SEPTEMBER 2014
FREE
YOUR EXAMINER GUIDE TO THE AREA’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Getting the right results Take a closer look at the schools and colleges in and around Huddersfeld
PAGE 2 SEPtEmbEr 2014 / EducAtion oPtionS
PROMOTION
FocuSinG on thE diStinct nEEdS oF boyS And GirlS Conveniently located together, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) and Wakefield Girls’ High School (WGHS) form Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. The schools offer the ‘best of both worlds’ by providing co-educational teaching in Mulberry House Nursery and some joint A level teaching at Sixth Form, combined with an outstanding track record for delivering exemplary single- sex education during those crucial learning years of four to 16. Located near to Wakefield City Centre, the schools are easily accessible from the West Yorkshire Motorway network and within walking distance of Wakefield Westgate Station. School buses bring pupils each day from across Yorkshire, including Huddersfield. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that our tuition fees remain competitive and value for money. Fees are inclusive of lunches, text books,
exam fees, Learning Support, essential curriculum based field trips and all Nursery and Junior School trips and visits (excluding residentials). Fee assistance is available from seven years of age through Foundation Awards, where net parental income is £40,000 per annum or less. In addition, each year, in both Senior
Schools there are prestigious Bursaries at 11+ worth up to 100% of fees. Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarships, worth up to 100% of fees, are available for students wishing to study Physics at A-level and University. www.wgsf.org.uk
Our Information Morning on Saturday October 4 at 9.30am to 1pm gives you the opportunity to visit all the schools of the Foundation. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day and have a tour around the schools, see our facilities, meet our pupils and speak to teachers about your child’s education.
Inspire Engage Achieve •
•
"
Every child truly matters and belongs in the talented rich and thriving community."
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Wakefield Girls’ High School
Information Morning
Saturday 4th October 2014 9.30am-1.00pm
• A rich and proud history since 1591 • Exemplary single-sex learning for pupils from 4 -18 years, with a co-ed nursery 3-4 years • Opportunity to study subjects taught jointly at Sixth Form • Fees are fully inclusive of school lunches, text books, public examination fees, learning support costs, essential curriculum based field trips and all Junior School trips and visits (excluding residentials) • Fee assistance available from 7 years of age, worth up to 100% of fees • Located together and accessible from across South and West Yorkshire
Mulberry House Nursery
Come and hear the Heads’ presentations: 10.00am - WGHS Senior School 10.40am - QEGS Senior School
www.wgsf.org.uk
Fun and inspiring with state-of-the-art facilities. Full and part-time places available for boys and girls age 3-4 years.
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 3
OPTIONS Contents WELCOME to the latest issue of Education Options, your definitive guide to schools and colleges in the local area. Finding the right school for your child is very important to ensure they have a good education and are fully prepared for the world of work. In this bumper issue we take a look at many of the schools in and around the Huddersfield area, and also look a little further afield to schools whose names may not be so familiar. Profiles of all these schools will hopefully help you to make the right decision for your child. We also take a look at some of the latest news and developments in the classroom to keep you up-to-date with what's happening in the world of education today. Read on to make the right decision for your child.
Exceptional Nurturing the talents of individuals at Colne Valley High School - see page 10
EDITORIAL Susan Hampshire 01484 437739 susan.hampshire@trinitymirror.com ADVERTISING SALES Andrea Cox 01484 437742 andrea.cox@trinitymirror.com DESIGN Neil Ashton
Education Options is published by Huddersfield Examiner, Pennine Business Park, Longbow Close, Bradley Road, Bradley, Huddersfield HD2 1 GQ. Copyright of editorial content held by Huddersfield Examiner. Reproduction in part or in whole is forbidden save with the express permission of the publishers. It is not our intention to print any matter that discriminates on the grounds of race, sex, sexuality or disability. The magazine is printed by Mirror Colour Printers (Oldham) Ltd. Advertisements are accepted according to our terms and conditions.
2 EXEMPLARY EDUCATION
19 STUDENT NUMBERS ON THE UP
Find out why Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School offers the best of both worlds
North Huddersfield Trust School has seen a significant rise in applications
4 HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT
20 AFFORDABLE UNIFORMS
All Saints Catholic College is celebrating four decades of Catholic education this year
The Schoolwear Association is campaigning to make children's school clothes cheaper to buy
7 HITTING THE TOP TEN
21 TABLETS VS PENS
Huddersfield New College achieves great things in the national standings
Research shows that despite the age of the tablet, modern children have great handwriting
9 THE CLASS OF TOMORROW
23 ONE OF KIRKLEES' FINEST
Technology expert James Penny explores the future of education in our schools
For 16-19 year-olds, Netherhall Learning Campus offers a unique blend of learning
10 HIGH ACHIEVERS
24 SUCCESSFUL & OVERSUBSCRIBED
Find out why there's lots to celebrate this autumn at Colne Valley High School
Royds Hall Community School caters for 880 students and has a great reputation
11 PREPARING CHILDREN FOR LIFE
27 KING OF THE CASTLE
Kirklees College specialises in vocational qualifications that set you up for work
Find out why Castle Hall Academy's curriculum serves its pupils well for future life
12 MIND YOUR LANGUAGE
28 HIGH PERFORMING HIGH SCHOOL
Take a look at why technology could hold the key to improving language learning
Newsome High School and Sports College is an increasingly popular choice for pupils
13 TOP OF THE TABLE
29 100 PER CENT PASS RATE
Discover why Rastrick Sixth Form is the top performer in the whole of Calderdale
Bradford Grammar School has a strong reputation for its GCSE results
15 A CARING APPROACH
31 CHOOSE WITH CONFIDENCE
Honley High School is the highest performing non-selective secondary school in Kirkless
Hipperholme Grammar School provides a rich choice of academic and vocational options
16 DOES UNI NEED A SHAKE-UP?
33 DEVELOP A LOVE OF LEARNING
Research indicates almost half of all students would welcome a Higher Education reshuffle
Rishworth School challenges its pupils to think differently and solve problems
17 IS SHELLEY HIGH FOR YOU?
34 DEDICATED TO DELIVERING
The Sixth Form is becoming increasingly popular among pupils from other high schools
Moor End Academy offers a supportive and welcoming environment for all students
PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER
WHAT an outstanding year for All Saints Catholic College as we celebrate 40 years of Catholic education. Having been judged as a ‘Good’ school by Ofsted in March of 2013, we have continued to build on this judgement and further embed the behaviour and assessment policies that support student progress throughout the school; we continue to move onwards and upwards.
performing comprehensive schools in the authority and we aim to maintain and improve on this position. Anita Bodurka, Headteacher comments; “Having experienced some disappointment last year brought about due to changes in grade boundaries through government intervention, the students and staff at All Saints knew we had to respond.
The staff and governors of All Saints Catholic College were confident that the hard work and application shown by our Year 11 students would bring about well-earned good grades. Their achievement of 64% 5A*-C with English and Maths and an 85% 5A*C pass rate, is no more than they deserve.
We have rigorous monitoring systems, through which each individual child is tracked throughout the year. Parents are consulted, students mentored, staff supported and intervention strategies, such as holiday and after school revision sessions, are put in place. This has led to a set of results that the All Saints community are very proud of.
These results mean that All Saints Catholic College is now one of the top
To know that so many of our students achieved their target grades in five
or more GCSE’s is testament to their hard work and commitment to their education, many actually went beyond their target grade. The work ethic shown by our Year 11 cohort in particular was exemplary and will be a model to our new Year 11 students. Hard work and application clearly leads to success. This is a time for celebration but also reflection and we are already analysing the results and ensuring we put in place a programme of education that will support our students from our new Year 7 intake upwards. We have an excellent staffing body that are totally committed to the students and parents of All Saints and, having rested over the summer break, will again, do everything they can to
ensure every child succeeds and makes good progress on the next stage of their journey. www.aschc.com
I wish all of our Year 11 students every success as they move on to college or work and we know that many of them will come back to see us.” “You are always welcome.”
• A Good school and improving. • A student centred inclusive community . • Year on year improvements in GCSE results. • Distinctive Catholic ethos with a caring and effective student support programme. • Excellent standards of behaviour and high levels of expectation inspire our student’s ambition. • A school with a strong sense of moral purpose. (Ofsted 2013) • A brand new purpose built school fit for the 21st Century to open academic year 2016/17. As a Catholic College, All Saints exists to meet the needs of those who seek a distinctive Catholic education. It is a Christian community where relationships are built on respect, self-discipline, care for the individual, forgiveness, reconciliation and high achievement. Every child matters at All Saints and everyone works hard to develop the unique potential of each student. Partnerships are
the cornerstone of the college’s success and the strong relationships with the students, parents, parishes and the wider community are instrumental in ensuring each student can make positive choices for their future beyond All Saints. If you have a child in years 4, 5 or 6 and would like to visit the school, please call 01484 426466, email office@aschc.com or visit www.aschc.com.
All Saints Catholic College, Bradley Bar, Huddersfield, HD2 2JT
Tel: 01484 426466
Website: www.aschc.com
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC COLLEGE ALWAYS MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
HUDDERSFIELD NEW COLLEGE OPEN EVENTS 2014-15
Thursday 23rd October 2014 6.30pm - 9pm Saturday 22nd November 2014 10am - 1pm Wednesday 14th January 2015 6.30pm - 9pm
“Huddersfield New College is a good sixth form college with many outstanding features’’ Ofsted, November 2011
SUCCESS FOR ALL Art • Business • Children’s Play Learning and Development Creative Media • Design • English • Health & Social Care Humanities • IT • Maths • Media • Modern Foreign Languages Performing Arts • Social Sciences • Sport • Travel & Tourism
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 7
HUDDERSFIELD NEW COLLEGE IN THE TOP 10% OF COLLEGES NATIONWIDE SITUATED on the edge of the Pennines, and perfectly placed for students from either Kirklees or Calderdale, Huddersfield New College is a specialist sixth form college, which caters exclusively for young people in the 16-18 age range. The college offers a variety of courses at levels 1, 2 and 3, and is the only college in West Yorkshire to allow students to study a mix of both A Level and BTEC qualifications. One of the most successful colleges in the country, Huddersfield New College attracts an increasing number of students each year, with over 2,500 students on roll at the beginning of the 2014-15 academic year.
Exam results continue to keep the college in the top 10% of schools and colleges nationwide for Advanced Level performance, with a 99% pass rate for A Levels and vocational A Levels in August 2014, and 40% of
This summer saw the introduction of a fantastic, campuswide, WiFi service, allowing students to connect seamlessly to the college’s network on their own devices
our A Level students, and 70% of our vocational A Level students, achieving the much coveted A*, A and B grades or equivalent. This comes on the back of an Ofsted inspection in November 2011 which saw the college officially rated as ‘good with outstanding features’. The college has some great facilities to offer its students, and is constantly investing in those facilities to ensure students get the very best out of their studies. This summer saw the introduction of a fantastic, campus-wide, WiFi service, allowing students to connect seamlessly to the college’s network on their own devices. The college completed a brand new sporting facility, the Sports
Barn, in 2013, and has also recently refurbished communal areas such as the dining room, Guidance and Careers Centre, and the library to further enhance the student experience. The college is hosting three open events this academic year in October 2014, November 2014 and January 2015. All areas of the college will be open for prospective students and their families to visit, and we’d love to see you there. For more information about Huddersfield New College or our upcoming Open Events, please contact us on 01484 652341, or by email on info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk. or www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk
PAGE 8 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS ‘ARE KEY TO SUCCESS’ ALL pupils will be expected to take a range of traditional GCSEs including science and a foreign language, according to Nicky Morgan, the education secretary. Schools are now measured on how many pupils pass the “English baccalaureate”, which incorporates English, maths, a foreign language, science and history or geography. The Conservatives are expected to go further in their election manifesto, however, by putting pressure on schools to teach these subjects to all pupils until the age of 16. Schools that do not comply could be penalised by Ofsted, and find it impossible to achieve a good or outstanding rating from the schools regulator. English and maths are already compulsory for all pupils. Critics claim that some schools enter pupils for other GCSEs that are easier to pass, thus boosting their positions in league tables, and restricting teenagers’ chances of getting into a
good university. Others say, however, that there is no point forcing pupils to take subjects which they do not understand or enjoy to GCSE level.
Tory proposals, Ofsted could give a “good” or “outstanding” rating only to a school that enrols all its pupils in the core GCSE subjects, which together form the English baccalaureate.
Mrs Morgan, who replaced Michael Gove as education secretary, said the These core presumption that academic subjects all children should study at least offer children great five core subjects opportunities, Mrs would help to Morgan said. “They are address inequalities what universities are in the education looking for. I want to system. “We want students to be make it clear to pupils able to keep their how important maths is, options open for in terms of earnings and as long as possible keeping career options in terms of what open” they are going to do after school or college,” she said. “In selective schools or schools with a low proportion of free school meals, that is what they are already doing. But that is not always happening in less advantaged areas.” Under the
“These core academic subjects offer children great opportunities,” Mrs Morgan said. “They are what universities are looking for. I want to make it clear to pupils how important maths is, in terms of earnings and keeping career options open.”
As well as schools pushing these choices on pupils, Mrs Morgan said that parents had a responsibility to encourage their children to take traditional academic subjects. She promised to allow popular
schools to expand, telling The Sunday Telegraph: “I want to work with schools and authorities to look at the provision of places. We want good schools to expand and free schools are very much a part of that.” Modern foreign languages were compulsory at GCSE until 2004, when they became optional. After that, takeup fell by a third, having a knockon effect on numbers taking A levels and degrees in the subject. From this week, primary schools will have to teach languages such as French, German or Spanish to pupils from the age of seven. Other curriculum changes being introduced this term include computer coding lessons for all primary pupils, and personal finance lessons for secondary pupils.
September 2014 / education optionS paGe 9
the claSSroom of the future We live in a time of continual technological change and it’s important that our schools embrace this revolution education is transforming. Schools are changing, transformation is underway. James Penny from technology solutions provider European Electronique explores the future of technology for education. He explains: “Technology is fickle and new products launch everyday. Some launches capture global attention like the Apple events whilst others are low key. Predicting the future of technology is challenging to say the least. There are some predictions however that I believe are safe to make. “Technology will certainly become more personal with wearable technology becoming main stream in the next couple of years. Wireless
connectivity is a given and devices will have some kind of browser on them to access information. “For years the technology was owned by the school – in the future it will probably be owned by the individual user but managed by the school. New models present themselves with learning organisations perhaps creating new relationships with mobile operators to allow a user to move seamlessly between 3G/4G (5G/6G?) connectivity, public wireless and onsite ‘private’ networks; to the end user there will be no difference between mobile and onsite networks, their device just works.’’
All these devices will allow students to share their learning experience. Teachers can help students understand how they are doing in real time with instant feedback on how to do better but there are some fundamentals that need addressing. Schools will need fast and robust internet connections, high quality wireless infrastructure and the use of public and private clouds to store and share data. The changes that will take place could be profound for those that really transform. Physical schools will never go away. Teachers and students still need to meet face to face to discuss and
Schools will need fast and robust internet connections, high quality wireless infrastructure and the use of public and private clouds to store and share data
learn together, learning is about interaction and sharing. But the days when teachers stand at the front of the class just sharing facts and information are numbered; schools will expect students to learn and research information for themselves, using technology, but they will then challenge students to interpret and share their knowledge to demonstrate the understanding of the subjects they have studied. Students sharing their work will be a key focus; you will be judged more and more on what you share with others and how you interpret the information you discovered. Teachers and learners will work together; learning will be flexible and agile, happening in multiple locations and at different times that best suit the learners. The time that teachers and learners spend together becomes very powerful time that can be used to challenge understanding and move learners on rapidly to drive better results. “Schools will need fast and robust internet connections, high quality wireless infrastructure and the use of public and private clouds to store and share data’’
PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
EVERYONE EXCEPTIONAL, EVERY DAY WE are a large school sitting in the heart of the Colne Valley, an area of outstanding beauty whose culture and traditions are rich and diverse. We pride ourselves on the way we nurture the talents of individuals, whether this is academically, through sport, music or the arts. The breadth of our extra-curricular programme provides outstanding opportunities for every student to achieve success. Our ethos is one of high aspiration. Everyone, every student and every member of staff,
Our ethos is one of high aspiration. Everyone, every student and every member of staff, can be exceptional, every day.
can be exceptional, every day. There is much to be celebrated at Colne Valley High School which became an Academy after joining The MirďŹ eld Free Grammar and Sixth Form Multi Academy Trust. The last 18 months have brought immense change at our school, which launched as a brand new school on Monday September 1st with refreshed values and the highest of standards. We are dedicated to preparing our students to be the next generation of leaders: Leaders of industry, innovators in science and technology; leaders in the arts and music and our sports personalities of the future. Colne Valley High School is taking all that is good from its past and has now taken its ďŹ rst steps towards the recognition it deserves. We care for our students and we care about their futures. By creating an exceptional place for learning, we are creating futures.
www.thecvhs.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 11
PROMOTION
Increase your options at Kirklees College AS a college that specialises in vocational qualifications, Kirklees College prides itself on the successes of its students who progress to great things.
college at the top of the table for pass rates in England compared to other large FE colleges and is due to the exceptional level of support the students receive.
All of the teaching staff at Kirklees College have experience of working in the industry of the subject they teach. The college also has a huge network of industry experts, who regularly come in to inspire with guest speeches, mentor students or offer work placements and guidance.
Student numbers have increased by over a third in two years Many go to university or take a higher level course, many go on to excel in the vocation they studied and others use their employability skills and knowledge to succeed in a completely different industry to the course in which they studied.
The college works with carefully selected Apprenticeship and work placement providers who are trained in nurturing talent and look for the best in their student workforce.
Coming to Kirklees College increases your options.
To find out more visit www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk k or come to an open day this November.
In 2012-13, 97.2% of Kirklees College’s 16-19 year old students passed their course. This placed the
Open days 2014-15 ALL HUDDERSFIELD CENTRES: Saturday 15 November 10.30am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm) ALL DEWSBURY CENTRES: Thursday 20 November 5.30am-8pm (last entry 7.30pm)
SEARCH APPLY ENROL
Our students learn from industry experts FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A PLACE: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk
info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk
01484 437070
@kirkleescollege
facebook.com/kirkleescollege
Page 12 october 2014 / eDucation oPtions
PROMOTION
rosetta stone’s Donavan whyte puts the case for technology in the language classroom The individual learning style students have can be hard to cater for in a classroom environment. Pupils learn in different ways and at different speeds. Technology can help meet these needs; enhancing the learning experience for both student and teacher. From the possibilities such tools offer for personalisation, interaction and engagement educational institutions and pupils can enjoy the benefits of an integrated teaching model – one that supplements face to face time with teachers with online learning. These benefits include:
Personalisation Students have different learning needs and their own learning style and approach. Online learning content adapts to deliver a personalised learning experience. It can, for example vary the pace at which topics are moved on and how much repetition is used to reinforce learning. Adapting content delivery in this way means students can learn at their own pace.
interactivity By supplementing the familiar approach to absorbing information through lessons, tutorials and textbooks with online learning, students can connect and interact with their subject even more. Students familiar with technology in their day to day lives relate to a digital interactive experience and can benefit from participating in, for example communities and online learning support groups.
engagement Well designed, virtual learning environments offer opportunities
for students to actively acquire knowledge and immediately apply it which reinforces and drives understanding. Realistic foreign language speaking experience can be gained from online virtual tools that include simulations and role plays.
Donavan Whyte is Vice President, EMEA Enterprise & Education at Rosetta Stone.
Digital natives Young adults today view technology as a seamless part of the world around them – they’ve been born into a connected, online world. They are ‘digital natives’ and have a 21st century approach to learning and knowledge consumption. Recognising this, incorporating technology into the classroom environment can encourage the student learning experience and support pupils’ development. The curriculum defines the subjects and topics to be taught, but increasingly we see more flexibility in teaching approaches and lesson design. Teachers have more freedom to explore new teaching models and tools.
online learning, social meDia anD mobile technologies Are all set to inspire a change in the way pupils are taught. This generation uses smartphones, tablets and social networks to interact, consume, learn and create. Integrated technology in lesson design, together with excellent teaching skills, can serve to engage and enthuse students.
aDaPtive learning Students have different needs – one size doesn’t fit all - and learn at different rates. No more so than when it comes to learning languages, where some demonstrate a natural flair and others find they have to work
at it. Accommodating the learning needs of all pupils isn’t easy; teachers work hard to achieve the fine balance between dedicating extra time to the students who find languages tough, while at the same time keeping their natural linguists engaged. Online learning and interactive applications can help by supporting a pupil’s learning at the pace that is right for them. The material and the timescale it’s delivered in can be adapted so that teachers and pupils can mould it to fit the student. By varying the pace of knowledge intake, faster learners can take their skills further without jeopardising the learning of the basics for those who need a bit more time to develop a general understanding. Online and app-based programmes can also deliver instant and bespoke feedback to language learning students on aspects such as speech recognition. They are also designed to adapt content delivery to meet the personal needs of students, including special educational needs.
beyonD the classroom Students who have engaged with a subject and have developed a passion for it will continue to explore it outside the classroom. Online learning can open the door to new and diverse languages for pupils to learn in their own time and at their own speed. If students are inspired by a subject they are
more likely to develop a habit of continual learning and development early on. In today’s competitive world this attitude and approach matters more and more as life-long learning becomes the norm. With apps on phones and other portable online devices, work and education is no longer tied to an office, a classroom, a desk, and hasn’t been for some time. The lines between earning, learning and personal time are blurring. This isn’t viewed as unusual by a younger generation less expectant of a traditional ‘nine-to-five.’
rewarDing The integration of modern technology into the classroom critically enhances existing teaching practices in a really powerful way and supports a new approach to teaching that is more effective and rewarding than ever before - both for students but also teachers.
rosetta stone Rosetta Stone is dedicated to changing the way the world learns. The company’s innovative technology-driven language, reading and brainfitness solutions are used by thousands of schools, businesses, government organisations and millions of individuals around the world. www.rosettastone.co.uk/ Schools
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 13
PROMOTION
Join the premier league at Rastrick Sixth Form Marketing and careers in the Music and entertainment industry.
RASTRICK Sixth Form is the top performer in the whole of Calderdale. If you are looking for a post-16 place in a vibrant, aspirational and supportive learning environment, Rastrick Sixth Form would be an excellent choice for you. We are easily accessible, sitting between Brighouse, Huddersfi eld and Halifax and in September 2015, we will be introducing a shuttle bus through Brighouse, Hipperholme and North Huddersfi eld to make it easier for you to get to us.
We have a rich and diverse range of A Level and BTEC courses available to select from and groups of courses (or pathways) which will enable you to study a group of complementary subjects. For example, we have pathways in Science, Mathematics, Art and Design, Sport and Dance as well as Business and Economics and Music. These pathways will lead to careers in Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Teaching, Design, Business / Economics and
The excellent teaching is supported by established links to local, regional and national companies as well as several universities and these connections will allow you to explore your career choices as well as gaining valuable insights into business and industry. Your fi rst year of study will include one week of work experience; this helps a great deal when you are moving on to university, an apprenticeship or into employment. You may or may not have clear ideas about what you want to do at the end of your studies with us, but don’t worry, we have an experienced dedicated team of staff to support you if you decide to go to university (100% of our students who applied for university in 2014 were successful), move onto an apprenticeship or feel you would like to go into the job market. The quality of teaching at Rastrick is vitally important and something we relentlessly focus on. As well as delivering you excellent teaching we will ensure you are treated as an individual; given
Open Evening Sixth Form
Thursday 13 November 6.00 - 8.00pm Introduction from the Headteacher starts at 6.00pm We aim to inspire & support all students who are committed to improving their life chances by achieving the highest levels of academic success & personal development. www.rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk
bespoke support by your tutor, teachers and the Post 16 team. Beyond your formal lessons we have enrichment programmes which give you the opportunity to volunteer at local charities, institutions and in our partner primary schools. You will also take part in international visits, both to help with your studies and develop your understanding of other cultures and customs. Recent hugely successful visits have included New York, Switzerland, France and Africa. We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Evening. Steve Evans Headteacher www.rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk
HONLEY HIGH SCHOOL
LAUNCH OF THE HONLEY CO-OPERATIVE LEARNNG TRUST MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2014, 6-8PM In our newly refurbished library
An opportunity for students, parents, prospective parents and the local community to find out how the Trust will: • Make the school more active in the community • Forge practical links between education & local businesses • Encourage a co-operative outlook on learning and the world Photo courtesy of the Examiner
Come and find out more, hear our guest speakers, take part in workshops and see our new library Don’t miss our OPEN EVENING - Thursday 25 September 2014, 6-8pm EXAM SUCCESS 2014! RESULTS: ENGLISH - 88% A*-C MATHS - 82% A*-C 73% GAINED 5 A*-C INCLUDING ENGLISH & MATHS
Tel: 01484 222347
Station Road, Honley, Holmfirth HD9 6QJ
www.honleyhigh.co.uk
Email: office@honleyhigh.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 15
PROMOTION
At Honley High School we care
IT IS a simple statement that sums up the school and our community of learners perfectly. It is also an approach that has supported us in becoming the highest performing non-selective secondary school in Kirklees. In 2014, over 79% of learners attained an A*-C pass in both English and mathematics and more than a fifth gained five or more A and A* grades. Crucially, all of our students have made the transition to further study or employment or training after leaving. At Honley we have simple but deeply held core values: *We believe in fairness, equity and inclusion: we value every child for who they are and show compassion and understanding in our dealings with one another.
it will bring, please come along to the official Trust launch on Monday October 20, taking place in our newly refurbished library. When we opened our doors over 80 years ago we did so with the motto – ‘Nitimur in excelsis’ which translates as ‘we strive for the highest’. Since then, we have maintained the drive to constantly develop, improve and innovate to ensure that we provide the highest standard of education. To this end we have implemented literacy development support programs, introduced academic peer mentoring and initiated a growth mind-set development group to examine how we learn and overcome barriers to learning.
Central to these initiatives are our students and they are actively involved *We strive for in leading excellence in them. We are everything we We must put the committed do. We have interests of our to placing high aspirations the needs of children above all other for everyone each child at considerations and believe that the centre children and of learning; adults thrive in a nurturing climate of praise, their creativity in overcoming the celebration and recognition. We challenges of today and developing always measure ourselves against the their resilience to address the highest standards. uncertainties of tomorrow. *We believe we must put the interests of our children above all other So, if you would like your child to join considerations. a school that not only has a history During the last academic year, our of academic excellence, but where governing body made the decision there is a culture of striving to do to acquire a Co-operative Learning better; a school that provides unique Trust. This has not only cemented opportunities for students to develop our values, but increased our focus new skills and invests in growing upon self–help, democracy and social better learners; and a school where responsibility to place the school children can flourish and fulfil their at the centre of the community we potential, we invite you to join us. serve. If you would like to hear more www.honleyhigh.co.uk about the Trust and the opportunities
PAGE 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
Nearly half of students would welcome shake up to traditional university degree NEARLY half of students (46%) would be interested in a ‘condensed’ timetable for their degree, meaning the same number of hours are taught over fewer days per week, rather than a five-day schedule, according to new research released today. In response to the needs of today’s student, Kaplan Holborn College - an alternative higher-education provider based in central London - has launched a new range of two-day timetables for full degree courses awarded by Anglia Ruskin University, to give students more flexibility in their studies. Research conducted amongst current sixth-form students to mark the launch of the condensed timetable courses also showed willingness to adapt to more innovative approaches to teaching, with 87% agreeing that they would benefit from having part of their course delivered online. Over a third (37%) believe that the best use of online content would be the ability to re-watch it for revision purposes, which was more than double
any other response for more practical reasons, such as getting a part time job or saving money on travel costs to lectures.
other arrangements with the certainty that they will not have to change them every semester.
Alongside the face-to-face seminars, The research comes at a time when lectures which students watch before universities, and the degrees they each seminar are available online, offer, are under providing more the spotlight focused, personal by students for instruction and The two-day their value for interaction in timetable is a money and the class. employability sensible move and will The approach is prospects they designed to offer help us to make the provide. convenient, high most of learning quality learning The new classes in a manner that are condensed suits the needs of into two days today’s students. per week, giving students five days in which they can JENNY BIRCH, HEAD OF KAPLAN undertake independent study and HOLBORN COLLEGE COMMENTED: engage in extra-curricular activities, which will both enhance their skill“At Kaplan Holborn College, we’re very set and allow them to gain industry aware of the needs of our students. As experience within the capital. a smaller institution we’re more able to Students are informed which two days every week the course will be taught at the outset, so that they can make
adapt to fit those needs, rather than students having to arrange their lives around their studies.
We are pleased to be able to respond to our students’ need for flexible tuition, with our new twoday timetables, the same content and resulting in the same degree as previously. We believe these courses will allow our students to use their time more effectively and utilise opportunities to develop skills outside of their degree studies, ultimately making them more employable after they graduate.” ELENA PENCHEVA, A BA A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT WITH FINANCE STUDENT AT KAPLAN HOLBORN COLLEGE ADDED: “With the employment market becoming increasingly competitive, our expectations as students have changed significantly over the past few years. The two-day timetable is a sensible move and will help us to make the most of learning in London. By condensing my taught hours into a few days, it will give me the opportunity to expand my CV, gaining essential work experience needed to stand out from the crowd.”
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 17
PROMOTION
MAKE SHELLEY COLLEGE YOUR FIRST CHOICE OUR sixth form is increasingly becoming the first choice destination for students from a number of high schools as well as our own. We offer a distinctive choice; being a relatively small post16 institution we can offer a level of personal attention that is diffi cult to match elsewhere. This personal touch extends to teaching, where our small class sizes allow teachers to offer individual guidance and to our pastoral support, which enables our staff to know each student well and help at whatever level is needed. Again, this standard is refl ected in our rapidly improving results, with the most recent set placing us in the top 5% of all post-16 institutions nationally. There are a wealth of curriculum options available and a warm, friendly and happy atmosphere balanced with a determination to help everybody achieve their personal goals. Shelley College’s fundamental beliefs about education are summarized in our mission statement of “Valuing People,
Supporting Personal Best”. The fi rst part of this statement illustrates our desire to help young people be happy and confi dent at college and beyond. We think this in turn gives them the best chance of being successful in achieving their goals and ambitions. The second part of our mission statement encourages all of us to keep trying our best.
This is not an easy option; asking young people to always try their best in everything they do is very ambitious and we do all what we can to help everybody to reach their full potential. Please visit our website if you would like more information and we hope to see you at our Open Evening on 20th November. www.shelleycollege.org
6 FORM OPEN EVENING TH
VE TION FOR PROSPECTI AN OPEN INVITATH TS N R PARE STUDENTS AND EI
AN OPEN INVITATION FOR PROSPECTIVE 6TH FORM STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS Transfer to Shelley College and join our Sixth Form in September 2015 - Now in the top 5% in the UK! • Exceptional care, guidance and support • Choice of over 30 courses • Excellent progression to universities and employment • Innovative partnership links with business
• Strong value added performance • Bursary Awards for outstanding achievement • Purpose built Sixth Form block with café
Learn more at: www.shelleycollege.org Shelley College, Huddersfield Road, Shelley, Huddersfield HD8 8NL Tel: 01484 868 777
THURSDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 6:30PM - 9:00PM
PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
AN ‘OUTSTANDING’ SCHOOL WELCOME to Holmfirth High School – a Maths, Computing and Applied Learning specialist! This article just gives a snapshot of the work of the school and we hope that it will be enough to encourage you to find out more.
Students enjoy school very much, as shown by their excellent attendance
The school was delighted to be graded `outstanding’ across all disciplines in the last Ofsted inspection and this reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication from staff, pupils, parents and the wider community.
young people to take a personal pride in their school. The school’s key strengths are the broad curriculum, the positive relationships that staff enjoy with pupils, solid links with the local community and the breadth of our extra-curricular activities – from a Duke of Edinburgh awards programme to a performance of ‘Bugsy’ , from a knitting group to trips to Malawi and a myriad of other exciting opportunities – there is always lots going on at Holmfirth High! The school door is always open and if you would like to learn more you are more than welcome to visit. www.holmfirthhigh.co.uk
The school ethos is to encourage all students to achieve their potential in whatever area that may be – either academically or vocationally. The school expects high standards of behaviour, appearance, attendance and punctuality and encourage all
Holmfirth High School MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING AND APPLIED LEARNING SPECIALIST
We are pleased to invite you to our
ANNUAL OPEN EVENING Thursday 2 October 2014 All visitors to the school are welcome. We expect to be extremely busy again this year, therefore, two addresses for PROSPECTIVE PARENTS will be held at 6:15pm and 7:30pm. Staff will be available in classrooms between 6:00pm – 9:00pm and look forward to meeting you. Executive Headteacher: Dr A Williams Telephone: 01484 691460 "Holmrth High School is an outstanding school. It is an ambitious, harmonious, learning community, which is outward facing and characterised by strong, respectful relationships which support and encourage each individual to reach their full potential" Ofsted July 2012
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 19
PROMOTION
NEW SCHOOL CONTINUES TO FLOURISH NORTH Huddersfield Trust School continues on its journey to become an outstanding school for the local community. Outcomes from our Ofsted inspection recognised signifi cant progress and graded both the behaviour of pupils and the leadership of the school as ‘good’, with positive feedback given in all areas. A clear endorsement of the school’s upward momentum!
Student numbers have increased by over a third in two years In 2013 NHTS was the most improved school in Kirklees for GCSE results and our curriculum
offers a broad range of both academic and vocational subjects to suit all. Through our Trust partners, we offer access to enrichment opportunities across many organisations; this, in conjunction with award-winning careers advice and our ethos of embedding leadership skills in all, helps to prepare students for life far beyond their high school education. As the reputation of the new school has grown, student numbers have increased by over a third in just two years and September 2014 has seen the biggest Year 7 intake to date. Executive Head Teacher, Dr Andy Williams, states, “We are proud of our school and encourage prospective families to come and take a look around. A warm welcome awaits.” www.nhtschool.co.uk
OPEN EVENTS
Open Evening Thursday 25th September 5pm – 8pm Head Teacher presentations @ 5.15pm & 6.30pm. Open Mornings 9am-12pm for each of our partner primary schools: • Ashbrow School – Wednesday 22nd October • Birkby Infants & Birkby Junior Schools – Thursday 9th October • Christ Church CE Academy – Wednesday 15th October • Fixby Junior & Infant School – Thursday 16th October • St Thomas CE Primary School – Thursday 23rd October
For more details please contact Nora Brown or Lorna Wright www.nhtschool.co.uk
e: office@nhtschool.co.uk
PAGE 20 SEPTEMbER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO MAKE QUALITY SCHOOL UNIFORM EASIER TO AFFORD The Schoolwear Association is launching a national campaign to make school uniform more affordable for hardworking families. The Association, whose members clothe three quarters of Britain’s schoolchildren, wants the Government to introduce a scheme similar to childcare vouchers to make school uniform tax deductible.
It is urging parents to sign an e petition to bring the idea to the attention of the Prime Minister. www.tinyurl.com/schoolwear
Matthew Easter, Chair of the Schoolwear Association, said: “Studies show that children do better at school and are happier when they have good quality school uniform. We know for many families, purchasing school uniform can sometimes be a worry, we think the Government should help by providing for a tax-exempt voucher scheme along the lines of childcare vouchers. It’s good for education, good for children and good for hardworking families.” If approved, the scheme would allow workers at participating employers to receive a small part of their salary each month as vouchers, redeemable at participating schoolwear suppliers. The campaign has already attracted key support from the UK’s number one dad website dadzclub.com whose founder, Craig Hodgson, said: “We think it’s a great initiative and are fully behind it. School uniform is something to be proud of but it can also be a costly affair for parents. This scheme will certainly help parents budget and plan for those torn trousers and lost jumpers.” Another precedent for the idea is
the Cycle to Work scheme where employees are provided with a new bike, paid for with a small amount of tax-free money from their salary each month. According to behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, a smart looking, hard wearing and well fitting uniform has a significant impact on children’s happiness at school. She says badged uniform that is specially made for the school is better than off the shelf “greywear” because it means children all wear exactly the same and have a sense of belonging. Children spend more time in school uniform than in their own clothes. A poll for the Schoolwear Association showed the average child wears his or her uniform for ten hours a day (1,500 hours a year), and it has to stand up to the rigours of everyday school life. Children get through on average four pieces of uniform a year. The Schoolwear Association campaigns to educate parents and teachers about the value of good quality, smart-looking, long-lasting uniform, rather than opting for the cheapest garments on the shelf. The association represents businesses nationwide involved in the manufacture and supply of school specific uniform from manufacturers to wholesalers, independent retailers and direct to school suppliers. All members agree to a Code of Practice. Established in 2006, the Schoolwear Association is run on an entirely voluntary basis by some of the sector’s most experienced professionals.
Children spend more time in school uniform than in their own clothes
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 21
PROMOTION
THE ART OF WRITING IS IN GOOD HANDS IF YOU THOUGHT HANDWRITING IS A DYING ART IN THIS TOUCHSCREEN AGE, THINK AGAIN. A NEW study by office and stationery supplies store Staples shows that children’s handwriting skills are in good shape with primary school children often beating their parents for legibility. 100 children aged eight to 11 and their parents were asked to write a series of sentences which were then rated for legibility and style by teachers. Staples asked participants to recreate some of the more famous lines from The Simpsons title sequence, including: “I have neither been there nor done that” and “I will not bring a sheep to class”. Remarkably, the difference between the two mean scores was only four per cent, while in more than 28 per cent of cases, children were judged to have superior handwriting skills to those of their parents. Key findings from the study were: - 28 per cent of children were judged to have neater handwriting than their parents - 39 per cent of parents scored the highest score, compared with 33 per cent of children - 10 and 11 year olds’ mean score was the same as their parents’ Reena Patel, head of School Supplies at Staples, said: ‘’With all the tablets and smartphones that children use today it’s great to see that even though they may spend huge amounts of time typing and swiping they haven’t lost the art of
handwriting. “We see children in our stores in the run up to Back to School choosing their pens and pencils and notebooks for the new term and it’s wonderful to know that children are putting them to good use.” Sales of pens and writing paper remain healthy. In the last 12 months, Staples has sold over 11 million pens and more than three million notepads of writing paper. Despite the explosive growth of smartphones, tablets and computers handwriting remains a feature of everyday life for most people, young and old. Educational psychologists say that rewriting notes by hand means that we are more likely to remember them. It also allows time to review, re-evaluate and amend. Handwriting is linked to reading and spelling. Learning how to form letters helps to learn how to form their sounds. Children learn to read more quickly when they first write by hand and they remain better able to generate ideas and retain information. To ensure your children keep their writing skills up to a high standard, check out Staples’ range of great value pens and all the other back to school essentials. For more information see www.staples.co.uk or visit your local store.
Despite the explosive growth of smartphones, tablets and computers handwriting remains a feature of everyday life for most people, young and old
Is Your Child A Creative? Let them flourish in a school just for them
» A 100% pass rate (Pass - Distinction *) for all Vocational Courses » 100% of students achieved at least their expected grades » 88% of students achieved at least 3 A-Level equivalents » 90% of our students felt they were listened too and supported » 94% said they were treated as individuals
To find out more, come see us at one of our open days or get in touch... Wednesday 22nd October 3:30pm - 7pm
studio-school .org.uk
Thursday 20th November 3:30pm - 7pm
01484 221892
Saturday 13th December 10am - 3pm
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 23
PROMOTION
WHY THE CREATIVE AND MEDIA STUDIO SCHOOL COULD BE THE RIGHT COLLEGE FOR YOUR CHILD...
BASED at Netherhall Learning Campus, the Creative and Media Studio School offers a unique College provision for 16-19 year olds. Having been the first Studio School to open in the country, and being the only one within Kirklees, it is leading the way in offering a unique blend of learning for young minds. The Creative and Media Studio School believes in a learning philosophy that combines developing subject-specific skills, knowledge and understanding with real business experience and input. Such a provision equips learners to a) achieve academic success, b) successfully secure university places, c) meet the needs of employers, and/ or d) set up their own businesses.
WHAT THE CREATIVE AND MEDIA STUDIO SCHOOL OFFERS: A brand new £4.5 million building equipped with industry standard resources, giving students the opportunity to learn skills demanded in business and an edge over other young people. Open plan learning environments to support a professional and mature way of working. Creative and passionate tutors who have high expectations and aim to get students to “think outside the box”
PERSONAL COACHES Unique to Studio Schools, who support the development of employability skills with each student through weekly one-one coaching sessions
A SMALL ENVIRONMENT ‘Big’ is not necessarily ‘best’! With a capacity for 180 students the college aims to know each student by name to support successful and individual relationships
CREATIVE-ORIENTATED The college offers predominately Creative BTECs, suited to those students who prefer to learn through coursework and portfolios
BUSINESS LINKS Positive relationships with over 75 local creative and media based businesses that can support student’s learning from a “real-life” angle. www.studio-school.org.uk
leading the way in offering a unique blend of learning for young minds
PAGE 24 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
School with a growing reputation for excellence ROYDS Hall is a successful and oversubscribed school catering for 880 students aged 4–16 with a strong reputation in our local community and a growing national reputation for excellence.
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE: Happy, confident and aspirational students who express a real pride in their school Expert staff an all areas with a passion for learning and a determination to ensure all children grow and achieve in a safe and nurturing environment Calm and purposeful classrooms Excellent partnerships between students, staff, parents, governors and the community A forward-thinking and innovative approach to teaching and learning throughout the school
WELL DONE! Congratulations to the class of 2014 on their GCSE results! We are delighted that many students achieved and exceeded their target grade which is testament to the hard work put in by them and the staff who worked with them. We look forward to seeing their continued progress as they move on to exciting careers.
YEAR 11 STARS OF THE FUTURE! Our new Year 11 students have tremendous potential! A quarter of the year group already have at least one GCSE A*/A grade in the bag with 29% having achieved 5A*-C GCSEs, giving them and us real confidence for the future. The current Year 11 students pictured here have already gained GCSEs with 32 grade B, 21 grade A and 12 grade A* results between them – and that’s before they tackle key English, Maths and Science exams in Summer 2015!
The pastoral care is excellent – every student is recognised by staff and their educational and personal needs are addressed equally. Parent May 2014
OUR YOUNGEST STARS OF THE FUTURE! As the first 4-16 Through School in Kirklees, we welcomed our new Reception on September 1st. Our new children have settled into their new facilities really quickly and we’re looking forward to sharing their exciting learning journey. Becoming a Through School creates opportunities for shared expertise across all phases and as well as continuous care as staff get to know children and their families as they grow and develop from age 4-16. Building work on our new purpose-built primary school is due to start later this term.
ASPIRE CO-OPERATIVE LEARNING TRUST We are proud to be a member of the Aspire Cooperative Learning Trust, along with our primary partner schools. We have excellent links with our Trust partners Huddersfield New College, Huddersfield Town Football Club, Huddersfield University, Holmfirth Fair Traders Association and The Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University. A Cooperative Trust is run by its members and all staff, students, their parents and carers and members of community organisations all have the opportunity to become members. The cooperative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity underpin all we do. www.roydshall.org
Aspire
Lea rn
Achieve
OPEN EVENING
Staff and students of Royds Hall Community School are delighted to invite you to attend our Open Evening on Tuesday 30th September 2014 between 5 - 8pm with the Headteacher’s welcome at 6pm and 7pm.
“ Students are encouraged to strive for ever-better results….. hard work is acknowledged and rewarded. ” (Parent 2014) For further details telephone 01484 463366 Luck Lane, Paddock, Huddersfield, HD3 4HA www.roydshall.org
ROYDS HALL
COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Aspire Learn Achieve
Member of Aspire Co-opera�ve Learning Trust
PAGE 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
NEW EARWIG APP IN GREAT DEMAND A NEW APP CALLED EARWIG IS ALL SET TO TRANSFORM THE WORK OF TEACHERS OFFICIALLY launched in January, the founders have been astounded at the industry’s response. A spokesman said: “We are hiring staff to manage the huge demand from schools to install the system and we have had headteachers applaud Earwig at edtech seminars calling us
22 years. It was his concept to use time lines to present teaching evidence. He tells the Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
‘game changing’. We’ve been told that the teachers forums are ‘buzzing with Earwig’ and Ofsted have described the system as ‘Very clear and very clever.’
“Earwig is a game-changer in education technology. Teachers say it has transformed the way they work and that the EYFS module greatly reduces the time they spend on paperwork. Earwig has come just at the right time, teachers cite workload as the main reason they’re striking and we are delighted to be at the forefront of change in education and the push to retain our talented teachers.”
One of Earwig’s five founders, Owen Jamieson, who runs the North of England office was a teacher for
The company Has five British cofounders - one
salesman, one IT expert, one businessman, one female marketing expert and one ex-teacher. They believed in the idea and began it with some private investment which was supplemented by a large investment from crowd funding in Feb 2014. The company is on track to become international within 5 years. It has already had considerable interest from the US. It’s unique There are no competitors, it’s an entirely new concept. It’s a gamechanger It is changing the lives of the teachers who use it. No school has yet turned it down. It could stop teachers striking It can halve the time teachers spend on non-contact administration, the main reason cited for strike action. Ofsted love it It works by turning all of the evidence teachers present for Ofsted (such as photos, video, test papers, photos of art/ science etc) into an online timel ine which is regularly updated so teachers are always ready for the ‘nonotice’ Ofsted inspection. Ofsted have described Earwig as ‘Very clear and very clever’.
Earwig is a game-changer in education technology. Teachers say it has transformed the way they work and that the EYFS module greatly reduces the time they spend on paperwork. Earwig has come just at the right time, teachers cite workload as the main reason they’re striking and we are delighted to be at the forefront of change in education and the push to retain our talented teachers.
Parents love it ‘Parental engagement’, is required by Ofsted because it is so effective at improving educational performance (it can improve grades by a third), Earwig gives parents access to their child’s time lines, so
they can see what they’re doing at school and have much better insight into their child’s education. Clued-up parents also make for much easier parents evenings. What do you do when you’re waiting at the school gates? You look up your child’s time line on the Earwig app. Parents are already asking their schools to install Earwig.
It’s safer than anywhere else Parents are given a secure login to view only their child’s timeline - it’s much safer than photos on Facebook or Instagram. It makes money for the school Parents are given the option to buy the images/video etc seen on the time line, and even a yearbook compendium. This income not only negates the Earwig licence fee but actually generates revenue for the school. The blurb The unique Earwig image management system was created by educators primarily to solve the problem of providing ‘teaching evidence’ for Ofsted easily and quickly. It stands for Educational Academic Reporting With Illustrative Graphics. The Earwig app allows teachers to turn photos, documents and video into a series of mini-reports, presented as a timeline for every child, every class, every teacher and every subject or key stage.Parents can log in to see their child’s timeline and the school blog and diary. Photos and videos are on sale to parents, which generates an income for the school. www.earwigacademic.com
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 27
PROMOTION
CASTLE HALL’S “CURRICULUM WITH INTEGRITY” SERVES STUDENTS WELL WITH major changes under way as to how students are taught and examined, Castle Hall Academy’s curriculum serves students very well for their future. Principal, Andy Pugh, said that the Academy in Mirfield had always designed its curriculum offer around the needs and aspirations of its students. “Nearly all of our students take one modern language to GCSE level, and over 70% achieve a grade C or above in French, Spanish or German.” This, coupled with a high take-up of the Humanities subjects, leads to Castle Hall having one of the highest scores among Kirklees comprehensives for the English Baccalaureate. 40% of students achieved the 5 grades A*-C in English, Maths, 2 Sciences, a Modern Language and either History or Geography.
Commenting on this summer’s GCES results, Mr Pugh said he was delighted that the hard work and effort of staff and students had produced the best results of any comprehensive school in North Kirklees. He said: “64% of students gained five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and Maths at a time when there has been much reported about the ‘volatility’ of grades and marking. “The majority of Castle Hall’s students continue in education after Year 11 – in 6th forms at colleges or schools. Most plan to go on to university study in the future. For this reason, it is important that we offer students a diet of subjects which will provide them with a solid academic base upon which to build further study. Our curriculum is designed around helping them to achieve the best they can in preparation for their next step.” The landscape of secondary
Holiday hotspot
education is changing rapidly, and these changes could prove challenging over the next few years. We believe that at Castle Hall, our ethos and mission are truly set out in our vision and values. Our motto ‘Excellence is our Language’ - reflects our pursuit of the best for all students,
but also our focus on language learning as a vital skill for the future. Prospective parents and students are welcome to visit the Academy during our Open Evening, which will take place on Thursday October 9, from 5.00 to 8.00pm. www.castlehall.com
The Governors and Principal are pleased to invite you to an Open Evening Thursday 9 October 2014 Between 5pm and 8pm A series of presentations will take place in the Main Hall during the evening. Parents who are interested in admission for their child at age 11 in September 2015 are invited to attend. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Academy on the number below.
Contact our travel team now on 0161 829 3303
Castle Hall Academy, Richard Thorpe Avenue Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 9PH T: 01924 520500 E: office@castlehall.com Principal: Andy Pugh BA (Hons) NPQH NOR: 870 (11-16 mixed comprehensive) www.castlehall.com
Excellence Is Our Language
PAGE 28 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
NEWSOME IS A FABULOUS PLACE TO LEARN NEWSOME High School and Sports College is an increasingly popular and high performing 11 to 16 comprehensive school set in the spectacular countryside around the village of Newsome in South Huddersfield. It is a growing school with 625 students on roll and this figure will continue to grow. It is a school which is on a journey to becoming outstanding, always considering ways to be better, and has now an excellent reputation amongst parents, employers and the communities. Outstanding behaviour, trust, respect, good manners and consideration are simple expectations and underpin a school ethos of “Smiles and Laughter” creating an exceptional school where teachers can teach, all students can learn and all can exceed their potential.
High emphasis is placed on providing a caring and supportive environment which encourages all students to succeed and prevents any from failing. A recent visitor said that they had read the new website in advance of arriving and saw the quote “seeing is believing”. At the end of his day in the school, he said this was the truest statement he had read in any school. The school has been transformed in recent years and it continues to develop on a daily basis. www.newsomehigh.co.uk
High emphasis is placed on providing a caring and supportive environment
g p g g p g g p g g ome High g School and Sports p College g Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and S High igh gh School School aand nd SSports ports C College ollege Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Spor High School chool and and SSports ports C College ollege Newsome New gh Sc High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports C High School hoool aand nd Sports p College Newsome N High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports Colle High School and Sports p Co College Newsome ooll and High Schooland and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Smiles S Laughter High School andd Sports Sports College C Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College High School andd Sports pporrts C College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College igh School and Sports ts C College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College ports School and Sportss Co College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College ollege Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College ege Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College wsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Newsome High School and Sports College Yet again record breaking GCSE results
Newsome High School and Sports College
• 10% Increase in A*-C inc. English and Maths • Every Student achieved a qualification • Progress above national average
“Newsome is truly a fabulous place to work” Investors in People Leadership Academy 2014
• One of the most improved schools in Kirklees Castle Avenue, Newsome, Huddersfield HD4 7EP
01484 516712
www.newsomehigh.kirklees.sch.uk
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 29
Forget the violin lessons - children just want to play (electric) guitar MORE school pupils are now learning pop instruments than classical ones. Is this the end of Elgar and Britten, The great annual school concert. The violins have squeaked their musical pieces, the clarinets hesitated their way through their music and the brass ensemble made a lot of noise. Then the first of the cool kids strides across the stage, ever so proudly plugs in his instrument, sits down — the heavy thing is too big for his small frame — waits for the loud background CD to start and, finally, strums. One heavy, laborious note. Maybe a few more if he is really confident. The fruits of a year learning the electric guitar. Everybody cheers. A wide-ranging music survey published today, that pop instruments are taking over the school music room. According to the ABRSM, the exam board for several music colleges, the electric guitar has overtaken the violin in popularity among learners for the first time, and only three of the top ten instruments are orchestral (violin, at
seven, then flute and percussion). Piano is still there, but the keyboard is king and the bass guitar and drum kit both feature.
says Jonathan Vaughan, director of music at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and a former director of the National Youth Orchestra.
It might be argued, as the report Making Music has found, that children are simply choosing non-traditional routes, using different instruments and musical styles — even their tablet computers — to engage in music making on a massive and exciting scale. Of the 1,726 children surveyed 76 per cent said they knew how to play an instrument. And it’s not as if no one is playing classical instruments: more children said they knew how to play the piano and the violin and several other instruments compared with the previous surveys in the 1990s.
“Classical music is being sidelined in every possible area. We are sleepwalking into a crisis and no one seems to be acknowledging it.”
Reading between the lines, however, music professionals and indeed the ABRSM — which nevertheless believes there is much to celebrate in the report — are worried. “I’m really concerned about where we’re heading as a country with music education and particularly instrumental teaching,”
Bradford Grammar School: an outstanding independent school in Yorkshire BRADFORD Grammar School is a selective school for boys and girls aged from 6-18 with no catchment boundaries and a strong reputation for outstanding teaching.
One indicator of the malaise, cited by several music professionals, is a dramatic fall in the number of children in Britain taking higher grade orchestral music exams, the traditional indicators and drivers of progression. “In terms of instrumental balance, there is absolutely a need for a siren call,” says Lincoln Abbotts, director of strategic development at the ABRSM. This has never happened before,” Vaughan says. The sections that suffer most, however, are woodwind and percussion, according to the survey. Since boys are more likely to move to rock instruments, their traditional preference, brass, is also losing out.
BRADFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL
An outstanding independent school in Yorkshire
respectful and grounded children, who are ready for the transition to Senior School.
The school holds an impressive 100% pass rate at GCSE and A-Level and an excellent reputation for pastoral care, sport, music and the arts. This is achieved through teaching that is tailored to individual needs and providing pupils with a wealth of cocurricular activities to expand their experiences. The school is renowned for preparing students for the most desirable universities and careers; it is among the best in the world. The Junior School is for pupils aged 6-11. It provides exceptional care in a relaxed atmosphere so that each child can thrive. It aims to inspire happy,
The Senior School is for pupils aged 11-18. It takes pride in developing wellrounded individuals and educating pupils with the life skills that they need to achieve success in their adult lives. It’s aim is to make learning a pleasure in a happy, stimulating environment and to give each student the confidence and drive to achieve their full potential. www.bradfordgrammar.com
Come along to our Open Events Sat 4 Oct 2014
10.00am-4.00pm
Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form
Thu 16 Oct 2014
9.15am-12.00pm
Senior School and Sixth Form
Mon 24 Nov 2014
9.15am-12.00pm
Senior School and Sixth Form
Tue 13 Jan 2015
6.00-8.30pm
Junior School
Wed 14 Jan 2015
6.00-8.30pm
Senior School and Sixth Form
Thu 26 Mar 2015
9.15am-12.00pm
Senior School and Sixth Form
Sign up to an Open Event at www.bradfordgrammar.com or call us on 01274 553702
PAGE 30 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
Latest news from the world of education A NEW maths GCSE to boost basic skills has been demanded by National Numeracy, a charity founded two years ago to raise numeracy levels.
an “additional and universally respected” qualification. It also called for a new maths test at 14 to check on numeracy standards.
It said teenagers should sit two maths GCSEs, just as they sit separate exams in English literature and language.
“We would expect most children to take both GCSEs and all to take at least the new numeracy (or core maths) GCSE,” the charity said.
A new exam should focus only on core maths and become
“It would be recognised by students, schools, employers and
further and higher education as different from, but no less valuable than, GCSE maths. “This would contribute towards changing attitudes, raising overall attainment, increasing young people’s employability and starting to create a numerate UK.” In a new manifesto, the charity said that poor numeracy is a “massive challenge” for Britain.
IMPERIAL College London and Cambridge are named joint–second best universities in the world today, as British higher education institutions tightened their grip on places at the top of a major international league table. Four of the top 10 universities in the world and six of the top 20 are in the UK, according to the QS World University Rankings, which measure research quality, graduate employment, staff–to–student ratios, teaching standards and the number of international students. It is Britain’s best position yet, despite concerns among university leaders over cuts to higher education which they claim have left British institutions at risk of being overtaken by rivals in the US, Europe, the Far East and Australia.
OFSTED inspectors have been sent to dozens of schools across England to conduct snap inspections after serious concerns about standards. About 40 schools are to receive no-notice visits over a two-week period, the inspectorate said. The unannounced visits are being carried out under Ofsted’s existing powers. Schools usually get half a day’s notice of an inspection. Following reports into the alleged “Trojan horse” takeover plot by hardline Muslims at a number of Birmingham schools, Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said he would look again at routine unannounced inspections, a move that was first
mooted about two years ago but later dropped after strong opposition from school leaders. While these plans are under consideration, Wilshaw said he would be asking Ofsted’s regional directors to make use of the watchdog’s existing powers to conduct no-notice inspections where there are concerns about rapidly declining standards, keeping pupils safe - including a decline in students’ behaviour leadership and governance and the breadth and balance of the curriculum. Wilshaw said: “Parents rightly expect Ofsted inspections to get to the heart of any problems that may
exist in a school - whether they are to do with discipline, safeguarding, poor leadership or governance, or a narrow, unbalanced curriculum. That’s why we’ve expanded the criteria for conducting unannounced inspections for the coming year.” No-notice inspections will continue throughout the year, with findings published on the inspectorate’s website, Ofsted said. The National Union of Teachers opposes routine no-notice inspections. Its general secretary, Christine Blower, said: “For accountability to be meaningful, there needs to be proper professional and respectful dialogue.”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology came top for the third year running, with Harvard fourth, and Oxford and University College London (UCL) joint fifth. Oxford and Cambridge graduates were rated the most employable. London is the only city in the world to have five universities in the top 100 – Imperial, UCL, King’s College London (16), the London School of Economics (71) and Queen Mary University of London (98). Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “These rankings consolidate London’s position as the education capital of the world.“
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 31
PROMOTION
The best investment in your child’s future FINDING the right school is one of the most important decisions that you will make in your child’s life and the choice of independent education involves a significant financial commitment.
Whatever the age of your child, do come and talk to us. Tel: 01422 202256 Email: info@hgsf.org.uk Web: www.hgsf.org.uk Twitter: @HipperholmeGS
At Hipperholme Grammar School, our parents are confident the commitment they make now is the best investment in their child’s lifetime. “Making the financial commitment to independent education was not easy, but we all felt that providing the best educational opportunities for our son would have the biggest impact on future career choices and this was our most important priority. The rich choice of studies, both academic and non-academic, together with the school’s supportive environment, has led to exam performance way ahead of initial predictions and self-confidence balanced by a caring nature and positive attitude to do well,’’ says a current parent, Senior School.
Whatever the age of your child, do come and talk to us
A complete guide to the schools and colleges in your area To advertise in the next issue please call:
K O O B W! NO
01484 437746 or 01484 437742 or email andrea.cox@trinitymirror.com
PAGE 32 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
BOOKS
Amanda Boothroyd of Waterstones reviews the latest titles for children of all ages
0-5 Years
Winnie’s Big Bad Robot
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, Oliver Jeffers Debut author Drew Daywalt and international bestseller Oliver Jeffers team up to create a colourful solution to a crayon-based crisis in this playful, imaginative story that will have children laughing and playing with their crayons in a whole new way.
by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul Winnie the Witch is very pleased when she magics her cardboard robot into a real one. Beep, beep! But when the naughty robot takes Winnie’s wand, things start to get totally out of control. It’s up to Wilbur, Winnie’s lovable cat, to stop the magical mayhem and save the day. £11.99
5-8 Years
Poor Duncan just wants to colour in. But when he opens his box of crayons, he only finds letters, all saying the same thing: We quit! Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown, Blue needs a break from colouring in all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking to each other. The battle lines have been drawn. What is Duncan to do? £6.99
PROMOTION
Hubble Bubble The Super-Spooky Fright Night by Tracey Corderoy, Joe Berger There’s more magical mayhem when Granny’s Halloween party goes off with a bang, a birthday trip to a build-your-own-bear factory careers out of control, and who could possibly be responsible for penguins paddling at the local swimming pool? £5.99
Cake in Space by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre Astra’s family are all snoring in their sleeping pods aboard their spaceship, but Astra is WIDE AWAKE. With her robot friend, Pilbeam, she goes off exploring and soon finds out the ship is in deep trouble. It’s been knocked off course and invaded by a gang of Poglites, an alien salvage crew searching for spoons!
Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions. Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. £7.99
Model Under Cover, Stolen With Style
Another splendiferous adventure from dynamic duo, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, bursting with brilliant twocolour illustrations.
by Carina Axelsson Hold on to your handbags and buckle up your heels - Axelle Anderson, undercover model, is back.
£8.99
9-12 Years Lockwood, The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in...For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations
When it comes to glamorous crimes of fashion, Axelle’s discovered that modelling is the perfect cover for a wannabe detective. So when the world’s most famous black diamond vanishes from a Chic: New York cover shoot, she jets straight to New York to investigate... £6.99
Teen Where She Went by Gayle Forman The stunning sequel to Gayle Forman’s international best seller, If I Stay Now a major film starring Chloe Grace Moretz. If you had a second chance at first love ...would you take it? It’s been three years since Adam’s love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it ...and three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other. Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, powerful prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and rekindled romance. £7.99
SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS PAGE 33
PROMOTION
Develop a love of learning at Rishworth School
Rishworth School &Heathfield
Independent Co-educational Day and Boarding School
COME AND HAVE A LOOK
2014 Heathfield,Rishworth’sJuniorSchool,ages3-11
Rishworth wants to raise a new generation whose minds instinctively embrace and entertain new ideas and ways of looking at things EVERY school worth it’s salt wants to inspire young people to develop a genuine love of learning. All sorts of programmes and initiatives have come and gone with the seasons as clever folk have concocted even cleverer schemes to crack the perceived nut. The point is, however, that there is no nut to crack. Young people are naturally very curious and genuinely want to be challenged. Here at Rishworth, the school is developing an intellectual curiosity programme that endeavours to harness that natural energy and put the thrill of quest and discovery back into learning. Pupils are routinely challenged to think differently and create exceptional things. They are urged to confound their own expectations, not just through the teaching that they receive, but through numerous challenges, competitions and enrichment initiatives designed to draw out their natural intellectual curiosity. It is the school’s belief that every child, no matter what their ability, can be intellectually curious and that it is the school’s mission to tap into and release that spirit of thinking and intellectual adventure. Rishworth wants to raise a new generation whose minds instinctively embrace and entertain new ideas and ways of looking at things; a generation whose minds are generous with the hospitality that they offer to bold thinking; a generation that understands that
intellectual off-roading is not only good, but the route to innovation and revelation. Rishworth is a boarding and day school that, in-keeping with its heritage and Church of England foundation, wants to recognise the skills and talents of each pupil within its community whatever they are. It is the school’s ambition that pupils have the opportunity to achieve the very best that they can academically and at the same time have exposure to a wide range of extra-curricular activities that will develop them as a rounded person who can meet the challenges that they will face in life. The current extra-curricular programme includes team sports, drama, music, and all sorts of clubs and societies and trips and expeditions both within the UK and overseas. The recent inspection report achieved the highest rating of ‘outstanding’. Travel to Rishworth is easy with a school bus serving your local area.
Heathfield Open Morning: Sat 4th Oct, 9:30am - 12:30pm Heathfield Open Afternoon: ‘Open Doors’-Come and see us in action! Mon 13th Oct, 1:15 - 5:00pm Rishworth School, ages 11-18
Rishworth School Open Morning: Sat 11th Oct, 9:30am - 12:30pm Rishworth School Open Evening: Mon 13th Oct, 6:00- 8:30pm Rishworth School Year 7 Entrance Assessment: Sat 8th Nov, 9am Rishworth School Sixth Form Open Evening: Wed 12th Nov, 6:30pm
Visit us at www.rishworth-school.co.uk or call 01422 822217 to find out more Flexi & Weekly Scholarships Boarding & Bursaries available available Ask for details
Come and visit Rishworth to see a little more of what the school is doing. If you are unable to come to the advertised Open Events but would like to have a look around the school or to meet with the Head, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 01422 822217 and make an appointment whenever suits you best.
Ask for details
Rishworth, West Yorkshire, HX6 4QA. Fax: +44 (0)1422 820 911 E-mail: admissions@rishworth-school.co.uk
‘Outstanding2011/12’
PAGE 34 SEPTEMBER 2014 / EDUCATION OPTIONS
PROMOTION
High aspirations, outstanding teaching and the rich curriculum result in outstanding achievement. Ofsted 2012.
AN OUTSTANDING ACADEMY MOOR END Academy is outstanding. Its supportive, warm and welcoming environment enables the whole learning community to enjoy, achieve and make every day count. Its caring, dedicated and specialist staff are outstanding because they make the learning experience fun and they focus on the maximum progress for each student. Class sizes are managed carefully to ensure that all learners receive the right level of support in order to thrive. Students at Moor End Academy enjoy education! Teaching here is grade 1. As a De Bono Thinking School we promote deep learning, a wide skill set and great value is placed upon manners and respect in the treatment of others. Hence our students’ learning develops beyond the classroom and prepares confident well rounded citizens of the future. Almost all of our students
progress to further education or employment. The rich opportunities at Moor End Academy are vast; dedicated careers guidance and mentoring; drop in support sessions after school in most subjects; our very own Film Festival and Battle of the Bands at Beaumont Park; Business and Enterprise challenges; multi-sport and fitness activities every day, visits to parliament and visits from Members of Parliament; survival skills and outdoor adventure, volunteering initiatives and exciting House events for charity; theatre trips and University visits; working as “School News Reporters” for the BBC and of course, the pinnacle of the year for Y11 leavers, the wonderful school prom! Moor End has a continual drive for excellence to ensure each student flourishes as a successful and happy member of the Academy. www.moorend.org
Moor End Academy Website: www.moorend.org
Telephone: 01484 222230
Email: info@edu.moorend.org
Enjoy and Achieve: Every Day Matters
Moor End Academy is outstanding
“Moor End continues to go from strength to strength. The invaluable support we receive from parents is a key partnership in our success. A relationship built on trust and openness.” Principal Ms Jane Acklam
“The very strong promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development ensures that they thrive in the supportive and highly cohesive learning community. High aspirations, outstanding teaching and the rich curriculum result in outstanding achievement.” Ofsted June 2012
Teaching Agency Interested in Teaching?
ing, diverse “It is innovative, inspir to success!” ne and the stepping sto ad Girl Rumi Appadoo, He on to teach and a “At Moor End, a passi res that teaching passion to learn ensu isn’t just a job!” ad Boy Matthew Peckett, He
Schools Direct is a new way to train to teach. Moor End Academy is lead school for fifteen Kirklees Primary, Secondary and Special schools all offering salaried and unsalaried places. Please see www.penninealliance.org for more information or contact us directly at penninetsa@edu.moorend.org
The Pennine Alliance The Pennine Alliance is a group of 44 schools from within Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford. The alliance aims to train the next generation of outstanding teachers. Our schools are committed to providing the highest standard of education for the young people in the Kirklees and wider areas. We are keen to recruit student teachers who share the same commitment. If you share our vision for education, we want to hear from you. If you are interested in your school becoming part of The Pennine Alliance, please contact us. Email: PennineTSA@edu.moorend.org @ PennineTSA
NEXT EDITION OUT SPRING 2015 To advertise in the next issue please call:
01484 437742
or email andrea.cox@trinitymirror.com