Heartlands Academy Heartlines Newsletter issue 8 Spring 2012

Heartlines

Newsletter of Heartlands Academy

Issue 8, Spring Term 2012

From Mrs Jones, Principal Dear Parents, Carers, Friends and Supporters of the Academy, What a term this has been! An ‘outstanding’ judgement from Ofsted, the Gold Partner award for the PE Department and the Innovation award from the Youth Sports Trust. Where do we go from here!?

We certainly will continue to provide the quality education to all of our students. In addition we wish to build on our successes and strengthen the opportunities for our students and their families.

Academy Celebrates Ofsted Success!

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n February, 2009 The Heartlands High School was judged to be ‘Outstanding’

by Ofsted. The following August the High School closed its doors and re-opened in September as Heartlands Academy. Since then, staff have continued to build on the success of the predecessor school and, in January 2012, underwent its first Ofsted inspection as an Academy and was judged ‘Outstanding’ in all five areas.

Whilst the first ‘Outstanding’ reflected the success of The Heartlands High School and the second ‘Outstanding’ the success of the Academy, both judgements were achieved for and with our students, most of whom live locally. These are exciting times and, as

we prepare to move into our new building, this ‘Outstanding’ judgement has given a further boost to our students.

Messages of congratulations have flooded in from members of the local community, local primary and secondary schools, former students and teachers and many others. As I often write, “it is a privilege to lead this Academy, my students and an amazing team of staff”.

All of us at Heartlands Academy will continue to strive for excellence in education and ensure we provide our young people with a wide range of opportunities to secure positive life chances.

Glynis Jones, Principal

Academy Awarded YST Gold Status

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ver the last year the Youth Sports Trust has been visiting PE departments within secondary schools and academies all over the country, to observe the quality of PE and school sport. Schools and academies are awarded bronze, silver or gold status depending on their current delivery and provision.

Following a recent validation visit

by the Youth Sports Trust to Heartlands Academy, we are delighted to confirm that we have been awarded Gold YST Partner school status. By achieving Gold Partner school status we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining and developing the highest quality outcomes for PE and sport in our academy.”

S Vyakaranam.

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The summer term is crucial with many students, particularly in Year 11, sitting key examinations. We will also be ‘packing up our resources’ ready to move into the new building in September 2012.

It is important I remind you about the change of term dates this summer. The students finish on Thursday 12 July 2012.

This is to allow everyone time to prepare for the move into the new building and also ensure a normal and prompt start for us in September.

As ever many, many thanks for your continued support.

Glynis Jones

Inside this issue: Success for Maths Dept 3 Preview inside new build 4-5 Year 7 Update 6 Community Partnerships 7 “We’re Still Here” 8 Sixth Form news 8 Important Dates 8

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n February, Shabana Mahmood MP met with students from Heartlands Academy when they travelled to Westminster for a tour of the Houses of Parliament. The group of students were aged between 12-14, all of whom were keen to learn about Shabana’s work as their MP in Parliament and the constituency.

The group asked questions about the history of Parliament, transition to democracy, current political issues and her work in Parliament.

Shabana explained her role as the Shadow Minister for Higher Education and how she represents her constituents by raising their concerns in Parliament.

Shabana said, “Meeting with pupils from the Heartlands Academy was fantastic, and it is always a pleasure to meet with young people from my constituency. I enjoyed hearing their feedback of the tour and answering any questions they have about my role as their MP. I would welcome the chance to meet with more groups and schools when they visit Parliament.”

Shabana Mahmood, MP

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eartlands Academy had their first taste of performing a pantomime this term. The modern pantomime started in the mid 1800s using many of the fairy tales that were popular at the time such as Cinderella and Mother Goose. The academy decided to put on a production of an all time favourite, Aladdin. A fun-filled pantomime for all the family.

Staff and students worked together and put in many hours of rehearsal. On Monday 21st February the school hall was filled with 150 year 5 students from our feeder primary schools. All the students loved the performance and are now very excited to come to Heartlands Academy in two years time. On Thursday 1st March Aladdin was performed in the evening to a paying audience of pupils, parents and staff. A great evening was had by all and the performance was a real success.

I personally would like to thank Miss White for all her support with the rehearsals over the weeks. I am immensely proud of all members of the cast and would like to thank them for their hard work in making the first pantomime at Heartlands the first of many. Keep an eye out for next years pantomime.

Mr A Henshaw, Head of Drama.

we went to the London History Museum to have a look around. We saw various artefacts and exhibits including one about space and another one about world war one and two.

On the 10th of February, students from year 8 and 9 also went to the Birmingham Urban Debating Competition. We had a n Wednesday, 1st of February, double debate with two different motions students from year 8 and 9 enjoyed (topics). The first motion, was: “should the a trip to London as a special reward government legalise euthanasia (suicide)?”. for our outstanding work in Debate Mate.

And the second motion was: “should there When we arrived in London, we first of all be a curfew (order) for under 16 year olds to went to the House of Lords where we were not leave the house after 8PM?”. We were taken on a tour which began in the Hallway. split into two teams: Heartlands Then on, we were led by instructors to A and B. For the first various rooms debate, Heartlands A & B around the place lost. And for the second including the debate, Heartlands A lost Dressing Room and Heartlands B won. of the Queen We were up against and the Lords several other schools Debating room. to win. The students there, were from year In some of the rooms 7 and 8. Once we had our debates, we got we saw pictures of Kings and Queens who feedback from the judges. They responded reigned before our time. Also, we went past to us with useful feedback, advising us not a room were there were pictures of various rush the speech and not to repeat the same historical events in Europe and England, points which someone else had already including the great fire of London. We said. We were given 15 minutes planning also saw a room where the Prime Minister time for each of the two debates. Teachers would meet for debates. After our tour, we and instructors were not allowed to help, so met with our local MP from Birmingham, we had to work together in our groups to Shabana Mahmood who told us about life come up with as LONDON many points as possible 2PM ST MARY’S CHURCH BATTERSEA CHURCH ROAD, SW11 3NA to working as an MP, about the government support our argument. and also the Prime Minister. Later on, Sameer Hussain, 8BAG

YST Innovation Award

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eartlands Academy Physical Education team emerged victorious when they won a national award from the Youth Sports Trust for their excellent use of PE and school sport to improve whole school standards.

The Youth Sports Trust innovation awards is an annual event whereby schools from across the country come together to celebrate the impact sport is having on the lives of young people and celebrate

Success in Maths

It’s been a busy and successful term for the Maths Department.

GCSE

Results released in January showed a 60% A* to C pass rate for the current Year 11. Year 10 students, who sat their exams eighteen months early, were also successful achieving a 40% A* to C pass rate. This is a very promising sign of things to come. We always encourage students to aim higher and, with this confidence boost, we can hopefully look forward to even more success when the March results come out.

World Maths Day

Key Stage 3 Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 were all encouraged to participate in maths games against other pupils from across the world.

It was exciting to see our students compete against students from India, Australia and Canada! Over 100 Heartlands students participated with the highest scoring pupils in each year receiving special certificates to celebrate their achievement.

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Sitting in the front row, the team nervously awaited the result and were disappointed to not see their name on the short list or even as the runner up – however, once Baroness Sue Campbell CBE began to describe the winning school, all the pieces came together – it was us, the Heartlands Academy PE team had won!

A representative from the Youth Sports Trust later congratulated the team stating that the “application stood out and was by far the best they had read” – he went on to say that the “teaching and learning shone through and that the supporting evidence was fantastic”.

A deserved win for the whole Heartlands Academy community!

PE Team

the achievements of outstanding contributions from schools and individuals.

The Youth Sports Trust has not previously informed schools of shortlists or winners and was determined to maintain the level of surprise until the last possible moment. This meant that the Heartlands PE team travelled up to Telford to attend the awards dinner without knowing if they had even made it onto the short list.

They were: Gabriel Stevens 7ALF Jordan Williams 7FAM Naa Adei Kotey 7SHM

Olympic and Paralympic Dream

Brandon Douglas 8HAJE Younus Ahmad 8FLS Amaar Jimale 8HUN Hibaq Jama 9ROB Huma Shazadi 9HEM Aksah Ali 9HMS Congratulations to them, and to everyone who participated!

Big Bang!

Students have also been working hard at putting their maths skills to the test outside of the classroom with a trip for 14 lucky students from Year 9 to the ‘Big Bang Maths and Science fair’. This showed them the benefits of Maths and Science in their future careers.

Enterprise Projects

Three groups of Year 10 pupils have also been taking part in exciting enterprise projects organised by our business partners: Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Aston University. Students learnt how to develop their personal skills and self confidence. We are sure that these experiences will have long-lasting career benefits, making Heartlands students stand out from the crowd!

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An amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity, has come along for six Heartlands’ students who now have the chance to be part of London 2012. The lucky six are: Fahima Ali Mahamed; Jeblu Miah; Tahir Mohammed; Arshad Hussain; Naveed Hussain and Anita Chan all of whom have been selected as official ball boys and girls for the Paralympics Table Tennis competition this summer. It is one of the biggest events at the Paralympics and will be broadcast live on TV around the world. Our six students will be working for five days during the games and they will all be thrilled with the unique experience.

Good luck to the students and don’t forget to keep an eye out for them during London 2012.

PE Team

Getting Ready for September 2012

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t the last Governors’ meeting in March, we were treated to a sneak preview of the interior of the new building.

Essentially, the new building is in two halves joined together by a double height atrium running the full length from front to back and benefitting from natural lighting provided by three skylights. The main

academy entrance will lead straight into the atrium with reception on the left and the main admin area just behind. To the right will be the sports hall and multi-gym.

Halfway along the atrium there is a bridge at first floor level adjoining the two halves and beyond this lies the main hall and drama studio on the right and the LRC and dining hall to the left.

Led by the Project Manager Baheeja Betts, our tour began in what is to be the main hall which lies next to the new drama studio. Baheeja told us how it will be fitted out with retractable theatre seating giving future drama productions a true Thespian experience! Next, we went into the dining room and, although everything is still a bit ‘work in progress’, when completed, it will

Drama studio from the hall

have permanent seating to provide both a rest area and a meeting room.

We then went up to the first floor of the teaching block to view the new wellproportioned classrooms. A new feature will be open plan learning spaces to be used as Social Learning Zones (SLZs). These will be situated on each floor adjacent to a cluster of traditional classrooms. Additonally, there

will be learning steps - tiered seating in a two storey open space, benefitting from a full length feature window overlooking Hilden Road.

Finally, we reached the top floor and visited the art rooms. Again, light is an important characteristic with rooms extending into an offset roof where high windows give an artist’s much sought

Looking down from the bridge towards the main entrance

Third Floor Corridor

LRC (dining hall beyond)

Art classroom 4

after northern light. Also on the top floor will be DT Graphics where an open plan arrangement and split level floors provide dynamic learning spaces.

S. Burden, Support Staff Governor

DT Graphics

The Sports Hall 5

Natural High

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ecently, Year 7 watched and participated in a presentation with a man called ‘David Graham’; whose focus of the assembly was natural highs. To begin with, we listened to his introduction, and his singing of ‘Shine’, which was extremely good fun! Not long after this, David Graham had members of the audience up on the stage. He invited three people to perform some kick-ups for the audience. These people were: Remel, Kye and Abdi Yousef. All of them, had to beat the records set by other schools from around the U.K. This was hilarious, and even the teachers were laughing at the attempts!

By the end of the football challenge, Remel won and Abdi Yousef came second, together with Kye. They all won something each.

Another challenging competition David set for us was to arrange the names of drugs into the order of which cause the most number of deaths to the least number of people. The majority of the teachers placed the drugs in the correct order but the students had them muddled up. Once completed, we had to sing a song that David Graham wrote himself- “...On a Natural High, know that I can reach the sky on a Natural High...”

Towards the end of the assembly another award was up for grabs. We were told to create poems on the topic of drugs - what they can do to you and the benefits of a natural high. We were allowed to talk for a bit, while David chose the winner along with the runner-ups. Salim came third, Shumaya second and Abdisalam Mahamoud won out of the whole of Year 7!

I think I’m now more aware about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and the effects it can have on me and the people around us. Personally, I think everyone thought a lot about the presentation and the show presented the messages in a fun way but also to help us remember them.

Throughout the talk, David told stories about his young son and what the effects of drugs could do to their relationship and what it could do to anyone else’s life. This was important, because by talking about his son, it made it clear to us the damage a single drug can cause to the body, mind, soul, heart and most importantly, loved ones ...

You can still be high, but make sure it’s natural.

Shaniah Da’Costa, 7AKH

Year 7 Update

Year 7 continue to go from strength to strength! I am pleased to report that the form with most good news for the Autumn Term was 7FAM, closely followed by ALJ and ALF. Keep the good news coming in! I am also pleased to see so many form groups working together on their form assembly which is then delivered in a confident, careful and thoughtful manner. We also had a presentation this term from Natural High Schools Programme where students participated in an innovative and entertaining drugs and alcohol education which involved the whole audience. See further details in the newsletter. I hope Year 7 continue with their efforts for the rest of year and I monitor closely the good and bad news!

Miss Hinch Year 7 Learning Manager

7AKH...

On the 8th February, our assembly took place which revolved around ‘Showing Respect’. Other form classes chose to show their assembly in speeches or power points; we decided to do ours in a role play. The main characters were: Kye (Jack), Qotre (Imran), Sanam (Wife), Keera (Mother), Hassan (Child), Suhayl (Child), Ismaeel Idrissi (Father) , Ayuub (Teacher) and of course Shaniah as the narrator. Shaniah achieved a certificate for reading through the D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read) project but I would like to see more of 7AKH receiving certificates for this. Keep up the good work!

Miss Akhtar

7BUE...

continue to get involved in a range of activities all over the academy. Taye Warner and Harry O’Shaughnessy represent the tutor group in Student Council, and Najma Abdi was seen on national television participating in the Children in Need concert with the school choir.

Furthermore 7BUE took an assembly in the first week back after the Christmas holidays, with the theme of friendship. They looked at some famous friendships and considered how we can all be better friends to each other around school. They look forward to taking part in even more exciting opportunities at Heartlands in 2012!

Miss Burgess

7FAM... are having an exceptionally successful

term. We topped the tables for the most Good News in the year group, which is an impressive feat. The students all support and encourage each other so the Good News continues to roll in. We also wowed the crowd in assembly where several members of the group taught Year 7 a valuable lesson in helping each other. Adnan and Gabriel also had to help each other with a really, really big spoon! You’ll have to ask them to tell you about it. The students worked together, planned and rehearsed all the ideas themselves, which brought them closer together and made me really proud.

Mr Farrah

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7ALJ...

This term members of 7ALJ have been working together as a team to put together an assembly on personal safety. Students designed and delivered an assembly on personal safety which offered their peers advice on how to remain safe when confronted by everyday situations which they will face at some point in their lives. Natural leaders have also emerged in the form this term, such as Sarah, who has taken responsibility for the organisation and the data inputting of spot check information and AfL points. Ellis has also taken responsibility for looking after the progress files and ensuring that each student has their folders during tutor time so that they are able to put their achievement and attainment certificates in them. I am very proud of the progress students in 7ALJ are making and I hope this will continue.

Mrs Campbell

7AHG...

Students continue to do well at Heartlands Academy. Most pupils are well-settled, adhering to school policies (e.g. full school uniform, full equipment, excellent attendance & punctuality, progress files filled with praise cards & certificates...), confident, hard-working, achieving many good-news and certificates, and participating in many activities. Recently, the following pupils took part in assembly a role-play on overcoming difficulties: Mahir, Fadimah, Kyle, Amos, Abdurahman, Abdirahman, Hamza, Glodi, Amira, Shumaya and Taylor. Well done!

Mr Ahmed

7ALF...

It’s a pleasure to come back to a great and ambitious form like 7ALF. We, once again, have managed to grab the title of being the most active in the year group. Well done! Some of the members of 7ALF also participated in an assembly during OFSTED and their performance showed off their unity and talent. Shaquille and Ammara have been doing a great job as our hard working school council representatives, devoted to their roles and punctual at their regular meetings.

Shantae has been playing for our football team and we wish her best of luck. We are now in preparation to take an assembly early in March on “Being grateful.”

Miss Allidina

7SHM...

Another great term for 7SHM. Tutees have been extremely mature about their individual responsibilities within the Academy. Yousef and Naa Adei have proven to be excellent student council representatives. Malikah has done a smashing job keeping the display board up to date an Remmel and Iza deserve a well done with tracking the progress files and ensuring that certificates are being filed correctly. Well done guys!

Miss Shah

Business News Heartlands Academy students CAN!

certificates for their part.

Following the event, Margaret Way of Marketing Birmingham Ltd wrote “Thank you most sincerely for your excellent presentations at this morning’s event at Chamber House.

We had super feedback from delegates and I think you have inspired others (including me) to think long and hard about how best to engage on this important ‘employability skills’ issue.

Please pass on special thanks to Daanish Hussain and Adnan Yessen who came along with you.”

Heartlands Academy has been providing students with additional opportunities to help broaden their enterprise skills.

Students have taken part in enterprise classes after school adding value to their academic qualifications, social language and increasing employability.

Students have been recognised as having exceptional behaviour and a willingness to learn by some of the top businesses across the city.

Special congratulations to all the students that have taken part in enterprise after school classes. You have shown commitment and the dedication and achieve above and beyond.

What business people say: Fiona Kelsey, PwC (Business Partner): “I found the students really well behaved both when we were at the school and when they visited us. They were polite, respectful, (to us and the teachers), thankful, listened and did as they were told.”

Mark A Simpson FCCA PGCMS BSc. (hons) Assistant Director, Corporate Finance/ Government & Infrastructure Deloitte LLP: “I congratulate you and your team on helping to develop such well behaved and rounded young adults – they are a credit to you – I am just pleased that we have had the opportunity to help you with their continued development and in preparing them for the outside business world.”

Mike Zatyka, Development Manager, Enabling Enterprise: “It was a pleasure to lead the first session with the students last term, thanks for inviting me. They are a highly engaged group with lots to contribute. I thought the students’ attitude was very mature and I get the sense they see the programme as a big opportunity for them which is fantastic. I’m looking forward to working with them this year. “

Working in Partnership with Deloitte and CBI

Linda Round MBA, Director of Economic Development and Employment at Birmingham Metropolitan College, acknowledges the academy’s contribution to the Business in the Classroom project in the email we received below: “I just wanted to express the sincere thanks of the CBI Birmingham Metropolitan College Partnership for all your hard work and personal dedication to making this project such a resounding success. Not only have the students made demonstrable strides in increasing their employability skills but also clearly enjoyed the whole experience made more real by the additional support

Year 5 Transition Project Interviews with Members of the Community:

provided by the Deloitte team. Their work, behaviour and commitment to the project was exemplary and a real credit to Heartlands Academy. “

Birmingham Chamber Business & Schools Event Chaired by Gisela Stuart MP

Year 5 children from two local primary schools, Nechells and St.Vincents, came to Heartlands Academy to interview volunteers from the academy staff and some members of the local community. The children asked questions to find out what sort of games they used to play when they were children and how they differ from children’s games played today.

We would like to say a special thank you to: Nigel Frederick Cripps and his mother Beatrice Lillian Yardley known as Bobby, Born 49 Heneage Street 18th December 1920.

Eric Hill of The Heartlands Local History Society “Keeping the Old End Alive” and his mother Joyce Hill nee Hambleton born November 1923, back of 14 Cheapside Holloway Head Birmingham (where “there was a little market that sold horses”).

A personal statement: “During the war, in the public shelters you could lie down, eat and sleep, but not in your own Anderson shelters because they were too small. Life was different but you all stayed together. You lived in one room, eating sleeping and washing.”

In February Rachel Buckingham the Community Director, James Howse from PwC and two students attended an event hosted by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Led by Gisela Stuart MP, the purpose of the event was to enhance the links between business and school children and to provide additional ways of sharing careers and skills guidance in a practical way by ‘matching’ schools and employers in skills advice partnership arrangements.

Daanish Hussain and Adnan Yessen gave an excellent presentation to the business partners and schools about how working in partnership with business has supported their enterprise development. They were awarded

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New Business Partners for 2012: Latif’s Jury’s Inn

If you would like information about: • primary school transition • Heartlands Academy events • parenting support programmes • community partnership work

contact: Mrs Rachel Buckingham Community Director

Heartlands Academy Great Francis Street, Birmingham B7 4QR 0121 464 5530 r.buckingham@heartlands-academy.org.uk

Sixth Form

The students were awarded their certificates and £50 worth of high street vouchers by the Chief Executive of the company Mr Mujib Choudhury, an ex-student of the school.

Leading Lights ix sixth formers spent three days during February on a University of the First Age training programme to become Cultural Lead Learners within Birmingham. This role will enable them to be part of a team of Young Leaders aged 15-20 who will design, run and evaluate a UFA ‘Leading Lights Club’ for young people age 10-14.

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Employability Programme he year 13s have had the opportunity to work with an outside agency ‘Inspire Future’. Students had to complete a 28 hour Employability Programme where they had to perform tasks on the following:

T • • • • • • • • •

CV writing Completing an application form Interview technique Job searches Skills and qualities Time management Health and safety Business in the community Key skills developed over time

Students had to complete a portfolio in order for them to achieve a Level 2 certificate in Employability.

The students will now plan, organise and deliver a four day play scheme at the POD during the Easter holidays. Their goal is to help 15 young children achieve a Bronze Arts Award whilst also having to achieve a National UFA Silver Arts Award qualification for themselves.

The students were hampered by the snow that weekend but they perservered, demonstrating real commitment, maturity and the willingness to achieve. As a reward they went to see their supporting adult, Helen Edgar playing the cello in a performance with the CBSO at Symphony Hall.

Summer Term

Year 11 Graduation Year 10 Parents Evening

Teacher Days (non-pupil) Mayday (school closed) Year 8 Parents Evening Year 11 Prom Sports Day Year 7 Parents Evening Tempest Performance Teacher Day (non-pupil)

Thursday 3 May & Friday 4 May Monday 7 May Thursday 28 June Friday 29 June Monday 2 July Thursday 5 July Wednesday 11 July Friday 13 July

Autumn Term

Summer Break: Monday 16 July - Friday 31 August (staff - 27 Aug)

Begins: Monday 3 September (students) Tuesday 28 August (staff)

We’re Still Here Mind Sixteen sg Track Blowin riginal many o 11

by Year ut rougho h t e l a s On reak uring b April d s, ch time n u l , s e ol tim ter scho f a d n a een before he cant t n i r e eith 1 or in MU

Thursday 10 May Thursday 17 May

Half Term: Monday 4 June - Friday 8 June

Ends: Thursday 12 July (students) Friday 13 July (staff)

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ince January, Year 11 BTEC students have been working on an aspect of their qualification: to design, record and sell their own CD. The name of the CD is “We’re Still Here,” which was originally just a track on the CD, but the majority of the students thought it was the perfect abstract name our product needed. Most tracks are original material created by students; therefore, purchasing the CD would increase their confidence and creativity immensely. Also, all profits from the CD will be going towards the Year 11 Prom. Our CD is a blend of genres (such as rap and R’n’B) fused together to make heavenly musical sense. “We’re Still Here” is on sale throughout April during break times, lunch times, before and after school either in the canteen or in MU1. Best of all, you will only be paying £2.50 for sixteen mind blowing tracks! An opportunity I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss.

Sabah Nasir

£2.50

Academy Dates 2012 Begins: Monday 16 April

Y11 BTEC Music

Open Evening

Wednesday 26 Sept

Half Term: Monday 22 October - Friday 26 October

Ends: Friday 21 December

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Library Opening Times

08:00 - 08:35 11:10 - 11:25 12:35 - 13:45 15:05 - 16:00 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS If you bring your child to school by car, in order to avoid dangerous congestion, it would be appreciated if you could park on Wardlow Road and NOT in the car park.

Thank You Heartlands Academy, Great Francis Street, Birmingham, B7 4QR Telephone: 0121 464 3931 • www.heartlands-academy.org.uk