Creative News Issue 4 . September 2015
News, views and information about Bethnal Green Academy
Welcome to issue 4 of Creative News – keeping you informed about the creative learning opportunities and activities offered to students at BGA.
Best Ever Results for BGA “Education. It’s what remains when everything we’ve been taught has been forgotten.”
The new academic year is well underway. Last year’s results at both A Level and GCSE were exceptional. With 88% of Year 11 achieving 5 or more GCSEs at A* to C including English and maths we’ve set a new benchmark for the Academy. And just as our former Year 13 students are settling into university and college for the next adventure we have a new Year 7 just beginning their journey. So much can change in the seven years of secondary education but some things about our Academy remain constant. We have a commitment to ensuring that we provide the best education for every young person in the Academy. By the door to the staffroom there’s a sign to remind all of us who work here that the recipe for success is deceptively simple: •
High expectations
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Clear boundaries
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Hard work
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Excellent learning and teaching
These principles have helped make us an Ofsted outstanding school with exceptional results. Most importantly it means that we can help our young people gain the qualifications, skills and experiences that will enable them to thrive in today’s ever evolving society. But there’s more to BGA than that. Examination results are crucial but they aren’t everything. Last year more of our students than ever before became involved in our social action projects and our Arts and Culture programmes. Through music, drama and volunteering to help others our young people develop confidence, learn how to work with others and crucially understand how their actions can make a positive difference. Now that’s education. Mark Keary Principal, Bethnal Green Academy
SoLFest, a Festival of Arts, Culture and Learning The arts have a special place at Bethnal Green Academy and our Summer of Learning Festival was a culmination of many creative learning experiences that had taken place through the year. Students had the opportunity to watch and to participate in innovative live performances across all the art forms. In addition, they were able to problem solve, think creatively and collaborate effectively with others. Highlights include: opera at lunchtime, a poet in residence, a production of The Tempest, Critical Thinking Week and Music in the Street.We shall build on the outstanding work that has already taken place and look forward to the year ahead.