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The Partnership P st Autumn Term 2014
News from across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Issue 2
Coleshill’s £4.2 million leisure centre opens
Staff and pupils at Brookvale are celebrating after being placed in the top five per cent of schools in the country for the successful teaching of early reading.
An impressive 97 per cent of Year 1s passed the 600,000 pupil-wide national phonics screening check: a ‘notable’ 23 per cent above the national average of 74 per cent.
Praised by the Department for Education for its “high standard of phonics teaching” Brookvale has been working with Ruth Miskin and
the ‘Read Write inc.’ programme for the past seven years and it has been a model school for the scheme for four years.
Following Brookvale’s success ‘Read Write Inc.’ is now being rolled out at Slade Primary, where teaching staff from both ATLP schools are working in close partnership.
Jon Smart, Executive Headteacher of Brookvale and Slade, said: “We are delighted by these results and are proud of our staff and pupils.
“For Brookvale, the introduction of a systematic approach to reading focusing heavily on phonic development has been school changing.
“We want to replicate this success at Slade, where pupils are already enjoying the benefits of being keen
readers. By working together to share expertise and ideas, we hope to achieve some great results at both schools.”
In his letter to Brookvale, Nick Gibb MP, the Minister of State for school reform wrote: “To be in the top 5% of schools, with at least 95% of pupils achieving the expected standard in the check, is a tremendous achievement and points to a high standard of phonics teaching in your school.”
Superphonic! Brookvale Primary is among England’s top schools for Early Years Reading
Mere Green Nursery and Reception children enjoy a cracking Christmas with
School Secretary, Dee Gormley!
Inside
Year End
message
from Sir Chris
Toy Library
celebrates
500th
members
Staff &
students take
centre page
Head’s
challenge to
raise a
mountain for
charity
Win!! A
Fitness First
pass
ATLP in the
news
A cut above the rest! Coleshill’s £4.2m New Leisure Centre has officially opened at the Coleshill School.
The state-of-the-art facility was officially launched by the Mayor of North Warwickshire, Councillor Ray Sweet, who opened the original leisure centre 30 years ago.
The landmark event was also attended by fellow NWBC councillors, Wates Construction, school governors, including Chair, Dewi Jones, Finance Director, Teresa Phipps, Mark Rhatigan, former Headteacher of the Coleshill School, Caroline Saffell, from the Education Funding Agency, Sir Christopher Stone, CEO of the ATLP and
Coleshill’s Head of School, Ian Smith-Childs.
Students entertained visitors with impressive gymnastic and basketball displays throughout the day.
The New Leisure Centre will provide both students and the community with the chance to enjoy a range of sporting activities. Facilities include basketball and badminton courts, indoor five-a-side, a fully equipped gym and fitness and dance studios.
Adam Gray, Subject Leader of PE at Coleshill, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to now study and participate in sport in a state-of-the art facility which will also enhance the curriculum and provision for all.”
The centre is a joint project between the Borough Council and the school. Planning permission was secured in April 2013, followed by a successful bid of £1.4m from the Education Funding Agency. The facility was also funded through the England Squash and Racketball Association.
Wates Construction was appointed to undertake the building of the £4.2 million New Leisure Centre.
Season’s Greetings Wishing everybody in our school
community a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
2
Firstly ‘Thank You’ for all your wonderful work again this year transforming the lives of the young people we serve. You have made a significant positive difference to the life chances of all the young people in your care. As a result of you they will go on to live better lives than their forefathers (and mothers!).
At a time when we recognise the sacrifice of others a hundred years ago, and since, it is also worth noting all the people who have served to make our lives better, such as doctors, nurses, architects and engineers. These people needed an education to set them free.
Your job is so important and helps in our goal to achieve a world that is kind, thoughtful, progressive and able to care for the old, the infirm and the less -fortunate.
Our responsibility is to others; to ensure that what we do helps create the sort of world we all want to live in.
“Your job title may be support staff or teacher but in reality you are an architect shaping humanity’s future.”
For your continued contribution, I thank you. Please find time to rest, recuperate and enjoy the holiday before coming back to a new and very
important year for the Learning Partnership.
P.S. To really have a break this holiday may I suggest the following: no phones at the dinner table, do something creative, read a real book and have at least one quality face to face conversation a day with another loved one.
Secondary and primary teamwork
As Anti-Bullying Week came to a close, Arthur Terry’s school leaders, Alayna Mustafa, Christine Tse and Hannah Cook (pictured below) took the opportunity to share their knowledge with Year 5 students at Hill West School, raising awareness about anti bullying and tackling the issue of cyber bullying.
With children accessing information via the internet from a much younger age, this new and evolving technology is an area which students felt needed highlighting to help them stay safe and to understand the impact and consequences of posting or sharing information
about themselves and others. Both Year 5classes enjoyed an interactive afternoon and the workshops were very informative, tackling areas such as chat rooms, social networking sites and use of email.
Hill West teacher, Wendy Pick, said: “The children worked collaboratively together and in talk partners. “They had the task of designing an anti-bullying poster. We have some artistic pupils, so the activity was an interesting one for them.
"Both classes definitely got a lot out of it and all learned something they didn't know before."
Sisters are doing it for Stockland Green School
An inspirational member of staff from the Stockland Green School is following in her sister’s footsteps after scooping a prestigious community award.
Sharon Wootton, Head of Year 7 (pictured left)
has been named ‘Inspirational Teacher of the Year’ at Stockland
Green ward’s 2nd Community Award Celebrations. Her sister Linda, Head of Year 9 at SGS, received the same prize the previous year.
Sharon, who has worked at the school for more than 11 years, is a great support to all students and also runs the year 7 lunchtime clubs. She is famous for making her assemblies fun and exciting.
Sharon said: “I was shocked to be nominated. I do my best each day, but didn’t expect to be nominated by the children. My award goes to all of the fabulous children I work with. If I can inspire, help and be a positive influence in any of their lives, then that is the biggest reward I can ask for.”
Councillors Penny Holbrook, Mick Finnegan and Josh Jones are involved in these awards, together with Jack Dromey MP. The event was a chance to share the huge generosity and good will that exists and to thank everybody for their ongoing support and efforts in Stockland Green.
Congratulations to Louise Bown, Stockland Green’s Head Girl during 2012/2013, who was successfully awarded the ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ award.
A Year End message from Sir Christopher Stone Chief Executive of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
3
Green-fingered staff and students from Arthur Terry feature in an imaginative new book that combines education with floristry.
Photographs of receptionist Joyce Kelly, exams officer, Tracy J Phillips and students feature in ‘Teaching with Flowers for a Blooming Curriculum’ which aims to get children handling, understanding and appreciating real flowers to help them cover elements of the school curriculum in an imaginative, innovative and memorable way.
Author and talented florist, Julie Warburton, worked closely with children and staff created contemporary arrangements and floral masks and explored the change in transition between primary and senior school.
Julie said: “The children were fantastic; they listened, were really patient and got totally absorbed in the work. They picked up skills and ideas quickly and
were able to thoughtfully translate these, using their own ideas to make their own excellent, thoughtful and unique arrangement.”
Her workshop inspired participants at Arthur Terry, as Tracy Phillips explained:
“I enjoyed the opportunity to interact
with students in a different capacity. As well as a therapeutic hour for me it was
lovely to see how our young students thrived in a different environment, learn a new skill and have something tangible to take home.”
Visit http://bloomingcurriculum.com/
Picture caption (L-R) Anusha Chauhan, Madeline Richards, Joyce Kelly, Rose Duggan, Tracy Phillips, Christina Dafnia and Freya King.
Blooming marvellous! Staff and students take centre page
There’s no need for ‘quiet please’ at Toy Library’s party It’s been six years since the Four Oaks Toy Library first opened its doors to families.
Today, a 500-strong community now benefit from the library’s range of services, which are available to children from birth to eight-years-old.
In true Toy Library style, staff have given the 500th members, mum Susan Davidson and baby James, the warmest of welcomes - by throwing a celebratory tea party with fellow babies and parents.
Toy librarian Lynda Gregory said: “This is a real achievement for us and it’s wonderful to share our success with some of our members.”
The Four Oaks Toy Library is part of the Sutton Coldfield Children’s Centres, with Arthur Terry holding governance. The centres aim to provide access to a wide range of services and information for parents and families of children.
Sue Bailey, strategic lead for the Centres, said: “Our Toy Library was
initially started as a place where parents, grandparents, carers and children could meet and play with a range of
educational and fun toys.”
Over time the library developed its
services to include the Baby Toy Library and sensory sessions for babies and children with additional needs.
Sue added: “The fact that we now
have 500 members is testament to hard work and support from staff and families in Four Oaks. ”
Graded as ‘good’ by Ofsted earlier this year, the Centres were described as being: “An excellent resource and very
much appreciated by parents and children.”
4
New Year’s Training Day
‘Aint no mountain high enough for Marie’s fundraising
Not content with completing the Birmingham Half Marathon, one determined headteacher has got her sights set on scaling the dizzy heights of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a £10,000 fundraising campaign in memory of her late mother.
Stockland Green’s Marie George and
her son Charlie, an ex-Arthur Terry
head boy, will attempt to climb the mountain on 6 August next year. The milestone year marks what would have been the 60th birthday of Marie’s mother, Lorraine, who died from the autoimmune disease, Lupus.
Here, Marie explains why her fundraising efforts are helping to keep Lorraine’s memory alive and why this hereditary disease has left a lasting legacy on her whole family.
“On 20th December 1991 my mum, Lorraine, died following being diagnosed with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) which is an autoimmune disease affecting any part of the body as the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.
For my mum, her Lupus affected her skin, joints, kidneys, lungs and her brain. She was only finally diagnosed the week she actually died and her symptoms had progressed too far to treat.
There is no cure for Lupus, however there are treatments which help to control the
symptoms. Lupus continues to affect my
family as my cousin on my mum’s side of
the family was diagnosed in June 2002. My mum’s symptoms meant that a Lupus test was insisted upon for my cousin and hers was diagnosed early. Although her Lupus is under control at the moment, she often has flare ups which leave her very poorly.
2015 would have been my mums 60th birthday. She left a huge hole in my life and I work hard to keep her memory alive. So with this in mind I have embarked on a fundraising campaign to mark this milestone in her life. I hope to raise £10,000 through numerous events. I have already ran the Birmingham half marathon, made Christmas cards and have more planned. My campaign finishes in August when myself and my eldest son, Charlie George ex Arthur Terry Head Boy, will climb Kilimanjaro. This will be an immense personal challenge, but one I know my mum would be exceptionally proud of us doing.”
To support Marie’s fundraising please visit her Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Marie-George1/
Opening opportunities to a career in teaching
More than 70 prospective teacher training applicants from a range of backgrounds and careers in attended the Arthur Terry SCITT/ School Direct PGCE open evening.
The event enabled the SCITT team
to run information workshops about the PGCE programme. Now in its fourth year and by September 2015 will have seen nearly 100 teachers graduate and secure employment.
Emma Clack, Operations Leader, said: “It was fantastic to meet people from the local community that are interested in finding about the rewarding career of teaching.”
New training bursaries up to
£25,000 are available for a variety of subject routes, including Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Computer Science, along with an increase in bursaries for several other subjects.
Paul Withey, Subject Route Leader for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, said: “In 15 years of teaching I believe this is the best time to become a Science teacher due to the exciting curriculum changes ahead.”
He added: “The financial incentives are just one of the benefits why graduates and people in industry are now reconsidering training to become a teacher.”
The “outstanding success of leaders and managers in
establishing good training” was recognised by Ofsted, which highlighted the benefit of trainees being able to “develop their understanding of effective teaching through jointly observing a series of lessons and discussing the impact of the teaching on learning with an experienced observer.”
With the use of specialist, experienced teachers in each classroom the trainee teaches in schools across the partnership.
This ensures learners and trainees continue to actively progress.
School experience placements may be available for prospective applicants who wish to observe their subject being taught by experienced professionals.
For details contact Jo-Ann Murphy [email protected]
Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id9rp-q3SAE
Marie pictured with a photograph of mother Lorraine
The ATLP’s annual joint training day is now in its third year.
More than 500 staff from across the Partnership will mark the start of a new term by teaming up for the successful training event.
Training sessions will take place at several sites across Partnership schools.
Teaching and support staff will share their skills and expertise in a wide range of workshops, including teaching, leadership, and professional development.
Sir Christopher Stone,
CEO, said: “The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is about sharing our knowledge and experience so we can work together to support pupils.”
“The success of the training event is testament to our outstanding team who have once again demonstrated their enthusiasm, expertise and commitment to education.“
He added: “The combined learning and sharing of skills means we can take this back into the classroom to enrich the learning experience of children across our schools.”
Pictured above: CEO Sir Chris Stone and staff share a commitment to education.
5
Ian Smith-Childs who became the head of The Coleshill School, talks to the Partnership Post about how he progressed his career with the ATLP.
Tell us about your journey to headship
I joined The Coleshill School as Deputy Headteacher in April 2010. Prior to this I was an Assistant Headteacher at an outstanding school in Coventry.
I am proud of the staff and the students and the amazing work that has gone into making the school the special place that it is now. Being the Deputy for four years allowed me to learn a lot about school leadership, the
school itself and myself as a leader; I’ve seen the changes in the school and have grown as a leader as the school has developed.
How has it been so far?
I can honestly say that every day there is something new, something amazing, sometimes something challenging, but I do go home most days feeling we’ve made a difference.
The smiles on the faces of staff and
students tell me that it is a job worth doing and I feel immensely privileged to be leading The Coleshill School. I think that we are all only really just beginning to learn what we are truly capable of and we are up for the challenge of realising that potential.
How has the ATLP helped you to develop your career?
In January of 2014 I enrolled on
‘Aspire to Headship’ a new leadership
course which confirmed for me my drive for headship and gave me the space to think deeply about my own leadership journey.
The opportunity to explore leadership and management theory as well as hear from practising heads has been combined with a focus on coaching. I have really benefited from the coaching triad, which I am still a part of now. The opportunity to coach and be coached has been fundamental in my development as a leader; coaching
and mentoring being the core role of a head teacher.
The support that I have had from ALTP has been amazing. The combination of coaching and mentoring from Chris Stone and the critical eye of Chris Owen has enabled me to think clearly and strategically and tackle the right things at the right time.
I am sure that any of the other headteachers, many of them far more experienced than me, would agree that
the support and camaraderie we all experience as a group keeps us all going and drives us all on to be the best that we can be.
What is the role of the ATLP?
To provide the best possible education for the young people it serves, to develop teachers and leaders who inspire, enthuse and ensure that our young people not only make the progress they are capable but become rounded individuals who are ready for life in the 21st Century.
What is your vision for Coleshill?
A school full of happy children who experience outstanding teaching and make the amazing progress they are capable of.
We want children to be challenged to achieve their true potential, whatever that may be, but within a culture of success where everyone is rewarded and recognized for their achievements.
Tell us about the challenges
Finding enough hours in the day, knowing when to say no and being able to switch off. I am working on keeping perspective. We can’t do it all in one term - it’s going to take time, but we know what we want and how to get there and that ‘s an exciting place to be.
What is your advice to aspiring heads?
I think it is a bit early for me to say. I know how lucky I am to be a head within the ATLP. I have the support that means I know I will be successful. I think you have to know that before you go into headship, you need to have that confidence not just in yourself but in those around you; both those who will lead and support you and those who you will lead and support.
Ultimately I am not sure you know whether the time is right for you to start your headship journey, but I do think you know in your heart if the journey is for you.
Focus on leadership: Head of School Ian Smith-Childs
6
2014: The Partnership in pictures
ATS Visits India to Help Street Children
Staff and students from Arthur Terry travel to India to
support the Future Hope charity.
Professor Carl Chinn brings history to life
Pupils from Stockland Green School enjoyed extra history
lessons from Brummie academic Professor Carl Chinn.
SCITT students celebrate graduation
Sir Chris receives an Honorary Doctorate and SCITT students
graduate at Birmingham City University.
Greenpower team on track for success
Students from Arthur Terry School continue to power ahead
in the Greenpower Formula 24 race series.
Aston Villa player kick starts school's gym
Rising Villa star, Enda Stevens, swaps the football pitch for the
school playground by officially opening Slade Primary School's
new outdoor gym.
Mere Green youngsters are little stars in the
making – after their appearance on the CBeebies show Time
for School.
Lights, camera, action!
7
World Cup festival sums up student success
Four schools from the ATLP team up for a World Cup
Extravaganza to celebrate both the planet’s largest sporting
competition and pupils’ progress in Maths.
Excellent teachers meet Prime Minister
Chris Stone and Mere Green teachers, Rachel Mills and
Michelle Spires, step inside Number 10 Downing Street with
Prime Minister David Cameron, to celebrate excellence in
State Education.
Slade and Brookvale join forces to tidy park
Children from Brookvale and Slade tidy Brookvale Park, with
a little help from Councillor Mick Finnegan. King Henry VIII visits open evening
The Tudor monarch’s visit was just one of many highlights
of the ATLP’s open evenings.
Lest we forget: Schools across the Partnership commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Below: Ahmed
Tanvir lays a wreath to remember Indian soldiers at Neuve Chapelle. Year 7 students at Coleshill make 150 red clay poppies.
8
We’re giving one lucky Partnership Post reader the
chance to shape up with Fitness First Mere Green
this New Year.
Neil Leedham, General Manager, Fitness First Mere
Green, said:
“We’re pushing a few boundaries to give members the
best possible training experience.
“Come and see how we’ve re-engineered Fitness First
Mere Green with you in mind, incorporating the very
latest fitness innovations, technology and equipment.’”
To be in with a chance of winning, please answer this
simple question: Which of our partners welcomed its
500th members?
email your answers to [email protected] by
January 9 2015.
The ATLP is proud to
announce the launch of
the ‘Outstanding in
Education Awards.’
These awards recognise
and celebrate
outstanding staff
achievements across the
Arthur Terry Learning
Partnership.
Every member of staff from
across the Partnership has
an opportunity to nominate
‘superstar’ colleagues whose
performance shines through
and who really make a
difference to the life of their
education establishment.
From outstanding teams to
inspirational NQTS, our 12
categories feature a range of
awards for staff across the ATLP
— giving you the chance to vote
for your colleagues.
The awards will culminate in a
celebratory event , where staff
from across the Partnership will
come together for an evening of
awards and appreciation.
Give our outstanding staff the
chance to stand out by casting
your vote.
Voting couldn’t be easier—just
look out for our nomination forms
in school offices and reception
areas in the New Year, or simply
email:
More information on the awards
will also be available online next
year.
Outstanding in Education Awards
The Outstanding in Education Awards Vote for your superstar colleagues
Send in your stories The Partnership Post is dedicated to bringing you the
latest news and information from across the ATLP.
From staff achievements to new appointments, we’d
love to hear your stories.
Please email your news and photographs to
The ATLP has been hitting
the headlines once again,
with a range of stories from
across the Partnership.
From national radio to
regional newspapers, our
schools are busy making
news.
Here are some of the
highlights:
DJ Chris Evans gave a special
shout out to SGS students on his
Radio 2 show, while Coleshill’s
Ian-Smith Childs was interviewed
on BBC Radio about the school’s
new leisure centre.
ATS has enjoyed coverage in the
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer,
along with Stockland Green,
Brookvale, Slade and Mere
Green.
Special thanks to the team from
the Birmingham Post newspaper,
who met with staff and trainees
from the Arthur Terry Teaching
School.
Please keep the coverage
coming!
The Fitness First of January Win a monthly pass
Top Tweeting to Hill West for this joyous message:
‘Congratulations to Mrs Cook on the birth of her
baby boy! Jacob was born at 12.43pm weighing
a teeny, tiny 5lb 5oz! ‘
The Partnership Post wishes Jacob and his family a
happy first Christmas together.
In the news — read all about us!
A little bird told us...
