Newsletter October 2014

Brampton Manor Academy News “Outstanding” (Ofsted 2012) Success through Effort and Determination Dear Parent/Guardian The new academic year started very smoothly and we are very pleased to welcome all our new students and parents to the Brampton Manor family. As is now customary, returning students came back to a vastly improved school: the toilets on the East side of the school have been vastly improved. New, superfast computers have been installed in all areas of the school with the most up to date windows package – windows 8.1. The 3G Astroturf has been re-laid and the quality is similar to those of some the top premiership football clubs.

I should now give you a brief overview of last year’s results: GCSE You would have read about the turbulence in GCSE results this year. I am delighted to inform you that our students continue to perform very well and our results are amongst the best in Newham. Student progress, the percentage of students making expected progress in English and Maths and the percentage achieving the English Baccalaureate is significantly above the Newham and National averages. The average grade per student is B- and the percentage of students achieving 5 or more A/A* grades has risen significantly.

A levels We also received our first set of full ‘A’ level results.

The key highlights are:  100% 3 or more A*-E grades (i.e. no student failed any subject)  86% 3 or more A*-C grades  45% 3 or more A*-B grades  Average grade per student: B  A large number of students 3 or more A/A* grades!

We believe that this is the best result of any school sixth form in East London!

As a result of these stunning results, nearly 60% of the entire cohort are now studying in the best Russell Group Universities around the country. I am particularly pleased that a lot of our students have chosen to study at universities outside of London.

Brampton Manor has all the ingredients to continue to improve further and to serve your children well. We have recruited a number of highly talented teachers to further strengthen the quality of teaching and learning and to give us increased capacity to serve you and your children better. I trust that I can continue to count on your support to help make Brampton Manor a world class learning organisation.

If at any time you feel that our performance is not to the standard you expect, please let me know.

Together, we can and will make Brampton Manor the best learning organization in this region.

Dr D Olukoshi, Executive Principal

Issue 19: October 2014 Important dates

Monday 3 November—Start of Term Monday 3—Friday 7 November—Yr 12 and 13 Exams Thursday 6 November—INSET DAY SCHOOL CLOSED Tuesday 18 November—Year 11 Information Evening Friday 20 November—Yr 12 Parents Evening Monday 24 November—Yr 12 Opening Evening Monday 1 December—Friday 12 December—KS3 Exams Art Exams—8 Dec, 10 & 11 Dec, 15 Dec, 17 & 18 Dec Christmas Break—Monday 22 Dec—Friday 2 January Monday 5 January 2015 —Start of Term

A Level achievements recognised in Parliament The outstanding achievements of former student Abubakar Moallim were recognised at the recent London Schools and the Black Child Awards Ceremony in the House of Commons. Having achieved an incredible four A* grades in his A Level exams this summer, including scoring full marks in eleven papers, Abubakar was presented with the A Level Academic Achievement Award at an event in parliament hosted by Diane Abbot MP, which included a speech from the Speaker John Bercow. Abubakar is currently completing a prestigious placement with an engineering research firm alongside making an application to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

Congratulations also go to Joseph Adikwu (Year 12), who was one of the runners up in the GCSE category having achieved 8 A* and 4 A grades. Brampton Manor was the only school in London to have more than one student who made it onto the final shortlist, prompting Diane Abbot to comment on the extremely high quality of Brampton nominations this year.

With our Year 13 students having broken the previous year's record at AS Level and with 155 high achieving and ambitious students studying in Year 12 this year, our Sixth Formers are on track for even greater success in 2015!

Mr Dobin, Director of Sixth Form

Brampton Manor Academy, Roman Road, London E6 3SQ

020 7540 0500

Last Friday on the 17th October, Brampton Manor Academy History society and A-level History students had the fantastic experience of a History lecture from Dr Dan Todman from Queen Mary University. The lecture marked the centenary of the start of the war which was celebrated in the summer of this year. Dr Todman presented questions to us such as ‘How should we remember WWI?’ As aspiring historians this was an opportunity to find out how we Brits have different opinions on the topic and how we remember the event that shaped the world differently and for different reasons. Dr Todman explored questions such as ‘What is the point of commemorating World War One?’ As well as how should we appropriately commemorate it? Do we suggest it was a glorious victory or a total disaster? He talked through the controversial implications of marking it as a glorious victory particularly on England’s relationship with her European allies today. One interesting idea was that we should remember the war from the bottom up and look at what it meant from an individual or community perspective. We had various students from Year 12, 13 and also Year 11 voicing their opinions and views on World War One. Not only was this experience valuable to students but the lecture was also a window into the world of academia and university life. We thoroughly enjoyed it and we really look forward to the next guest lecture after half term. By Tasnim Miah and Simon Omorodion-Bowie-Year 12 University Applications Update The UCAS application season has begun with the sense of excited anticipation that has come to typify September for Brampton's Year 13 students. The Sixth Form team has submitted twenty applications on behalf of students applying to study Medicine or courses at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge – this represents a quarter of our cohort! With such a strong group of applications already submitted, we are looking forward to supporting every other Year 13 student through the process of applying to the country’s leading academic institutions. Less than a week after our first application was sent off one happy student, Meron Esere, has already received her first offer – to study Biochemistry at the University of Sheffield. We look forward to updating the Brampton community as more offers come in over the next few months!

Miss Lazarides, Deputy Director of Sixth Form European Day of Languages 2014 On Friday 26 September, everyone at Brampton Manor was very proud to celebrate the European Day of Languages when we honoured our school’s linguistic diversity. The MFL department organised various activities to make this event enjoyable and enriching to all.

As part of the tradition all MFL staff, along with some teachers in the English, RS, SEN and History departments, dressed-up to represent a country.

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 had to complete a quiz and guess which country staff were representing. Food tasting and face painting were set up in the West Quad during lunchtime giving students and staff the opportunity to celebrate the event. However, the highlight of the day would be the sing-off contest with several Year 7 and 8 classes trying their best to showcase choreographies and original songs in French, Spanish and German. Three classes stood out but Ms McLellan’s Year 8 French class won the contest thanks to a very rhythmic rap song and really entertaining choreography. However, all the classes involved made an outstanding effort to show the audience their love for languages. A very successful day that we are looking forward to attending next year! Merci, Danke, Gracias.

Miss A. Renciot Teacher of French and Spanish, MFL

Cross Country We took a squad of 39 students to the yearly Newham Borough Cross Country Championships and we performed exceptionally well. There were a number of fantastic individual performances with the standout performer being Charlie Ackland who won the year 11 age category. We are still awaiting the team results.

Mr G Cohen, Teacher of PE

Sixth form results For the first time ever at Brampton Manor we have sixth form sports teams in basketball, badminton and netball! So far all of these teams remain undefeated:  Boys basketball team beat Chobham Academy 45-8  Boys basketball team beat LAE 49 - 36  Girls basketball team beat Chobham Academy 17-12  Badminton team beat Chobham Academy 15-1  Badminton team beat London Academy of Excellence 8-4  Netball team beat Chobham Academy 13-5 Congratulations to everyone involved and I am extremely excited and optimistic regarding our numerous forthcoming fixutres.

Mr G Cohen, Head of Year, Sixth Form Enrichment Coordinator Year 9 Football The year 9 football boys were the first team to play a competitive fixture on the newly laid 3G astro-turf.

We beat Ilford County High 6-1 in the Essex Cup with the goals coming from Solomon Spence (3) Ide Osimeh-Udebhulu (2) and Ahmed Abdalla. In three years of coaching the team this was by far the best they have ever played, their level of commitment, teamwork and work ethic were all exemplary. We face Mayfield in the next round of the competition.

Mr G Cohen, Teacher of PE

Student Newspaper I am delighted to announce the arrival of the first Student Newspaper at Brampton, ‘The Pupils’ Eye.’ KS4 and KS5 students have worked incredibly hard to create their first edition which will be available to staff and students just after half term. The Newspaper is made up of inspiring articles from the students themselves regarding both Brampton and international news. The Newspaper Team look forward to hearing from fellow students on their views and recommendations for upcoming editions. Those aspiring journalists among you who would like to be involved in the future of the School Newspaper, please speak to Miss Dowling.

Miss Dowling, Teacher of English 'Geography club captures the first Brampton volcano eruption' —Come along to the club, every Wednesday after school. Volcanic eruption created by Kristyana Odulawa, Aqib Ahmed, Thagshanen Thillairajah.

Mr Lawless, Teacher of Geography

At the beginning of September 150 year 11 geography students travelled to the region of Dorset to carry out their geography coastal controlled assessment. The students were able to compare and contrast the beautiful bustling tourist resort of Swanage with the natural and exquisite National trust region of Studland. Whilst out in the field students were given the opportunity to collect primary data; from beach profiles to field sketches, all involved became adept at these methods and clearly enjoyed learning new skills. The students all flourished in the wonderful surroundings clearly enjoying the outside classroom experience, they then put in huge amounts of effort in writing up their coursework. Students also revelled in exploring the town and enjoying the contrast this had with London. They also witnessed traditional folk culture with Morris dancers filling the winding streets of Swanage.

Miss Griggs, Teacher of Geography Brampton English Department ran the 'Big Read - Six Book Challenge' competition over the summer, with lots of students taking part and prizes handed out this month. Aaliyah Alade in 8S read an incredible 30 books, and Kasia Fallon in 8H got her mum and brother to complete the challenge too. We will be running the competition again this year and we hope to see even more staff, students and parents challenging themselves to get reading!

Miss Beaumont is running English Club this year. Students from all years can get help, do homework or practice creative writing.

We also run regular creative writing competitions: last year over 30 students were published! Ms Thorogood, Teacher of English

Football—The new Year 7 team has started the season really well. They remain unbeaten beating Royal Docks and drawing against St Bons in friendlies. In the first round of the Essex Cup they beat West Hatch 8-2, and in the National Cup, after a very long journey to Sutton, they beat Overton Grange 5-1. The boys are showing a lot of potential. Let’s hope this potential turns into trophies at the end of the season. Well done boys!

The Year 8 team have also had a very positive start to the season. They have progressed to the 2nd round of the National Cup and in the Essex Cup they beat Dagenham Park easily at home with a 5-0 win. Keep it going boys! Yet again, several boys from each year group have made it into the Newham District Football Teams. The Year 8 Newham team definitely has a Brampton Manor influence. 5 boys were regular members of the team that won the Essex Cup final last year and yet again they have made the team this year!

Mr Croker, Teacher of PE Girls Football—The year 8/9 combined 5 a side team are champions after beating ALL their opponents in the two tournaments. The success was achieved by the excellent communication and team work displayed by all five members.

Alongside of this, the 11 a side team have made it through to the second round of the Essex cup and English Schools cup after beating Reddens Court 7-3 and Overton Grange 4-1.

Congratulations to the whole team for their achievements so far this academic year, we still have plenty more games to play.

Miss Bowman, Teacher of PE

U13 Girls Football The team has got off to a fantastic start this season by winning their KPMG Programme first game 8-1 at home. They have On Thursday 23 October the Year 10 Gifted and Talented continued in this manner by winKPMG students will make their final trip to the University of ning further games including a 13 Cambridge. Over the course of the KPMG Programme, -1 win against Chobham Academy students have initiated thought provoking proposals for the last week. The girls will hope to regeneration of the Upton Park Ground and presented their continue their journey to victory work to judges from Barclays Bank, Clifford Chance and after half term as they have their first away game of the year. KPMG. They have also visited these offices in the City and Miss Farley, Teacher of PE toured a London University. This has been a wonderful opportunity for them and will no doubt inspire them to reach Shakespeare Schools Festival their potential at Brampton, university and in their chosen “Nay, faith, let me not play a woman; I have a careers. It has been a pleasure working with these talented beard coming”. students over the last year and I wish them all the luck for the On 6 November a group of year 9 and 10 future. students are taking part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival at This academic year invites a new cohort of Gifted and Talented Stratford Circus. Brampton Manor Academy has had a string of Year 9s to embark upon this fantastic opportunity. successful productions, last year’s being ‘The Tempest’. The Miss Dowling, Teacher of English cast are determined that this year’s will be even better and with a very talented cast you will surely be in for a treat. The stu- Drama School Trips—Woman in Black dents are performing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ one of The year 11 GCSE drama cohort went to see the critically Shakespeare’s most famous and loved plays. The students acclaimed West End show ‘The Woman in Black’ as part of their have been working extremely hard on this production and would GCSE course on 16 September. This is a vital part of the GCSE love you to come and support them at this event. Tickets are course as pupils are then asked to write a review detailing their available from Stratford Circus box office 0844 357 2625. response to the production focusing on all aspects from the Miss Stephens - Drama Teacher acting to the technical elements. The production is a fantastic example of multi-role playing were actors perform more than Drama Department School Musical one character which is a skill required within the GCSE course.

This year Brampton Manor Academy is presenting 'Little Shop The students thoroughly enjoyed this production and were of Horrors' a comedy rock musical starring the sixth formers. literally jumping out of their seats in “Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's, a terror. flower shop in urban Skid Row where he has a crush on fellow The next theatre trips are… co-worker Audrey. One day Seymour finds a very mysterious  Matilda on December 3rd December – Year 8 unidentified plant which he calls Audrey 2. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for his supper.  Othello – Year 11 Will Audrey 2 take over the world or will Seymour and Audrey Mr Balaam, Head of Drama defeat it?”

Years 7 & 8 Drama Club Rehearsals are well under way with We have had a fantastic turn out at Drama Club and have been students acting, singing and dancing in very impressed with the talented actors and actresses preparation for opening night where family attending. Year 12 Brampton students have been supporting and friends are invited to a night of catchy Drama Club with fun activities and warm ups. This has been a songs, a helpless hero and a man eating fantastic opportunity for years 7 and 8 to work with AS students. plant. Look out for tickets on sale in We hope to soon begin working on a short performance…

December. Mr Balaam, Head of Drama Watch this space! Miss Cartwright, Teacher of Drama

Many happy faces!

Stunning A Level Results

Amazing GCSE Results