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EDUCATION NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND EDUCATORS

Betty’s interest in football began when she started playing for Westbury Park Foxes, aged five

CARBON CRACKDOWN

Fairfield High School in Horfield has won a carbon reduction competition against other schools from around the UK.

The Schools Carbon Challenge 2020 was created by Powerful Allies Ltd which specialises in 100% renewable energy procurement, to help schools reduce consumption, cost and emissions by making cultural changes, adapting equipment and infrastructure, and setting up energy monitoring portals. Fairfield reduced their carbon consumption by nearly 36% in the space of 12 months, and won the £2,020 prize.

“A huge part of a school’s budget goes on keeping the buildings heated and energised,” says Tamsin Whinton, energy manager at Powerful Allies. “Although this is a necessary commodity, we should be

UPS AT THE DOWNS

The Downs School is hosting an open day on 7 November, having welcomed its community back at school this term. Laughter has spilled out again from classrooms as the children reconnected with their friends and the school’s 70 acres of outdoor space and woodland has been explored once more.

“The success is down to the fantastic teamwork between staff, parents and pupils,” says new headteacher Debbie Isaachsen. “Everyone is working together to ensure the school operates as close to normal as possible.”

During lockdown all pupils had remote access to live lessons with their teachers, and assessments took place remotely to ensure individual academic progress. As

aware of the environmental impact of our usage and take responsibility for reducing it.” Rachel Lacey, finance and premises manager at Fairfield added: “We converted our whole school to LED lighting in 2019 which has been a large contributing factor. Our active eco team are thrilled to see the impact that this, in conjunction with their initiatives and proactivity, has had.” • fairfield.bristol.sch.uk

well as a full curriculum of academic and creative lessons, pupils had group sessions with tutors, the school counsellor, more social time including virtual family quiz nights and fitness challenges which evolved into a ‘race around the world’.

Online provision has continued this term and any child who needs to self-isolate has access to work and the school is ready, should a repeat lockdown happen. Pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing is a regular discussion at weekly pastoral care meetings and surveys have already been sent to pupils and staff to see if there is more support the school can offer. Although external sporting fixtures are yet to start, staff have been creative with outdoor pursuit days, park runs and house events to ensure everyone remains fit and healthy.

GO BETTY!

Year 13 student Betty Platt, a member of the senior hockey team at Redmaids’, has been selected to play for the Bristol Rovers Women’s FC squad, after attending an open training session earlier this summer.

Betty’s interest in football began when she started playing for Westbury Park Foxes aged five. She played for the local team throughout secondary school, and more recently had her first taste of adult football, playing a season for Bristol Ladies Union FC.

“I went along to one of their open sessions and after a couple more weeks of attending training sessions, I was asked if I would like to join the team for the coming season – to which, of course, I answered yes!” said Betty, speaking on her recent call-up to Bristol Rovers. “The coaches and girls have been so welcoming and I really feel like part of the team.”

Despite lockdown restrictions, Betty managed to keep active and get her football fix from home. “Sport helped me immensely during lockdown. Especially at the beginning, it felt like all structure had been taken out my day, but going out on walks, runs, and practising football skills in the garden provided a sense of routine and definitely helped my mood.”

Encouraging more girls and young women to get involved in sport is important to Betty and is something that is engrained in the curriculum at Redmaids’ High. “Not only does sport help to promote a healthy lifestyle, but it is also a great way to socialise and bring people from all areas and backgrounds together. I have made so many friends from all parts of Bristol, and beyond, through playing football, and it’s increasingly easy for girls and women to get involved.”

Claire Maggs, director of sport at Redmaids’ High School, said: “Huge congratulations to Betty on her footballing achievement.

“She is one of the best goalkeepers we have seen at Redmaids’ High School. It is fantastic to see that all her effort, determination and hard work has paid off."

• redmaidshigh.co.uk