News from Pix Brook Academy

February is always an interesting time to be in schools. This time last year we were in the midst of another lockdown and it was difficult to see the way forward.

A year on and unbelievably we are still living with COVID but it does feel that we are perhaps approaching an end, even if that is simply a way of living with it. It may be I feel this way because as a teacher I know it is necessary to be optimistic at all times. Working with young people requires us to believe that anything is possible and here at Pix Brook we are always talking to young people about the “art of the possible” . Never limit your aspirations fits nicely into our key values of being unapologetically ambitious and relentlessly aspirational.

There is no doubt that the last few months have presented some challenges across the sector and it has been a priority at Pix Brook to ensure that the educational experience of all pupils is “normal” . We have been working with our year 6 pupils since Christmas in preparation for their SATs exams and they have approached this work fantastically well. The key to this type of work is to ensure it feels normal and we focus only on pupils doing as well as they can. Pupils are rewarded for their hard work and every effort is made to provide the right level of bespoke support. We have also been working with our year 7 pupils who have been campaigning to be elected to the youth parliament. Hustings have happened and leaflets distributed. This is a great example of how we can begin to develop an appreciation of the wider world and hopefully help grow our young people’s moral compass so that they recognise the importance of thinking of others first. We talk a lot about social responsibility and work hard to help the pupils understand what this means.

Finally the year 5 pupils have been working hard with their class teachers. They have made a super contribution to the life of the school with their energy and enthusiasm. We are so fortunate to have a really extensive extra-curricular programme and it is not uncommon for us to have over 70 pupils attending the different clubs after school. This enthusiasm to join in and engage in what is offered makes the efforts of the staff at school so much more rewarding.