match students needs and aspirations” “Care, guidance and support are good” “Induction into the sixth form enables students to settle quickly”
Come along on the 10th February or Contact us to arrange a visit on 0151 254 6805 or email jgriffiths@broadgreeninternationalschool.com
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Liverpool College Prep School Open Morning Saturday 5th March 2011 from 9am – 12.30pm IAPS Independent School for girls and boys, Ages 3-11 Please take this opportunity to see for yourselves what Liverpool College Prep School has to offer your child: • Small class sizes and academic excellence • Tradition and respect in a caring community For more information please contact our Registrar on: Tel: 724 4000 ext 228 or E-mail: registrar@liverpoolcollege.org.uk Website: www.liverpoolcollege.org.uk
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Archbishop Blanch CE High School A Technology College, Training School, Applied Learning School Mount Vernon Road, Liverpool L7 3EA email: admin@blanch.org.uk tel: 0151 709 1452 website:www.abblanch.com
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Wednesday, 2nd February 2011 at 6.30 p.m. “This is an effective sixth form, where students benefit from good teaching and high levels of guidance and support� Ofsted 2008
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Age 6 Reading Tests
“We want to make sure that those schools where children are not being taught to read are tackled because, ultimately, if you do not get a child reading by the time they leave primary school, by the time they arrive at secondary the curriculum is just a closed book to them – literally.” --------------- Michael Gove ---------------
Education Secretary Michael Gove says schools need to do more to improve literacy in early years education, but the government’s plans to test six year olds’ reading skills have been criticised by the teaching unions. Educate examined what schools in our area are doing to improve their pupils’ literacy, and how recent recommendations could raise our young people’s reading ages before secondary school. Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Age 6 Reading Tests
urrent attainment levels in literacy show considerable improvement on previous years, with 80 per cent of pupils in Year 6 achieving a level 4 equivalent in SATS compared with 49 per cent 15 years ago. However, the coalition government state its intention to boost pupil reading ages by the end of primary school, concerned that one in five seven year olds did not reach their literacy target in 2010. On the BBC’s Today programme in 2010, Michael Gove stated his belief that improved reading skills are integral to a successful secondary education. He said: “We want to make sure that those schools where children are not being taught to read are tackled because, ultimately, if you do not get a child reading by the time they leave primary school, by the time they arrive at secondary the curriculum is just a closed book to them – literally.” When it comes to poor levels of literacy, the north-west is by no means the worst-affected area. National figures indicate that currently nine per cent of pupils (approximately 18,000) arrive at secondary school with a reading age of seven. In some areas, the figure is much higher. The local authority with the worst attainment levels for reading is Nottingham City Council, where 15 per cent of children have a reading age of seven on leaving primary school. Poor rates of literacy in primary school are also found in Manchester, Rotherham and Telford. However, spokespeople for these areas point out the increasing number of pupils in those areas for whom English is a second language. Other social factors also play a part where literacy levels are low. Children
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on free school meals and those with special educational needs performed less well overall, and while boys’ performance improved overall, they still scored less well than girls. In the early years of a child’s development, making associations between words and pictures is key to word recognition, cognition and functional literacy skills. Pupils whose parents read to them at home, and who have access to books, will increase their familiarity with words and develop language skills much more quickly. These pupils are also more likely to recognise the difference between the language of mobile ‘phone texting, and the appropriate register used in written work. This stands them in good stead to develop social skills, needed in the classroom and the playground, which influence the development of their character and personality, and to access the school curriculum. For pupils with poor literacy at the end of Year 6, the transition to secondary school, with larger numbers of pupils and a challenging curriculum is daunting and poses other problems beyond the immediate learning needs. The link between disaffected young people and disruptive or potentially criminal behaviour can frequently be traced back to their inability to engage with the curriculum. Michael Gove’s approach to boost literacy is to focus on the teaching of reading at primary school, promoting a synthetic phonics system were sounds are matched to letters. Many schools have, however, been using this and similar strategies for some time. The UK Literacy Association has expressed concern about the government’s enthusiasm for phonicsbased teaching, at the expense of a range of other successful reading strategies such
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
as more time spent reading to children, with children, instruction in grammatical and spelling rules, in how to use a dictionary, and feedback on completed written work. The group, which is made up of teachers, academics and librarians, warns against a “one-size-suits-all approach” which limits pupil development: “Restricting them to an unbalanced diet, the thin gruel of a phonics-dominated approach, is a recipe for lowering standards and turning children against the written word.” For the majority of schools, the approach to improving literacy is to embrace a range of strategies in order to meet pupils’ individual needs. For some pupils, a synthetic phonics-based approach may work well, but memorable rhymes and rules better assist other pupils. Of course, measuring pupils’ progress in reading is no simple matter. Assessment of pupils at primary school age has been long debated, with many academic journals casting doubt over the accuracy of such tests. Some would argues that to assess six year olds for their reading age not only adds to the teachers’ workload but increases unnecessary stress on youngsters and on parents, and with no promise of improving pupils’ progression or confidence. For their counterparts in successful educational systems on the continent, schooling does not formally begin until age six. At a number of local secondary schools, however, teachers are struggling to meet the needs of pupils whose reading and writing ability does not match up well to the levels provided by their primary school. Interventions needed to address these needs may include one to one tuition or additional time spend in the school’s centre
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Literacy Support for Parents
Accessthesefreeresources online,athome,to support yourchild’s development. www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/literacy.shtml
for Special Educational Needs, and this will require further timetabling throughout the course of the school year. A truer reflection of pupil ability on entering secondary education would make the transition period less stressful for pupils, as they would feel better equipped for the lessons which would have been planned to suit their needs and ability. However, some of the interventions carried out to boost literacy of pupils in some local schools show creativity and reflect a strong ethos. One Liverpool girls’ school runs a Paired Reading scheme where pupils in Year 7 to 9 who struggle with their reading are paired with a Sixth Form pupil, who meets them for an hour a week and reads with them. For the pupils involved in the scheme, the majority become much more engaged and focused in all of their lessons as their reading ability improves. In this respect, addressing literacy needs of pupils becomes less a problem to be tackled and more of an extra-curricular activity, with no attached stigma for the pupils involved. In terms of how schools must compete to for pupil numbers, provision in the area of literacy might not be the first area to attract parents’ attention. However, in areas where increasing numbers of pupils speak English as a second or additional language, schools with a larger intake of these pupils receive a larger budget from the local authority to cater for their needs in accessing the curriculum. At open evenings, it is worth asking how this budget is spent, and what resources are available to these pupils (and others) as a result. The advantages may be the support of a translator in lessons or highly developed technology to support non-native English speakers, but they might also include a one to one tuition specialist on the staff – with spin-off benefits for all pupils.
“
Restricting them to an unbalanced diet, the thin gruel of a phonicsdominated approach, is a recipe for lowering standards and turning children against the written word.
ne key area in developing pupils’ literacy skills which must not be overlooked, is that of ICT. Advances in technology have seen the development of interactive games and activities for pupils to work on their literacy and numeracy skills inside and outside the classroom. By this measure, the playing field has in many ways been made more level for schools competing to offer the most support in these areas, as only a basic computer is needed to benefit from the majority of these resources. Furthermore, more recent research shows that schools are doing their best to engage with the technology favoured by pupils, from computer games to mobile ‘phones. By encouraging the use of these technologies in lessons, teachers succeed in engaging pupils with their work more effectively than those who expect pupils to separate their everyday and home life from their educational experiences. In assisting Year 7 pupils in the transition from primary school to secondary school expectations of performance, a sense of familiarity can be provided through ICT resources, helping to build confidence and lay the groundwork for more challenging tasks to come. Current school practice to increase literacy levels takes many forms, and works best when teachers and parents understand and apply the many resources available at their disposal. Whether the new tests will suggest new ways to address the teaching of reading remains to be seen. It’s certainly to be hoped that the testing does not encourage staff to adopt a blanket approach to the teaching of reading for tests, with little regard for the enjoyment of books and the development of the whole child. By Lucy Oliver
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Primary News
Gold for Evelyn A Prescot school has been awarded the highest level of a prestigious national award. Evelyn Community Primary School has achieved gold level as part of the Go4It School Award. The Go4it award scheme, sponsored by the charity HTI – Heads, Teachers and Industry recognises schools which demonstrate a culture of creativity, innovation, positive risktaking as well as a ‘can do’ attitude and adventure for learning. An assessor visited the school in October and assessed the school against nine criteria including how the school thrives on creative curriculum planning, flexible timetabling and can demonstrate how this has improved the learning experience and discovers, celebrates and enhances the talents and abilities of the whole school community. The assessor commented the school had excellent outcomes, pupils’ behaviour was outstanding, they had high aspirations and were determined to succeed. On concluding the visit, the assessor added that “Evelyn Community Primary School is a truly magical place from the moment you walk through the door.” Right: Headteacher Carole Arnold with Evelyn pupils
A time to remember Children at St Nicholas CE Primary, Sefton held a poignant Service of Remembrance back in November. Year 6 pupils led a very moving act of worship using poems, songs and prayers that they had studied as part of their curriculum topic this term. The children performed “Flanders Fields” by John McCrae and “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon in the school
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hall and presented a powerpoint presentation of images and film including a moving extract from the Royal British Legion. The children, staff, parents and members of the local community then moved outdoors to congregate around the school flagpole where hymns were sung and poppy wreaths, made by the children, were laid.
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The Last Post was played by Chesterfield High School pupil, Henry Davies and a minutes silence was held in honour of those who lost their lives fighting for our country. The children also prayed for those members of the armed forces currently fighting in Afghanistan and other war zones across the world. Tayla Hartley aged 10 said: “It was very emotional but heartwarming. It made me think about all the soldiers who have died so that we can be free.” Matthew Bailey, aged 9 added: “ I didn’t think that the minutes silence would be so quiet. Eveyone was extremely still and peaceful. Henry playing The Last Post was amazing. The service made me feel very thankful to those who have lost their lives.” Becky Woods, Headteacher, said, “It was very moving to see the children taking part in our service with such understanding and empathy. We hope that the children will take the message of peace with them throughout their own lives. Many thanks to all the children, staff, parents and especially to all those from our local community who joined us for our service.”
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Primary News
Bringing home the truth Ex prisoners steer pupils away from crime The dangers of a life of crime were spelled out to children in Knowsley in a hard hitting campaign to steer them away from trouble. Former prisoners talked to nine and ten year olds from five primary schools in Huyton about the choices people make and the impact they can have. The children were also taken into a recreated “cell” to show them what life can be like after criminals are caught. “This really brings it home,” said Carmel Perry, one of two learning mentors involved in the so-called Cells project. “The ex offenders are real people, talking about what really happened to them and the effect of the mistakes they made on everyone around them. “By going into a “cell”, the children see the lack of space and privacy the inmates have – sharing a toilet and a tiny space with someone they don’t know.” The idea is part of a wider community cohesion project organised by Carmel, a learning mentor at St Margaret Mary’s juniors and Michelle Denny, a learning mentor at St Aloysius. It has been running for the last four years and the schools taking part in the latest Cells scheme were St Aloysius, St Margaret Mary’s juniors St Aidan’s, St Dominic’s juniors and Malvern. Carmel and Michelle say early intervention is essential, as the age when children are held responsible for any
crimes they might commit is ten. Michelle said: “Sometimes, older children are too far down the road to bring them back on the straight and narrow. “We talk about the importance of not doing the wrong things and about how to
walk away from friends or gangs that could lead them astray. “The former prisoners are all rehabilitated and really passionate about what they are doing. They know they made the wrong choices and they want to stop others doing the same.”
Blooming lovely community Children from Thomas Gray and All Saints primary schools, Sefton, recently helped to brighten up Bootle by planting bulbs in the grounds of the schools, Poets and Peel Road parks and St Leonards Church Hall. As part of its efforts to make the area a cleaner, greener and safer place to live, Riverside enrolled the help of local schools to develop environmental improvements in the area with support from Sefton Council and One Vision Housing. The resulting work by the schools saw the Community and Residents’ Association win a ‘Thriving Neighbourhood Award’ at the North West in Bloom Awards for its contribution towards environmental improvements. Barbara Hardwick, Chair of Peel Road Community and Residents’ Association, said: “I would like to thank all the schoolchildren, partners and local residents who have made this award possible.” Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Primary News
Nice little urn-er
Winter Road Safety Message
Helping raise funds for Africa Hundreds of children across Sefton have been learning the importance of 'Being Safe and Being Seen' through a series of special winter road safety assemblies. The visits, which have been arranged by Sefton Council's Travel Awareness and Road Safety team, have been taking place to teach vital road safety skills with a special emphasis on the winter weather. Among the schools visited was Forefield Juniors in Crosby where an assembly was held for pupils in years five and six. Joe Morris, from Sefton Council's road safety team, said: "It seems that this winter is shaping up to be longer and harsher than the last one - and coupled with dark evenings, it is very important that young people are encouraged to wear brighter or more visible clothing. "Far too many young children are hurt on the UK's roads and we must all play our part in encouraging young people to make it safely through the winter."
Quality school Rev Clive Doran, School Governor and Headteacher, Keith Skinner with proud pupils and their ‘Send a Cow’ cheque Pupils from Longview CP School, Huyton, have helped farmers in Africa to buy a cow and other livestock through generous fundraising. The pupils have been working hard over the last few weeks and have managed to raise an impressive £500 for the “Send a Cow” charity. Headteacher Keith Skinner, said: “As a school we have supported and raised funds for a number of worthy causes over the years, Children in Need, Red Nose Day, Water Aid, Jeans for Genes, Blue Peter Appeal and so on. “We feel that it is important to promote the caring consideration for others as a quality that we would hope adults and children would display 14
throughout our lives. This is also a strand of their PSHCE teaching. We chose “Send a Cow” this year as an international organisation to support. A representative came in to talk to the children earlier in the year “At the suggestion of one child we had an Activity Day. A variety of activities, such as mask making, model making, dance, sport, food technology and pompom making took place with children making a donation to the Send a Cow organisation. “We have now raised enough money to buy two local cows, two dairy goats and 14 chickens! At these times of financial difficulties we feel that our school community has achieved something special by raising such an amount for an extremely good cause”.
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
The staff and pupils of St Laurence’s, Kirkby have been commended for their hard work and sense of community by a recent Quality Mark assessment. The report states that the school: ‘is a school with a heart – not only in the sense that it is a caring school, but also in the way it is life-giving and life-enhancing for its pupils.’ The report highlighted the schools strong leadership and commitment to support each pupil, as well as its sense of family and the need to forge well-rounded members of society. “We’re very proud to receive such a wonderful report,” said Headteacher Paul Cronin.
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– Is your child thriving in a safe, secure, happy environment? – ‘The relationship between staff and pupils, based on mutual respect and trust, is excellent and pupils clearly feel safe, secure and happy in their lessons. This enriching relationship contributes greatly to the positive learning environment that pervades the school.’ Independent Schools Inspectorate
Open Morning 26th March 10am
Tower College, Rainhill Christian Independent School for boys and girls aged 3–16 Termly Fees £1,671 - £1,965 For more details and /or a prospectus Tel: 0151 426 4333 Or Fax: 0151 426 3338 Visit our web-site on www.towercollege.com Email: towercollege@lineone.net Principal : Miss R J Oxley
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Primary News
Word up Sefton reading stars enjoy Anfield experience
St John's Primary pupils with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva
Schoolchildren from Waterloo met Liverpool FC star Lucas Leiva thanks to their efforts in a Sefton reading scheme. Pupils from St John's Primary School took part in the 2010 Premier League Reading Stars, which encourages children to read more and is supported by The Football Foundation and the National Literacy Trust. The scheme runs in libraries across the country and focuses on family reading with an emphasis on the enjoyment of books through sport. Sefton Council's Libraries Service works with Liverpool FC on the project and a first team player is chosen to support the scheme. Gillian Morgan, Children and Young People's Librarian, said: "This is the fourth year we have taken part in the Premier League Reading Stars and the group from St John's really worked hard to develop their reading experience. “The children met Lucas who signed their certificates and posed for photographs with all the young people. They then enjoyed an offical tour of Anfield. "It was a wonderful afternoon and everybody really enjoyed themselves."
School pull out all the stops Roby Park Primary School, Huyton, pulled out all the stops in support of Children in Need, which saw a fun-filled day for pupils and staff whilst raising money for the worthy cause. Pupils were invited to go into school dressed in something spotty, from Pudsey costumes to spotty t-shirts. A ‘Pudsey in the SPOTlight’ talent show kicked off the day, where the whole school was encouraged to take part. “We had jujitsu performances, break dancing and solo singers, to name just a few,” explains head teacher Ruth Harrison. “The whole school got involved and took their performance seriously. It’s amazing to see the wide range of talent these children have.” All the pupils who took part in the talent competition were rewarded with a special Pudsey badge with winners taking home a Pudsey teddy bear. It wasn’t just the pupils and staff who joined in the fun. Four of the school’s governors were appointed as ‘judges’ for the Pudsey themed talent show, with Strictly Come Dancing style voting. The fun continued into the afternoon, with pupils baking and decorating spotty biscuits and having their faces painted in the style of Pudsey bear. To finish off the day, the staff put together a Generation Game style quiz for the pupils, which was enjoyed by all. 16
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Primary News
Voyage of discovery Culture in colour Bedford Primary School in Bootle has been accredited the International School Award for outstanding development in the international dimension of the curriculum. Throughout the past year, pupils have been immersed in an international voyage of discovery with pupils learning about the world, its languages, traditions, music and culture. The school has embarked on a whole host of innovative projects such as a World Cup themed research assignment which saw the findings shared on an internet learning platform ‘elanguages’ with partner schools from around the globe; to a 10 week project about Latin America led by ‘All Things Latin’ in which were exposed to music, stories, history, artefacts and of course, language. Mrs Ana Lopez-Thomas, teacher and Spanish Specialist at Bedford Primary said: “The past year has been extremely exciting with our children participating in lots of international inspired projects, the children have experienced African drumming, fiestas, food tasting, music, singing and dancing from all over the world. Only recently we have had the benefit of a teacher exchange with our partner school in Avila, Spain”. Since achieving their award children at the school are continuing to explore the traditions of other cultures which includes comparing Christmas traditions by exchanging powerpoint presentations with children in Fabiola, Spain. Bedford children have been particularly interested to learn that Spanish children leave their shoes out on the 5th of January to be filled with presents by the three Wise Men…not Father Christmas. Pupils from Bedford Primary learnt about dress and traditions of different cultures
Pictured (left to right) Jessica Moorcroft, Clayton McKee, Sophie Glascott, Leon Doyle, Nicky Cochrane (Music Co-ordinator), Daniel Mather, Kai Price, Caitlin Roberts
Singers scoop Silver Award! The children and staff of Ravenscroft Primary School are celebrating after being named the first Silver Singing School in Knowsley. The awards are part of a national initiative to encourage schools to put singing at the heart of school life. Certificates are awarded by Sing Up and endorsed by Knowsley Music and Performing Arts Service’s vocal leader and Sing Up Awards Advocate Vicky Harris. Angela Ball, Head of Service, says: “Singing is a healthy activity that helps to develop children’s learning, confidence and self-esteem and encourages them to attend and enjoy school. Ravenscroft Primary has a very special atmosphere and the importance the staff place on singing together definitely contributes towards this.” The school began to work towards the award in 2009, holding special singing assemblies, taking part in regular singing workshops and even performing at the Schools’ Super Sing event at the Liverpool Echo Arena in June. The Music and Performing Arts Service worked closely with the school on the Super Sing project and fully endorsed Ravenscroft’s application for Silver Singing School status. Nicky Cochrane, the school’s Music Co-ordinator and Awards Champion, has led the staff and children on their journey. She says: “Singing has become the heart of our school and I would like to thank all the children, staff and parents for their ongoing support and enthusiasm. We are a fantastic school and I am proud to be part of it. Well done everyone!” At Ravenscroft, even the children are involved with leading the singing. Head Teacher Jeanette Hegarty says: “Our Young Singing Leaders have an infectious enthusiasm that positively impacts the rest of the school. We are delighted with our Silver Award and are now going for Gold!” Head Boy, Bradley Smith echoed this, saying: “We are all great singers and I know we will easily achieve gold.” Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Primary News
Seeds of new school to be sown New £8.8 million primary school gets green light PLANS for a brand new primary school integral to the regeneration of north Liverpool have been approved. The council’s Cabinet have given the green light to the new £8.8 million Four Oaks Primary School in Everton. The school, which has 258 pupils, was created earlier last year from the federation of Hope Valley and Breckfield Primary Schools. It is currently based in the former Hope Valley building on Walton Breck Road. The building dates from Victorian times and is not suited to modern teaching methods. Under the proposals, a new two form entry state of the art primary school with a 26 place nursery will be created on a new site at the former Adam Street playground. Council leader Joe Anderson, said: “This new school will be located in the heart of the Anfield/Breckfield regeneration area and is a key part of our plan to breathe new life into the area. The two storey building has been designed around two large courtyards and the main hall, and will also include two areas which can be used by local residents and community groups. Outside there will be a covered play area which can be used in all weathers, and the first floor will have access to an internal “playdeck” with large roof lights to let in large amounts of natural light and sunshine. The report is also recommending that £350,000 is spent creating much needed new accommodation to replace mobile classrooms at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Primary School near the city centre. The work is in addition to nearly £600,000 of work already carried out including the creation of new nursery and reception classrooms as well as a new kitchen. Cabinet member for education, Councillor Jane Corbett, said: “These schemes will make a major difference to education in two of the most needy areas of the city. “At Four Oaks the new building will provide top quality education for local youngsters, and will be a facility which will be available for use by the entire community. “St Vincent De Paul has been in dire need of improvement work, so I am pleased that we have been able to find additional money which will mean ultimately that children won’t have to be taught in prefabricated buildings any more.” Funding for both schemes has mainly 18
come from the Primary Capital programme. Headteacher at Four Oaks, Sara Howard, said: “I am delighted that we are soon to have a brand new state-of-the-art school and I know that children and their families along with staff and governors can’t wait for it to be completed. “It will really enhance the learning and enjoyment of our pupils, and the whole
school community is really excited. “We only came together as one school at Easter, but already the children have bonded together really well. Many have said they would never have met many of their new best friends if Hope Valley and Breckfield hadn’t federated.” Work started in January 2011 and the new school is expected to open to pupils in April 2012.
Pupils grow their own
Pupils at St Anne’s RC Primary School, Liverpool are cooking up a storm in their newly refurbished school kitchen. The school has become part of ‘Let’s Get Cooking’, a national network of cooking clubs for children, families and their communities across England. The scheme aims to teach pupils a new healthy eating skill in a bid to increase their intake of nutritionally healthy foods. The pupils have also opened an allotment and are growing their own vegetables and herbs and will be using them in their future recipes and meals.
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Education News
Liverpool students to face annual university fees of £7,000 New figures reveal that Liverpool’s future students could face annual fees of over £7,000. The analysis, from the University and College Union (UCU), shows how much every English university would need to charge in tuition fees in order to maintain current levels of income in the face of massive government cuts to teaching budgets. Students at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) would be hardest hit, paying £7,019 in tuition fees each year, while those at Liverpool John Moores University would have to pay
£6,802 annually. Future students at Liverpool Hope University would face a bill of £6,750 for a year’s tuition and their contemporaries at the University of Liverpool would need to pay £6,503. The new national average fee would be £6,863. MPs voted on plans to triple university tuition fees to £9,000 a year. The government has claimed that it would be exceptional for a university to charge more than £6,000 a year, but the UCU analysis has found that every single English institution with undergraduates would have to charge more than £6,000 a
year just to maintain current funding levels. In draft guidance recently released, the government said that any institution wishing to charge more than £6,000 a year would need to agree an ‘access agreement’ with the university access regulator OFFA. Any institution that breaches or fails to deliver its access agreement would face a fine of up to £500,000. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Government claims that universities will only charge more than £6,000 a year in exceptional circumstances are completely
North Liverpool to be a hub for youth music North Liverpool is rapidly becoming a hub for the region’s young musicians and its reputation is being strengthened further with news the Saturday Morning Music Centre has moved from its city centre base to Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts in Everton Valley. Saturday Morning Music Centre provides opportunities for youngsters aged 3 – 21 years throughout Merseyside with well known and established ensembles like the 80 piece Liverpool Youth Orchestra and the Liverpool Youth Choir rehearsing alongside early years music making, jazz groups, brass and windbands. Jonathan Dickson, Head of the service believes the move only strengthens the reputation of the arts in the north of the city. “Our team is already based at Notre Dame and it’s a unique partnership between a city wide service providing music tuition and a specialist arts college. Thanks to Notre Dame Catholic College for 20
the Arts and its continuing work in the community, North Liverpool is becoming a focal point for arts and music education. The college is developing some fantastic ideas to use Saturday mornings as an opportunity to provide activities for both pupil and parent alike, so watch this space!” Headteacher of Notre Dame, Frances Harrison adds, “this ongoing partnership between Notre Dame and the Music Support Service is a ground-breaking one in the UK and we are committed to furthering our policy of arts for all in ensuring each child can learn and access a music education”.
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Sally Hunt
bogus when one scratches at the surface of the plans. By removing the entire teaching grant and making students foot the bill we will see whole subject areas starved of public funds and potentially forced to close.”
Positive progress for Knowsley Ofsted inspectors have recognised that Knowsley’s childrens services are performing well, with the large majority of services, settings and institutions being rated good or better. This includes primary schools, most special schools, children’s homes and pupil referral unit. This follows on from Ofsted’s last inspection of safeguarding and looked after children which judged strategic leadership and management to be outstanding along with the capacity to improve for both safeguarding and looked after services as well. Resources have been invested successfully in strengthening child protection services and in supporting the major re-organisation of the borough’s schools. Knowsley recognised certian issues and are tackling: • Obesity rates amongst primary school children • Persistent absenteeism although figures are falling each year • The number of all 19-year-olds getting good qualifications being below average although young people from low-income families do much better than their peers in similar authorities Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, said: “We are pleased with the report, which highlights the many positive achievements of our children’s services team, as well as confirming some areas which Knowsley has already recognised as being in need of improvement and development.”
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Education News
Hope opens stunning new Education Building Liverpool Hope University has officially opened its stunning new Education building which brings a whole new look to the front of its Hope Park campus. The £8.5m Centre for Education, Innovation and Enterprise, officially to be referred to as the Education and Enterprise (EDEN) building, includes a 250-seat lecture theatre with international conference facilities. Professor Bart McGettrick, Dean of Education said: “This is an exciting time, not only for the faculty but also for the University as a whole. The new Centre is a wonderful building which will facilitate new ways of thinking about education. Its design and outlook makes it a meeting space as much as a teaching space. It humanises the process of education and is a great new facility for Liverpool.” The EDEN building will be home to the University’s Education Faculty and will also be used by Liverpool’s wider education community. It accommodates five new Research Centres – for Culture and Disability Studies, Pedagogy, Child and Family, Christian Education and International and Development Education. The top floor of the new Eden building is dedicated to CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and Outreach and will be used extensively by schools and the University's partner organisations. Those rooms will be used by teachers and education professionals from across the city in order to develop their own skills. It is also designed to increase innovation and enable businesses to benefit from the knowledge, research and expertise of the University and will also house the University’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) office and Enterprise Desk. Further developments at Hope’s main campus in South Liverpool include a brand new refurbished food court. The 350-seat ‘Fresh Hope’ includes a highspec food hall, restaurant, coffee shop, lounge and convenience store. At the University’s Creative Campus in Liverpool City Centre, a new library and Reading Room have now been opened joining the impressive Capstone Building housing Liverpool’s newest performance venue ‘Hope Theatre’ and Angel Field garden which were unveiled in March 2010.
Hitting the right notes A teacher who brings music education into classrooms across Liverpool has been named as Classic FM’s Peripatetic Music Teacher of the Year. Jean Tremarco, who has taken part in high profile music events across the city including The Wreck of the Titanic at the Liverpool Philharmonic and Supersing at the Echo Arena, is the Coordinator of Classroom Support at the Liverpool Music Support Service, which is based at Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts in Everton. Jean’s job involves managing a team of music teachers who work in schools across Liverpool providing music curriculum. Pupils can access singing, playing and creating music, also playing an instrument as part of the Wider Opportunities programme. Each Thursday evening, Jean runs a music centre with an instrumental team which is open to all pupils in the city learning instruments with many going on to play in orchestras. Jean says she was surprised when she received the news of her success over half term, “When I heard of my win I was shocked, overwhelmed but absolutely thrilled! I love my work and get so much pleasure working with the children helping to develop their musical skills. I also work with some amazing teachers and have learned from the best. Music is a subject which touches many and I'm privileged to share in that. Thank you to those who nominated me and to all staff and pupils I work with!” The judges said: “Jean has been working for the Liverpool Music Support Service for five years and in the judges’ opinion, epitomises the whole idea of the Peripatetic Music teacher. Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Focus Group
Educate’s roundtable
The University of Life What are the opportunities that lie ahead? And what direction should your child take?
Employment Apprenticeships Further Education University
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While many would argue that the rising costs of university tuition fees have put a question mark over this route for school-leavers, our panel look at the opportunities available to young people today and how the current system needs to change.
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Andy Dockerty,
Professor Bill Jones,
managing director at Adlib Audio
Hope University lecturer in politics
Our panel enjoyed the afternoon tea at Neighbourhood on Woolton Road, a stone’s throw from Liverpool Hope University and a number of good local primary and secondary schools.
Are you concerned by the recent news of rising fees for students, and the cuts to university budgets? BJ: Yes, particularly about the cuts in the higher education sector, which seem particularly severe. Under even the Labour government I would have expected funding to be reigned in, but these cuts in funding could see a number of small universities go to the wall. However, the impact under the coalition is less severe than I would have expected under a Tory government. Luckily, Liverpool Hope University is in good financial health, but nobody is safe at the moment. University teaching budgets have been cut by 70 per cent, and I don’t see how some institutions will survive. There is something to be said about the structure of the changes which will mean that students do not have to pay their fees upfront, as they have in the past, so a lot of concessions have been made for poorer students. AD: In my industry I see so many students come from courses which are useless, and the education has been sold to them. Often these courses aren’t recognized by the industries they’re supposed to be concerned with, for example the multimedia and creative and cultural courses. The downside affects both the students and employers, because they’re looking for
people with the right skills to recruit. That money has been wasted and should be better spent – and I’d argue that the academic courses do merit the use of resources. That’s where their strengths are, and it’s an area where they do deliver very well. We talk about the rising costs in students’ fees, but these loans don’t have to be repaid until the students are in employment which pays them a certain amount. If someone said to me they were thinking about not going to university because they had to make the repayments, I’d wonder why they didn’t have more faith in themselves succeeding…or think perhaps that they should reconsider that particular career path. Is the prevailing culture that going to university is the only way to secure a better life wrong? AD: There is certainly a problem in this area, and it’s a difficult one to address. Every parent wants the best for their child and, depending on their own experiences, they may well encourage them to go to university. Having not been through that system myself, my knowledge is limited of it, but I would urge anyone who wanted to enter the professions and had a passion for a degree course and the academic ability to do it. In my experience, those who succeed
are those with a hunger and a passion to do well – no matter what their subject. That applies to vocations as well though, and without the passion and the interest in the relevant area, young people do struggle. What needs to happen, is for there to be investment in integrating the school to work transition, as something is currently missing to link up those two for our young people. BJ: We suffer in this country from so many parents who don’t take enough interest in their children’s lives, and we see a number of teenagers drifting through school without any idea of what they’d like to do, or could be good at. There’s a huge number of people who lack aspirations, and in many ways we suffer from a poverty of aspiration. On the continent we see much stronger family networks and this has a really positive influence on every aspect then of the child’s life. There’s such huge potential, but then there’s a dominant apathy which seems to prevail. It sounds really negative, and it doesn’t apply to every family, but it’s definitely out there. An attitude which takes so much granted has ramifications throughout society. Young people who don’t have the role models to show them the expectations of the world of work so they won’t see the value in work experience, or in being punctual, and standards will suffer.
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Focus Group
Some would argue that for some students on certain courses, university education provides false hope…do you agree? AD: Absolutely. As an employer in the creative and cultural sector, and bearing in mind the incredible diversity of jobs this sector covers, courses for students in recent years have been completely irrelevant as indications of how a student will get on in the workplace. In the first place, and I’m speaking mainly about college courses here, the institutions are poorly equipped to deliver an ‘education’ in this area. They don’t have the facilities and the knowledge they can provide is out of date – sometimes by 20 years. In the music business, where sound engineering and lighting design are seeing advancements all of the time, it just wouldn’t be feasible for courses to deliver the sort of training which apprentices receive in the workplace. There’s the added problem that a number of courses in these areas are designed with theatres in mind – taking no account of how a sound engineer’s job would be completely different in a live event to in a theatre, and the different skills and ways of working needed. BJ: I know that our university makes its courses very relevant to the workforce, and as a result has a high graduate employment rate. However, there are many courses where the same cannot be said. For a number of students I’ve taught over the years, however, in a number of institutions I have wondered whether it’s really the best option for them. They haven’t seemed to want to work. Unlike the mature students, they haven’t got the same focus – they don’t see the importance of it to their lives.
“Schools very rarely cover the concept of work, and what work experience is for, but this could make a real difference to young people” Andy Dockerty
Is there anything that could or should be done to create more opportunities? AD: It certainly wouldn’t be just to add another course to the list…Schools very rarely cover the concept of work, and what work experience is for, but this could make a real difference to young people, if they took up the opportunity. It needs to be taken more seriously. Parents are, of course, very influential in the decisions their children make, and those who’ve visited our premises have been absolutely blown away by the warehouse and the
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facilities. They can see the opportunity there to get real, relevant work experience that can lead to full-time employment there and on tours all over the world. That’s why we have started running full-day events at schools to get keen youngsters to find out what it’s really like on the job, and for them to see if they have what it takes. Either way, it’s certainly educational for them. We’ll host a live event at the school, and the pupils will have to work on arranging and creating every aspect of that from lighting to sound to ticketing. It’s tough, and it’s not glamorous, but it’s a true reflection of the job. BJ: There’s also a disparity between the focus on opportunities for kids of differing abilities. For the more academic there is plenty of choice, but for the lower ability there needs to be more variety of training and opportunity to find their skills and career opportunities. How does Britain hold up against the continent in opportunities for young people? BJ: In Germany, the apprenticeship system seems to be alive and well. That was our system, and while we couldn’t make it work for us the Germans too it and it’s been incredibly successful. They cracked it. We really need to focus on this area. It’s not a new viewpoint; politicians have been saying it for years but we need to keep on saying it! What’s needed is a rediscovery of the apprenticeship system for our young people. What are the issues for employers? AD: Out of the huge sector of creative and cultural skills, something like only three per cent of people go into jobs in that sector - according to 2008 figures. Immediately you can see the problem in matching up those jobs to the huge numbers of students on courses! At the same time, there are so many colleges trying to sell the creative and cultural apprenticeships to businesses, but the businesses aren’t interested. What they want to know is that they can select good candidates for their apprenticeships. The system can be very restrictive, and at times lacks common sense and vision. There’s a tick box mentality to employment and apprenticeships which isn’t flexible
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to suit the needs of individuals which means that young people are missing out. Of course, 90 per cent of the time the rules work just fine, but there are occasions when some relaxation of the requirements could open more doors. How are employers in our area looking for solutions? AD: About 18 months ago now, Dave Kay – one of my fellow directors – and I became part of the Creative Apprenticeships Steering Group which has representatives from business and from the educational providers, to work together to see how we can help young people to take advantage of the opportunities available. This is definitely a step in the right direction. The better use of traditional, existing courses, which have come about through partnerships between employers and the colleges, combine the best training which each can offer in their particular areas. We have apprentices with us, for four days a week, and on the fifth day they’ll study basic electrics at the college. Courses like basic electrical skills and health and safety – and across a wide area of industries – the colleges are well equipped to provide. For the practical application of skills and specialist on-the-job knowledge, working in the business is most useful. Have we lost something valuable in the British education system by doing away with polytechnic status? BJ: On balance, I don’t think we have. Polytechnics already acted as degree giving institutions so it was not illogical to grant them university status. Maybe their 'elevation' distracted them from their former role in providing courses of a more vocational nature so that might be seen as a 'loss' however. The problem with the British education system is that we’ve tried to reinvent the wheel. While I took the academic route, going to university and studying for a doctorate, my brother took an apprenticeship at Rolls Royce, worked hard, and became a millionaire. His training was excellent grounding for his success, but apprenticeship numbers dropped and further education and college hasn’t filled the gap. The teaching focus isn’t always quite right, the funding doesn’t allow for the most up-to-date resources and the
relevance of the courses to industry is sometimes tenuous. AD: A few years ago, careers advisors would put students off jobs like, becoming a sound engineer. To pursue that, the student would have had to be very keen and found out about it themselves. Today, a course like that will be sold to a young person, and when that happens the same passion isn’t there. Students can learn so much more about the real experience on the job. We currently have six ex-Gateacre Comprehensive pupils working for us, and we have seven young people on Creative Apprenticeships across joinery, lighting and audio.
“ What’s needed is a rediscovery of the apprenticeship system for our young people.” Professor Bill Jones How should more able students’ university places be paid for? BJ: We could learn something from the American system which is the most successful in the world, and which sees 50 per cent of students take a university degree (as opposed to 40 per cent in Britain). American students leave university with debts of perhaps a hundred thousand dollars, so they have to be committed to the course they’re pursuing. AD: As we’ve said, the fees don’t have to be repaid until the graduates are earning a certain amount, and I don’t see the problem with that. BJ: I’ve also come to that conclusion. Only a fifth of university students are working class, so 80 per cent of students are considered middle class and they’re the ones that are benefiting most from the higher education system. It wouldn’t be right for the working classes to pay for the education of the middle classes. Are we in danger of creating a two-tier society? BJ: I do worry that there’s a danger of this,
of creating a layer of very privileged and very educated people and another base layer of education for everyone else. AD: There’s a need to look at the bigger picture. Employers need to see how partnerships will work for them. They may have become disillusioned by meeting college graduates who arrive for work or for an interview with little understanding about what a job in their particular industry means, and they need to be convinced by the applicant that that’s the job they want to do. For those that do make it, they’ll have had the drive and the commitment to do their research and get the relevant work experience. There’s a huge difference between this kind of person, and someone who doesn’t know what they want to do but is told by a careers advisor about a course in lighting design; they just don’t have the same passion. No matter whether a young person chooses an academic route or a vocational route, they need to have the motivation to engage with what they’re doing and be hungry to learn. What do you see for the future of education and training, going forwards? BJ: Some of the most focused students I have are mature students. They have some life experience and they’ve seen inside the workplace, and they have a determination to succeed – which means they do very well. With the economic situation being what it is, I think we may see more people mid-career using redundancy as an opportunity to retrain, to explore areas of interest, and to improve their job prospects by going back to or going to university. It could be a very positive development for us, the lecturers, to have so many enthusiastic and mature students, and it could certainly alter the way society sees the traditional, linear path from education into a career. AD: Students will really have to weigh up whether they really want to pursue a course, knowing that it won’t be feasible to drift through university for three years. I would encourage anyone with academic ability and a passion for their subject to go to university, but I do think that a better chain between schools and work experience and apprenticeships could be the answer for a number of young people.
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Secondary News
City first for Calderstones Every Child Matters Award
Rita Cheminais presents the award to Headteacher Brian Davies Calderstones School, Liverpool became the first school in the city and one of only a small handful of schools nationally to achieve the Every Child Matters Award following an external assessment in 2010. An assessment day was the final stage in the process after a number of staff led by Sharon Maguire, Assistant Headteacher, who had spent a number of months looking at the practices and
policies in place at the school to show how committed the school is to its pupils wellbeing and development and its relationships with the community around the school. The assessment included meetings with a number of staff and pupils within the school, pupils giving the assessor – Rita Cheminais from ECM Solutions – a full tour of the school, lesson observations and observing pupil activities around the
school at break and lunchtime. Assistant Headteacher, Sharon Maguire, said: “Working towards this award gave us the opportunity to evaluate and strengthen existing policies and practices. At Calderstones School, particular attention is given to ensuring that the school is a safe place for students to work, we promote exceptional harmony between our students and they feel secure and valued”.
Wedding Planners of the Future Year 10 girls from Archbishop Blanch School, Liverpool recently took part in the Liverpool Schools Enterprise Challenge held in association with The Liner Hotel at Liverpool. The challenge was to design, coordinate and plan a wedding within a restricted budget and then pitch a presentation to an audience. The judges were a panel from Liverpool Compact and The Liner Hotel. Against strong competition from other schools Archbishop Blanch School won the challenge and brought home the trophy. Pictured left are team members: Helena, Charlotte, Erin, Faye, Elizabeth and Nicola 26
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Secondary News
Students face the Dragons Young entrepreneurs from Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts were invited into the ‘dragons’ den to showcase their business skills in order to support top North West charity Nugent Care, in the run up to Christmas. As part of the challenge, Year Ten students at the college in Everton were tasked to design an innovative product, working in teams to develop a full business plan with budgets and costs to then present their ideas in front of the panel of chosen Notre Dame judges. The group of judges included former student and cosmopolitan business woman of the year 2007 Clare Molyneux
MBE and members of staff from Nugent Care, including Marie Reynolds (Fundraising Manager) who is a former head girl at the College. Headteacher of Notre Dame, Frances Harrison, also one of this years judges commented; “This has been a fantastic opportunity to support such a worthy charity that has a long history in promoting education for children for hundreds of years. “Everyone has really got behind the charity, and the high calibre of the student’s projects clearly show their hard work and effort put in to make this day such a huge success.”
Judges pose for photos with Year 10 students
‘Rude Science’ workshop It was a very cold morning when a group of Year 8 pupils from Broadgreen International School joined pupils from St Edwards College to look into the Science of the human body....with a twist. Pupils were challenged in working out the surface area of your skin and how many hairs are on an average body, (did you know the only places on your skin without hair is the palm of your hand and the sole of your foot?). Other nasty experiments included making snot and ear wax plus finding all about dandruff Broadgreen students test the viscousity and urine. of ‘snot’
Motoring success Year 12 pupils at St Hilda’s recently took part in a brand new Enterprise day, delivered by the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI). The day focused on highlighting the jobs available within the motor industry and how to get them. A high percentage of our year 12 pupils are females and traditionally the motor industry is not a sector that they would consider as it’s normally perceived as an oil and rag industry. The IMI are keen to change this perception and show young people that the Motor industry can offer so much more. As part of the day the students had the opportunity to visit Peoples Ford, Speke where they met with Jackie Waterhouse, Director & General Manager and Ian Mc Farlane, Group Marketing Director who spoke to the pupils about the various jobs available within the industry. Joanne Poole, Enterprise development officer at St Hilda’s commented “With the demand for University places at its highest and the job market being so competitive we feel students need to be more informed of opportunities available to them when they leave school.” We hope that the day has enthused pupils and opened their eyes to other possibilities not just in the motor industry but in other sectors that they may have dismissed as non-traditional to their sex. The day concluded with a selection of presentations about the various high level jobs available within the industry.
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Secondary News
Gateacre welcomes Rebecca Return for X-Factor singing sensation Pupils and staff at Gateacre Community Comprehensive School in Liverpool welcomed former student Rebecca Ferguson, runner-up in The X Factor recently. The singing sensation from Anfield got a rapturous reception when she visited the school during a flying visit to Liverpool to perform a special concert at the ECHO Arena ahead of the final.
She sang two songs for pupils, including the Robin S dance classic “Show Me Love” which wowed the judges. Deputy Headteacher Catherine Chapman said: “Her voice is outstanding and she’s even better live! “She is very humble and took time to speak to the students and asked them to study hard to achieve their dreams.
“She’s an inspiration to all of them and we were all rooting for her in the competition.” Year seven student Carrigan Mannion added: “It’s really great that she used to come to my school. All my friends voted for her in the competition.” Rebecca was a pupil at the school until 2003.
School celebrates refurbishment The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Hazel Williams and a team of professional Chefs enjoyed a school meal at Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby, Liverpool recently to celebrate refurbishments made to the college dining room and the impact this has had on students’ GCSE results. Martin Kane, deputy head at the Holly Lodge Girls’ College, said: “By re-structuring lunchtimes, serving better quality food and improving the total dining experience we have seen a substantial improvement in concentration levels in the afternoon and this in turn has had an impact on academic achievement. “Last year the number of A*-C at Grade C & above including English & Maths was 34%. This year it increased to 51%. Similarly, 59% of students gained 5 A*-C at Grade C and above compared to 86% this year.” Holly Lodge Girls’ College is a Food for Life Partnership flagship school. It is currently working towards the Food for Life Partnership Gold Mark – the national award, which recognises schools that use practical learning experiences to re-connect young people to the food they eat, following the journey from field to plate. As part of this mission, Holly Lodge organised a day to 28
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celebrate their redesigned food courts. The celebration also included a visit from the Food for Life Partnership Cooking Bus, a mobile kitchen/classroom which bought practical cooking skills to not only the pupils and the teachers, but also members of the local community.
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This is a school with energy, ambition and high aspirations for its students
CHILDWALL SCHOOL A Specialist Sports & Science College
Anyone wishing to view the school please contact 0151 722 1561 Headteacher: Dewi Phillips Fiveways, Queens Drive, Liverpool L15 6XZ E: admin@childwallsc.co.uk W: www.childwallsc.co.uk
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Meet the Headteacher Phil Jamieson, Alsop High School
When Phil Jamieson steps down as head teacher in July, it will mark the end of a career spanning almost four decades at Alsop High School. But whilst retirement will allow him more time at home away from the world of work his legacy will continue to be felt throughout the school.
Learn, Achieve and Be Successful When Phil arrived at Alsop in 1972 it was a relatively small split-site north Liverpool boys’ secondary school. Since then he has overseen its transformation into the coeducational technology and specialist learning college of today, ranked fourth in Liverpool for achievement, and offering students a broad range of learning opportunities. There is fulsome praise among staff, students and governors for Phil’s accomplishments. So much so that the final building project, which was completed last term, is named after him. Phil’s life in education began at the opposite end of Queens Drive, as a pupil at Quarry Bank, Calderstones. Said Phil: “I enjoyed my own school days and I suppose I wanted to pass this love of learning on. I joined Alsop as a PE teacher, studied for a degree in 30
management with the Open University, became pastoral head of year and then deputy head before taking over as head in 1997. “During my time here I’ve witnessed major secondary reorganisation across the city, as well as the changes that have taken place within Alsop. It became a mixed school when girls were invited to join in 1985 and in 1989 we settled permanently at the current site on Queens Drive. The school today – with 1,800 students – is far bigger than when I started.” Phil believes that many of Alsop’s positive outcomes can be linked to the cultural changes at the school, which he has promoted consistently. Said Phil: “The culture here is one of success now and this goes for the school as a whole as well as individually. “I try to instil in students that they can
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achieve their goals if they really put the effort in, whether that goal is academic, sporting or musical. The school motto, Learn Achieve and Be Successful, has really helped to inspire this culture, and it goes beyond nurturing the most academic students.” For example Alsop boasts three vocational centres designed to train students for the workplace. Aspire Hair
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and Beauty and Aspire Construction are two of the school’s initiatives which aim to prepare students for work. The salon, based in Walton village, allows students to train in hairdressing and beauty in a work based environment. Not only has it has become popular with friends and family - mums and grandmas especially – but it is a great community resource. There is also Aspire Construction which is a purpose built construction centre teaching bricklaying, joinery and painting and decorating skills. “Students get the chance to study, hands on, towards a diploma in construction or hairdressing and are taught by qualified professionals” said Phil. The school, in partnership with Notre Dame Catholic College and The North Liverpool Academy, funds Inspire, the third work-based initiative. It is a state of the art computer suite in the Connect Business Village in Bootle, and the first project of its kind in the north west to offer students the chance to study for an ICT Diploma. This, like the construction
centre and hair and beauty salon, is an important way to promote trades as a real alternative to higher education. The culmination of the £20million Building Schools for the Future project was the new building, which the school has opted to name after its industrious head teacher. Quite coy about The Jamieson Building, Phil smiled and said: ‘It’s highly embarrassing but really very nice of them. It houses our dining area, a dance studio and music and drama centre.
“
I try to instil in students that they can achieve their goals if they really put the effort in
”
“The school is really going from strength to strength. GCSE achievement has trebled over the past decade, the 6th form has trebled and we now have a 99 per cent pass rate at A’Level.” And on the site of the old Queens Drive baths is
now Alsop’s sports centre, a facility which is also used by the local community. “72 students progressed to university last year and results are improving constantly” said Phil. “The broad spectrum of subjects available for students means that every student can excel at something, be it sport, problem solving in a practical way or academically. This then raises their awareness of what is possible and feeds our culture of constant self improvement.” On retirement in the summer Phil (a lifelong Liverpool season ticked holder) is looking forward to spending more time travelling and relaxing with his family although he hopes to maintain some of his educational links “maybe in a consultancy capacity… “It is certainly a great time for someone to take over the reigns,’ he said, ‘and move the school up to the next level. We have created a great educational culture for our students, their needs are always of prime importance and Alsop will go on to be even more successful in the future.”
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ALSOP HIGH SCHOOL Technology and Applied Learning Specialist College Queens Drive, Walton, Liverpool L4 6SH Tel No. 0151-235-1200
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday, 3rd February 6.00pm – 8.00pm Why choose Alsop Sixth Form Centre? • We are one of the top four Sixth Form Centres in Liverpool. • In 2010 we had record results with a 99% pass rate at post 16. • There are over 50 different courses on offer, including A Levels, BTECs and the new Diplomas. • We have a £20 million BSF building programme providing specialist areas including a cyber café exclusively for Sixth Form students. • We have links with other schools providing access to even more courses. “Alsop High School is an outstanding school. Students make excep onal progress” - Ofsted
Please come and look around and meet our staff and students.
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MEMORABLE PHOTOGRAPHS MAKE PIECES OF ART FROM YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES
We will design an individual montage for you. A great way to showcase and display your photographs in the home. See something different each time you look at the picture. Simply send your digital photos by email or we can scan traditional photos. Canvas or framed prints available in various sizes. TO PLACE YOUR ORDER OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MEMORABLEPHOTOGRAPHS.CO.UK
Worried about your Child’s education? Do you recognise any of these problems? Counting on fingers when adding up Difficulty with subtraction • Can’t grasp times tables • Little interest in reading Finds reading hard • Poor spelling Poor handwriting • Poor concentration Learning problems such as these can blight educational progression. However,they can be overcome in as little as 4-6 months CALL TODAY for a free consultation Find out how your child can succeed. Don’t fail your child. Help them to a bright and prosperous future.
One phone call is all it takes
0151 424 2765 Tom Ledson, BA(Hons) Msc PGCE Halton Bridge Therapy and Training 2 Vine Street, Widnes WA8 6DW
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Secondary News
College welcomes acclaimed author
Alex aims for the top Students at Childwall Sports College were delighted to meet the famous author David Whiteley recently. David who graduated from Oxford University with a Double First in English Literature has a passion for writing children’s fiction. At the age of seventeen his first children’s novel was shortlisted for the Kathleen Fiddler Award and at twenty he won the Cheshire Prize for Literature for a Children’s Short Story making him the youngest writer ever to win this prestigious award. After that David wrote his well known novel entitled “The Midnight Charter”. The story takes place in the City of Agora where everything can be bought and sold and two children stumble upon the mysterious, and dangerous,
Midnight Charter. Students at Childwall Sports College were delighted to work with David and during the course of the session with him students produced their own imaginative writing which was highly commended by David. Childwall Sports College promotes literacy and writing and is delighted always to welcome authors and poets to the school. The most recent visit by David Whiteley was a huge success. Headteacher, Dewi Phillips, said: “I am really grateful to David for spending some time with our budding novelists. Students thoroughly enjoyed meeting David and have been hugely encouraged by him to write their own works. I look forward to the next David Whiteley coming from Childwall Sports College!”
Belvedere Drama Festival Every year the Belvedere Academy hosts an annual Drama Festival, a day of performances across KS3. This tradition has become an integral part of the school year, with plans already afoot for 2011! Talented sixth formers select a form group and write or select a script of their choice and then spend weeks in rehearsal, directing and managing the divas in their forms! The talent of Belvedere never fails to amaze and this year was no exception. The final rehearsal day turns the school upside down with colour and costumes, hair spray and glitter. Peter Pan was seen sitting alongside Harry Potter while Sleeping Beauty competed with the cast of ‘The Only Way is Liverpool’ in the queue to perform on stage. The end result was an overwhelming success and performances this year hit an all time high. Eventually the overall winners were announced and the cast and directors of ‘Dracula Spectacular’ took their rightful place in the cannons of history and took home the trophy amongst tears of joy and delight. 34
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Ormskirk’s young hockey umpire Alex Whalley was recently selected to attend a highly prestigious national High Performance Assessment Camp (HiPAC) event. The HiPACs, run by England Hockey, are the most prestigious non-tournament events in the national hockey calendar and Alex, who is in Merchant Taylors’ Sixth Form, has been selected as one of only six young umpires nationwide to attend this year! The residential three-day camp aims to give talented young umpires such as Alex first-hand experience of an international training camp environment, in preparation for potential future involvement in a National Age Group Squad (NAGS). Competition for places was extremely high and he benefitted a large amount from a packed programme of exciting activities and coaching. Alex received high level training, led by England Hockey appointed coaches, he also attended workshops on subjects such as anti-doping, injury management and nutrition. The Sixth former, has umpired some of the regional events for U18 / U16 boys. He continues to umpire games of a high standard at club level and his coaches say he is one of the most promising young umpires involved in the game and will hopefully get to umpire at the very highest level. Alex said: “I found the course demanding but very rewarding, and it is very exciting to be selected among the best young umpires nationwide. I hope to further my achievements with umpiring in tangent with pursuing a career in the financial services.”
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Secondary News
Students prove to be super stars College raises funds for Imagine Appeal Kirkby Sports College (KSC) students staged a Super Star Competition to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Imagine Appeal. Year 7s were responsible for organising, marketing, and producing goods to sell at a Summer Fayre during a project day in the English department. The fun day included face painting, manicures, beat the rat competitions and jewellery stalls that sold jewels designed by the KSC students. To end the day there was a Super Star Competition, Staff versus Year 7 students, in which there were a series of stamina events and
challenge courses organised; KSC students were declared the champion super stars despite a valiant effort by the staff. Acting Principal Pam Kilham said: "This was a wonderful experience for staff and students alike who all really enjoyed the day. The English homebase, for a few hours at least, took on the identity and atmosphere of a mini village green. I am delighted that so much money was raised for such a worthwhile charity". Pictured right are current Year 8 students presenting Irene Axon from the Imagine Appeal with a cheque for £341.
Talented duo Students dance their way to Shanghai English National Ballet invited St John Bosco Arts College to audition 22 students from Year 7 to Year 13 to perform a contemporary version of the ballet Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in London, this project involved five schools across the UK and China. St John Bosco was lucky enough to be invited to take two students to Shanghai, St John Bosco Arts College Beijing and Hong Kong to perform on UK National Day students Abby Lewis and Lauren McQueen in Shanghai as part of the professional programming at the world expo in Shanghai, alongside the English National Ballet, Shanghai Ballet and London Symphony Orchestra. Students from St John Bosco Arts College Abby Lewis and Lauren McQueen accompanied by their teacher Diana Strevens flew to Shanghai to perform at this prestigious event. The students performed Swanning Around with larger groups from Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. The chorographers from the English National Ballet adapted the piece to portray the traditional Chinese culture. The two students were lucky enough to be able to perform for the Duke of York, Prince Andrew who met with the girls afterwards to discuss their experience. Following the performance the students were able to visit the expo site with their new Chinese friends and were taken on a private tour of the UK pavilion. On their sightseeing days they were able to visit the Yuan Gardens, the Old town, the famous Jade Budda temple, the Pearl Tower and take a boat trip along the Bund Huang River.
Historic school re-born Students and staff at Liverpool’s biggest secondary school recently celebrated the official opening of the stunning new £18 million Alsop Technology College. The 84-year-old school has undergone a complete transformation, with a new, three-storey teaching and activities block and 36 classrooms with retractable walls, to allow for flexible lessons which adapt to the needs of young people. The school also features a new dance studio, new areas for dining and socialising and bright, open atrium areas. And specialist business studies classrooms and cutting-edge ICT equipment will further boost the school curriculum. The new building has been named the "Jamieson" building, in recognition of almost 40 years of service from current headteacher Phil Jamieson. Headteacher Phil Jamieson said: “This is a momentous day for Alsop School and we are absolutely delighted to be formally opening the doors of our new facility. “It’s vital that our young people have the very best learning tools and are taught in a modern, attractive environment. Our new building will transform life at the school and drive up education standards across the board. “Staff and students have been fully involved in these ambitious plans right from the start and it’s wonderful to see our dream become a reality. It really is a new era for Alsop. These massive improvements will bring huge benefits to young people for generations to come.”
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Specialist Art Schools
The establishment of specialist schools status has a strong reinforcing and positive effect upon school ethos. It significantly enhances the school’s appeal within the local community and is associated with raising academic performance. As part of a special series, we will be looking at specialist status schools in Merseyside, their achievements and their links to the community.
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“We believe participation in the arts underpins the student’s creativity in the classroom.” Lesley Bentley, director of arts at Notre Dame Catholic College
The role of specialist arts and music colleges, working to develop the subject in secondary schools and working in partnership with primary schools with the same aim should not be underestimated. Specialist schools are committed to working with partner schools and the wider community; this partnership is an important aspect of being a successful specialist school. Its status is a particularly effective form of school improvement because of its focus on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning both within and across subject areas. It is also an important means of raising attainment and improving performance. Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts is one such school who has seen a significant improvement after OFSTED named it as the highest achieving girls’ school in the country for student progress. Director of arts at Notre Dame Catholic College, Lesley Bentley commented: “Here at Notre Dame, we believe participation in the arts underpins the student’s creativity in the classroom. We were first granted official arts college status in 2002 and since then the college has gone from strength to strength. The college now has a 500-seat auditorium and state of the art professional dance and drama studios. As well as providing an interactive arts-based curriculum for our pupils, part of Notre Dame’s commitment includes extending our expertise and facilities out to the local community and other schools in the city.” The launch of the high-tech ArtsBus, with a recording studio, software for interactive musical tuition and performance centre, provides a mobile centre for creative training and performance to every child in Merseyside.
Formby High School, which specialises in performing Arts and Science, has worked with a range of local arts organisations including the Liverpool Philharmonic, LIPA and National Festival of Music for Youth to name just a few. Originally, Formby High were designated a joint performing arts college with Maghull High. Formby always had a strength in Music and Drama and have built upon this experience to create an outstanding performing arts faculty with an equally strong dance and music technology dimension. Since 2006, they have operated independently. “We are now one of the leading performing arts colleges
in the country, with an acclaimed school and community arts programme,” says Steve Cook, Director of Performing Arts. “In 2008, we spearheaded the huge 'Itoku' project for Capital of Culture involving 35 Sefton schools and over 1000 young performers, culminating in a schools opera in Liverpool Cathedral. We have also developed strong international links through performance tours to China, Kenya and Canada. We are currently preparing for a new tour to Las Vegas and Flagstaff during Easter 2011.” It is this vital partnership between local arts organisations and specialist arts schools, which takes the practice of the classroom into the outside world, providing a complete education. Currently there are a number of organisations working with local schools giving an insight into the art world. The Liverpool Empire Theatre has an Education and Community department that works with a number of specialist arts schools in the area. Natalie Flynn, Head of Education and Community at the Empire, commented: “Our department has been pleased to offer workshops linked to our shows and backstage tours with a specific focus on careers within the performing arts industries. It is important for organisations such as ourselves to work with specialist arts schools as we can offer an invaluable resource to those who wish to pursue a career in the performing arts industry in later life which complements the excellent teaching within the schools.” The Everyman and Playhouse theatres work with over 80 schools, college and universities across the North West. The theatres have over30 formal partnerships with educational organisations in the area. Of that number, eight are ‘unique’
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Specialist Art Schools
“Arts College Status enables us to deliver a quality curriculum that motivates, inspires and challenges our students.” Rosemary Pritchard, Deputy Headteacher at St John Bosco
partners. Unique partners pay £1000 per academic for a bespoke programme of activities planned in close collaboration with the theatres’ Education Department. They receive £600 of ticket credit, reduced tickets prices, free workshops and tours, membership of the theatres’ Drama Teacher’s Forum and support where appropriate. Specialist art school St John Bosco is a member of the unique partner scheme. The theatres have worked with them on a number of projects including a social drama project about homelessness, which involved the entire Year 9 class, and ‘In My Liverpool Home’ with all of Year 7 creating pieces relating to religious faiths in the local community. “Arts College Status enables us to deliver a quality curriculum that motivates, inspires and challenges our students through creative, aesthetic and innovative approaches to teaching and learning,” says Rosemary Pritchard, Deputy Headteacher at St John Bosco. “Our vision is that every member of our school community deserves the opportunities to flourish and fulfill their potential with hope and confidence. Through our many valued partnerships and links with outside arts organisations, we have provided enriching and transformation learning experiences for a great majority of our students. Over the last two years, we have committed to projects with The English National Ballet who toured in Liverpool in 2009, The Echo Arena, The Everyman Theatre and LIPA.” Emma Smith, Education Coordinator for the Everyman and Playhouse, commented: “It is a great pleasure to work closely with schools such as St John Bosco High School. Their specialist arts status raises the profile of the arts across the school.
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“Providing opportunities for students to work with professionals in the industry makes for meaningful work.” Emma Smith, Education Coordinator for the Everyman and Playhouse
Providing opportunities for students to work with professionals in the industry makes for meaningful work that is endorsed and celebrated by the school community.” Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts also runs an active programme of activities with local schools as part of its widening participation strategy. “For the last two years we have been working regularly with students in local schools who have demonstrated some talent in performing arts/creative subjects and who are from backgrounds without a family history of going on to Higher Education,” said Corinne Lewis Director of Marketing and student Recruitment at LIPA. They provide regular after school classes and workshops and have also provided specialist summer schools to help to raise their aspirations to go on to study a performing arts or related subject at university. It seems likely that employment prospects in conventional jobs will continue to diminish for school leavers - not through lack of qualifications but through lack of jobs. Young people cannot enter nonexistent jobs, however well qualified they may be. A narrowing of the curriculum helps in these new social circumstances with links to the local community and employers paving the way for employment for school leavers.
Merseyside Schools with Specialist Art Status Formby High School Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning Notre Dame Catholic College St John Bosco Arts College
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Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts
6th Form Open Evening Tuesday 8 February 2011 Starts 6.00pm All welcome
ES
T
A H QU'IL
BON
LE BON DIE U
Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts Established 1869
Everton Valley L4 4EZ Telephone: 0151 263 3104 Fax: 0151 260 1849 ao@notredame.liverpool.sch.uk www.notredameliverpool.com Headteacher Mrs F Harrison BSc (Hons) NPQH
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Help and advice
Dear Educate
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My daughter has started secondary school last September and I have noticed already some catty playground behavior between the girls which seems to be causing my daughter some distress. My advice to her has been that, if the girls she wants to play with are being unkind, she should tell a teacher or find some other girls to play with. My son, who’s older, has gone through school without experiencing anything like this kind of behaviour. I’m not sure if I am giving her the right advice and how best to deal with it. This sort of behaviour among girls is pretty common, especially in the later years of primary school and in the first year of secondary school when pupils are learning about their emotions and how to manage them. The government’s recommendations for PSHE lessons often address this sort of behaviour in class, with the aim for pupils to be able to look objectively at their behaviour and how they can treat each other with respect. Of course, however, problems still arise from time to time and bullying can become a problem. You have done the right thing to tell your daughter to find other girls to spend time with, and if the problems persist then she should speak to her form tutor who will know the girls involved and will sit down with all the pupils to get to the bottom of things. The form tutor may then even address the issue in form period time/academic review. If the situation worsens, you could try writing or ‘phoning the school to speak to the form tutor personally, or to the head of year, to discuss a plan of action. For now, keep an eye on it, making sure that your daughter does not become unhappy and that her schoolwork does not suffer, and try not to worry.
My son is now in juniors and gets a reasonable amount of homework per week. However, I have noticed from talking to other parents that their children, who attend other schools, get quite different homework. Are there guidelines available of what amount and what type of homework this age group could be getting per week? The previous government’s guidelines on homework have not yet been updated by the coalition and still stand. They emphasise the
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importance of out of school learning, and profess a strong belief in partnerships between parents and teachers. Homework tasks will vary between schools, even for the same age groups, because the curriculum is varied and the class teacher will be working to suit the different capabilities of the students. If you’re concerned about the level at which the tasks are set, then you should speak to the class teacher. If your son is finding the tasks accessible and enjoyable, and is learning then you have no need to worry at this stage. If you’d like to look at some additional resources to help your child at home, try the BBC website for ideas.
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I have just started to think about extra school activities for my children and am really unsure about what level of activity is best for each child. My children are aged 5 and 7. After-school activities can be great fun for children, allowing them to meet and make new friends and develop new skills and interests. They are often an excellent accompaniment to their educational experience in school. However, when parents plan a full schedule of activities, say more than three a week, it can be too tiring for the majority of children. For all children, and especially your five year old who is right at the beginning of his/her school career, it’s important to keep free time and play time available for them after school and at weekends. When children are allowed to choose their own activities, invite friends over, and invent their own games, they develop social skills and the capacity to feel good in their own skin. If they are occupied with scheduled activities all week long, the adverse effect could be that they begin to feel entirely dependent on external sources for their entertainment. As another matter, children who are pushed into activities which they aren’t too keen on, may decide to rebel. While you should encourage them to take part in after-school clubs, listen to them talk about their experiences and allow them to choose clubs and groups which they enjoy.
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Bellerive FCJ Catholic College Specialising in the Sciences, Applied Learning Maths and Computing
Sixth Form Open Evening 8th February 2011 6.00pm-8.00pm For male and female students seeking a place in September 2011 Please enter via the sixth form block on Windermere Terrace Windermere Terrace Liverpool L8 3SB www.bellerivefcj.org
Serving education in Liverpool since 1844
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Meet the Headteacher Susan Kerwin, St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Maghull
Susan Kerwin’s first anniversary as head at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Maghull, is approaching. The school’s very first female headteacher - which is a landmark in itself as the school was founded in 1839 - she reflects on her first year.
Bringing education to life “It has been lovely,” she said. “I have experienced a whole bundle of laughs with the children and the staff, who have been really supportive. When I started it took the children a while to get used to their new head’s title being ‘Mrs’ rather than ‘Sir’ but they soon got the hang of it.” Before her current post Susan was head at St Luke’s, Halsall, in Crosby. “St Andrew’s is a bigger school, with twice as many pupils, and so the challenges are greater” she said. The school has a great reputation both locally and in the wider area, and this has led to a mixed profile with children travelling from as far away as Kirkby and Litherland. “It is a popular school,” said Susan, “and in terms of results we are above the national average and also Sefton’s. “The school has always maintained high standards, and focuses upon exciting ways to help children learn. Whilst this will obviously contribute to good results we believe that a creative and enjoyable environment is the priority.” 42
The creative curriculum is used throughout all subject areas at St Andrew’s and many of the topics are brought to life in fascinating ways. “Our teachers welcome the children’s input into how the learning will develop,” said Susan. So, when studying the slave trade one of the Year Five classes decided that they would, unbeknown to the other class, invade them and take them as slaves.
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Our teachers welcome the children’s input into how the learning will develop
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“By using drama techniques like freeze framing children will be required to think about how they feel in a number of situations, be it as a slave trader, slave, groundbreaking scientist or campaigner” said Susan. “Year Six are currently studying the
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protest movement of the 1960s and so to really bring it to life they have planned their own protest outside school. I’m not sure what will be on the agenda as it is their protest and they have planned it themselves, but it will no doubt be highlighting things that are important to them.” Bringing subjects to life like this has many positive outcomes extending to attendance and a general sense that school is fun. Said Susan: “School is usually so exciting that children really don’t want to miss out. And this is reflected in our attendance figures.” Susan goes on to highlight the different experiences her primary school children have today compared to the early 1990’s when she began teaching. “That was just before the advent of IT in the classroom,” she said, “which has brought with it huge benefits, especially as a research tool for children who take longer to learn. “As a teaching tool the internet is very powerful. We use the intranet through Sefton Council so search engines are all very safe. Children have
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instant access to knowledge, from where they can test its usefulness and whether it answers their questions. We are beginning their preparation for life in general, as computers are integral to most work places.” Looking to the near future Susan is aware of the challenges posed by government cuts. How does she think they will affect St Andrew’s? “There is certainly a degree of
uncertainty,” she commented, “and it is highly likely that we will lose part of the advisory service provided through Sefton council. However, we are lucky to be part of a network of local schools (MADCOS) which plans to share development and information in order to support each other. “As a group of headteachers we meet regularly and will be relying on each school’s strengths more and more
in the future. We feel secure in our network although we are very aware of hard times ahead” said Susan. And when she is not in school Susan does find time to relax with her family. Her husband is a retired police officer and they have two daughters. “I can generally be found dog walking on Formby beach,” she said, “reading or at the cinema; all things that I love doing.”
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News
Website for climatic change Merseytravel launches new school project The Climatlantic website is for children, teachers and organisations who want to tackle climate change by making sustainable transport choices. The website has been commissioned by Merseytravel the UK partner of Climatlantic: a transnational project looking at reducing the carbon footprint in the Atlantic Area. The multi-lingual website, being built by Liverpool based educational digital design specialists Splinter, will launch to Merseyside primary and secondary schools in spring 2011. Merseyside school children have spent the past 2 months working with Splinter and Merseytravel to develop the over-all style of the website, ideas for the site’s interactive games, and they have named the site and game’s characters: Ollie the orangutan, Ula the
parrot and Roofus the polar bear. The games are being designed to enthuse and impart nuggets of information relating to climate change, the environment and sustainable transport choices. The site will include a searchable database for teachers of lesson resources selectable by subject and key stage. Project postings from schools in Europe and Merseyside will include video, photos and a chat forum. Other countries involved include Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain. The young people from different partner countries can add text, videos, images and sounds to build projects associated with the transport and the environment. People visiting the site will be able to view the young people’s contributions to the projects. They will be able to
Educate Poetry Competition Educate have teamed up with Mersey Travel to launch a very special poetry competition to get schools and pupils more involved with issues affecting the climate and the environment. MerseyTravel are one of the partners in The Climatlantic project, which is a project in partnership with five European countries; Portugal, Spain, England, Ireland and France with aim of looking at an issues and reducing carbon footprint over the Atlantic Arc (the western side of these countries). The poetry competition is the chance for children to think about climate change and environmental issues and write a poem on this theme for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle reader as well as getting their poem printed. The competition is open to all Merseyside school children. There are four age categories, with one winner and four runners up per category, each of these will have their poem printed in a special poetry book. The poems need to be sent in to the Educate office before the 31st March on a single side of A4 with your details on the reverse or emailed as a Word document with all details to: competition@educatemagazine.com So teachers why not get your class involved. For full details on the competition simply look at the advert on page 5 or go on the educate website. www.educatemagazine.com
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
search for specific topics and can view content from their own country or any of the other participating countries. The projects can receive comments and feedback from the public and other young people. For further information contact: Rachael Boden on 0151 709 9066, or email: Rachael.boden@splinter.co.uk
Educational Days out at Spaceport! Teachers are being encouraged to bring their class to Spaceport and join the BBC/Wallace and Gromit ‘World of Invention’ workshops. Inspired by Wallace’s love of inventing, pupils will get the unique opportunity to experience a fun and creative Wallace and Gromit invention session. There will also be original film animation sets to see and pupils will be able to get handson at the clay station. The workshops are FREE* and all pupils will be able to take their invention back to school with them to display in class. Places are limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis - to avoid disappointment book now! Spaceport is a £10m attraction covering the subjects of space and space travel and is currently hosting the Wallace and Gromit in Space exhibition. Wallace and Gromit make the perfect partners for your class to explore the solar system through hands-on exhibits and lots of opportunities to make and create. We also have a fantastic new Spaceport education resource pack
featuring Wallace and Gromit in Space available to download from the Spaceport website spaceport.org.uk For more information about an educational visit to Spaceport, please call 0151 330 1333 or email bookings@spaceport.org.uk *Normal Spaceport school admission price applies. There is no extra cost for the invention sessions
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News
State of the Arts New Sixth Form Centre for Alsop High School The BSF programme provided Alsop with an opportunity to create state of the art facilities which our rapidly growing and successful sixth form desperately needed. The sixth form centre is now located over two floors in the Jamieson Building, with a study centre located on the first floor containing 40 PCs where students can work independently. On the top floor - with a panoramic view of the City - is the Cybercafe where sixth form students can meet for a chat, have a snack or browse the Internet in a comfortable, informal and relaxed setting. Access to this area is restricted to Sixth Form students and the addition of these facilities will help ensure that Alsop is well prepared to accommodate the increasing numbers of students choosing to continue their studies post-16.
It is widely expected that the new facilities and the extensive course choice available will encourage even more
students to choose Alsop as the preferred place to begin their A Level and BTEC studies in September 2011.
Silver Jubilee for dance studios Bluebell Studios on Heathfield Road, Liverpool celebrated its Silver Jubilee in October. The business started on 1st May 1985 in the Welsh Chapel on Auckland Road, moving across to Heathfield Road in 1990. The Studios now houses Bluebell Dance & Drama Academy, Bluebell Nursery School, Bluebell Fitness Centre, Perfect Parties and several other small business offering Music, Salsa, Personal Training, Yoga and Pilates. It is a well established, family run business that has grown and evolved over the years. Carol Talbot (MD) said:
“‘Throughout our journey we have been helped along the way by our parents and families, their involvement with all of our productions and events have given Bluebell the friendly, family oriented atmosphere that we have today. We are thrilled to be working with the second and in some cases, third generation of the same families here at Bluebell. Without everyone who uses and supports the studios we wouldn’t be where we are. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all of their love and support over the years.’ In celebration of achieving their 25 year anniversary
Bluebell Dance and Drama Academy held an extra special production at the Philharmonic Hall in October on the tenth of the tenth of the tenth. The ominous show was called Silver Circles and
included a cast of 200 children from age 2 years and upwards. Its theme was about the circle of life and is the 4th production to be held in this prestigious Liverpool venue.
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West Derby School Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 10 March 2011 @ 7 pm
Come and see what we have to offer in our state of the art new school We are the most improved Maths and Computing Specialist in the Country (April 2009), the most improved school across all the specialisms in the North West (April 2009), and in the top 1% nationally for adding value to our students education. ***** Outstanding OFSTED 2010 ***** Headteacher: Mrs M Rannard | 364 West Derby Road | Liverpool | L13 7HQ For a prospectus call 0151 235 1333 or visit www.westderbyschool.co.uk
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PUPILS LOOK TO THE FUTURE West Derby Career Day
Year Nine pupils at West Derby School recently received a helping hand in choosing their GCSE subjects for the following year. The day was designed to encourage the students to speak with 21 companies, including Everton FC, Merseytravel and John Moores University by showcasing a range of career options. Gary Evans, Deputy Headteacher at West Derby School, said: “A big thank you to the 21 companies who took time to come and speak with our pupils. An event like this broadens the pupil’s horizons to what is out there waiting for them and definitely something we will be carrying out again.”
Daniel Stephenson, Liam Watkinson, Jack Saleh, Arron Holt, Anthony Hanratty and Jonathan Ryan
Thomas Kyle, Alex Sharpe and Ben Wroe
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TALENTED MERSEYSIDE Talent shines brightly
CAREERS OPEN DAY Budding engineers from schools across Merseyside converged on Liverpool Town Hall to find out how to become engineers of the future. Engineering Your Future (FYF) was a free one-day careers event to provide students with an insight into the broad scope of a career in engineering. The event was the only event of its kind to have the backing of the UK’s leading engineering groups and institutions.
ACTION FOR CHILDREN The musicians of Archbishop Beck College took part in Action for Children’s Christmas Concert at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, before a gathering of over 300 school children from across the city. The annual concert has raised thousands for the children’s charity, which has gained a reputation over the past 140 years for its excellent work. ‘We were very honoured to be asked to play such an important part in the concert,’ said Bruce Hicks, Assistant Headteacher at the College.
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CELEBRATING LANDMARKS Schools celebrate achievements
CELEBRATING 170 YEARS St Thomas’ School, Lydiate celebrated 170 years of History recently. In their foyer they have the school bell dated from 1840. Children came to school in Victorian Clothes and experienced what it would have been like to be at school in the nineteenth century. They also had some special visitors to help recreate a Victorian School and published a book of the school history which is on sale.
STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW BUILDING Stephen Twigg MP officially opened West Derby School’s new £28 million building in his constituency at a ceremony at the school. Pupils and staff started the new term at the new building which comes complete with state of the art facilities. The Maths and Computing Specialist School now houses a Theatre and Media Suite, sports and activities studio, an outdoor terrace, catering standard kitchen facilities as well as conference facilities and cutting edge ICT. Stephen Twigg MP, said: “I am delighted to open the new West Derby School, built as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. This gives the students and staff at West Derby buildings they can be proud of.”
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FUTURE FOUNDATIONS Schools learn skills for the future
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE Liverpool Compact EBP recently organised Employability Interviews for Broughton Hall High School. Business Leaders from a variety of companies came to interview Year 10 students, including Steve Beet (right), Partner at PwC and Ken Harris (far right), Technical Design Architect at Liverpool Direct Ltd. Steve was keen to share his insight into business with the youngsters and travelled from London to Liverpool to conduct the ‘mock’ interviews. He said he was really impressed with the programme and enjoyed his day at school.
COOKING UP A STORM Staff from the children’s charity ‘Not Just Cooking’ are cooking up a storm in schools on Merseyside by teaching children about healthy eating and how and what they eat can affect their health, well-being, self esteem and that of their families and friends. Head Chef, Gavin Williams, gave up a promising career in catering to be more hands on, passing on his skills and love of cooking to make a difference in the lives of young people. If you would like your school to find out more about ‘Not Just Cooking contact www.notjustcooking.com
Chef Gavin Williams and the Ykids team
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TACKLING ISSUES THROUGH DRAMA Following on from the Your Choice Conferences and working in partnership with Merseytravel and a Theatre Company, the Sefton Community Engagement Team has funded the DRAPA project to be delivered to all Year 7 pupils from the six High Schools in South Sefton. Pupils from various schools took part in a half-day of workshops and using drama and rap which tackled the issues surrounding vandalism, graffiti, dog fouling, travelling safely, bullying and grassing through mind-friendly learning. The project, which was welcomed by pupils and teachers in the last school year, was held in Hugh Baird College, Bootle.
COMMUNITY LINKS Schools link up with local communities
PENSIONERS’ CELEBRATE Nearly thirty pensioners from St Luke's Court and the Walton Taxi Club attended the annual “Christmas Party” at Alsop High School. An event they look forward to every year! The Christmas party is organised and run by the Sixth Form staff and students with a real team approach! Guests were invited to a buffet lunch and were also treated to a performance of the school show. This showcased the talents of Alsop students and encouraged all to get into the Christmas spirit.
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ENCHANTED TALES
Sophie Craven as the White Rabbit
A wonderland performance If anyone spotted Mad Hatters, White Rabbits, Jesters and Bug Bands in Croxteth recently you weren’t mistaken. During December the students of St John Bosco Arts College performed Alice in Croxteth. Ann Pontifex, Headteacher at St John Bosco Arts College, said, “I am immensely proud of all of the college community, the excitement about the production built up daily. Taking part in such a large scale production, with over 200 students being involved in the cast, band, stage crew and production team, remains in an individual’s memory for the rest of their life”.
Bling The Bumble Bee – Stephanie Da Maia; Karl the Cockroach – Charlotte Dolan and Shelby the Ladybird – Emily Woosey
Lauren McQueen as Alice
The Wonderland Singers
The Queen of Hearts – Ailish Taylor Jones Mad Hatter – Antonia Hamer
Witch of the woods – Sam Jones with the Wonderland Chorus
Wonderland Dance Team
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GREASE IS THE WORD
Trumpeters Charles Sweeney, Jack Rigby
Cheerleader Rebecca Dramond
Electrifying show
Gateacre’s latest spectacular Music and Drama Christmas production was ‘Grease’. The production saw over 100 talented students of all ages sing, dance, play music and choreograph the show. Students also worked on lighting, sound, and stage management, set, make up and costume design. Collaboratively, the pupils pulled together an outstanding production attended by family and friends, the local community and even the Lord Mayor of Liverpool made a special mission to see the show. The contractors of Gateacre’s new school Balfour Beatty sponsored the production.
Danielle Bowers and James Kewley
Danny - Jack Dodd
Sarah Walker
Georgia Bowers, Megan Mather, Sarah Walker
Jake Rainford, Joseph Green, Connor Kristensen, Martyn Sayer
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Our Secret is Our Success
In the top ten percent of schools nationally for student progress
Every Day in
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100% School tel: 0151 727 1387 www.shorefields.com
Shorefields Technology College Dingle Vale, Liverpool, L8 9SJ 56
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WOOLTON ROCKS
Vanesssa Mae Park as ‘Mushnik’
To The Little Shop of Horrors
St Julies’ Christmas production this year was a resounding success, involving a cast of over one hundred students from all years. This gave A level dance, drama and BTEC music performance students the opportunity to display their impressive performance skills. Local primary school pupils were entranced and terrified of the maneating plant ‘Audrey2’ at the special matinee performance. The four evening performances were a sellout. The imaginative set was designed by Art teacher, Mrs. Preston, and the plant was kindly lent from Gateacre School. The combination of high quality acting, dazzling choreography and singing, backed by highly talented musicians resulted in a production described as “an outstanding professional performance”.
Glam chorus girls’ Marieta Daly, Megan Kelleher and Dominique Daly
Ashley Mills in the lead role of ‘Audrey’
Peter Harrison
Isobel Hawkins as ‘Seymour’
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EDUCATION SHOWCASE Business leaders go back to school Organised by Liverpool Compact Education Business Partnership, companies including Barclay’s Bank, Liverpool Daily Post & Echo, British Transport Police and Glendale Liverpool, met the staff and pupils at Holly Lodge Girls’ College, toured the school, gained an insight into school life today and heard about the benefits of Education and Business working together. Head Teacher Julia Tinsley said: “The event allowed our students to have direct contact with potential employers and enabled employers to recognise the great wealth of talent within our school…..a great success.”
Liz Roberts, Liverpool Compact EBP, Julia Tinsley, Holly Lodge Girls’ College, Mike Corley, Liverpool Compact EBP
Holly Lodge students with Michael Connor and Richard Thompson from British Transport Police
Head Girls – Sarah Thomas and Nahida Ullah
Andy Dockerty, Managing Director of Adlib Audio Staff and Governors from Holly Lodge Girls’ College and Liverpool Compact EBP
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Aladdin meets Ariel
ALADDIN UNDER THE SEA Epic love story at Roby
Year 1 and 2 BTEC Performing Arts students from Roby Community College put on an entertaining and original panto, entitled ‘Aladdin Under The Sea’. The pantomime merged the traditional stories of Aladdin and the Little Mermaid together and included songs from all eras, to help tell the story. Aladdin falls in love with Ariel and they have to prove their love to friends and family. The adventure leads them through battles on land and under the sea as they race against time to get Ariel out of a fixed marriage to an evil octopus.
Lauren Sidwell as Abanaazer The Wicked Dame makes a point
Year 1 and 2 students from the performing Arts
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Viewpoint
Should students be able to end academic education at 14 in favour of vocational training Are less able students being pushed into vocational courses and pupils forced to make important decisions about their future at too young an age?
Eddie Ritson
Eddie Ritson – Executive Member of the National Union of Teachers “It is not acceptable that, at the age of 14, pupils may be forced into specific learning routes which could restrict their future education or career choices. The NUT has long argued that all students should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum within a single diploma framework. The government needs to create a single overarching qualification that embraces all young people and does not label them as one thing or another at such a young age”.
Trish Barker – Parent I think as long as students have obtained a minimum level of academic standards, which would need to be defined, then for a percentage of students the option of then undertaking vocational education only is a positive possibility for them and the economy. It would improve the morale of such students, that would normally be struggling with the prospect of academic only qualifications. Trish Barker
Rob Peacock
John Patino
Rob Peacock – Principal, Carmel College, St Helens The main objective of education is to open up opportunities for young people. I would be very worried if students were locked into a particular career path at the age of 14. There is a danger that UTC’s will become places only for lower achievers and that this will impact mainly on disadvantaged young people. Scarce resources would be much better used helping existing colleges and schools achieve the aim of the improving student achievement and social mobility.
John Patino – Deputy Headteacher, Alsop High School, Liverpool Personalised learning programmes and pathways are essential if we are to engage young people and enable more of them to achieve success and become successful members of society. Clearly basic skills of literacy, numeracy and IT are prerequisites, but the flexibility to follow a ‘vocational’ pathway as opposed to a purely academic one must be preserved if we are to maximize the potential of all young people.
Up to 70 technical schools teaching practical skills could be opened before the next election, according to Lord Baker of Dorking, the former Tory education secretary who is heading the scheme. Baker said the schools were not a small experiment but a movement designed to tackle a shortage of young people with vocational skills. "If we are going to have high-speed rail, the fastest broadband in the world, new nuclear power stations, we are going to need technicians," he said. "We simply don't have enough technically orientated people coming through."
Have your say: To suggest or contribute to a topic for debate in Viewpoint email us at: educate@merseymirror.com or to view our on-line poll visit: www.educatemagazine.com
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Denim jumpsuit £11.99, New Look
Fat face jeans £25, John Lewis
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Demo hooded worker shirt from £15, Very
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WHERE CAN WE GO? Your guide to what’s happening out & about in Merseyside
Not to be d misse
The X Factor - Live! Echo Arena Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool Tuesday 8th March Tickets £32.50 0844 8000 400
Liverpool Performing Arts Festival 2011 Must See St George’s Hall, Liverpool February 28th-March 18th 0151 233 2008 www.liverpoolperformingarts.co.uk
Don’t miss the 87th Liverpool Performing Arts Festival 2011 - Liverpool’s longest standing platform for talented people. Over 4000 performers from across the North West will descend on St George’s Hall over two weeks to showcase their talents in music, speech, drama and dance from solo verse to 60 strong choirs and orchestras from ages 5 to 80. Past festival winners include Sir Simon Rattle, Claire Sweeney, BBC Young Musician of the Year Mark Simpson and X-Factor finalist Ray Quinn.
Following last year’s record breaking tour, demand is going to be huge for The X Factor Live Tour which will call into the Echo Arena on Tuesday 8th March 2011. The seventh series of The X Factor became the talking point of the nation with a record average of 16 million tuning in each week. Now fans of the show have the chance to see their favourite acts perform live, as the final nine contestants are confirmed to appear on 2011’s X Factor Live Tour. Taking to the stage this year are 2010 winner Matt Cardle, Liverpool’s own Rebecca Ferguson, One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne, Katie Waissel, Wagner, Paije Richardson and Aiden Grimshaw.
FLAWLESS Liverpool Empire Theatre 7th February 2011
Chinese New Year
Charlie and Lola’s Best Play
Greato one t h watc
Tickets: £23.25
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6th February Liverpool Chinatown City Centre
FUTURE EVENTS
The stars of Streetdance 3D and Britain's Got Talent present their first solo show. This inspirational dance act have become an international phenomenon with stunning street dance and jaw dropping moves. They've worked with some of the biggest names in music including Madonna, Beyonce, Leona Lewis and Jamelia and won countless awards including World Dance Champions and Best Street Dance Act. You've seen them on television, now it's time to see them live in this breathtaking, dizzying debut show from one of the UK's hottest dance acts. Don't miss!
The arch is the perfect backdrop for Chinese New Year celebrations this February, as the city waves goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and welcomes the Year of the Rabbit. With something for all ages, don't miss the traditional Lion, Dragon and Unicorn Parade and the Firecraker Display in Great George Square. Free event
12th-15th February Everyman Theatre, Liverpool 0151 709 4776 0151 709 4776 Will Lola ever tidy her room and will Charlie get Lola to sleep, even though she is not sleepy and will not go to bed? The Tigers want their bedtime milk, the Dancing Dogs have borrowed Lola’s pyjamas – not to mention the Ogre in the wardrobe! Don’t miss everyone’s favourite brother and sister.
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FILM REVIEW
GAME REVIEW
Tron Legacy 3D Rated PG
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett
Nintendo Wii Verdict: ★★★★★ By Andy Kelly
Verdict: ★★★★✩ By Andy Kelly
In 1982, Disney’s Tron became a cult classic. Based on arcade, the film followed game designer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who hacks into a computer system but finds himself trapped in a world of neon, disc games and light cycle battles. Sam Flynn, a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn, a man once known as the world's leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn's Arcade - a signal that could only come from his father - he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra, father and son embark on a lifeand-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe - a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Enjoyable with plenty of action and CGI effects but the story plods along in parts.
Narnia
HONEY
Things are once again rotten in the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser has taken Princess Peach prisoner for the umpteenth time, forcing Mario to momentarily put his plumbing gig on hold to rescue his fair lady. The best thing that can be said about the story is that it mostly stays in the background. A few lighthearted exchanges between Mario and his foes precede major battles, but there is only a brief break in the action before you get back to flinging fireballs and cracking shells. In fact, Galaxy 2 is much more streamlined than its predecessor. The elaborate hub world that has appeared in each of Mario's previous 3D adventures has been scrapped and replaced by an easy-tonavigate map that lets you hop right into the next level. Galaxy 2 has less downtime than the original, ensuring you're always engaged and entertained. The sights and sounds are so enthralling that you can just sit back, relax, and take in everything. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is so phenomenal that it's difficult to imagine where Mario could possibly go in the future. But that's hardly your concern now. Mario proves that he is still the king of fun.
Chinese State Circus
7th-19th February St George’s Hall Liverpool 0151 225 6909
5th March Hesketh Park Park Crescent, Southport 0151 934 2932
9th-10th March Southport Theatre and Convention Centre Southport 01704 540545
The whole Great Hall will be transformed into the magical land using 590m of sky, 320m of snow, a forest of 80 pine trees and a cast and crew of 500 that are made up of volunteers. The Narnia Experience has been described as ‘ingenious, truly fantastic and brilliant’.
HONEY is Pif-Paf's acclaimed journey into the world of the bee and its relationship with man. Performed four times a day in a Giant Hive HONEY is an intimate 30 minute multi-media show for all ages. Starts at 11:00
From the land of legends and warrior Shaolin monks comes the incredible new Chinese State Circus production – the live acrobatic spectacular - Mulan. Entertainment for all the family - from the world’s leading Chinese acrobats. Tickets: £12.25 - £24.75
Child of the Wirral
8th April Port Sunlight Museum & Garden Village 0844 847 2525 Take part in a trail of fun, quirky and informative public art installations. Delivering the event is the award-winning Wild in Art Company, the team behind the phenomenal Go Superlambananas and Go Penguins, and the Liverpool Lantern Company.
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Book Review
In association with
by Jennifer Dobson
5-8 Years The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Big Show by Sorrel Anderson – £4.99 The Clumsies are back in their third and most hilarious book yet! Full of exciting action and wit we've come to expect, this latest instalment will have everyone checking under their desks for talking mice! A real laugh a minute read! Magic Tree House-Valley of the Dinosaurs by Mary Pope Osbourne – £3.99 Eight-year-old Jack and his little sister, Annie, are playing in the woods during their summer holiday, when they find a mysterious tree house full of books. But these are no ordinary books ... and this is no ordinary tree house ... read all about Jack and Annie as they get more than they bargained for. A fantastic tale all about Dinosaurs and prehistoric times. A great read! Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy-Star of the School by Hayley Daze – £4.99 When Puddle the Puppy comes to play, magic is never far away! Puddle is a naughty puppy who loves to go on magical adventures with his friends Ruby and Harry. He only has to jump into a puddle for the magic to begin. Join Puddle and friends on an adventure to the Wild West! Just beware there is an outlaw on the loose!
9-12 Years Fiction Sparks by Ally Kennen – £6.99 Three children plot to give their grandpa his dying wish of a Viking funeral in a burning boat heading out to sea. A funny moving family adventure about love, death, sailing and coffin stealing and a race against time to achieve the impossible! Tithe by Holly Black – £6.99 Do you believe in faeries? Not the soft, gentle kind, but the sinister, feral kind - the ones that wreak havoc on everything in their path ... sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band, until an ominous attack forces them back to her childhood home. A fantastic novel by Holly Black, and one of her best. You won’t want to put it down... Deep by Helen Dunmore – £5.99 A devastating flood has torn through the worlds of Air and Ingo, and now, deep in the ocean, a monster is stirring. Mer legend says that only those with dual blood - half Mer, half human - can overcome the Kraken. With the help of the whale Sapphy must now face this terrifying creature with the help of her friends. A truly heart warming story and a tale of strength and survival.
Teenage Fiction Time of the Ghost by Diana Wynne Jones – £5.99 A ghost turns up one summer day, alone in a world she once knew, among people who were once her family. She knows she is one of four sisters, but which one? She only knows that an accident has happened. One of her sisters is about to die unless she can use the future to reshape the past. How will she warn them if they don’t know she exists? A gripping tale from start to finish and will have you sat on the edge of your seat! Being Billy by Phil Earle – £6.99 Eight years in a care home makes Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy's angry - with the system, the social workers, and the mother that gave him away. As far as Billy's concerned, he's on his own. His brother and sister keep him going but even they can’t keep him out of trouble. Billy is happy just being Billy. A heart-warming story and an eye opener. Fantastically written and has already become a favourite title of the year so far! Candor by Pam Bachorz – £6.99 Oscar Banks lives in the pristine town of Candor. Son of the mayor, he is good-looking, smart and popular. And he knows something he's not supposed to - he knows about the brainwashing messages embedded in the music that plays all over the town. Can he find a way of banishing the messages and will he then risk his new found technology on helping newest arrival Nia. Psychological and a Big Brother in the making. A gripping tale... Are you a librarian, teacher or purchasing manager? Do you buy books for your business or institution? Waterstones Liverpool offers a comprehensive account sales service. Contact Vic Brazel, Sales Department, Waterstones Liverpool, 14-16 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4DS. Tel: 0151 707 1649
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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My School Days Aiden Byrne – Michelin starred Chef
My School Ruffwood Comprehensive School, Kirkby, the school closed in 2009. My Favourite Teacher Mrs Dot Hurley (my catering teacher of course) she is now a lecturer at Roby College. My Favourite Subject at School Well the obvious answer has to be Catering, it goes without saying. Were you streetwise or a bit of a geek? Oh, I was a total geek at school. My Favourite Childhood Singer/Band I was a big fan of The Talking Heads and especially the lead singer David Byrne. My Favourite Extra-Curricular Activity Cooking (told you I was a geek), I spent all my time trying out different recipes.
Do you remember your first school crush? My first school crush was on a girl called Gillian Carmichael (I wouldn’t know her now if I ran her over). My Favourite Book In school it had to be ‘Stig of the Dump’ and out of school is ‘Made in Great Britain’ of course (my book). School Dinners I wasn’t a great fan of school dinners, the less said about them the better! My Ambitions at School My ambition at school was not to be a geek but I failed miserably (once a geek always a geek I suppose).
Kirkby-born chef, Aiden Byrne first came to prominence when he was working at Adlard’s in Norwich, where at the age of 22 he became the youngest ever chef to win a Michelin star. He went on to work at other Michelinstarred restaurants, alongside knowledgeable chefs such as Paul Rankin and Tom Aikens, before fully establishing his own identity as head chef at The Grill in the Dorchester Hotel. He is now part owner of the Church Green Restaurant in Cheshire. Aiden says that he is passionate about British ingredients, and has recently written a cookbook Aiden Byrne: Made in Great Britain
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St Margaret’s Sixth Form
Open Evening Wednesday 2nd March 2011 7.00-9.00pm Admissions Presentation at 7.00pm “Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding because of the frequent opportunities they are given for reflection and expression.” Ofsted
“Once they embark on courses students invariably complete them successfully.” Ofsted
For further information please contact: John Foulkes M.B.E, Director of Sixth Form St Margaret’s CE Sixth Form Centre Aigburth Road, Liverpool L17 6AB Tel: 0151 427 1825 Fax: 0151 427 9430 Email: sma_sixthform@hotmail.com Web: www.stmargaretshigh.com
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Take a closer look Calderstones Specialist Science College has excellent facilities including 15 Science Laboratories, extensive Sports provision, Art rooms and Drama facilities. Our exam results are amongst the best in Liverpool and we always aim to offer each pupil as many opportunities as possible both inside and outside the classroom.
“The school’s true commitment to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to reach their potential is at the heart of everything it does. Students are known as individuals and feel extremely safe because of the school’s outstanding provision for their care, guidance and support.” OFSTED November 2010
CALDERSTONES SCHOOL A Specialist Science College Harthill Road, Liverpool L18 3HS Tel: 0151 724 2087
For a prospectus call 0151 724 2087 or visit www.calderstones.co.uk