Batley Buzz Sept 2023

A Trust at the heart of the Batley community

September 2023

Edition 1

Our children deserve the best. No child left behind - ever. Every school a great school. Creating remarkable people.

Our Trust Vision

Every young person, regardless of their starting point or background, receives a high quality education, including first class care, guidance and support.

Our Infant and Primary News

New year, new beginnings

We were very excited to meet all of our new starters in September. Nursery staff have completed their home visits and our Reception children are now in school full time and have settled brilliantly. It is so exciting to get to know our new children each year. We also held a coffee and chat afternoon in collaboration with Northorpe Hall for our new Reception parents/carers to welcome them into our school community.

Nursery outdoors redevelopment

This summer it has been the turn of Nursery for outdoor development. Liam has done an amazing job of building a fixed climbing frame and swing that our children are loving! We know that having physical challenges that build strength when children are young have a great impact on fine motor skills and the ability to write as they develop during their time with us and

The Change Project

Just before the holidays we were excited to take delivery of our completed art piece 'The Seasons' which was made as part of the Change Project 2023, by the children and parents/carers of class 1SLS/GG working alongside professional local artist Natasha Jackson. All 156 tiles were made, shaped, printed and painted by hand. The piece celebrates the movement and changes in our environment through the seasons and is a testament to the power of working together. We are proud that visitors to our school will see this wonderful piece of art.

The Fields at Manorfield

Our community space, The Fields, is now open. It allows us to be able to run parent/carer and community sessions from our school building. We are offering parent/carer maths and phonics courses in collaboration with Kirklees Success Centre, as well as BBEST-wide moderation events. After being unused for years, it is exciting to be able to see the rooms being used to support our school and community in such a positive way.

Congratulations Field Lane! What a great way to start another exciting year…

We are absolutely thrilled that we have won the 2023 Arthur Halliwell Education in the Outdoors Award!

The judges admired “the obvious commitment to outdoor learning, the consistency of approach throughout the school and the variety of opportunities on offer to the children.” They also loved the way we value the views of our young people and provide them with a platform to have a voice.

Miss Walton, our PE lead, has been busy ensuring that all our children have an outstanding physical education and as a result we have achieved the Platinum School Games Mark. This can only be achieved if a school has previously achieved four consecutive gold awards. Field Lane is one of only three schools in North Kirklees who have achieved this. Thank you, Miss Walton!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mrs Motara and her team of Eco Ambassadors, Field Lane has been awarded the Eco Schools’ Green Flag

The report cited:

‘Young people in your school are aware of environmental issues and committed to being active and creating positive change. This knowledge and attitude has provided your school with excellent foundations for the many successes that you’ve achieved this year.

Thank you so much for submitting such a terrific application. We have loved reading about your journey and are incredibly impressed by all you have achieved. We have no hesitation in awarding you an Eco-Schools Green Flag, congratulations!’

Olympic Champion Visit

We had the pleasure of meeting the Olympic swimmer and champion, Rebecca Adlington. Rebecca did an assembly with the whole school about water safety and the benefits of swimming. She also talked to the children about her achievements and shared her Olympic medals!

Sneak Peek Readers

Every class in Primary Phase is taking part in Sneak Peek Week. Each class teacher has carefully chosen five new books for the class. They are wrapped up and one is chosen every day in Sneak Peek Week to share with the children to encourage them to try new books. Someone gets to unwrap the book, the class talks about what it might be about and shares the opening chapter. Children in the class are then able to borrow the book to read it and it will then be added to the class library.

When asked about what they thought about Sneak Peek Week, they said; “I like it because it’s fun and you get to read one chapter of a book you might not have read before” and “I think it’s fun and mysterious and I like that you get dragged into a book”.

After reading one chapter one young person said “Please can we read just one more chapter, I want to know more!”

Reading Recommendations

Every class teacher is also recommending books for each Key Stage in the school and sharing the book that they are reading. These are detailed on posters outside of classrooms so that everyone can see who is reading what!

Random Reading

Where do you think is the most unusual place to read a book? In our Random Reading activity, we have found some very interesting places to read! From lying on the ironing board, to being buried in the sand at the beach and even sitting on a washing machine! Where is the most random place you have ever read a book?

This half term we explored the theme of: Identity

What makes us unique, how are we all similar in so many ways and yet different?

We are exploring our feelings, our families, where we live and our goals in life.

Through the use of story books in assembly and ‘The Colour Monster’ book in our PSHE lessons to help teach about ‘What Makes Me A Me?’

Our EYFS lead teacher, Mrs. Virr, has joined the ‘Speech Stars’ programme and is looking forward to delivering training sessions at Healey School:

Over the summer, we were fortunate to have volunteers from the Leeds based, NewDay (Product and Change Delivery Team) help us paint our outdoor EYFS area. A huge thank you to the CEO, John Hourican, and organisers, Nisha Godhania and our very own Mrs. Virr.

Our Nursery teacher, Mrs. Paterson engaged Healey School families and local community members in summer holiday play sessions, at Wilton Park, Batley Library and Oakwell Hall. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

Our Secondary News

A cultural celebration

During the last week of term we celebrated all the different aspects of culture immersing everyone in the wide variety of cultural influences in our school. Young people dressed in attire linked to heritage, film, music and sport. The school adopted a 'culture curriculum ' for the day exploring ways that subjects are taught around the world, as well as investigating the ways that culture has shaped our unique identities.

There was a 'culture trail' which highlighted the ways in which culture has shaped the lives of staff members, as well as a 'culture quiz' to complete in forms. Our young people were given the chance to learn new crafts including beading and origami. Year 7 and 8 students were treated to a dance workshop which involved 1940s swing, 1970s disco, Bollywood and Flamenco.

A big day out at YSP for Year 7

This visit was an important opportunity to broaden our young people’s cultural experiences and provide them with exciting primary source work for further art development both in Art, DT and Performing Arts when back in school.

As part of the day, young people visited a major new exhibition of work by artist Erwin Wurm. Despite very changeable weather and over 7000 footsteps (so we're told!), students were all smiling and keen to see more and explore more by the end of the day. They were really inspired by the crazy humanising of everyday objects in Erwin Wurm’s work; and they took the time to pause, reflect and contemplate in the James Turrell Sky Space.

Year 9 STEM challenge

A group of Year 9s attended the University of Huddersfield for the Science STEM challenge event, along with five other local schools. Young people were given three different challenges to work on throughout the day. They were partnered with different schools, working with people they have never met and using teamwork skills which pushed them out of their comfort zones.

At the end of the event students were judged by representatives from the University and given awards. One of our student groups won an award for their robotics challenge. Everyone enjoyed the experience and were enthusiastic about the different opportunities within STEM careers.

Results Day 2023

Huge congratulations to our Year 11, class of 2023! Their hard work definitely paid off and we couldn’t be more proud of them and their achievements. We’re pleased to report that over 60% of all our Year 11 students received grades 9-4 in Maths and English.

Politically engaged

As part of the Youth Councillors Programme, our young people had the opportunity to visit the House of Commons this July and tour the Palace of Westminster. Following this, one of our students with the help of Assistant Head Mr Smeaton, reached out to Batley and Spen MP, Kim Leadbeater to raise concerns about energy consumption, further to the school’s recent switch to energy saving light bulbs.

The student was presented with this hand signed letter from Kim, in response to her questions. A massive well done, what a lovely letter to receive!

the year. These will address the social, emotional and learning needs of the learners. It will also provide the necessary support to help remove barriers to learning.

Building confidence in reading

Last year, Year 10 (now Year 11) English Ambassadors, who began this role in Year 9, visited one of the schools in our Trust family; Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School to run a reading and writing workshop with their Year 1 learners. They read aloud in small groups, reading Three Billy Goats Gruff and put on their best troll voices! Aside from the logistics which was teacher-led, our UBHS learners embodied being a teacher and the sessions were entirely learner-led.

Inspiring our Year 11 learners

At the end of last year Akef Akbar presented an assembly to our current Year 10s, now our Year 11s, on the theme of inspiration. The session was delivered in a Q&A style to engage our Year 10s before they embark on their final year with us in Year 11. Akef is an entrepreneurs who has achieved many things in a short time frame. A solicitor by trade, with multiple businesses, the founder of a charity and is currently serving as an independent councillor of Wakefield East Ward.

Outstanding Travel Plan

We are proud to announce we have been awarded Platinum from Modeshift Stars.

This means we have completed everything at Excellent Travel Plan level; a minimum of three annual learner travel surveys in the last four academic years and demonstrated an increase in active modes of travel by at least 5% in the past four academic years.

Our Sixth Form News

Fine art in a phone box!

Exhibition of Year 13 Fine Art in Batley

An array of our Year 13s’ Fine Art exam work was showcased in the exhibition phone box in Batley town centre, outside the library during the final half term of last year.

Young people produced this work during a 15 hour exam in May, as a culmination of all their hard work and preparations over the two year A Level course.

We are very proud of their hard work and efforts and we look forward to displaying more of our artwork for the wider public to see in the future!

The phone box exhibition spaces are hosted by BBEST, our local Community Hub.

Transformation Fortnight

At the end of last year, our then Year 12 (now Year 13) students benefited from Transformation Fortnight, a two-week work experience in a variety of locations, focussed on their interests and further studies. Simply being exposed to the daily routines of working life was an invaluable experience for them and sets them up for their lives beyond BG6.

Our Curriculum Enrichment

Our Trust family of schools offers a wide range of curriculum enrichment activities.

This greatly enhances our young people's educational experience, and also supports their health & wellbeing.

Our Staff Super Heroes

Liam is a landscaper at both Manorfield and Field Lane. During the summer he redeveloped the Nursery outdoor area at Manorfield. Both the staff and young people are grateful for his talents and huge commitment to developing outdoor learning and play across our family of schools.

Shakila is Finance Officer at UBHS and is celebrating 25 years of service with the school. What an accolade! We thank her for all her hard work over the years.

The strength of true teamwork was in evidence at Field Lane during their recent Ofsted inspection, especially when they had a full power cut halfway through! A real life example of how we behave like a family and come together when it's needed most.

The brilliant receptionists at BGHS, often go unnoticed, but they are the unsung heroes supporting young people, staff and visitors. These colleagues always carry out their work with a smile on their faces, and give all visitors to BGHS a very warm welcome!

Field Lane Team Shakila Khan Nicky Spruce & Julie Helmsley Liam Clark

Our Community Work …

really means a lot to us, and we see our Trust and our schools at the very heart of our community. Community Makes Us and it is the unity in community that matters.

Trust Governance Conference

We hosted our annual Trust Governance Conference on Saturday 23 September, it was the second time the wider governance team have come together and it was fantastic to have so many of the team supporting our family of schools and working together on how we can continue to improve our Trust offer and ultimately, support our community and young people.

Trust CPD Day

For the second year running, it was brilliant to get all our Trust staff together from across our family of schools, in one setting. We are over 600 staff strong now, and continue to grow. This event sets the tone for the year ahead and reinforces our culture; working together through collaboration, communication, clarity and consistency.

Marathon effort for fundraising

Mr Patel on the right of the picture) a parent of a child at Field Lane School - and his team - ran the Berlin Marathon this weekend, raising almost £19,000 for the charity Get Kids Going. He shaved 30 seconds off his personal best too!

Does your child wish to learn, sing or play a musical instrument?

Musica Kirklees has a host of excellent musical traditions in Kirklees and Musica Kirklees has been successfully delivering music tuition in schools and running music centres across Kirklees since 1992. Their teachers visit schools across the local area to deliver lessons.

Careers work

Careers across our Trust

As a Trust we are working closely together to ensure our young people have access to the best careers education possible; from a young age in our primary schools, through their secondary education and sixth form studies.

We recently held our first Trust Careers Network meeting of the academic year and we’re in the planning stages of a careers extravaganza event for our family of schools, as well as the local community, which will cover a diverse range of roles and sectors.

The initial planning stages are looking promising with some extremely exciting ideas, coupled with a wealth of knowledge and information about career pathways, apprenticeships and T Levels as well as development opportunities for adults within the Trust. Save the date: Thursday 29 February 2024. Watch this space to find out more, in due course!

Employability Skills

Our wider links

Our family of schools Works closely with the BBEST Hub. Check out their website for details of local services, support and activities.

https://bbesthub.uk/About-Us/

We are proud to lead the Yorkshire Rose Teaching Partnership - providing high quality primary and secondary teacher training in West Yorkshire. This consortium includes 15 local schools, Exceed SCITT and local Higher Education Institutions.

Our schools play a key role in the Calderdale & Kirklees Teaching School Hub. This Hub offers support to over 270 schools across our region. The purpose of the hub is to provide high-quality professional development for teachers and leaders.

https://www.ckteachingschoolhub.org/

Support & advice for parents/carers and families

Childnet International has produced a very informative resource for parents/carers to help you keep your child safe online: www.childnet.com/resources/parent-and-carer-toolkit/

For young people;

Childline

Providing help & support for under 18s.

0800 11 11

www.childline.org.uk