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May - August 2019
Interviews: • Winstanley College Principal, Louise Tipping
Deadline 23 June
• LJMU Head of Initial Teacher Education, Jan Rowe
Girls and Autism
A change in status The Academy Trusts transforming the region
Are you ready? The new PSHE government guidance
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Educate Contents 21-29
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Welcome... Welcome to the May edition of Educate First things first, have you submitted your award entry yet for the Educate Awards 2019? With the deadline for entries Sunday 23 June fast approaching, time is running out! With a steady flow of entries already received, we have a feeling this year is lining up to be the biggest yet. We’re looking forward to even more schools and colleges getting involved and entering this year, so please if you’ve not done so already go to www.educateawards.co.uk for more information, or follow @EducateAwards on Twitter. We want your school to enter!
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Features 6-9 Autism in Girls A camouflaged condition
22-23 Change is coming Julie McCann - School Improvement Liverpool
24-25 Educate Awards 2019 Deadline for entry submissions for Educate Awards 2019
34-35 A partnership for all Jan Rowe - head of initial teacher education at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
47-51 Multi-Academy Trusts Trusts transforming our region
72-73 A commitment to excellence Louise Tipping - principal at Winstanley College
80-81 Fashion Take a look at the shapes of the summer
84-85 Where can we go? Our pick of what’s happening out & about in the region
88 Book review This season’s must reads
90 My school days Lawrence Kenwright - company founder and chairman of Signature Living
71-74 Educate 16+ Education, training and employment
At Educate we try to highlight subjects we feel are current areas of interest and one such subject increasingly highlighted in the press is the difficulties in identifying autism spectrum condition (ASC) in girls, which it is believed has resulted in many females being left undiagnosed. We sought the help of Micah Grimshaw, head of autism research and development at Abbot’s Lea School in Liverpool, to uncover why this is the case and also look at some of the work around this subject taking place in the region. Where Micah is leading the region in autism research and development, other leaders are driving transformative change with their multi-academy trusts (MAT). We speak to leaders from four different MATs in the Liverpool City Region to find out how schools have benefited from the change in status. With strong visions, sharing strategies and collaborative working, each one tells a very positive journey and story. The journey into teaching is always one we find so interesting, and over the years we’ve been interviewing school leaders. we find each individual’s journey has followed a different, but always fascinating, route. This issue we sit down with Louise Tipping, principal at Winstanley College to talk about her journey and story, as well as all the huge successes at the award-wining college.
Published by Mersey Mirror, Suites 3 & 4 Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151 707 1678 Email: post@merseymirror.com Executive Editor Kim O’Brien Advertising Sales Tel: 0151 709 7567 Photography Liam Deveney, Robin Clewley Editorial Alan Birkett, Ellie Adshead and Lawrence Saunders Design & Production Mersey Mirror, Suites 3 & 4 Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ. 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.
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Autism in Girls
With more boys diagnosed as autistic than girls, it’s generally believed that females are simply less likely to have autism spectrum condition (ASC). However studies have increasingly highlighted the difficulties in identifying ASC in girls, which can mean many females are left undiagnosed. With help from Micah Grimshaw, one of the North West’s leading schoolbased autism experts, Educate looks to uncover why this is the case.
A condition By Lawrence Saunders
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Autism in Girls
For a child recognised as having ASC, navigating the education system can be difficult. But for a student with an undiagnosed condition, it can be especially tough. With males diagnosed at a rate as high as 16:1 to females but recent research suggesting that the true ratio could be nearer to 3:1, it stands to reason that thousands of UK schoolgirls are not getting the vital support they need. There is no straightforward answer to why so many autistic girls and women evade a diagnosis, but academics broadly agree that one major reason has to do with how females with the condition present. So-called typical signs of an ASC which may be quickly identified in young boys, such as difficulties with social communication and/or repetitive behaviour, routines and activities, can be missed or not displayed as consistently, if at all, by girls. Autistic girls can outwardly appear very sociable, and any repetitive actions can be less familiar when put up against traditionally accepted autistic traits. “If someone was to go on incessantly about pylons or raincoats, the little autism flag would go up in your brain,” says Micah Grimshaw, head of autism research and development at Abbot’s Lea School in Woolton, Liverpool. “But if a teenage girl was to go on and on about Justin Bieber, you wouldn't necessarily think that was an autistic trait. “There are different theories, but with a lot of girls their autistic traits are not picked up as autistic traits. “The key message to get across is that it’s not the type of interest but the intensity of it.” Micah is uniquely placed to discuss the issue of girls with ASC, and particularly late diagnoses. Her younger sister discovered that she had ASC at the age of nine. Before that point Micah believed she merely possessed a vivid imagination and strong interest in her older sibling’s vocation. However, her fascination with teaching was in fact an intense interest which, had it been in cars or trains, would have more than likely been picked up as an autistic trait sooner. “Looking back, if my sister had friends round to ‘play school’ and she was the
teacher and her friends wanted to do something different, it would trigger quite a crisis moment,” adds Micah. She explains that experts are now discovering autistic girls are accomplished at learning conversational phrases and when allied with echolalia (repetition of words or phrases), it can appear they are capable of holding a conversation - but it’s not coming intuitively. Social masking or camouflaging abilities like these allow autistic girls to conceal their condition to a certain degree and ‘fit in’ - meaning an autism diagnosis is sometimes not made until later life, if ever. Historically, research into ASC was predominantly focused on boys; so much so that at one point it was believed that Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, didn’t affect girls. More recent studies have given professionals a much better understanding of gender differences in autism spectrum disorders, and Micah has witnessed a huge spike in diagnoses for girls and women during the last year or two. As the subject of girls and autism continued to gain greater attention, Micah began visiting schools across Liverpool to offer her expert guidance on how to support pupils with the condition. The first major workshop Micah ran on girls with autism took place during a Merseyside SLD/CLD inset day in 2017. A total of 74 people showed up - each one a woman. “My headteacher at the time laughed and said ‘it’s almost like the male staff think it’s not something for them because it’s about girls’”, says Micah. Most recently in March 2019, Micah hosted a workshop at Abbot’s Lea attended by staff from mainstream primary and secondary schools. Following the seminar, one of the school’s which took part, Archbishop Blanch, asked Micah and her team to devise an action plan to improve its support for girls with ASC. On this topic of inclusivity, Micah says one of the most important provisions for any school to offer autistic students, male or female, is somewhere they can be on their own and feel safe.
“
If a teenage girl was to go on and on about Justin Bieber, you wouldn't necessarily think that was an autistic trait... The key message to get across is that it’s not the type of interest but the intensity of it.
”
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Autism in Girls
“We shouldn't assume that every school has those places,” says Micah. “Are schools thinking about what options there are during that unstructured downtime? “We know that when there is a period of time which is unstructured it can be quite difficult for someone who is autistic. “In terms of environmental and inclusivity, it's about looking at simple strategies for the classroom which will help everyone but also thinking about whether there are additional spaces in school which can be made into quiet spaces or breakout areas.” Whilst Micah does point out where some mainstream schools can improve, she is also pleased to report that many of the schools she has visited are already doing “a brilliant job”. “Some of the best practice I’ve seen have been schools which are genuinely challenging the status quo and thinking outside of the box,” she says.
Micah Grimshaw
“The schools [which are doing the best] are talking with the children about neurodiversity and about differences.”
“[In the relaxation zone] they say whether they are ready to learn or whether they’re unhappy – this is our chance to talk about how they’re feeling.
One of the schools in Liverpool that Micah believes “doesn’t realise how brilliant it really is”, is Our Lady and St Swithin's Catholic Primary School.
“Children with the condition want to be happy, they want to be understood and they want to be at the centre of the learning.”
Initiatives at the Croxteth school include a ‘relaxation zone’ where children come to check-in with their emotions at the start of the day, and a special ‘social time’ that gives a small group of children the chance to build up their social skills away from the pressures and stresses of the mainstream classroom environment.
Whilst Sandra unsurprisingly wouldn't turn down extra funding, she does believe it's possible for mainstream schools to become more inclusive on a small budget.
“For those who need day-to-day support it’s about getting that right mix of help with their personal, social and emotional development (PSED) whilst still giving them the chance to reach their potential,” says Mrs Sandra Hamilton, special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) at Our Lady and St Swithin's.
“There are no spaces [at special schools] anyway so mainstream schools have to become more inclusive,” she adds. “A lot of it is in the planning stage but just getting the support from other people in your school is really important. “There’s a lot of great stuff out there which doesn't cost that much but you do have to change your mindset and get people to go with you because the kids will - they just want to feel like they belong, in the mainstream or not.”
Girls and ASC
• Five times as many males as females are diagnosed with ASC • Girls with ASC don't always display 'typical' autistic traits • It’s not the type of interest but the intensity of it • Autistic girls can outwardly appear very sociable • Girls may be better than boys at masking their ASC symptoms
For more information about the topic of girls and autism, contact Micah at micah.grimshaw@abbotsleaschool.co.uk
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20 20 2020 ADMISSION ADMISSION
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Thursday Thursday 27th June 2019 2019 27th from from 4.00pm 4.00pm – 6.30pm
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> FORGIVENESS FORGIVENESS > FRIEND FRIENDSHIP SHIP > COMPASSION COMPASSION > COMMUNITY COMMUNITY > THANK THANKSGIVING SGIVING > TRUS TRUST T
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Primary News
Prestigious 50 for school Edtech awards announced The Edtech 50 Schools awards were announced at a celebration event held at the House of Lords. Fifty schools were highlighted as pioneering the use of education technology to make the greatest difference to pupils, staff and parents from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These ‘Edtech Oscars’, supported by Intel, were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of educators and edtech experts. Whitefield Primary School, was named as part of the prestigious Edtech 50 awards and features in a national publication that showcases imaginative uses of technology to support teaching and learning across the UK. Nadine Carroll, headteacher of Whitefield Primary said: “We are delighted to receive this Edtech 50 award from the Education Foundation. “It is positive national recognition for our work using education technology to support teaching and learning, to engage our children and their families and to prepare them for their lives in a technology filled world.”
STEM day fun Pupils from four primary schools gathered together at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Ditton, Widnes, for two fun filled STEM days. The first day they studied as forensic scientists. The day included finger prints, foot prints, blood splatter patterns and CSI training, the day culminated with the children investigating a crime scene. Children dressed in protective white suits and masks and the area was taped off as they strived to solve the crime. The second day the children built robots and computer programmed them to go along the tracks the children had also designed. They also designed marshmallow and spaghetti towers and made elephant’s toothpaste and much more exciting science experiments. The children ended the day with a science competition to showcase the scientific knowledge they had learned throughout the days. Science teacher Mrs Edwards said: “The science days have been specifically designed to broaden skills, enhance expertise and increase students’
confidence. Pupils have described it as ‘the best club ever’ and say it has brought science to life. “The children used their excellent scientific knowledge which is as always outstanding.” Sophie Anderson Y6 pupil from St Michael’s said” “I love science with Mrs Edwards and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be as bright as I am. I will pass all her knowledge down for generations”. Headteacher Mr Paul Loughran said: “At St Michael’s we deliver a high-quality science education which provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of all sciences. “We always invite other schools into St Michael’s where the children are encouraged to work together as a collective rather than an individual”.
Golden visit School receives a special visitor Great Britain and England Olympic hockey gold medalist Sam Quek made an inspirational visit to Northwood Primary School in Kirkby. During the morning of the visit, the Wirral born defender enjoyed taking part in three assemblies with some of the older and special children. The trio of events was followed up by an exclusive question and answer session with selected pupils, during which the youngsters heard Sam speak of how she followed her dreams to reach the top, and her wish to inspire the next Olympic generation. 10
Quek, who won Olympic gold at Rio de Janeiro and has also appeared on ‘I m a Celebrity’ allowed the youngsters to handle her honours as Gareth Coates one of the parents at school said on Twitter: “So, I collect my daughter (Lillian) from @NorthwoodCPS this afternoon and she tells me that Olympic Gold medals are really heavy. How does she know? She met @SamanthaQuek and got to hold hers. That’s very cool and I'd like to thank Sam and the school for creating a memory for her. #jealous.” The much enjoyed event was organised by Paul Stanton who is the chair of governors at the school.
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
Pupils from Northwood meet Sam Quek with her gold medals
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Primary News
School are LifeSavers Pupils from Stockton Wood Primary have been learning and developing skills around financial education this year through the LifeSavers programme. The schools aim was to give these skills a real-life, hands-on experience as they opened their own savings club named ‘Super Savers’. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Christine Banks and the schools very own Junior Lord Mayor, Jake, officially opened the savings club. LifeSavers supports primary schools in setting up savings clubs, and helping children and their families learn about money. It is a collaborative partnership between the Just Finance Foundation and education charity Young Money. LifeSavers is being offered to primary schools across the country, with financial support from Virgin Money. Headteacher, Suzy Stacey said: “LifeSavers aims to equip children with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences to manage money well, now and in the future. It also explores four core values around money: thankfulness, wisdom, justice and generosity. “As part of LifeSavers, we will be teaching money lessons in the classroom, and we will be holding school assemblies looking at the four core values. “We will also be launching a school savings club for pupils, The savings club will provide real life, hands-on money experiences for your children to help them develop into financially confident young people. “We were incredibly proud that the Lord Mayor of Liverpool
Lord Mayor, Councillor Christine Banks with Junior Mayor opening the bank and their first customers
was part of the launch of our LifeSavers School Savings club. Our pupil cashiers and parent volunteers have managed the bank wonderfully and are ready for children to make their deposits into their accounts each Thursday morning. “Since the launch new registrations have been taken so even more children have joined and all children across the school are learning the important values of thankfulness, generosity, wisdom and justice and the vital skills of financial management”.
Pupils praised after completing portfolio A primary school class in St Helens has been rewarded for completing an arts project through their local library. Year 3 pupils at Grange Valley Primary School in Haydock were each presented with a Trinity College London- certified certificate by members of the St Helens Libraries team for achieving Arts Award Discover. Funded by Arts Council England, the project is an introductory award, designed for children aged five and above who are asked to collect evidence in an individual arts log of their experiences of
taking part in arts activities; researching artists or crafts people and their work – and sharing their arts discoveries. As part of their portfolio, the pupils – who were in Year 2 at the time of undertaking Arts Award Discover - took part in two class visits to the library, the first of which saw them discuss all different types of art form and places where they can be viewed. While in the second session, illustrator Dave Bixter – who provides creative workshops in schools – visited Haydock Library to assist the children in drawing their very own comic character.
Praising the class after presenting them with their certificates during a school assembly, library service manager Kathryn Boothroyd said: “Very well done to all those in Grange Valley Year 3, who are the latest in an ever growing list of children and young people in the borough to reap the rewards of taking part in the Arts Awards initiative. “This project is great introduction into the world of arts and is a useful qualification to note on any CV which will stand school children in good stead after completing their education.” Year 3 Grange Valley Primary School pupils celebrate after being presented with their Arts Award Discover certificates
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NE
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TIGER WORKSHOPS
Explore at Knowsley As members of the council for ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’, we’re a great place for kids to discover more about the natural world and it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the curriculum to life! Make your visit extra special with an Enhanced Discovery Day and give your pupils amazing experiences like a birds of prey encounter and guided safari and walking tour.
Our sessions... • Are stimulating
• Develop understanding and explore ideas • Promote the development of • Make links with new pupil knowledge, vocabulary understanding and skills
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Call 0151 430 9009 to book your session or visit www.knowsleysafari.co.uk
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School Cedar Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 9AF T: 0151 525 9600 F: 0151 525 2998 W: www.bsprimary.com
Places available for Reception start date September 2019 We offer: • 2 year old provision • 30 hour offer • Extended Services including Holiday Club • Fantastic EYFS provision If you have any further enquiries please contact the school office on 0151 525 9600 or check out our website From our RE Inspection: “The extent to which the Religious Education Curriculum meets pupils’ needs is outstanding.”
‘Aim High - Live Life to the full’ (John 10:10) Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Primary News
Making a difference Primary school wins Your UK Parliament Award Grange Primary School in Bootle has won the Speaker’s School Action Award at the Your UK Parliament Awards. The award recognises its project, led by teacher Carol Minton-Allen, to raise awareness of mental health in schools and within the local community. The Your UK Parliament Awards were launched to celebrate the work of people all over the UK who make a difference in their communities and beyond. Award winners were chosen by the Speaker of the House of Commons, a judging panel of MPs, peers and independent judges. The Your UK Parliament Awards ceremony was hosted by the speaker in the Houses of Parliament. Carol Minton-Allen, the teacher who nominated the school’s project for the award said: “It is an amazing and fantastic opportunity to teach children about citizenship and democracy. It is so rewarding to teach young people from a young age that they have a voice and can make change”. David Clark, head of education and engagement at UK Parliament, said: “All of the winners have made a huge difference in their communities and beyond, and importantly will also inspire others to get involved and make their voices heard in democracy. “The Your UK Parliament Awards recognises the successes of those who go above and beyond to engage others with Parliament and democracy, and everyone who won an award should be immensely proud.” The campaign was designed to raise awareness of mental health in schools
Speaker’s School Action award winners Grange School with teacher Carol MintonAllen and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow. Photo: ©UK Parliament/Mark Duffy
and in the local community. Pupils wrote newspaper articles, political speeches and public statements and held debates, wrote to members of the royal family and held a vote to set up their own House of Commons. The class formed two political parties and debated in a mock House of Commons debate, with their very own speaker of the house and party leaders. Students were taught about the different roles within Parliament an
invited local member of Parliament Peter Dowd in for a Q&A session. The children were encouraged to vote for the campaign they wanted to run, using a ballot box, and advertised their campaign with campaign posters and a public statement. Through the children’s writing, the class won a professional YouTube filming day with Litfilm Fest to record a news report about mental health in schools.
Liverpool Peace Proms 2020 announced It as been announced that following the huge success of Liverpool Peace Proms over the past three years the Peace Proms will once again take place in Liverpool in 2020. The final concert will take place at the M & S Bank Arena on Saturday 18 January 2020 and registrations are now open at www.peaceproms.com Peace Proms is a free music education resource for primary schools which culminates in a series of large-scale performances for choirs and orchestra at iconic venues throughout the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The programme promotes ‘peace through music’ and already engages almost 30,000 children from 500 schools giving them the opportunity to sing in a large-scale production with a choir 14
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
of up to 4,000 and a full symphony youth orchestra. The musical programme is tailor made to ensure it is fun and engaging for children aged between 8 and 12 years, and is very rewarding to teach. The end performance is an inspirational and thrilling experience for choirs, teachers, parents and audiences alike! The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) is the featured orchestra for the concerts. Now in its 25th year, CBOI is Ireland’s most celebrated and award-winning youth orchestra. Peace Proms 2020 will be conducted by internationally acclaimed UK music educator Greg Beardsell and will feature a host of stellar soloists, dancers and pipers.
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Primary News
Cosy readers Children’s author in attendance as school opens new library
Children’s author Tom Palmer was given the honour of officially opening Wargrave Primary School’s new reading nooks.
Generations come together The arts team based at Aintree University Hospital, PARTIA (Promoting Art in Aintree), invited children from Our Lady & St Philomena’s Primary School, in Fazakerley, to pick up their paint brushes and pencils and co-create a piece of artwork with elderly patients. The hospital welcomed 28 Year 1 students who learnt about the health service and how recreational activities such as painting, drawing, and singing can help improve a patient’s health. Pupils were invited to visit dementia wards and interact with the patients. Lisa Roberts, clinical business manager for medicine for the elderly, said: “It was lovely to see two generations come together. The children were fantastic with the patients and put a big smile on all of their faces. “It’s great to see the trust engage in an intergenerational activity that brings the community together”. The artwork created by the 16
pupils will be displayed in the hospital. Pamela Alexander, Year 1 teacher at Our Lady & St Philomena’s Primary School, said: “The pupils spent two wonderful afternoons at Aintree. They really enjoyed spending time and working
collaboratively with the elderly patients to make woolly pom-poms for the artwork. “The patients also enjoyed spending time with the children. Their enthusiasm and enjoyment put a smile on all their faces”.
Pupils show-off their finished pom-poms
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
Pupils at Wargrave Primary School can now get stuck into even more books during school hours after the opening of two cosy reading areas. Complete with exciting new books, beanbags and freshly-laid carpets, the ‘book nooks’ have been funded through sponsored reads and book fairs – as well as assistance from the local Rotary Club and visits from the book bus. As a way of showing off their new reading dens, the Newton-le-Willows school recently held a reading celebration week which saw members of the Rotary Club; children’s author Tom Palmer; and St Helens Council’s Library Service Manager, Kathryn Boothroyd, invited down to school as the libraries were officially opened with a red ribbon cutting ceremony. Children then took part in creative writing workshops with Tom, who is best known for his exciting sports based stories and has an international reputation in reader development. Commenting on the impact that the reading nooks have had on the classroom, Year 5 teacher Ellie Burrows, who has made it her priority as English lead to promote reading at school, said: “The school is committed to raising the profile of reading and helping children foster a love for it, so it became an aim to fill their library areas with new exciting books. “I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this possible for their wonderful support. “Since the book nooks opened, they have proved to be a huge success with our pupils, with more and more children picking up books to discover the joys of reading”.
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Edsential Schools Catering Service are proud to use local butchers, along with fresh fruit and vegetables; we carefully source every bite to bring you sustainable, seasonal, ethical, and healthy food. Our aim is to provide your school with nutritious, memorable food in a cost-effective way.
Only Only Edsential Edsential foods foods m meet eet all all the the following following Food Food S Standards: tandards: All our meat comes from Birtwisle’s Butchers, a traditional local butcher based in Northwich. All meat is ‘Red Tractor’ assured. This ensures food and drink is traceable, safe to eat, produced responsibly and British. We only use Red Lion Eggs. Our food is assured by the RSPCA, who are dedicated to farm animal welfare. All our fish is certified as ‘Fish to Eat’. We use ‘Soil Association’ approved organic foods. We use Fairtrade produce. All our lunches adhere to the ‘5-a-day’ guidelines
5,320,000 SCHOOL S CHOOL MEALS MEALS
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Sustainable Palm Oil Challenge We are committed to participating in the Sustainable Palm Oil City Project in Chester. By April 2019 we will have worked with our suppliers to ensure that any palm oil present in food served in our kitchens to your children, will only be sourced from sustainable sources. In doing this, we know that we can better protect wildlife around the world from the impact of unsustainable agricultural practices.
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Primary News
Making a difference Primary school judged as ‘outstanding’ Knowsley Lane Primary School in Huyton has completely transformed in just seven terms, going from ‘requirements improvement’ to ‘outstanding’, following their Ofsted inspection carried out recently. Inspectors noted the commitment, clear vision and the relentless efforts of the senior leaders, local advisory body and academy trustees that have made Knowsley Lane Primary a “flourishing and highly successful” school. In addition, Year 6, standards are above average and lessons and activities are planned that enable pupils to make “rapid progress”. The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme and structures of the Vantage Academy Trust have helped to facilitate and consolidate this rapid progress of the school. The support of Knowsley Council, who have worked in conjunction with Vantage Academy Trust; has now enabled the school to support other schools due to the progress it has made and the “superb quality of education it provides.” Linda Lord, principal at Knowsley Lane
Primary School, said: “I am delighted with our latest Ofsted inspection which recognises the hard work and achievements of our pupils, staff, governors and the trust as well as the support provided by parents. “We have a school-wide focus on raising aspirations of staff and pupils and our curriculum has been carefully planned and developed to challenge our pupils. The school’s governance has been highlighted as ‘excellent’ and the challenge they have provided has helped
us to make the significant improvements we have made over the last two years.” Inspectors also judged the school to have effective safeguarding arrangements and said “skilled teachers” provide structure and pace in learning, helping pupils to make sustained progress across a range of subjects. They also stated that the school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding. Linda said: “Over the last three years, standards at the end of Year 6 have risen and in 2018 the school achieved above the national figure for reading, writing and maths combined. Inspectors accepted this will grow again in 2020 following a year of consolidation in 2019. “The Ofsted inspection has demonstrated we have the systems, processes, skills and commitment to help our children develop and thrive and we will continue to build on this momentum now over the coming years.” “I am so proud and pleased that our fantastic children and their families get the chance to be able to say that they go to an outstanding school.”
Inspiring school children to achieve their best A sport organisation has partnered with over 70 local schools to teach children about achieving their personal best. LSSP is a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) that is dedicated to providing all children and young people with the best possible PE, school sport and physical activity experiences. The My Personal Best programme, inspired by the Youth Sport Trust (YST), has been rolled out in 60 primary and 10 secondary schools across the Liverpool City Region. It aims to develop life skills, leadership and employability skills in young people. With a focus on PE and its importance in developing vital character traits in young people such as empathy, teamwork, resilience and leadership, My Personal Best allows for teaching and learning, assessment and 18
whole school priorities to be enhanced. LSSP’s specialist staff have delivered the programme and the relevant training to staff at local primary schools, ensuring the ethos is part of day-to-day school life. Divided into four sections; Physical Me, Healthy Me, Social Me and Thinking Me, each area looks at developing
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students’ character and resilience and ties in with Ofsted's new assessment framework, particularly, personal development. One school which has come on board is St Finbar’s Catholic Primary School in Toxteth. Headteacher, Mrs Janet Conley, said: “We decided to introduce the My Personal
Best programme to the whole school as we were keen to embed the teaching of the life skills through P.E and other subjects. “We have found that it has already had a positive effect on their vocabulary, they are getting more daily exercise and any behaviour issues have also greatly improved.” Partnership manager, Jimmy McGinn at LSSP, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering the My Personal Best programme to primary and secondary schools in the Liverpool City Region and helping pupils understand important traits such as selfbelief, motivation and resilience. “The benefits of the My Personal Best programme are endless. Not only will children develop life skills that encourages them to flourish in PE, school and life, but it will also improve their health and wellbeing and personal skills.”
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Primary News
Daniel is a star A Pupil at Halewood CE Primary School, part of the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, was recently awarded a Pupil Recognition Award from Halewood Town Council. Daniel Fitzsimmons, aged 7, was presented the award at Hollies Hall Halewood at the Halewood Town Council Awards Evening 2019. Dave Smith, headteacher at Halewood CE Primary, said: “Daniel is an extremely polite and caring member of our school community. He has worked exceptionally hard managing his feelings and speaking out to others. “His smile lights up the faces of those around him, but especially the faces of his parents and grandparents at the end of the school day. “Daniel really is a true delight and an amazing, caring brother to Joe. “Daniel is a young carer to his twin brother Joe, who he shares an unbreakable bond with”.
School celebrates passport to fun St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Huyton are extremely proud to have celebrated the launch of their new St Aloysius Child Passport. Pupils and staff have worked very hard to create this fabulous opportunity for the children and their families which celebrates memorable events on their St Aloysius journey. Miss Colfar, reception teacher said: “The day began with an exciting assembly planned and led by our school council who showcased our five passport areas in a fun an imaginative way, including drama, gymnastics and even a sack race!” Miss Colfar said: “We also had some inspirational visitors during our assembly – boxer Luke Willis and X Factor’s Gary Barker, who even treated us to a mini concert! “They both spoke about their determination, ambitions, setbacks and resilience they needed to succeed in life which captured the spirit of our St Aloysius Child. Both visitors 20
learnt lots more as they stayed to enjoy the activities on offer. “School was buzzing with excitement throughout the day as children sampled a taster of activities in each
area. “Some of the fun and challenging activities included: eating jelly with chopsticks, building a den, painting, making a bird feeder, sewing a button on
and gardening, to name but a few. “It was great to see so many of our families join in the fun at the end of the day too”.
St Aloysius pupils with special guests Luke Willis and Gary Barker
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CHANGE IS COMING
It’s an interesting time in PSHE education as Health Education (primary and secondary), Relationships Education (primary) and Relationships and Sex Education (secondary) all become statutory in September 2020. A lack of guidance for schools in the past has resulted in some children missing out on vital information about staying safe and healthy, growing up, and relationships. School Improvement Liverpool’s (SIL) PSHE specialist, Julie McCann, who is also a member of the PSHE Association Advisory Council, has developed successful training and support in all areas of PSHE education. Educate caught up with Julie to learn how schools can make sure they’re ready for the changes arriving at the start of the 2020/21 academic year.
Change is coming
Effective PSHE lessons support pupils to negotiate both the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing world
By Lawrence Saunders This is the first new government guidance on relationships and sex education in schools for almost two decades. Would you say it’s long overdue? Yes, the world is a different place to the one it was 19 years ago, and the new legislation reflects this. Many of the issues we see in the news are addressed through the PSHE curriculum, including gender equality, mental health, extremism and online safety. Effective PSHE lessons support pupils to negotiate both the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing world. MPs from different political parties have heeded the appeals from pupils, 22
families, teachers and professional bodies for an up-to-date and inclusive curriculm. From September 2020, what will primary/secondary school children need to be taught? Primary pupils will be provided with the foundations needed to develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge to build respectful, positive and safe relationships. Many primary schools already choose to teach sex education in a sensitive, age appropriate way, so that children understand the physical changes they will experience, and have the correct vocabulary to ask for help if necessary. At secondary, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) continues to support
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pupils’ personal and social development exploring personal identity, characteristics of positive relationships, emotional resilience and how to resist peer pressure. Included in this will be the teaching about intimate relationships, sex and sexual health. How will LGBT issues be addressed? RSE should be fully inclusive and LGBT issues should be fully integrated into the PSHE curriculum rather than delivered as standalone lessons. This helps develop the key attitudes of respect and tolerance. Avoiding assumptions and stereotypes helps support, acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of humankind.
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How will the needs of SEND pupils be catered for? All aspects of PSHE education must be accessible to all pupils. Children with SEND are sometimes the most vulnerable to exploitation, so really need to know how to challenge or where to ask for help. It may be necessary to tailor content and teaching to the specific needs of pupils, but this shouldn’t mean avoiding topics that feel too tricky or sensitive. Does the guidance cover how children can stay safe online? Yes, primary pupils should be taught about the benefits and the risks of the internet, how excessive time on devices can impact on their wellbeing, why there are age restrictions on social media/games, how online abuse and bullying can take place, and the importance of keeping personal information private. Secondary aged pupils should be taught about the similarities and differences between the online world and the physical world, the impact of over-reliance on online relationships, the risks related to online gambling, how advertising is targeted at them, and how to identify/report/seek support for harmful online behaviours. Will schools with a religious character be able include reflections on faith teachings as part of the lessons? Schools must deliver the statutory curriculum to all pupils, but should take into account the religious background of all pupils and handle sensitive topics appropriately. Positive relationships between the school and local faith communities will create a constructive context for the teaching of PSHE. In accordance with fundamental British values, it would be appropriate to teach that society is diverse and everyone should be treated with respect. Do academies and free schools have to adhere to the new guidance? The guidance applies to all schools whether maintained or independent, including academies and free schools. Can parents withdraw their children from the lessons? Parents do have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE until their child is 15 years old; however the majority of parents are very supportive of schools and also want to play a part in educating their children at home. Good communication between school and home increases confidence in the nature and purpose of the curriculum.
Any requests to withdraw should be discussed with the headteacher and schools should document this process. Parents cannot withdraw pupils from any aspect of sex education covered through the science curriculum.
teachers. The sooner schools implement this, the better.
Can schools begin the relevant teaching in September 2019 if they wish? Most schools are already doing a terrific job of teaching whole-school PSHE and Education Secretary Damian Hinds stated that those already covering health and relationships education successfully should continue to do so. These changes are about ‘up levelling’ and that all children are receiving an entitlement to this vital area of education. PSHE should be taught as a progressive, spiral curriculum with adequate timetabling and well-trained
PSHE education, through a range of training courses, briefings, in-school support and of course via our annual Northern PSHE Conference taking place in November. This year’s focus is unsurprisingly ‘Countdown to statutory status: intent, implementation and impact’ and we’re delighted to be welcoming Jono Baggley, the CEO of the PSHE Association and Lucy Emmerson, director of the Sex Education Forum as keynote speakers. For further information visit: https://www.schoolimprovementliverpool. co.uk/pshe-info
What can SIL do to help schools get ready for the changes? We can support schools in all aspects of
TOP TIPS • Teach PSHE as a progressive, spiral curriculum • Tailor content & teaching to the specific needs of pupils • The curriculum must be accessible to all pupils & fully inclusive • Handle sensitive topics appropriately • Good communication with families increases confidence in curriculum
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Educate Awards 2019 Countdown
Deadline for entry submissions for Educate A Awards wards 2019 w
From inspiring teachers, superb support staff to innovative projects across the curriculum, the Educate Awards are an opportunity for schools to showcase their credentials across a number of categories.
The closing date to enter Educate is June Awards w 23 2019, with entries open for all schools and colleges across the region.
Since launching in Liverpool in 2012, the awards has grown rapidly and now recognises schools and colleges right across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Founded by Kim O’Brien in 2012, the awards are the largest education awards in the North West.
In total there are 21 award categories, from Teacher of the Year, Career Aspiration, School
A S S O C I AT E S P O N S O R S
Support Star of the Year and Outstanding Commitment to Sport. A new category has also been introduced this year, recognising schools’ commitment to mental wellbeing. The Mental Health will be & Wellbeing Award w awarded to a school with a strong commitment to promoting social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and wellness. Kim O’Brien says: “We are so excited as the deadline approaches for the 2019 and Educate Awards w a can’t wait to see this year’s most inspirational schools, teachers and staff.
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Educate Awards 2019 Countdown
“We were absolutely delighted to win the Educate Award for ‘Eco Project of the Year’. At Queen’s Park, we are committed to teaching our children powerful knowledge and skills that go beyond the National Curriculum and the classroom walls. Thank you to Educate Awards and all involved for recognising the hard work of our children, staff and school community.”
AWARD CATEGORIES The Communication Award Eco School Project of the Year Spirit of Enterprise Award SEND Provision Award
Mrs Kellett (Headteacher) Queen’s Park C.E / U.R.C Primary School
Innovative and Creative Literacy Award STEM Project of the Year
“The Educate Awards offers schools a chance to showcase their hard work and achievements every year, which is fantastic for the morale of staff and students. Last year Rainford High won the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School - for the fourth time! It was a great honour for our PE department as they work incredibly hard to provide a wealth of opportunities for our students so they can lead an active lifestyle, during and after school.” “The awards get bigger and bigger each year and are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the brilliant work happening in our region. “We can’t wait to celebrate another year of outstanding education in the North West, so please don’t miss the deadline and get those entries in!” The awards are free to enter and open to all government funded and independent private educational establishments, including primary, secondary, further education providers and special needs schools in the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. The deadline for entries is midnight on Sunday 23 June 2019. The shortlist will be announced prior to the awards ceremony and the winners will be revealed on 16 November at Liverpool Cathedral. For further information including full details of how to enter, please visit www.educateawards.co.uk
Ian Young (Principal) Rainford High
“Overjoyed! Elated! Euphoric! So proud of my team, children and staff for winning Outstanding Arts in a Primary School 2018 at the Educate Awards. To have won it once was wonderful and to have defended our title successfully will go down in the history books of Riverside Primary School. “We cannot thank Educate organisers enough for making everyone feel like movie stars... the magnificent setting, entertainment and ambience were second to none. What a magical evening celebrating all that is great about education. We are still celebrating now!”
Outstanding Arts in a Primary School Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School Career Aspiration Award Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary School Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School Community Partnership Award NEW! Mental Health & Wellbeing Award Innovation in Education Award School Support Star of the Year Teacher of the Year Leadership Team of the Year Most Inspirational 16-18 Education Provider Most Inspirational Secondary School Most Inspirational Primary School Wow Recognition Award
Mrs Christina Lavine Riverside Primary School
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Monksdown pupils with their award
THE POWER OF MUSIC Prestigious music award for Liverpool school Monksdown Primary School are celebrating after being awarded a Musical Futures Champion School status. Musical Futures lessons involve playing real world instruments such as keyboard, guitar, ukulele, drumkit, percussion and electric instruments to modern and relevant songs as a whole class. Music at Monksdown Primary School is co-ordinated by Alan David Wilson, who teaches music through a hands-on ‘play first, theory after’ approach. Every child from Year 6 down to Year 1 has the opportunity to play a range of modern musical instruments in their lessons. Children play together in whole class group performances, and experience a teacher who expresses genuine excitement as each class’ skill progresses. Deputy headteacher, Mrs Gill Stewart, said: “At Monksdown we teach music and the arts to promote positivity, self confidence and a sense of community. “It is great to have our efforts recognised by a worldwide organisation as well as locally. We believe in developing our children as a whole, and promote the arts wherever possible within our curriculum”.
Together in harmony
Total concentration
Practising your chords!
Keeping the beat
Eukele practice
The school choir in full voice
Children enjoy their music lessons
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HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR AWARD ENTRY YET? DEADLINE 23RD JUNE
VISIT W WWW.EDUCATEAWARDS.CO.UK WW..EDUCA AT TEA AWARD A S.CO.UK FOR FOR MORE DETAILS DET ET TAILS A A S S O C I AT E S P O N S O R S
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LIGHTING UP THE FLOOR Students compete for dance awards Students from across Liverpool schools participated in the Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP) Secondary Dance Competition. Over 185 boys and girls from Years 7 to 13 took part in the prestigious event at North Liverpool Academy who provided the competition with amazing technical support and refreshments! Claire Povlotsky from LSSP said: “Each year the competition has got bigger, with more and more students taking part and this year we were blown away by the talent showcased on the evening. “LSSP dance specialists judged the event and schools were able to enter KS3, KS4, KS5 and solo categories. We also had awards for the most inspirational dance and the most entertaining dance. “During the evening the judges, audience and schools were entertained by a whole host of different dance genres and we saw amazing costumes, make up, hair, props and choreography – some of which was the students own work. Each dance was judged on the technical ability, costume design, choreography and expression and the judges reported that they had a really tough job!”
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PUPILS SET SAIL Local pupils set up a naval contingent The Belvedere Academy were approached to be part of the Cadet Expansion Programme which evolved rolling Combined Cadet Force (CCF) out to state schools and they chose to start a Navy contingent. Part funded by the MOD, the contingent's aim is to provide opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable and costly for students from a range of backgrounds. The school began in May 2018, with a start up contingent of 24. As well as learning naval skills such as how to tie knots, how to communicate using morse code and how to recognise a range of different afloat vessels, cadets are given the chance to try physical activities such as personal leadership tasks, climbing walls and low rope courses. They have been on trips to Dartmouth Naval College, where they stayed on a decommissioned warship, they've been sailing and kayaking, and have learnt about Liverpool's rich maritime history. They are also offered a range of qualifications they can achieve such as powerboating, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, first aid and lifeguard. They are the first all female Navy contingent in the country (though others are now in the start up phase) and we sent the first female cadet to an Introduction to the Marines course. The opening marked the success of their first year and the beginning of many more with a further 25 cadets joining in the summer of 2019.
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Education News
Competition returns Exhibitions celebrate the region’s best young artists dot-art Schools inter-school art competition is a well-established fixture in the academic calendar for many Merseyside schools. Due to its success and a partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, a parallel programme was also launched in 2017 for Cheshire schools. Since its inception in 2012 almost 7000 students from 398 schools have taken part. Participating schools submit art created by Year 5 or Year 9 students, which are then featured on the dot-art Schools website. A shortlisting panel of respected arts professionals then select their top three entries from each school. The public then vote online for their favourite piece of work, with the entry from each school with most votes featuring in the final exhibition. The overall winners and runners-up will be chosen by guest judges and announced at special prize-giving ceremonies attended by the teachers, students and their families before the exhibitions open to the public. The seventh annual dot-art Schools 2019 exhibition featuring winning
artworks from 63 primary and secondary schools across Liverpool City Region opens to the public on Wednesday 19 June to Tuesday 25 June at LJMU School of Art & Design. The third annual dot-art Schools Cheshire 2019 exhibition featuring winning artworks from 21 primary and secondary schools across Cheshire from
Friday 28 June to Friday 12 July at The Old Library Chester, Northgate St, Chester. Schools can register now to enter next year’s Dot-Art Schools competition. For more information visit schools.dotart.com or contact Carolyn Murray on schools@dot-art.com
Ni Hao! St John Bosco students visit China
Students from St John Bosco Arts College have recently returned from an eight day trip to China. 36 students from years 9 and 10, plus four members of staff, embarked on the 10 1/2 hour journey from London in April. Arriving in Shanghai, the students and staff immediately commenced their whistle stop tour of some of the sights of China by visiting The Bund, a waterfront area in central Shanghai and one of the most famous tourist destinations. The following days saw visits to The Shanghai Museum, The Yuyuan Garden and the Yuyuan Bazaar, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Jiangxin Island on the Oujiang River at Wenzhou city and Wuma Street Shopping in Wnenzhou and the 32
magnificent views from Wenzhou Jiushan Park. Everyone entered into the cultural experience with enthusiasm using chop sticks and eating the local food at the numerous local restaurants. The group then travelled by fast train to Wenzhou at speeds of up to 217 mph to visit its sister school, Wenzhou No.2 Foreign Language School. Over the two days at the school the students engaged in calligraphy, tennis and singing classes, watched a singing competition and learnt the basics of the martial arts with sticks. Two students, Ellie and Mollie, took part in the singing competition performing in front of a packed auditorium and representing St
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John Bosco Arts College. The students and staff formed firm friendships with the Chinese hosts who gave their visitors a very warm welcome. After a busy few days, the group said farewell and travelled back to Liverpool. Headteacher Darren Gidman, said: “The visit to China to see our sister school is a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet young people their own age from different cultures. “They have talked non-stop about the trip since they have returned and it is wonderful to hear all their stories. I hope the memories of this incredible experience stays with them for many years to come.”
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Interview with: Jan Rowe, head of initial teacher education at Liverpool John Moores University (L
Educate chats to Jan Rowe, head of initial teacher education at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) about her role in producing the next generation of outstanding primary and secondary teachers. And with a glowing Ofsted report under its belt, the future looks bright…
A partnership for all By Hannah Fowler Jan’s intention was to only stay in Liverpool for a year while studying for her PGCE at the University of Liverpool. 34 years later and Liverpool is very much home. “Liverpool drew me in and I grew to love it very quickly and the schools within it and I wanted to stay,” says Jan. Starting her career teaching modern languages in secondary schools, Jan then worked for the local authority as the Liverpool languages advisor. Moving in to teacher training always felt like the next step and Jan has now been at LJMU for over five years. “I always saw it as ripples in a pond,” she explains. “That as a classroom teacher I could influence my classes, as a head of languages I could influence more classes but in this particular role, if you’re sending out 550 excellent teachers every year who are then going out and having those ripple effects in their own classroom then that’s a really big impact that can be had.” LJMU offers a range of teaching programmes, from secondary postgraduate training in a huge choice of subjects to primary undergraduate and postgraduate courses. With students spending a significant amount of time within schools, a big part of Jan’s role is ensuring students are receiving a high quality experience. “We’re not a university that gives 34
people recipes,” she explains. “We don’t give you microwave meals, we help you to understand the ingredients of good teaching and what children are like so you can put together your own fantastic lessons.” Jan also spends a substantial amount of time on building partnerships with its 200 primary school, secondary school and college partners across the North West, plus 15 lead schools for its School Direct training programme. LJMU’s approach is paying off, as it was recently graded ‘outstanding’ for its primary teacher training partnership and ‘good’ across all aspects for its secondary partnership. Ofsted noted that LJMU and its partner schools are dedicated to training a supply of ‘well-qualified, committed and socially engaged teachers who are prepared to make a positive difference to the life chances of pupils across Merseyside and beyond.’ “We are absolutely delighted with what Ofsted had to say,” says Jan. “It’s really good news for the city and for all of our partners within the region. “You can only effectively grow a partnership by being a quality provider and one of the really delightful things about Ofsted is that we can now say it’s not just us that thinks that we’ve got something quite special, Ofsted are saying it too.” Since joining LJMU, Jan has worked
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“
The students feel that they are a member of staff because they are staying there all year
”
on raising the profile of teacher training at the University and developing its collaborative partnerships with schools. “I think it’s about integrity,” explains Jan. “It’s us promising things to schools, following them through, listening to schools when things aren’t going the way they think they should and responding. Then schools feel like they are part of something, they are not just a placement, they are part of the partnership.” In 2014, LJMU introduced a ‘Home School’ model for its postgraduate programme which lets schools take greater ownership and responsibility for its trainee teachers. Students are now in one school for the majority of the year and Jan says they now see trainees as “theirs much more than ours”. “The students feel that they are a member of staff because they are staying there all year and I think the biggest beneficiaries, and the most important beneficiaries are the children,” she adds.
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ty (LJMU)
Type ‘teacher training’ in Google and you’ll be met with startling headlines about the ongoing crisis within the profession. I ask Jan whether LJMU has found it more difficult to recruit students on to the teacher training courses.
teachers is through pairing them with school mentors who help them on their journey to becoming fully qualified. At the end of each year, LJMU hosts a partnership celebration where students can nominate their mentors.
“Our numbers have grown,” she says. “That’s a really positive indicator that people do want to train to teach, we’ve seen growth year on year.”
“The mentor at the end of (the programme) knows that the young person wouldn’t be a teacher without them and there is something very powerful about being acknowledged to being key to that person becoming a teacher,” says Jan.
Jan says her team work really hard to “talk up teaching”. “We talk about the importance of teaching, what teaching has done to impact on lives and that teachers are ordinary heroes. “I always start our interview talks by saying congratulations on choosing teaching. I think we need to change the narrative and we work hard to do that, because we believe it. None of us would be in this job if we didn’t.” But Jan’s well aware of the issues within the profession. “I’m not trying to paint a rosy picture and say that teaching isn’t tough, but we need the positive stories as well as the stories about people who have had a difficult time,” she adds. One way LJMU supports its trainee
A staggering 81% of teachers said they have considered leaving the profession in the last year because of the pressures of workload (National Education Union). So LJMU has also took steps to reduce trainees’ workload – an area which Ofsted commended the University for. “We work hard to make sure that the academic work that our students do – which is a requirement of teacher training – has an absolute impact on their practice,” explains Jan. “We have tried really hard to talk to schools and the students themselves about what’s important and get rid of the things that aren’t.”
Despite their recent successes, Jan and her team aren’t resting on their laurels. “We never stand still,” she says. “There are always things that we look to improve and develop. We’re trying to expand the amount of opportunities we can offer to schools in terms of supporting them in enhancing the opportunities that their children have. “But it is also quite nice to take a deep breathe because we’ve been waiting for that Ofsted report for five years.” Finally, I ask Jan what she would say to someone thinking of getting in to teaching and considering studying at LJMU. “Training to teach in Liverpool is a joy, young people in Liverpool are fantastic fun to teach and the communities of teachers in Liverpool schools are hugely supportive of each other and of the children,” she says. “I would like to think that what we add is a real commitment to all learners in all schools, to supporting our students really intensively and them always feeling that there is somebody that can help them out if they’re finding learning to teach a struggle.”
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Secondary News
Star sprinter Henry crowned English athletics champion A Liverpool student has won two under 17 titles at the 2019 England Athletics Championships. Henry Nwoke, a Year 11 student at The Academy of St Nicholas won the 200m title emphatically in a truly special time of 21.85 seconds. This gives Henry the 12th fastest ever time for the under 17 UK age group and 8th in the world. His 60m title win, in a new personal best (PB) of 6.91s, was the 15th fastest ever time in the UK for his age group. Held at the Sheffield English Institute of Sport and organised by England Athletics, the event brought together some of the country’s top track and field talent across a range of age groups. In the 60m final, Henry’s start wasn’t the best. Halfway down the 60m straight he had a narrow lead which he fought with every meter to keep as he crossed the finish line in first place. On the second day of the championships, the 200m heats and semi-finals took place with Henry running 22.74s and 22.32s. He drew lane five in the final with the second fastest runner in the country on the outside of him in lane six. Down the back straight it was neck
and neck between the two runners, but coming up and around the top bend Henry started to show his class, keeping his form and taking a lead which he wouldn’t let up. Reflecting on his wins, Henry Nwoke said: “I was really nervous going into the championships, as it was my first ever indoor nationals, but I knew I had trained really well and the times I had ran in previous races gave me confidence. “The weekend itself was a challenge mentally and physically, but one I really enjoyed. Winning these national
championships has shown me that hard work really does pay off. I can’t thank Mr Sweeney enough, I have learned so much in the nine months I have been training, we make a great team.” Having only started training for athletics in June 2018, 16 year old Henry has made rapid progress in every sense of the word. His maths teacher at The Academy of St Nicholas, Michael Sweeney, who is also a coach at Liverpool Harriers, saw his potential and started to train him. Coach Michael Sweeney said: “In such a short time Henry has improved so much. In training we have changed his running style completely, mastered the art of block starts and he’s put in the hard yards of winter training, always with a smile on his face. “He asks me every session about his running style, ever the perfectionist. He goes home and puts in the research in to top level sprinting and brings me videos and questions regularly, he is a coach’s dream! “Having competed at an international level myself, and coached athletes to this standard previously, he makes the role so much easier. Henry’s future is very bright.”
SMA hosts Schools’ Cup St Margaret’s Church of England Academy (SMA) was chosen by the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA), to hold the PlayStation Schools’ Cup ‘Tie of the Round’ roadshow event. The PlayStation Schools’ Cup is an exciting grassroots football partnership between PlayStation and ESFA. The tournaments are open to girls and boys throughout England within the U12, U13, U14 and U15 age categories. SMA’s sports centre was awash with excitement on the day as it held a number of interactive activities for students to participate in, including PlayStation games and coaching. The highlight for many was the arrival of Everton FC’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, who joined in the games along with a skills session outside. Sigurdsson also took part in a student Q&A, where he talked in detail about his route to becoming a premiership footballer. The Icelandic international also discussed other footballers he mentioned that Eden Hazard is the most difficult player he has faced, whilst he thinks Messi is the best player in the world. In addition, he provided students with a few words of advice. He told them that a lot of things in life about hard work and dedication, and that they should apply this to most things they do in and out of school, in order to have success in the future. He then met both teams prior to a Year 7 football fixture between St Margaret’s Academy and St Hilda’s School. Elements of the day were also filmed and will feature on the 36
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St Margaret’s pupils meet Everton FC’s Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sky Sports programme, Game Changers. Head of physical education at SMA, Colin Parkes, said: “The day was just fantastic from start to finish. I know this is an experience that our boys will keep with them, and be inspired by for a long time. After all, it is not every day we see a Premiership footballer in school!”
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Secondary News
Fantastic year for teams Sacred Heart netball teams clean up Sacred Heart Catholic College were celebrating the achievements of their netball players this year after nearly every team won major honours. Most recently, the Year 7s and 8s played in the Sefton Netball Tournament and both emerged as eventual winners. PE’s Mrs Mee said: “Both Year 7 and Year 8 were outstanding, showing all of their hard work, dedication and determination to succeed. “It was a tough day against strong opposition in Chesterfield, Merchant Taylors’, St Mary’s, Deyes, Maricourt and many more. “All the girls were a credit to the College and I am very proud of them all.” This caps a fantastic year across the board which has seen the Year 7 being netball league and tournament winners; Year 8 came second in the league and tournament winners; Year 9 were league winners and tournament third place; Year 10, second in the league and third in the tournament; Year 11 second in the league and second in the tournament and sixth form became county
The victorious sixth form team who became county champions
champions Mrs Mee added: “It has been a great year and I am so proud of all the girls
involved in netball at training and in matches. I wish them all the best for the future.”
ASFA crowned winners of Debate Mate Regional Championships The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) are celebrating after winning the Debate Mate Liverpool Championships and securing 5th place in the Urban Debate Cup, meaning two ASFA teams will be heading to London for the National Cups later this term. Debate Mate offers a dedicated programme to schools across the UK, helping to increase speaking and listening attainment and improve a range of higherorder thinking skills and noncognitive abilities such as confidence, teamwork, and leadership. In doing so, it looks to address the widening skills gap between education and employment, whilst raising aspirations and helping students to make informed post-18 choices. Made up of six ASFA 38
students from year 10, the team opposed the challenging motion, ‘This House would give access to the government of private texts, phone calls and emails.’ Out of the four teams involved, the students debated three rounds. With 9 out of 12 wins they sailed through to the finals against Bellerive FCJ Catholic
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College, meaning they will now travel to London and take part in the Debate Mate National Cup in June. Tracey Greenough, headteacher at ASFA, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our students have been declared winners of the Debate Mate Liverpool Championships. “They have worked
tirelessly throughout the competition, alongside our staff who have helped them develop their communication skills and taught them how to carefully construct and deliver arguments for and against a range of motions.” Tracey added: “We are now looking forward to the National Cups later this term.”
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Secondary News
‘Just champion’ Gateacre School become UK Junior Science Champions Four inspirational Year 10 girls from Gateacre School were announced Junior Science Winner of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2019 for their project “Naturally Infused”. The UK finals took place at the Big Bang Fair at the Birmingham NEC. The students designed and produced a range of natural bath and skin care which is kind to skin and the environment, using innovative, eye-catching designs because they decided that ‘natural needn’t be boring’! Their ‘Naturally Infused’ products have natural healing properties to combat skin conditions such as eczema, as well as having anti-bacterial fighting agents. Gina Kane, business development manager at Gateacre School and the girls’ project mentor said: “We are so proud of them, presenting to VIP judging panels and thousands of excited visitors over two days was a great opportunity for the girls to develop their interpersonal skills, inspire others and put the fun into science! “This is quite an achievement as the Big Bang Competition is open to all schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which recognises and rewards young people’s
achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).” The fair is the largest celebration of STEM for young people in the UK with exciting shows, interactive workshops, amazing displays and exhibits including careers information from the professionals.
Pupils inspired SFX helps to provide clean water in Africa by artist The art department of West Derby School looked at the lovely illustration work produced by Quentin Blake with Year 7 pupils. He is known best for illustrating books written by Roald Dahl. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the project and lots of creative work was produced by them. Improving drawing skills was a very important part of the project. Developing skills using coloured pencils and paints was also important to the success of the project. Pupils were also set tasks that would nurture an understanding of how drawings can help with the understanding of text. They wrote stories to accompany their own illustration work. Fourteen boys were fortunate to visit an exhibition at the Lady Lever Gallery of Quentin Blake’s work that was displayed. This was a wonderful opportunity to see Blake’s work first hand. The Lady Lever gallery had assembled a lovely exhibition of his work that allowed for a greater understanding of the materials he used and the process of his creative work. All of the boys said how much they enjoyed the exhibition. 40
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St Francis Xavier’s College (SFX) in Woolton has been able to provide an African village with clean water after donating money towards the construction of a much needed well. By installing AquAid water coolers within the school, a proportion of the annual hire fee has gone towards supplying fresh water to a community in Africa. This water well, known as an Elephant Pump, it is a modified version of a water pump based on an age-old Chinese rope pulley system. The pump is built by an experienced member of the Africa Trust in collaboration with local people from the community who are then taught how it works and how to repair it using local materials and
parts. Patrick Ferguson, executive head at SFX, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to contribute towards the supply of clean, fresh water for communities that don’t have access to this essential resource. “Many of us take for granted the running water that comes from our taps and so this is a great initiative for the school to be part of as it gets people thinking about others who are less fortunate.” Fern Shaw from AquAid Africa said: “It’s amazing to think that through simply drinking water dispensed from our water coolers, St Francis Xavier’s College have provided sufficient support for the implementation of safe drinking water projects for others in need”.
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Secondary News
Blue Coat School launches new organ scholarship
Liverpool Blue Coat School aims to boost the number of UK young organists – and especially female players with a new organ scholarship hailed as being “unsurpassed outside London”, offering tuition on its own two pipe organs and two cathedral organs. Fundraising for the new Blue Coat organ scholarship began with the launch of the ‘Pipe Up’ campaign for people to sponsor any of the school’s historic Father Willis’ 1,224 pipes, ranging from £10 for the one and a half inch octaves to the 16ft octaves at £250. The scholarship is made possible with the award of a £180,600 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for the School’s Blue Coat For All project centred on the restoration of its Father Willis organ, plus a further £32,155 raised by match funding for the project from charitable trusts and donations from friends of the school. The NLHF grant will allow the school to use the restored Father Willis organ for community outreach schemes, such as public organ and choral concerts for the first time and workshops for primary and specialist schools’ pupils. In addition, it is planned for students, both from the Blue 42
Coat School and externally, to be tutored on Liverpool Anglican Cathedral’s Willis organ (the UK’s largest organ) and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral’s Walker organ. The project’s launch was celebrated with a gala organ concert at Liverpool Cathedral, with a programme of six organ and five choral pieces. The concert’s organists all had links with Blue Coat, either as teachers or past and present students. Mike Pennington, The Liverpool Blue Coat School headteacher, said: “The NLHF grant means we shall not only be able to restore our rare Father Willis organ, but also launch our Blue Coat organ scholarship, combining the organ resources of our school with those of the two great Liverpool cathedrals will create a superb national music training opportunity for young people.” Peter Elson, Blue Coat For All project manager, said: “This is the first step in the Blue Coat organ scholarship and will start something really special in the world of music and whose influence in creating a new generation of organ players will recharge the great British tradition of organ music. Where else will young organ students be tutored on four incredible organs?”
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St Cuthbert’s triumph in Spain
May Day bank holiday weekend saw St Cuthbert’s School in St Helens take 34 students on a football and netball development tour to the Atalaya Park resort, Estepona, Costa Del Sol. Students and staff flew out to Malaga and then travelled on to Atalaya Park Golf Resort, arriving late afternoon. The first day ended with fun, activity and enjoyment at Aqua-Mijas Water Park, where students and staff had free rein of a deserted park, competing against one another on slides and supporting one another on a difficult water-rapid trail. For a number of the children, this was their first time overseas, away from home. Day two started with netball and football training; students working through the heat but did so with smiles on their faces. Further training on day three was the order of the day for the boys in preparation for their evening fixture, whilst our girls enjoyed a rounders’ match. Throughout the afternoon, some downtime allowed the boys opportunity to relax and recover, whilst the girls enjoyed some aqua aerobics and pool-side activities. Prior to the match against Inter Marbella, the St Cuthbert’s boys trained intensely in difficult, warm conditions and did so with focus and commitment to one another. They produced a committed and hard-working performance against a technically shrewd opponent. For the first 30 minutes of the game St Cuthbert’s had the better chances of the two teams, and were unlucky to go into half time 3-2 down. Harrison R made a phenomenal penalty save and two follow up saves to deny Inter Marbella increasing their lead further. Adam B and Jack K linked up excellently on the right side of the pitch to create a number of chances. As the second half progressed, fitness did start to take its toll as the conditions started to have a major influence on the game. Inter Marbella increased their lead further, adding two well-worked goals in the second half; before a late consolation goal from our boys gave the score line a true reflection of their attitude and effort. The final score line was 5-3 to Inter Marbella with goals for St Cuthberts scored by captain Kieran S, and two goals from Nathan B. Nathan B was awarded the man of the match for his robust performance in the game. Nicola Lethbridge, curriculum leader for physical education and health and social care at St Cuthbert’s said: “Students’ behaviour was exemplary throughout the trip and it was a pleasure to give them this opportunity and help them create fantastic life-long memories”.
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A packed audience
SPECIAL GUEST BLESSES SCHOOL Alsop High launches Centenary year The Rt Rev John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, has officially launched Alsop High School’s Centenary year. The event brought together students – both past and present – teachers, governors and special guests. Alsop students read out centenary messages while pupils from St Mary’s CE Primary School sang a song. Archbishop Sentamu blessed the school and was presented with a special gift by student Chloe Judge. Rt Reverend Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, said: “I would like to congratulate Alsop for serving the needs of countless generations of young people. “The school, rooted in the North Liverpool community, continues to be a force of the common good and shines as a beacon of hope to empower the aspirations and needs of all.” Former students and staff are encouraged to visit the school website www.alsophigh.org.uk for further information about the #Alsop100 Centenary.
Matthew McCartney and Chloe Judge, Alsop High School
Centenary messages read by Alsop students
The first blessing by Archbishop Sentamu
Peter Bull thanks the Archbishop of York for visiting Alsop High School to officially launch Alsop Centenary
Archbishop of York, John Sentamu
Pupils from St Mary’s CE School sang “It’s You, It’s Me, It’s Us That Build Community”
Pupils from Arnot St Mary CE Primary School
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Everyone Matters Support of inclusivity, mental health and wellbeing
A well-rounded Sixth Form experience
• Dedicated facilities and learning support curriculum for special educational needs and disability (SEND) students
• Newly refurbished surroundings
• A different and effective approach to support students with ADHD • A mental health and wellbeing room
• Offers a nurturing working environment for all students • Encourages students to be brilliant • Opportunities to experience the world of work • International trips to meet new cultures
Award-winning sports department
High expectations and outcomes
• Expansive PE facilities and extra-curricular activities
Helping every young person to be both courageous and caring, resilient and determined as they strive for excellence, an active and well-rounded citizen with deep integrity, one who respects others and contributes positively to society.
• Winners of the Educate Awards’ ‘Outstanding Commitment to School Sport Award’ four times! • Inclusive approach
EVERYONE Matters EVERYONE Helps EVERYONE Succeeds
Rainford High Higher Lane, Rainford, St Helens, Merseyside WA11 8NY Tel 01744 885914
@Rainford_High
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Multi-Academy Trusts
Meet the Multi-Academy
TR USTS transforming our region
By Ellie Adshead
More than 50% of children in state-funded schools in England are now taught in an academy, with hundreds of schools each year making the positive choice to become an academy. The academies programme was introduced by the Government in 2000 in a bid to ‘improve pupil performance and break the cycle of low expectation’. By 2010, there were 203 academies – mostly in inner cities.[1] Today there’s 708 multi-academy trusts (MAT) in the UK operating more than one academy school.[2] In this issue, we speak to leaders from four different MATs in the Liverpool City Region to find out how schools have benefitted from the change in status.
Sources: [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/education-secretary-thanks-school-leaders-for-academy-success [2] https://www.besa.org.uk/key-uk-education-statistics/
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Multi-Academy Trusts
DAVID CLAYTON
All Saints Multi Academy Trust David Clayton is the CEO of All Saints Multi Academy Trust which was formed in January 2016 by bringing together The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, based in Kensington, Liverpool, with The Academy of St Nicholas (formerly Enterprise South Liverpool Academy) in Garston, Liverpool. Prior to the academisation, the schools struggled to achieve outcomes in line with national benchmarks.
more efficiently, meaning that more of our funding is targeted at supporting our young people to thrive.” The students at both schools have also seen significant changes. David added: “The quality of education provided by both schools has been absolutely transformed, which has been most notably reflected in the recent Ofsted report for The Academy of St Francis of Assisi when the overall effectiveness of the school was judged to be good.”
Speaking about the partnership, David Clayton said: “Both schools shared a unique, joint faith Christian ethos, having been jointly sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese and Anglican Diocese of Liverpool. It was felt that forming the Trust would give both schools the opportunity to forge a closer relationship based on their shared values. Equally, the opportunity to work together more closely would allow the schools to share resources, expertise and best practice to enhance the quality of provision offered to our young people.”
For staff, the working environment also improved. The Trust is now able to invest significantly in the professional development of staff, providing opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and work with their counterparts across the Trust to collaborate and share resources. A central team now provides support for departments such as finance, HR, facilities management and ICT support.
Fast forward to the present day and both schools are now vibrant learning centres, providing the highest quality education to two distinct communities.
Talking about the sixth form, David explained: “This has been a phenomenal success as we are able to offer our students a broader curriculum, state-ofthe-art facilities and phenomenal experiences neither school would have been in a position to offer individually. As a result, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of applications from students in other schools.”
For David, the benefits of becoming a MAT have been endless. He said: “Becoming a MAT has provided much needed stability to our schools during a period of unprecedented challenge, both in terms of funding and accountability. By working together, we are able to work
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The Trust has also formed All Saints Sixth Form College, a collaborative sixth form provision serving both schools.
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“
T HE QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROVIDED BY BOTH SCHOOLS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY TRANSFORMED, WHICH HAS BEEN MOST NOTABLY REFLECTED IN THE RECENT OFSTED REPORT.
”
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Multi-Academy Trusts
SUE KERWIN
SUE MAWDSLEY
Liverpool Diocesan School Trust The Liverpool Diocesan School Trust was established in 2017. The vast majority of Dioceses have already established Trusts and so following consultation with all Church of England Schools in the Diocese of Liverpool, and receive extremely positive responses towards the idea, the Diocesan Board of Education develop a MAT of its own. Its belief is that as a diocesan-led MAT, they we can create stronger bonds of collaboration and cooperation, share good practice, address areas of weakness and offer increased opportunities for professional development. To date, the Trust has welcomed over 16 schools from the Liverpool City Region, each with their own reason for joining. Sue Mawdsley, headteacher of Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, talks about the issues they were facing as a school before becoming part of the Trust: “There was a number of things we were becoming increasingly concerned about. We felt quite isolated and we were receiving little to no support. I was spending a lot of time spearheading or joining local initiatives that promoted joint working and peer-to-peer support, which was both time consuming and expensive for relatively little cohesive impact.”
“The centre has a strong commitment for all its schools to succeed and provides the best school improvement support that I have experienced. Already we have built strong bonds of mutual support and sharing of strategies. Joint projects like ROAR (Raise Our Achievement In Reading), writing moderation, school to school peer reviews, curriculum development and an Ethos Conference, have made me feel confident now that Holy Trinity is moving in the right direction within a visionary and sustainable partnership.” The headteacher at St Andrew’s Maghull Church of England Primary School, Sue Kerwin, explains the positives her school has seen: “The biggest impact has been seen in the professional development of leadership throughout the school, a sharing of good practice on school selfevaluation and the sharing of the workload in producing policies and guidelines. We have developed an approach that defines the school’s autonomy, the areas for alignment and the areas that have to be standardised.
“
T HE VISION IS STRONG AND PASSIONATELY SHARED BY ALL THE SCHOOLS IN THE TRUST. ALREADY WE HAVE BUILT STRONG BONDS OF MUTUAL SUPPORT AND SHARING OF STRATEGIES.
”
“Ultimately, St Andrew’s has retained its individual ethos and personality while belonging to a Trust that respects this.”
Sue continues: “Since joining the LDST we haven’t looked back. Not a day goes by without me thanking the decision we made to convert. The vision is strong and passionately shared by all the schools in the Trust and the staff at the centre.
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Multi-Academy Trusts
IAN YOUNG
Rainford Academies Trust Rainford High became an academy in September 2017 and is the lead school within Rainford Academies Trust.
developing staff and giving students the best opportunities to have a great education.”
Principal Ian Young explains: “The reason behind becoming a multi-academy trust was to develop a collaboration between like-minded school leaders and develop a school-to-school improvement model that supported, developed and retained staff due to the opportunities created by working in a trust.”
In reference to the any negative reports in the press, Ian believes that academies, like state-funded schools, need to be led with integrity and moral purpose to ensure the best outcomes for the community they serve.
Since then, Rainford has been able to create more opportunities for staff to develop and share best practice working with schools in different parts of the country, as well as locally. Academy status has also allowed the trustees to support staff wellbeing by increasing the number of staff training days from 5 to 7, giving people more time to reflect on practice and consider how to improve what we do to benefit students. Ian adds: “We have deliberately built a supportive environment so that staff hopefully feel valued and that Rainford Academies Trust becomes recognised as a good employer that supports their career development but also values their work life balance.”
He explains: “Clearly there have been issues with people abusing their position in academies that are highlighted in the news. Unfortunately, the positive impact and actions of academies are not reported in the same way as the negative stories due to them being part of the political agenda for education. He goes on: “Academies are now a massive part of the English education system and many do a great job for the community they serve and the staff they employ. The vast majority are run with high levels of expertise striving to make the lives and opportunities for children better, just like schools.”
Speaking about whether becoming an academy has affected parent and students, the principal said: “In reality I don’t think it has made a distinct difference to parents or students. We are trying to use some of the flexibilities to ensure we are financially effective and spend these savings on supporting and
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“
T HE REASON BEHIND BECOMING A MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST WAS TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATION BETWEEN LIKEMINDED SCHOOL LEADERS AND DEVELOP A SCHOOL-TOSCHOOL IMPROVEMENT MODEL.
”
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Multi-Academy Trusts
KAREN HUTCHINGS
SAIL Academy Trust Kensington-based New Park Primary School is an ‘outstanding’ rated school which is headed up by Karen Hutchings. Her 20 years of experience as a headteacher has seen her work closely with the local authority, offering support to other schools in the area which needed guidance.
During the period of transition and improvement at Roscoe Primary School, staff were appointed with a mentor who they could go to whenever they required help or had any queries. Karen said: “This really boosted morale between the teams and ensured that everyone felt supported during the academisation.
One school in particular was Roscoe Primary School situated in the Clubmoor area of the city. After being put into special measures, Karen and New Park’s senior team stepped in and formed the SAIL Academy Trust in order to prevent it from joining a large MAT. Karen said: “We were determined to help Roscoe Primary School in any way that we could. Often schools which become an academy within a big Trust can get lost but we felt that Roscoe needed to be worked with diligently and so we formed SAIL Academy Trust.”
“Since the joining SAIL Academy Trust, the standards for pupils at Roscoe have increased, the curriculum we deliver is much more fun and we are able to offer additional assistance where needed through our dedicated SEND team and behaviour therapist.
According to Karen, both schools have benefited endlessly from this partnership and the standards at Roscoe have now massively improved. “The main reason for establishing a MAT was to create a trusting environment for both staff and pupils at both schools, whilst sharing the knowledge of the wonderful team we have in place at New Park. Furthermore, we have developed an executive MAT team which is made up of key personnel from the schools. This allows us to carefully manage both schools and share resources and expertise.”
“Becoming a MAT has brought as all close together and we are now one big, happy family which for me personally is key, as all we want to do is deliver the best education possible for our pupils.”
“
S INCE JOINING SAIL ACADEMY TRUST, THE STANDARDS FOR PUPILS AT ROSCOE HAVE INCREASED, THE CURRICULUM IS MUCH MORE FUN AND WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED.
”
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A fresh perspective on EIF 2019 At the beginning of 2019, the proposed Education Improvement Framework (EIF) was released for all to see. If you’ve tried to read the changes and thought, “hey wait, what?” or even: “gosh, this is long” – education-software company Angel Solutions have put together a nifty website, so you can see the biggest proposed changes at a glance. Here’s a quick look at what the proposed changes mean, in the grand scheme of things: In order to achieve a good Ofsted inspection, you have to run a good school. Or at least, that’s the way it should be. Yet, as teachers know all too well — the pressure of being ‘tested’ at something can make some try to bend rules, find short cuts, or even lose sight of the bigger picture altogether in the pursuit of ‘good’ results. The new framework proposal is designed to shake up the way we teach, the way we assess, and the way we approach Ofsted. It directs schools to focus on providing children with a rich, solid foundation of knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for later life - rather than ‘teaching to the test’. In turn, schools will need to provide a purposeful curriculum that progressively builds a deep body of knowledge. Curriculums will be assessed on three things – Intent (aims), Imple-mentation (methods) and Impact (evaluation and expectations). How you choose to provide the curriculum is generally up to you, but the big take-away is that the focus should be on the quality of overall learning (not gaming the system to achieve ‘good scores’)! Overall, the proposal seems to signal a genuine movement towards teaching becoming education over exams… and we think that’s bloomin’ marvellous. Need a hand with SEF, or worried about the impact these changes will have on workload? Luckily, Angel Solutions are here to help with education software geared specifically to support you through these changes – whether you need to balance your day-to-day classroom data, or just get a broader perspective or what’s happening in your school. Log onto www.angelsolutions.co.uk/EIF to see all the EIF changes, and take a peek at how perspective and balance can help.
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Secondary News
Mundo Afrika The hardest working choir in the North The award-winning Mundo Afrika world music choir based at Formby High School has been described as the hardest working choir in the north. Over the past 18 years, the music department has trained six generations of young performers from across the school as part of their extracurricular music programme. The current generation have surpassed all previous incarnations and gained a nationally renowned reputation. These talented and exciting young performers are outstanding ambassadors, not only for the school, but for the value and importance of music education at a time when the arts are under scrutiny. Mundo Afrika are equally at home rehearsing at school, wowing the crowds at a major national festival, working with primary school children or even leading a training sessions for teachers! National recognition has taken them all around the country to perform at a range of events including the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham, the Educate Awards at Liverpool Cathedral, Music for Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall, in front of 5,000 people, the UK Choir Festival in St Albans and the SSAT National Conference in Manchester. Specialising in acappella African vocals,
performances are enhanced with dynamic percussion and traditional dance. Many of their musical arrangements are created by the students themselves. Steve Cook, senior assistant headteacher and musical director of the choir, said: “I am always incredibly proud of the Mundo performers. They
deliver stunning performances every time, regardless of the venue or occasion. Whilst essentially a world music choir, they diverse and adapt into pop, soul, gospel and urban styles easily and revel in new challenges. “They are fantastic ambassadors for the power of music and creativity in school.”
Archbishop Beck crowned champions Winning schools from across the region gathered at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool to take part in the Grand Final of the LCR Make It Work Robotics Challenge, supported by the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram and facilitated by All About STEM. Over the last six months, All About STEM are have facilitated a series of, free-to-attend events for schools where
students had the chance to build a VEX robot and battle it out in an exciting arena-style competition. Each heat showcased careers linked to manufacturing and engineering, highlighted pathways into them and developed skills. Schools were supported throughout the day by All About STEM & a team of expert STEM Ambassadors. Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram,
The winning Archbishop Beck receive their award off Steve Rotheram
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attended the grand final and was impressed by the student’s creativity, innovation, determination and teamwork. After building their robots, all schools battled hard through a series of nailbiting rounds but it was Archbishop Beck Catholic College and Mosslands School who faced-off, head-to-head in the final. The crowd erupted with excitement as the final seconds counted down… it was a valiant effort from Mosslands but Archbishop Beck and ‘Archbot’ reigned supreme! Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “In the future, robots will become an essential part of our everyday lives. This challenge has been a fantastic initiative to encourage young people to learn new skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and hopefully consider continuing their studies in those subjects. “It is key the Combined Authority support projects like this to give young people the opportunity to experience STEM in action and inspire them to forge successful careers in these industries which could boost the future economic prosperity of the Liverpool City Region.”
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Mrs Code (headteacher) with the Deputy Lord Mayor, councillor Peter Brennan
PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE St Hilda’s welcomes new partners A secondary school in Liverpool is the sixth school in the UK to become a partnership with the Goethe-Institut London. St Hilda’s CE High School has joined Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH) which aims to create and strengthen global networks with partner schools, with special links to Germany. The Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy London attended St Hilda’s to officially launch the partnership, with speeches by Dr Susanne Frane of the German Embassy and Dr. Georgia Herlt from The GoetheInstitut London. The speeches were followed by a rendition of ‘She Loves You’, performed in German by the school choir. The GoetheInstitut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, which promotes knowledge of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange. The institute has around 600 PASCH partners in schools worldwide.
Dr Georgia Herlt (Goethe-Institut) gave a warm and amusing speech
Mrs Boyland (head of languages), Simone Pfliegel (GI) and headteacher Mrs Code
Pupils spoke of their enjoyment learning to speak German
Isobel Blore (left) and Holly Robinson compered the event
The Pitch Perfect Ensemble
The brilliant choir who were on top form
Each performance was sung in German, much to the delight of the visiting party
The VIPs all had a great time
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Secondary News
Helping hand for centre Big Lego Brick Hospital Archbishop Blanch School were joined by their friends at the Rotary Club of Liverpool as host of the Big Lego Brick Hospital. This is an initiative to support and raise funds for the building of the new Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool. The new Clatterbridge is currently being built next to the new Royal Hospital, very close to the site of their old school building on Mount Vernon Road. The new centre will host the UK’s largest teenage oncology unit, with 11 dedicated suites for teenagers and young adults. The fundraising efforts will go towards the facilities that will make these suites as comfortable and normal for all young people affected by cancer. So why the Lego? The Clatterbridge charity is building an exact Lego replica of the new hospital at a scale of 1 to 40. The finished model will have 500,000 Lego bricks, which are being sold off at £1 per brick. Their aim is to raise £1000 which will cover the cost of a Lego bedroom! Students are encouraged to contribute whatever they can to the cause, which they can do by donating during the school day. The schools fantastic head girl team will be going around at break and lunch to collect loose change donations. We would also love to see parents donate to the cause, and the easiest way of doing this will be through the Just Giving page which we have set up for this event. Go to the following link for more information: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abs-clatterbridge
The fantastic Big Lego Brick Hospital
BBC showcases Rainford High’s dedicated ADHD provision Rainford High has been chosen by the BBC for a documentary looking at young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how schools are supporting the condition. The school’s work with the ADHD Foundation focuses on a coordinated approach around students who have the condition. It involves working with parents, developing teachers, as well as supporting students in ways that makes their school experience positive. The short documentary, which is available online, responds to questions from parents as to how some secondary schools aren’t supporting children with ADHD enough. Rainford High is positioned as a school that is trying to take a different and effective approach to support the children and families who live with this condition It interviews the principal, Ian Young, who gives a tour of the contemporary 56
school, highlighting the facilities it offers students with ADHD. The BBC also speaks with Kate Thomas, special educational needs coordinator (SEND) at Rainford High, and parents of two students who praise the school for its nurturing approach. In the documentary, the ADHD Foundation said: “Rainford High has a unique culture that champions neurodiversity and inclusion.” Ian Young, principal of Rainford High, said: “We are delighted to have been involved with this project. We are continuing to work hard to ensure that every child who attends Rainford High has a great educational experience. “Inclusivity and diversity sit at the heart of the school ethos of ‘Everyone Matters, Everyone Helps and Everyone Succeeds’. As a community we need to support all the young people in having an education that adds value to them both academically and developmentally. As a whole, schools need to change and adapt
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to make sure we can achieve this goal for everyone.” The documentary can be watched on the BBC news website.
Ian Young, principal of Rainford High
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Secondary News
Study, learn and teach at LJMU BA Hons Learning, Development and Support at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is the ideal preparation for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in primary or early years education, with students being able to complete their degree while still working full time in an educational setting. Classes take place on Saturdays so that students can continue to work during the week, and electronic learning materials mean they can study at their own pace and in their own time. The degree programme is suitable for those working in all phases of education and there is a focus on Special Educational Needs (SEN), as well as the emotional and mental development of children and young people. Jenny Woods, Senior Lecturer at LJMU’s School of Education, explained: “Most students on the BA Learning, Development and Support degree are people who are returning to education after a long break in their formal learning and this course provides them with an opportunity to gain a degree and to fulfil their ambitions, without having to give up their employment. “It is perfect for those who wish to develop their professional and academic skills but who are nervous about studying at degree level and who lack the qualifications to apply for other degree programmes. Many of our students simply want to gain a degree and improve their practice and some use this to progress to teacher training, social work and other professions.” Two students currently completing the degree programme are David Howard and Reece Pickstock. Both are currently working full time in schools and feel the degree has provided them with a range of opportunities. David commented: “I didn’t progress
well during secondary school and never thought I would be able to complete a degree. I heard about LJMU’s Learning, Development and Support programme through a friend. I was really interested so I thought I would apply but I was very nervous about being a mature student and worried about juggling working part time and having two children and a newborn baby. “The work was challenging and extremely interesting. I received so much support from my tutors who supported me and gave me advice on assignments and lesson plans; one tutor often sent me articles he thought I would be interested in. Now I have come to the end of my degree I have grown so much in confidence, thanks in part to my tutors and the knowledge I have gained from the lectures. “I have applied and been accepted on to a Masters in Psychology for next year. This degree has quite literally changed my outlook on life and my own abilities.”
Reece added: “I really wanted to go university but I thought because I hadn’t done my A levels, I wouldn’t be able to. When I found the Learning, Development and Support course at LJMU I was excited because I realised I could go to university and also still be able to work in a school. One of the main reasons I love the course is that I’ve learnt the theory behind how children learn and develop, and I am now able to apply this to my professional practice and enhance my own development. “This course has been amazing for me and has helped me both professionally and personally. The tutors have been incredibly supportive and many doors have opened for me since being on the course. I now know that I want to continue working in education.” For more information about LJMU’s Learning, Development and Support degree programme, go to www.ljmu.ac.uk/courses or call 0151 231 5340.
Spectroscopy in a suitcase Chemistry students from Year 13 of King David High School recently took part in the spectroscopy in a suitcase workshop. The workshop was delivered by representatives of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) based at the University of Manchester. The students were given an overview of different types of spectroscopy used in chemistry and worked through a number of problem solving tasks to identify the molecules from their spectroscopic data. The team from the RSC also brought with them an infra-red (IR) spectrometer and a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. These were mini versions of the type used in universities and industry and allowed the students to see how a spectrum is obtained. The workshop was a great recap of the topic covered in Year 13 and one of the many activities happening during British Science Week at King David. 58
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Students deep in concentration
ACTIVATORS LAUNCH EVENT Calderstones take the lead Calderstones School was the venue for the Merseyside Step into Sport Leadership Conference, which also incorporated the Youth Sport Trust & Liverpool School Sport Partnership (LSSP) Merseyside Girls’ Activators launch event. The launch saw seven secondary schools, six mainstream and one special school attend the event from Liverpool and Wirral. Fifty female sports leaders attended the event that will have an impact on hundreds more in their schools. A great way to get the leadership journey going. The day also saw Calderstones School launch their Girls’ Activators Project. The project looks to train female leaders in secondary schools to be able to go back to their schools and engage female students in fun, physical activity in inclusive sports clubs. The lead at Calderstones School Katherine Jackson said: “It has been a fantastic event. We saw Jenna Downing, the X Games champion attend and she has been a brilliant role model to the young people here”.
Teamwork from Archbishop Beck Sports College
A lot of physical work ensued
There was a fun element to the day
Calderstones sports leaders get involved
An LSSP coach Basketball skills
Pupils endure the shuttle runs
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A first for the region Liverpool Life Sciences UTC launches Baltic Research Institute Liverpool Life Sciences UTC has recently launched a dedicated research institute which will be led by its students. The Baltic Research Institute (BRI) gives students a platform to develop their educational skill set whilst showcasing the research carried out during their time at the school, which specialises in science and health care for students aged 14-19. Hailed as the first in the region, it has been set up by lead teacher for science innovation, Dr John Dyer, along with two Year 12 students, Eleni Liami and Shane Conlon, who have been appointed as co-directors. The BRI is split into five departments; communications, education and outreach, business and partnership, advanced manufacturing, and technical centres. A number of students will take on key roles within each of these departments. The communications team is in charge of everything that is published about the BRI and inter-communication between the departments. Together with a yearly journal, there will be a website, blog and podcast. Education and outreach manages the events that happen inside and outside of school. The team facilitate primary school visits which invites local students to the UTC, giving them a chance to experience hands-on learning. It also
forms partnerships with businesses keen to support the institute. The business and partnership section controls any monetary and legal situations, whilst the advanced manufacturing team plan and develop products that the institute will sell in the future to help fund the continuation of the project. Finally, the technical centres are divided into six sub research divisions; sustainable development, model organisms, terrestrial organisms, aquatic organisms molecular biology and microbiology. The BRI will benefit the students in a number of ways, not just their own scientific knowledge, but by developing their organisational and leadership skills which will ultimately enable them to grow in confidence, ready for their next chapter in life. Dr John Dyer, said: “It was important to give students the opportunity to pursue their own research interests and allow them to manage their own projects from the conception of ideas and experimental design through to implementation, analysis and evaluation. “The students have driven the creation of the journal and have been involved in all decisions from the title and format through to individual leadership roles and the peer review and editing process. “Their hard work and commitment is
The Baltic Research Institute team
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evident for all to see and they should be very proud of the result.” Eleni Liami, said: “The BRI is an incredibly exciting project to be part of. Whilst it is still in its infancy, we are already forming exciting partnerships with businesses keen to be involved as well as local primary schools which are unable to offer hands-on science lessons.” St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Toxteth visits the UTC once a week. Its pupils are able experience practical science lessons which are delivered by the students involved with the BRI. Year 3 teacher, Mr Larkin from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, said: “Our Year 3 pupils are so engaged and enthused with these fantastic practical science sessions, which are led with such skill by the Liverpool Life Sciences students. “Our children loved using the equipment and learned so much about chemistry, biology and physics in a fun and memorable way. The students deserve special praise for supporting our SEN children so effectively.” One pupil from the primary school, Demee said: “I enjoyed chemistry, the students acted like they were real scientists. They made me want to come to this school to learn more!” The BRI is based on a sustainable model and each year a new team of students will be recruited with the help of the current cohort.
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Eleni Liami one of the co-directors
Pupils from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School are taught about the sciences
Year 12 students, Eleni Liami and Shane Conlon
A helping hand for one of the pupils
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School pupils at the Baltic Research Institute
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Students get hands on
Students look for inspiration
PUPILS ARE INSPIRED
Testing your speed skills
Michelle Dow, All About STEM managing director
Controlling the equipment with a VR mask on is challenging
Examining one of the field instruments used in engineering
School gather for Skills shows Hundreds of students and residents from across the region converged on Liverpool Football Club and St Helens RFC to take part in the Skills Shows. The venues were the place to experience exciting careers, try new skills and be inspired and the young people, students and residents had the opportunity to meet exhibitors from across the North West and enjoy interactive, hands-on activities inspiring them to explore careers. There was a plethora of activities and skills on offer covering every career from construction to hairdressing and digital arts to healthcare. The one-day events packed the venues with attendees who were keen to plan their future and discover new vocational pathways. Beauty, construction, joinery, health, sciences, business, IT, childcare, the opportunities were endless! Each expert exhibitor brought along a team of apprentices to discuss their own inspirational career journeys. All About STEM managing director, Michelle Dow who’s organisation delivered the events, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the apprenticeship hub to help inspire all, about careers and pathways in the Liverpool City Region.”
Andrew Collinge staff handed out hair treatments
Pupils could consider a wide range of careers in STEM
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ADVERTORIAL
DCE: The obvious choice for schools DCE is one of the North west’s leading independent companies in providing commercial kitchen and DT maintenance services to schools and colleges. The company maintains and supplies commercial gas, electrical and refrigerated appliances, along with educational machine tools, LEV systems, kilns, fume cupboards and TR19 internal ductwork cleans to comply with insurance. Their aim is to offer as much of a service to schools as possible, removing the need for business/facility managers having to contact several different suppliers for servicing, supplying or reactive call outs whereas one call to DCE can take care of everything. Director Brendan Doyle, said: “DCE opened a 4000sq ft catering equipment showroom in 2017. We found ourselves ordering new units for our customers only to be told that delivery would typically be within 7-10 days. “This had a massive effect on service, so we made a decision to open up our own showroom to minimise disruption, it’s likely that we carry more stock than any other dealer in the North West. “We supply both catering and DT equipment and, as engineers first and foremost, we looked for brands that we knew we could rely on. That’s why, over the years, we have developed a close relationship with Falcon, Hobart and Williams. They are, quite simply, the best products out there. “As a leading supplier of commercial catering equipment into schools, Falcon Foodservice Equipment are always keen to work alongside professional companies as a route to market in this sector.”
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For the last two years, Falcon has worked together with DCE in such sites across the North of England, ranging from primary schools to high schools and colleges. The reputation of DCE within the public sector, as a one stop shop for maintenance, repairs and replacement equipment is rising fast. As a leading manufacturer of catering equipment, Falcon pride themselves on choosing the right dealer to take our products to market. Sean Finnerty, business development manager at Falcon Foodservice Equipment, said: “The last two years have been a success story for both companies, and I genuinely believe DCE are well equipped to take care of all schools catering requirements and ensure they receive market leading, reliable, and fit for purpose equipment, and our children enjoy a healthy school meal.” Gary Nicholl, Hobart UK regional manager said: “Hobart UK have been very proud to partner DCE over the last few years as they have proven to give great customer service and support to local education catering as well as the private sector” Williams Refrigeration area sales manager, Dave Wynn said: “Williams Refrigeration has developed an outstanding relationship with DCE, they are backed by a comprehensive showroom of Williams products and stock means that the integral part of a kitchen, refrigeration, means fast replacement of cabinets to ensure the a seamless catering operation for their clients.”
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• Commercial catering kitchen equipment • Kitchen deep cleans • Mechanical machine tools • LEV/Fume cupboards/kilns • TR19 Kitchen ductwork systems deep cleaned
• Same day/next day response to breakdowns • All our engineers have photographic ID cards with CRB enhanced clearance • School kitchen equipment in stock and available for immediate delivery
For a free quote on anything from equipment to servicing or a TR19 Internal Ductwork Clean please call 0151 220 6090 or email office@dcecommercial.co.uk
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CELEBRATING SCIENCE
Pupils arrived to a scene from a science fiction movie
Fazakerley host British Science Week Fazakerley High School recently hosted an exciting and inspirational STEM Careers event to celebrate British Science Week. The aim of the day was to promote Higher Education opportunities and different careers within STEM industries. The event was run in partnership with Elevate Education Business partnership and Shaping Futures (Merseyside Collaborative Outreach Programme). The activity highlighted to students how integral HE study can be in their day to day life, the opportunities that are available and how it is embedded across so many different professions and day to day occurrences. By demonstrating to students how essential these courses of study are and the impact they can have, the event helped to raise aspiration and motivation. The activity also exposed students to a variety of inspirational business role models and employability opportunities. They staged a fake meteorite landing in the school grounds and this created a real sense of excitement and intrigue in the morning. The scene featured a cornered off area of the school ground with fake smoke and police with actors from LIPA. The rest of the day was a carousel of STEM based workshops exploring; forensic science, astronomy, medical careers, drone technology and 3D printing and engineering. Each session highlighted the HE opportunities and careers linked to each area. Feedback from students and teachers was equally positive. Teachers enjoyed observing the students excitement and curiosity and pupils commented on how much they enjoyed the day with many taking new career ideas from the event. Miss Jones, careers advisor who organised the event is working hard to introduce as many stimulating and exciting events of this nature into the curriculum to continue to inspire pupils from Fazakerley High School.
Gathering evidence
Scientists investigate the scene
A police investigation soon started
There could be a health risk
Pupils became police for the day
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Education News
Celebrating books Festival highlights the joy of reading Schools and pupils are being offered the chance to celebrate the joys of reading at the Liverpool Children’s Festival of Reading, which will run from June 24 to July 12. The festival is a celebration of books for children and young people throughout the city of Liverpool and is an initiative of Liverpool Learning Partnership (LLP), in conjunction with Liverpool schools and other organisations. A combination of schools events and community/family workshops and readings, which are designed to help foster a love of reading, will take place. Sessions are located across the city to make the festival more accessible for pupils. Schools will host each session and
then other schools can walk or use minibuses to access the author sessions, which will last around an hour in length. All schools who take part will receive some books for their library as well as resources to help you to embed the sessions into your lessons/extra-curricular groups. There also will be a competition that will encourage pupils to create a response to the work of the author/illustrator/poet. Sessions range from ones around picture books for KS1 to a session for secondary based on the relationship between STEM and writing/women in STEM and one session for KS4/5 pupils on representation of LGBT+,
THE FUTURE IS LOOKING GOOD FOR THEO A future filled with hope is now within reach of a teenage boy with learning difficulties after only a matter of months in the care of Progress Schools. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, 14-year-old Theo – his name has been changed to protect his identity – had not been in school for almost 18 months as his difficult transition to secondary resulted in numerous exclusions and managed moves. But being out of education caused him to regress, he became anxious and was extremely susceptible to loud noises and crowded places. James Madine, chief executive at Progress Schools, said: “When Theo was referred to Progress Schools, his parents weren’t hopeful of the placement. They felt everything had been tried and were a little disheartened. “This was in September last year and, I’m delighted to say, the whole picture for Theo and his family has changed dramatically - at last the future is looking good.” James explained that initially it was felt Theo would only be able to cope with half a day a week at school. In those early days, he was anxious and would regularly lock himself in the toilet to avoid being with others. He couldn’t make eye contact and refused to speak to anyone. However staff persevered and followed Progress Schools’ flexible timetable which incorporates wellbeing and resilience
with him. In less than two terms, Theo now attends four full days a week and confidently takes part in class discussions. And despite his parents being unsure, he also asked to join the Easter end-of-term trip to a theme park and had what he describes as his “best day”. With reading and writing exams achieved, Theo is currently working hard on the challenges of speaking and listening and will sit these exams soon. James added: “Next year he’s keen to get his GCSEs and take yet another important step to a fulfilled life.”
disfigurement, disability and difference in fairytales. Authors involved include: Atinuke, Lorraine Gregory, Matt Oldfield, Saviour Pirotta, Bali Rai, Gabrielle Kent, Karl Nova, Matt Abbott, Shoo Rayner, SF Said, Ross Montgomery, Tom Percival, Jen Campbell, Lauren James, Levi Tafari. Jenny Holder, reading co-ordinator, said: “We're also organising a number of community events that we are in the process of putting together. There will be an event for early years children at Old Swan Library on 22 June. The particular dates and some other details can be found on www.liverpoolchildrensfestivalofreading. wordpress.com
Marathon effort
CER Education’s very own Mo Farah/ Forrest Gump/ Usain Bolt aka Paul Prescott headed down to the big smoke to run the London Marathon. After four months of training, early Sunday morning long runs, gruelling mid week training runs after a 10 hour working day ……..and substituting his beloved red wine and beers for water …Paul ran 26.2 miles and finished in an amazing 4 hours 17 minutes. His chosen charity was The British Heart Foundation – a choice he made after his family lost a close family member last June, suddenly due to a heart condition. He has now raised in excess of £700 for his charity. The team at CER Education want to let Paul know how fantastic he has done, and even though he makes it look easy, the training and commitment that goes into preparing for a marathon requires dedication and perseverance.
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Appointments
Alsop appoints a new headteacher Alsop High School has appointed Mr Chris Wilson to succeed Mr Joe Mangan as Headteacher. Mr Wilson will take up his position during June 2019. Mr Wilson spent his formative years in Wakefield and attended the University of Sheffield achieving a degree in history before completing his PGCE in the same city. He began teaching at Shelley College in Huddersfield and he has worked in a range of schools across the north of England teaching young people ranging from eleven to eighteen years old and from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Liverpool is a city close to his heart as his wife and her family are originally from the city and they are delighted to be returning with their son to begin the next phase of their life and careers. Mr Wilson said: “I am delighted and privileged to be joining Alsop High
Mr Chris Wilson
School as headteacher. “Education is about life chances and our mission is to provide all young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become prosperous and successful members of society. “Students and colleagues I have met so far are clearly very proud of their school and the centenary it celebrates this year, and I look forward to joining parents,
carers, governors and alumni at the events to recognise this”. Mrs Mal Fielding, chair of governors said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris Wilson to lead our school community. He is committed to ensuring Alsop High School fulfils our shared ambition of being an outstanding school in the heart of our community.”
Abbot’s Lea School stays true to “growing its own” leaders! The largest special school in Liverpool, catering for over 250 students age 3-19 with Autism and associated complex needs, has appointed a new deputy headteacher. Anthony McVerry started his new role at Abbot’s Lea School in April 2019, taking a lead on the whole-school strategic function of teaching and learning. He is exceptionally wellequipped for the position, having worked at the school as a teaching assistant, class teacher, middle leader, head of secondary department and now – the deputy headteacher. Mr McVerry is passionate about Abbot’s Lea’s vision, philosophy of holistic education and its mission to become the best specialist school in the world. Supporting the school’s headteacher, Ania Hildrey, who joined the school in 2016, he has continued to 68
transform the school’s curriculum, placing equal importance to academic progress, specialist therapeutic support and development of life skills. As part of that, he led a launch of now nationally recognised exceptional programme of Supported Internship for most senior
Anthony McVerry
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students and apprenticeships for Abbot’s Lea School’s leavers. Anthony says: “It is a great privilege to now be the deputy headteacher of Abbot's Lea School - the school has a special place in my life as I have worked here now for eight years, initially beginning as a teaching assistant in 2011. I have seen the school develop and become forward thinking. To now lead the team of middle leaders, teachers and support staff and together shape the future direction of the teaching and learning arm of the school is what drives me. Working with the staff and students at Abbot's Lea School is what motivates me to get up in the morning and make a real difference. “I am very grateful to the headteacher and the governing body for their belief in me and for giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Deputy headteacher appointment at Archbishop Blanch Archbishop Blanch School have appointed Mrs Kate Graham and Mr Gary Joplin as deputy headteachers of Archbishop Blanch School. Kate Graham had been acting deputy headteacher since September 2018 and takes up her new position with immediate effect. Gary Joplin will be joining the Archbishop Blanch community from his current post at Weatherall High School, Wallasey in September. Headteacher Mrs Claire Madeloso, said: “The governors and I are delighted with both appointments which were chosen from an inspirational cohort of applicants, both Mrs Graham and Mr Joplin proved to be outstanding candidates following a rigorous interview process. “I look forward to working alongside them both and welcoming Gary into our Archbishop Blanch community”.
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INVALUABLE LEARNING
Pupils became police officers for the day
Pupils had the chance to make new friends
Pupils become crime scene investigators
A crime scene
More evidence
To celebrate STEM week, staff at Much Woolton Primary School decided to set up a crime scene investigation which would lead to the children solving problems linking to forensic science, mathematics and in turn would really enthuse the children with their creative writing. Sergeant Mike Brumskill and Constable Alan Landrum worked together to give the children an insight into police investigation work and the resources they use to help them. Year 2 teacher Stephanie Molloy, said: “The pupils became crime scene investigators, using police horses, cars and motorbikes to help them. They also had the amazing opportunity of taking finger prints, using police walkie talkies and trying on police and forensic uniforms. “All of these resources and the support from Merseyside Police have been invaluable in providing a once in a lifetime learning opportunity for the children. Seeing the excitement on the children’s faces and hearing their imaginations run away with them has been priceless”.
The long arm of the law
A packed police car
The day included many problem solving exercises
Delighted pupils
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EDUCATE16+ Education, training and employment
A head of the rest Andrew Collinge Hairdressing receives royal recognition Andrew Collinge Hairdressing has been honoured for its commitment to upskilling its workforce with a 2018 Princess Royal Training Award. Chairman and creative director Andrew Collinge personally received the award from HRH Princess Anne at an awards ceremony in St James’s Palace. The prestigious awards honour UK employers for their outstanding training and development programmes, which have directly resulted in measurable success. The company received the commendation for its unique Graduate salons concept. Created by Hazel and Peter Collinge in the mid 1980s, who believed that training should be at the heart of the business, a graduates salon is akin to a finishing school for hairdressers. All newly qualified Andrew Collinge apprentices go through a graduates salon. These stand alone salons allow newly qualified stylists the chance to hone their hairdressing skills and to be given responsibility to help run the salons on their own; which sees the them flourish and gain invaluable confidence. This successful programme has not only resulted in improving client retention year-on-year and fast-tracking careers but has also ensured the company has a solid base of loyal home grown talent.
Andrew Collinge said: “To receive this prestigious award from HRH The Princess Royal in recognition of our graduate salons gives me great pride. These stand alone salons, founded by my parents, have over years produced some of our finest hairdressers and tutors, many of whom play key roles in the company today. “The Princess Royal commented to me that she had previously awarding my father an OBE for services to hairdressing training and congratulated all involved on this continued success and commitment to training. “The award ceremony at St James Palace was a very special occasion and I was particularly pleased to be able to share the occasion with Jane Wood, our advanced apprenticeship training manager and Georgia Meacock, the current Andrew Collinge Graduate of the Year. Both are excellent representatives of all those who do fantastic work within our salons and training division”. The Princess Royal Training Awards, delivered by the City & Guilds Group, are now in their third year. Each of the applications were assessed against three Hallmarks of Excellence by the Princess Royal Training Awards Commission, which comprised of HRH The Princess Royal and seven leading figures in the business and training community.
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Interview with: Louise Tipping, principal at Winstanley College
Educate sits down with Louise Tipping, principal at the award-winning Winstanley College to talk transatlantic school trips, funding cuts and keeping standards sky high.
A commitment to excellence By Lawrence Saunders From Northern Ireland to Wigan via Northwest Africa, Louise Tipping’s path to becoming the principal of one of the region’s top colleges has certainly been an interesting one. A native of Lurgan, County Armagh, Louise crossed the Irish Sea to read English language and literature at Oxford before returning to her homeland to undertake her PGCE. Despite being well on the way to becoming an educator like her father, it was her next move which Louise says “confirmed” she was right to follow in his footsteps. “I did voluntary service overseas for two years teaching English as a foreign language to Eritrean refugees in Sudan,” she explains. “They were fantastic young people in a very challenging situation. Our students lived in the big refugee camp called Wad Sharifi which was located just outside of Kassala. “They went to work every morning in the town and came to school afterwards in the heat of the day. “They were incredible young people who really wanted to get somewhere. You don’t meet people like that and put it to one side. That’s why (I chose) teaching.” Louise recalls with reverence how her 72
young students were conscious that education “was the way to better themselves” – a notion which still colours her teaching philosophy today. On her return to England, Louise took up a placement at a comprehensive school in Pocklington, near York, but her experiences in Sudan meant she always wanted to work with over 16’s. A position became available at a sixth form college in Hull and so Louise began a journey in post-16 education which led to Winstanley in 2013. Louise was under no illusions as to her primary task when taking up the principal’s job at the Wigan college rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. “I was very clear, and the governors were very clear with me - Winstanley had to stay ‘outstanding’,” says Louise. “There was still work to be done because even in an ‘outstanding’ college you can always improve results.” That work included ensuring the college’s philosophy of offering a range of enrichment activities to its students continued. From beekeeping to Latin club and trips to Los Angeles and New York, the extra-curricular opportunities available to Winstanley students is as extensive as it is remarkable. “Although this is an outstanding college and academically very successful
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“
Although this is an outstanding college and academically very successful – it isn’t an exam factory
– it isn’t an exam factory,” explains Louise.
”
“Mental health is a big issue nowadays for young people. They face challenges which my generation didn’t in terms of finding a job and funding themselves through university. “We try to make sure coming to college is fun but we also help students to switch off, make friends and learn different skills. “It’s not always immediately obvious how beekeeping translates into employment but actually it does. There’s a lot of responsibility, timekeeping and teamwork involved.” In terms of trips abroad, 2019 has seen politics and law students from Winstanley visit New York and Washington, whilst the performing arts and media department jetted out to Los Angeles.
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The college’s ongoing commitment to offering overseas excursions has however been severely tested in the wake of cuts to central government funding. “We are one of a gradually dwindling number of colleges which is trying to keep (trips) going,” says Louise. “(Funding cuts) have had an overall impact in terms of how we balance our budget so we’ve had to prioritise. “We think about every staffing appointment that we make, every enrichment activity that we run – it gets harder and harder to keep those things going. “You’re expected to deliver more and more with less and less. “We are one of the lucky colleges but we’ve still had to cut German. I know a lot of other colleges and schools have had to cut courses and that’s heartbreaking because that means students are losing opportunities.” One initiative the college is running has been focused on offsetting the loss of some of these opportunities and helping to boost the number of pupils progressing to A-level and university study across the Wigan area. As part of Winstanley’s Associate Student Programme, staff have worked with Year 10 and 11 students in partner schools to deliver subject-specific sessions and masterclasses. “We’re an A-level specialist college so part of our mission is to make sure we raise aspirations in the Wigan area and in the partner schools that we work with,” says Louise. “It’s all about (young people)
understanding that A-levels are achievable and students from their school will have come to a college like this and done brilliantly. “There is a lot of socioeconomic deprivation around Wigan and certainly in the North West. “Because of the expense of going to university, a lot of students horizons shut down so it's about making sure they’re aware about the big world out there and that A-levels are a really good route into university.” Some of Louise’s proudest moments at Winstanley have been to witness students going on to study at prestigious universities and the news in February that no fewer than 16 current pupils have been offered places at either Oxford and
Cambridge for 2019 swelled her with joy once more. But Winstanley’s leader isn’t resting on her laurels and despite the current funding climate she retains ambitions to grow the college’s already extensive curriculum. “We might want to introduce a couple of vocational courses because we can see that young people might benefit from that,” says Louise. “What we’d also really like to do is develop our work with partner schools. We do some work with Wigan schools to improve science provisions in the borough and we’re a big STEM college. We’d like to develop that. “But otherwise it’s about keeping on, keeping on being brilliant.”
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Experiencing life on the continent Mia enjoys the French experience French and Spanish students from Winstanley College have had the chance to immerse themselves in the language and culture of the country through a unique work experience programme. The programme, organised through specialist company Halsbury, includes a tailored trip to France or Spain, with the chance to stay with a host family and choice of employment at a range of local firms. One student who took part was Mia Maxted, who is studying for A-levels in Spanish, French and Philosophy and Religion at the college. Mia visited Lille, France in the February half term, with a group of other young people, as well as the Halsbury group leaders. Mia, previously a student at Culcheth High, said: “You can choose things like shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels and nurseries for your employment, all of which guarantee to immerse you in the language. “I was placed at a chocolate shop called Au Chat Bleu, where my job was to help customers, prepare and decorate personalised chocolate boxes. I decided
on staying with the French host family as I thought it was an invaluable experience.” “This trip has not only massively built my confidence and improved my speaking/listening skills, but it has also reassured me that I have the sufficient linguistic skills in order to understand and speak to natives, which is very
encouraging. It has been such a memorable experience and I would highly recommend anyone studying languages should take up the opportunity.” The foreign work experience programme at Winstanley runs each Spring term and is open to all language students.
Best in the borough St Helens Chamber celebrate achievement St Helens Chamber has announced that their apprenticeship achievement rates are the highest in the borough for the third year running, with 78.2% of their apprentices achieving their qualifications in 2017/18. Recent data published by the Department for Education highlights the apprenticeship achievement rates of colleges and training providers across the country. Locally in St Helens the average apprenticeship achievement rate is 67.9% and nationally it sits slightly lower at 67.3%, so this is an outstanding achievement for St Helens Chamber’s apprentices. When split into age groups the results are just as impressive with 80.5% of 16-18 year olds, 79% of 19-23 year olds and 76.9% of 24+ year olds achieving their apprenticeship qualification. Kath Boullen, chief executive of St Helens Chamber, said: “We’d like to congratulate all our apprentices for their hard work in achieving their apprenticeships and our training team for their continual efforts to offer the 74
highest quality apprenticeship training in St Helens and across the region. “These amazing statistics demonstrate how our training and support is helping local people to achieve their goals and progress in their careers, whether this is young people taking the first step on their career ladder, or long serving employees completing training to take the next step up. “We look forward to continuing to help our apprentices to achieve their goals and supporting local businesses to train their staff and recruit talented young apprentices.” St Helens Chamber delivers apprenticeships to over 600 people per year in a wide range of areas, from business administration and marketing through to manufacturing, childcare and hairdressing. They are rated good overall by Ofsted and outstanding for personal development, behaviour and welfare. Additionally, on the Government’s tool where levy-paying employers review their training providers, 100% of responses rated St Helens Chamber ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
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Kath Boullen, chief executive of St Helens Chamber
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High flying college Outstanding LIPA makes the mark LIPA Sixth Form College (LSFC) has been rated as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, just two-and-a-half years after it opened. The inspection, LSFC’s first, took place over three days at the end of February. It achieved the highest possible rating for effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; outcomes for students; 16 to 19 study programmes and overall effectiveness. The inspection judgements observe that there is “a culture in which staff model high industry expectations and standards within a very caring and supportive environment. Students work diligently and collaboratively to achieve the high standards their tutors set. They make excellent progress and achieve their qualifications. As a result, the large majority move on to prestigious higher education institutions.” LSFC is a specialist college for 16-19year olds, focusing exclusively on the creative and performing arts. Sponsored and managed by the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), it opened in September 2016 to its first intake of 190 students who studied acting, dance, music, sound technology and technical theatre and design. Director of LIPA Sixth Form College, Charles Bartholomew, said: “We are thrilled with the result of our inspection, especially given that it’s our first inspection. “The college has an amazing team of
staff, who demonstrate a passion for performing arts education and a deep commitment to support our students to achieve. The college also embodies the unique ethos of LIPA, with a focus on professionalism and project-based learning. “Our students impressed the inspection team not only with their high standards, but also with their engagement with the local community.” LIPA Sixth Form College is one of just a handful of further education providers in England that specialises in the performing and creative arts and the only
one of its kind in the North West. LSFC continues to expand and has just launched a musical theatre course, which will have its first intake of students in September. Mark Featherstone-Witty, founder of The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Learning Group, said: “We were determined to provide a learning legacy for our city. The college, following LIPA HE and our primary school, is the third of what we want to be a joined-up journey from four to 24, so we have high hopes for our current High School bid.”
Hotel company offers opportunities to apprentices One of Liverpool's fastest growing hotel company’s has announced a major recruitment drive. Signature Living, the company famous for the city's football-themed Shankly and Titanicthemed 30 James Street hotels, has 1,500 new jobs to fill. The mix of full and part-time positions come as the business expands its portfolio. Many of the roles will be available at new hotel developments opening this summer including the George Best Hotel in Belfast and the Dixie Dean Hotel in Liverpool. The company’s recruitment requirements have also been boosted by the launch of the second phase of the historic Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff and the second Shankly Hotel in Preston. A head office expansion and a brand new Signature Living cruise ship, which will be located in Spain, have also opened up a variety of vacancies. Hospitality jobs on offer include bar, restaurant and concierge staff, reception roles, 76
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wedding and events co-ordinators as well as a range of managerial positions. Head office posts in construction, sales and social media will also be available. An apprenticeship and mentoring scheme, which will be personally led by the company founder Lawrence Kenwright, will also see 100 school-leavers given a start on the career ladder. Signature Living, which was founded in 2008, currently employs 850 people and approximately 650 sub-contractors. The new jobs will grow the company’s UK workforce to 3,000. Company founder and chairman, Lawrence Kenwright, said: “Signature Living is entering an era of dynamic growth and with that comes major investment into recruiting people to help us maintain our position as the UK’s most innovative and fastest-growing hotel developer and operator. I am particularly pleased about the expansion of our apprenticeship programme which will be focused on young people not currently engaged in employment, education or Lawrence Kenwright, training.” founder of Signature Living
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Liverpool agency expands its service offering The Foundry Agency has launched a new video service to help schools and like-minded organisations bring their story to life. The integrated communications agency specialises in design, public relations and digital services; offering organisations across the region a onestop solution to advertising and marketing. The agency has increased its service offering and can now produce broadcast quality videos which sit directly on a website, YouTube or can be edited in to shorter clips for social media. The Foundry team has most recently delivered a bespoke video for School Improvement Liverpool, promoting its Toxteth Annexe conference centre. Whilst earlier in the year, a three minute long video for Abbot’s Lea School in Woolton was also produced, informing audiences about what it has to offer students who require extra support. The expert team manages every element of the video, from drafting a detailed storyboard to carefully directing each scene. From producing high-quality videos,
helping schools and businesses share their good news to designing signage and wall art that makes a big impact, The Foundry Agency is passionate about the education sector. Ellie Adshead, senior PR executive at The Foundry Agency said: “Video is one of the most popular forms of online content and can be utilised across a range of platforms. “Our new video service gives schools and other organisations the opportunity
L Looking ooking tto o kick kick-start -start a REWARDING REW WA ARD DING CAREER?
to communicate their key messages and offering in a really unique, dynamic way. Something which is a must in today’s education sector.” The Foundry Agency is also a long standing sponsor of the Educate Awards and has continuously sponsored the communication category since the awards started eight years ago. Examples of videos produced by the agency can be viewed over on its website: www.thefoundryagency.co.uk.
If you are aged 16 – 18 our Study Programmes can help you achieve your career goals. Our Study Programmes will provide you with qualifications, work eexperience xperience and offers offers a range of eexciting xciting study trips. A eed Att the end of the programme you will be guarant guaranteed an int erview for for an Advanced Advanced Apprenticeship. Apprenticeship. interview Programmes are now available in: •
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This course will begin in September September
To find out more, To more, call us on 01744 742045 or email apprenticeships@sthelenschamber.com apprenticeships@sthelenschamber.com
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PUPILS RAISE THE ROOF AT PROMS Inspiring hope for the future Schools from Merseyside descended on the M & S Bank Arena, Liverpool in a celebration of youth, music, energy and sheer talent on a stratospheric scale for the annual Peace Proms concert. It was an uplifting, inspiring and often moving event as the 100-strong youth orchestra from Ireland performed against a stage-to-ceiling backdrop of 2,000 local school children that formed the Liverpool Children’s Peace Choir. Dressed in plain white T-shirts, the children symbolized peace and harmony. The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) was central to the event. The Orchestra was formed 24 years ago as a peace initiative and is an inspirational musical reflection of Ireland’s shared history and journey towards reconciliation. The Orchestra has come to symbolize a modern, talented, forward looking and inclusive Ireland. Event organiser, Sharon Treacy-Dunne, said: “There were many magical musical moments throughout the Peace Proms concert, but an explosion of excitement, youthful verve and energy lifted the roof off the arena when the choirs sang. “You could tell how much they loved singing medleys of current charttoppers and hits from the musicals. But perhaps the most spine-tinglingly beautiful moment was when the orchestra joined forces with 2,000 strong Liverpool Children’s Peace Choir to perform the inspirational and uplifting peace anthem ‘I Sing Out Peace’ by Mark Hayes.
A packed arena
The audience enjoyed the event
Teachers join in the fun
The audience enjoyed the talented dancer
Bedford Primary School enjoyed the singing
A great day was had by all
We know the moves!
Great to be here
Pupils were in full voice
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Education News
Empowering teachers Looking after our children and teaching staff Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) held a conference looking at children’s mental health in schools and the effect that this can have on teachers. The conference looked to help prepare future primary schools teachers in the area of mental health, which brought together stakeholders from across the region and nationally. This year’s conference looked at such issues special care children and refugee children’s needs, female genital mutilation, looked after children and trans children. The conference also highlighted how trainee teachers can be empowered to be able to ‘do something’, even if it is simple awareness, signposting or embedding good mental health practice in their teaching through the use of storytelling. The conference also addressed the issue of increased numbers of teachers leaving the profession within the first five years and looking into putting into place training for teachers to look after their own mental health. Conference delegate, Gary Borrows who is currently coming to the end of his PGDE Trainee year at LJMU and specialising in the early years course, said: “It was a very good conference talking about these issues of health and wellbeing for both teachers and students and to focus on what we can practically do and to put in place in our classrooms and learning environments to deal with these issues. “I think that something like that is the piece of the puzzle that is often missing, certainly in conversations I have had this year in different settings, what do we do about children that are suffering with depression or anxiety or how do I deal with my
own mental burnout. “Before undertaking this course I spoke to a lot of my friends who are in the education sector, including two very close friends who have left teaching within the last five years because of issues around mental and physical health with the workload. “There is certainly a need for this type of programme because you have to be in the classroom to see that it is real and I know of two or three pupils in my class that have genuine anxiety, its just an emotional issue for them and their mental health and wellbeing having to come into school and these are very young children. “One of the key messages that came of the conference, for me, was are they unaware of the workload as a issue? You can accept the workload if the other factors that might affect your mental wellbeing are looked after, how you fit into the community or are you being recognized or praised for the work that you are doing. “There are many factures involved and the conference talked the school culture being the number one facture in why teachers have lower levels of mental health and wellbeing, not the workload, I found that really interesting. “Today has certainly given me a few things to come away with and say OK what have been the key things that have effected my own health and wellbeing in school and what strategies and action plans can I bring in place to deal with it. “This also helps us in what to look for in children and how to help make sure that we are doing our best to look after these vulnerable children”.
Schools shortlisted for the TES Schools Awards
Big Bang North West announce new headline sponsor
The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the Tes Schools Awards 2019. It's been revealed that Gateacre School has been shortlisted for the community and collaboration award for its community venture, The BIG Little Library by Gateacre School. The BIG Little Library by Gateacre School celebrated its third year in March 2019, having now served over 55,000 customers and given away over 63,500 books for free. The BLL is a social hub for the community. A shop unit given to the school for free by Belle Vale Shopping Centre. All the books are free to take and do not have to be returned, but customers are encouraged to pass books on, or donate books to the BLL for others to enjoy. Tes editor Ann Mroz said: “It is wonderful to see such great ideas and excellent practice emerging from our schools and teachers, especially at a time when schools are under financial pressure. “We had a record number of entries this year and the standard was very high, so all those shortlisted should be very proud: it’s an extraordinary achievement to be on this shortlist”. The winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday 21 June 2019. Also nominated for for the TES Awards are previous Educate Awards winners Riverside Primary School, The Hollins and Eldon Primary School.
The Big Bang North West have announced that Unilever will be returning to The Big Bang North West 2019 as the new headline sponsor! Unilever have worked with All About STEM on numerous inspirational projects including their Bright Future Programme and have supported The Big Bang North West for many years. Glyn Roberts, director R&D, Unilever, said: “Unilever’s passion to support STEM learning has grown each year, at the very centre of this sits The Big Bang North West, which is utterly unmatched in its energy, inspiration and quality for any student between 5-18.” “As Unilever we are proud to be the headline sponsor at the 2019 BBNW; inspiring the next generation of scientists is a key part of Unilever commitment to STEM. It’s our belief that what we do today will decide tomorrow’s future, and we believe that by helping to motivate students on the opportunities and challenges facing the world today that they can help bring about a bright future for everyone.” “Unilever is one of the world’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies. Over two billion times a day, someone, somewhere uses a Unilever product. All of this started in Port Sunlight and we are proud to represent the long-standing heritage at the Big Bang North West. Our aim is to inspire the next generation of students to pursue a STEM career by showcasing the science behind the everyday.” The Big Bang North West 2019 is now fully booked but schools can join their waiting list. Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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Fashion
P in k g litter glam glam sunglasses sunglasses Pink glitter £8 River River Island Island £8 lens W hite a viator blue blu ue lens White aviator £8 River River Island Island £8 V isa sstyle tyle sunglasses sunglasses Visa £9.99 H & M £9.99 style sunglasses Pink aviator sunglasses P in k a viator style from from £6 £6 Next Next Gunmetal Gunmetal a aviator viator style style sunglasses sunglasses £ 14 N ext £14 Next
B Black lack d diamante iamante ttrim rim ssunglasses unglasses £ £3.99 3.9 9 N New Look ew L ook G Gold old rreflective eflective llens ens ssunglasses unglasses £ £5.99 5.9 9 N New Look ew L ook B Black lack ssquare quare framed framed ssunglasses unglasses £ £3.99 3.99 New New Look Look Camouflage pattern Camouflage pattern sunglasses sunglasses £4 Matalan Matalan £4
tyle P Pastel astel p pink in k W Wayfarer ayfarer sstyle ssunglasses unglasses £ £4 4M Matalan atalan ext.co.uk | hm.com hm.com | ma riverisland.com riverisland.com | n next.co.uk matalan.co.uk talan.co.uk | n newlook.com ewlook.com
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Education News
Creating a postive future Oliver spreads joy with motivational t-shirts A 14-year-old boy with autism is on a mission to spread joy and positivity by launching his own t-shirt line. Oliver Reece-Woods who attends Rainford High, had a difficult time at his previous high school where his mum Lisa Woods says he was labelled as "naughty and problematic”. But after switching to Rainford High, Oliver blossomed and turned his focus to creating a positive future for himself and others – by launching his own clothing line Oliver Jude Clothing. With help from Satis Education who supported Oliver with a grant of £100 to purchase a printing machine which he uses to trial his t-shirts and support from his family, Oliver now has three t-shirts with the words ‘I am Joy’, ‘Believe in Yourself’ and ‘Love’. Oliver said: "After my first school being hard for me, I joined Rainford and the school really encouraged me to focus on something positive.
“When I felt better I wanted to support that for other people too and spread that happiness and I thought what better way than getting people to wear a positive top. “They can feel good and others who read it can feel good too.” His mum Lisa Woods, 44, added: “Olly has always been very entrepreneurial and after his rough time at his other school and his autism meaning he can fixate on things, this is a positive thing for him to focus on. “He is incredibly clever and high functioning, so it doesn't surprise me at all that he wants to help others. “Currently he designs them and they are made elsewhere, but it would be great if he could get it moved closer to home in the future. “I couldn’t be prouder of him.” Oliver is now hoping with help from St Helens Chamber he can grow his company, and spread more positivity.
Education in Mind Liverpool’s mental health and emotional wellbeing conference for schools Liverpool’s first ever education related mental health conference will take place in October at the M&S Bank Arena. Funded by the Liverpool Learning Partnership, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and supported by Liverpool City Council’s Families Programme, Education in Mind will be a one-day conference that will explore various key issues surrounding mental health and emotional wellbeing within a local education context. Speaking about the conference, Elaine Rees, CEO of The Liverpool Learning Partnership said: “Mental health and emotional wellbeing is a topic high on everyone’s agenda for many reasons, particularly within the education sector. “We’re inviting headteachers, mental health leads and governing body members within all Liverpool-based education establishments from early years to secondary stages, to come along, learn and share experiences and best practice in relation to staff, pupils and their families.” Keynote speakers and a guest panel will address mental 82
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health and emotional wellbeing issues faced by staff within education settings, whilst a series of informative workshops taking place throughout the day will cover a range of subjects from youth suicide, bereavement, early years and mental health to neurodevelopmental conditions and more. A marketplace will allow local organisations, including members of the Liverpool Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Partnership, to showcase and explain the services they offer and support available for local professionals and families. Delegate places are limited to three per setting, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. The conference takes place on Friday 18 October, 9:15am (8.45am for registration) – 3.30pm at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, and headline sponsor will be the Educare Magazine. To reserve a place, visit https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/events/education-in-mind/ Twitter: #EducationInMindLiv
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WHERE CAN WE GO? Our pick of what’s happening out & about in the region
Africa Oye
25 May - 23 June
22 - 23 June Sefton Park, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AP 0344 8000 400
GAIA Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, St James Mt, Liveprool, L1 7AZ 0151 709 9722
Last year we had the Moon, this year we have the Earth! As part of River Festival Liverpool, Luke Jerram's 23ft replica of the Earth, known as ‘Gaia’ will be heading to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral from 25 May to 23 June. The Earth will hang in the Grade I listed building, featuring accurate and detailed NASA imagery of the earth and will be complimented with a sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones. ‘Gaia’ will be open to the public from Saturday 25th May - a week before the free festival takes place on 1st and 2nd June. Britain’s first astronaut is heading to the city as part of River Festival Liverpool and will take part in two unique events under the Earth. For more information head to: https://www.theriverfestival.co.uk/
The UK’s largest celebration of African & Caribbean music and culture returns once again to Liverpool’s Sefton Park for 2019! Launched in 2015, ‘Oyé Introduces’ sees North West artists open both days of the festival, giving some of the area’s brightest young stars the chance to share the stage with the ever-eclectic international Oyé line-up. Expect a line-up of international stars alongside UK upand-comers, as well as free workshops, DJ sessions, kids entertainment and much, much more! Entrance is FREE and you do not need a ticket.
Netball World Cup 2019 12 - July M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront L3 4FP
Tuesday 21 May
D mion’t ss
Don’st mis
Ovo Energy Tour Series Wirral is set for cycling fever in May as the incredible OVO Energy Tour Series and Tour of Britain come to the borough for the very first time! The team-based OVO Energy Tour Series brings together the best in British professional male and female riders, including the likes of British Olympians Ed Clancy, Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker and gives you the chance to see them in action and up-close. When the exhilarating competition rides into Wirral, the circuit will centre around historic Hamilton Square and the surrounding area. 84
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FUTURE EVENTS
Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 5BR Sixteen teams from across the continents will compete for Netball's ultimate prize. The teams will be selected through both rankings and regional qualifying tournaments. The event is expected to be in high demand as English fans look forward to a once-in-a-generation home World Cup. The Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 is the 15th edition of the premier international netball tournament. This is the third time the quadrennial event has been held in England.
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On now
Saturday 25 May
Film and Video REVIEW
Aladdin
Must see
Release date: 22 May Verdict: HHHH
Continuing the Journey International Slavery Museum Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
Tiger Parade 2019 Knowsley Safari Park, A58, Prescot, Knowsley L34 4AN,
Learn about the struggle of Merseyside's Black community to obtain racial equality and social justice from post war Britain to the 1980s. Participants share recollections of brutal and traumatic experiences which left indelible marks on their community.
The Tiger Parade is completely free to join, and the park just ask that people are roaring-to-go by donning tiger outfits or tigerinspired face masks to take part. By joining the Tiger Parade you’ll be helping to raise further awareness of the plight facing the Amur tiger
28 – 31 May
Saturday 1 June
Science Show: LIFT OFF! Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire, Sk11 9DL
Twisted Tales For Terrible Children The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BX
Get ready for Lift Off in the new live science show all about rockets! Fun-filled and factpacked, the shows include interactive demonstrations and live experiments - perfect for all the family! Science shows last for 30 – 40 minutes and are aimed at adults and children.
Story teller Gav Cross brings old fables to life again vividly and with a slight twist reveals the terrible, the silly and the downright incredible ’truths' hidden in plain sight You’ll have heard these stories before but not told this way!
From 14 June
Wednesday 3 July
Blitzed Museum of Liverpool Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 1DG This exhibition reveals the devastation the Blitz brought to the lives and city of Liverpool in photographs taken by Liverpool City Police between 1940 and 1941. The photographs are accompanied by personal accounts, which bring to life the impact of the war.
A live-action remake of Disney classic Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Will Smith as the Genie, and based on the 1992 classic, is hitting cinemas in 2019, and promises to be full of new versions of the original movie’s hit songs. Based on the Disney original, Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin remake tells the story of a charming “street rat” who meets a princess called Jasmine and a Genie who could be the key to their future. It is set in the fictitious port city of Agrabah and is written by John August (Dark Shadows, Big Fish) and Ritchie. The remake includes two brand new songs: one for Jasmine and another duet between Aladdin and Jasmine. A Whole New World and Friend Like Me are among the tunes from the original film which will be reimagined in the new movie.
Game of Thrones winter is coming™ Video game Out now Verdict: HHHHH
Ou the tdoor atr e
Sense and Sensibility Speke Hall, The Walk, Speke, Liverpool, L24 1XD Elinor Dashwood has a lot of good Sense. Her sister Marianne Dashwood has an excess of Sensibility. Together they make a snappy title for Jane Austen’s classic novel of scandals, scoundrels and severely sprained ankles. A funny, fast-paced and faithful new adaptation
HBO, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Yoozoo Games have collaborated to recreate Westeros on a massive scale, delivering an authentic and immersive multiplayer world laid out across the Seven Kingdoms – complete with major landmarks and castles from the epic TV series. The story begins immediately following the death of Eddard Stark, when the player emerges as a new Westeros lord or lady in his stead. players aim to build an impenetrable base, train a victorious army and recruit faithful followers from a pool of iconic characters. As players progress, they must continue to acquire the might, money and influence needed to take the Iron Throne.
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BBC Teach sharing many of their free online resources and ideas
The Roving Book Shop provided a treasure trove of books: always a popular part of the event!
Secondary English teacher, Chris Curtis Secondary English teacher, Matt Pinkett, co-author of ‘Boys Don’t Try?’
READING ROCKS
Heather Wright, founder of Reading Rocks and event organiser
Delegates engaged in an inspiring workshop
Community goes back to school The School of Education at LJMU were delighted to welcome the Reading Rocks community back again to their IMMarsh campus for a full day of brilliant key notes and workshops. This year’s event ‘Reading Rocks Goes to Uni’ was described as even bigger and better than before! With both primary and secondary teachers attending there was a real buzz throughout the day. Keynote speaker, Jane Considine, said: “Do you want to be reminded of why you teach? Reading Rocks was such a refreshing, heartwarming day that reconnected me with the most important things in life. Socialising, making a difference and a reminder of our moral mission - building the next generation of readers.” Heather Wright from Reading Rocks, said: “The day was just full of warmth, encouragement and inspiration, with plenty of food for thought and challenge thrown in for good measure. It’s a privilege to put these events together, when so many talented educators are keen to share their love of books, great classroom practice and all round bookish wisdom”.
Dr Wayne Tennent gave an excellent keynote talk
The lovely grounds of IM Marsh LJMU Campus
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Book Review
In association with
5-8 Years Mister Cleghorn’s Seal - Judith Kerr £6.99 What do you do if you find an abandoned seal pup on a rock in the middle of the sea? Well, take it home with you to your flat, of course. At least that's what Mr Albert Cleghorn thought, though perhaps he hadn't considered all the complications... This is the story of what then happened to Mr Cleghorn and Charlie the seal in their determination to find a home for Charlie and, incidentally, happiness for them both. Unicorn Academy: Ariana and Whisper - Julie Sykes £4.99 Imagine a school where you meet your own unicorn and have amazing adventures together! That’s what happens for the girls at Unicorn Academy on beautiful Unicorn Island. Ariana loves hanging out at the Unicorn Academy stables and looking after her beautiful unicorn, Whisper. She just hopes that their differences won’t stop them bonding! BOOT small robot, BIG adventure - Shane Hegarty £6.99 When toy robot, Boot, wakes up at a scrapyard, it has no idea how it got there and why it isn’t with its owner, Beth. It only has two and a half glitchy memories, but it knows it was loved, which means something important to humans. Boot soon realises its emotions make it different to other robots, who just function and don't think.
9-12 Years Fiction Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid - Jeff Kinney £9.99 In Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid, Rowley agrees to take on the role of biographer, recording his pal's life story because one day ‘Greg is going to be rich and famous and he says everyone will want to know his whole life’s story, so they can make movies about him and stuff.' Not My Fault - Cath Howe £4.99 Maya and Rose won't talk to each other. Even though they are sisters. Not since the accident. Maya is running wild, and Rose doesn't know what to do. Now Maya and Rose have to go away together on a week-long school journey. But will the trip - and a lifethreatening adventure - fix their relationship... or break it for good? Spies in St Petersburg - Taylor and Rose Secret Agent - Katherine Woodfine £4.99 With Sophie still missing in action after their explosive mission in Paris, Lil decides to take matters into her own hands. On a new mission for the Secret Service Bureau, can Lil find Sophie in misty, mysterious St Petersburg? Can they uncover the identity of their true enemy and can they trust anyone - even the Bureau? It’s time for Sophie and Lil to put their spy skills to the test.
Teenage Fiction This Lie Will Kill You - Chelsea Pitcher £5.99 One year ago there was a party. At the party someone died. Five teens all played a part and up until now, no one has told the truth. But tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion in the hills, expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 grand prize. Of course...some things are too good to be true. They were each so desperate for the prize. You Got This - Bryony Gordon £7.99 I wanted to be a unicorn. I wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to be an astronaut. But the thing I really wanted to be more than anything else, was a little less like me. It was only recently that I realised not wanting to be me was at the heart of every dumb decision I ever made. And so now I am writing this book containing all the life lessons I wish someone had taught me. Opposite of Always - Justin Reynolds £5.99 When Jack and Kate meet at a party, he knows he’s falling - hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. But then Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever.
Are you a librarian, teacher or purchasing manager? Do you buy books for your school? Waterstones Liverpool offers a comprehensive account sales service. Contact Sarah Hughes, Children's Department, Liverpool ONE, 12 College Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 3DL. Tel: 0151 709 9820
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My School Days Lawrence Kenwright – Company founder and chairman of Signature Living
Lawrence Kenwright began a career in retail at the age of seventeen and founded the retail clothing company Yes & Co six years later the company had 32 locations and eleven million pounds in annual turnover. After selling the company, he became involved in real estate and development. Working mostly in apartment buildings.
My Schools: I attended Gwladys Street Primary and Nursery School in Everton and Alsop High School, Walton, which celebrates its centenary this year #Alsop100 My Favourite Teacher: My favourite had to be Phillip Jamieson, Alsop High School. He was a great teacher. My Favourite Subject at School: I loved maths at school. Were you streetwise or a bit of a geek? I was definitely a streetwise guy. My Favourite Childhood Singer/Band: The Doors. My Favourite Extra-Curricular Activity: I only ever played football or table tennis. Do you remember your first school crush? No! I went to an all boys school. My Favourite Book: Titans, which talks about the business leaders of a bygone era. School Dinners: They were the best meals of the day, I had to cook for myself at home so I really looked forward to them My Ambitions at School: I always wanted to be a policeman. 90
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Kenwright founded Signature Living in 2008, a developer that restores historic buildings in Liverpool, Belfast, Cardiff, and other UK regions. Lawrence Kenwright purchased a single apartment on Victoria Street in Liverpool’s city centre back in 2004, with a vision to offer guests an unforgettable experience. Since then the company has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the most exciting and largest luxury accommodation providers in Liverpool, offering guests truly unique stays. Today Signature Living operate four hugely successful city centre hotels in Liverpool The Shankly and Titanicthemed 30 James Street hotels, The Arthouse and Signature Hotel. Other hotels include the historic Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff the forthcoming George Best Hotel in Belfast, the Dixie Dean Hotel in Liverpool, and the second Shankly Hotel in Preston.
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