Schools' Newsletter - May 2024

Schools Newsletter Schools Newsletter

2024

Welcome to our first Schools Newsletter from the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. We are committed to working collaboratively with our partner schools across the region and as part of this newsletter, we plan to celebrate those partnerships, as well as provide you with key updates regarding our School Partnerships activities.

Last term was certainly a productive term, with Year 10 Taster Days, STEMPlus and Give Construction a Try being a few of the highlights. These events saw hundreds of pupils from across the region take part in taster sessions in a range of subjects, giving them the opportunity to explore the academic opportunities available to them once they’ve finished school. We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming these pupils to our three Colleges and hope that their time with us has inspired them to consider Further Education as the next step in their educational journeys.

We also celebrated 12 years of Wakefield’s Children’s University and the incredible impact the programme has had on children’s learning in the district. We’re delighted to be extending this initiative to pupils across the Selby area with a number of schools already signed up, and a great array of Learning Destinations in place.

Visit one of our

Welcome Open Events

Castleford College & Wakefield College

Saturday 15th June 2024, 10am - 12pm

There’s lots of exciting things on the horizon too, with our MayHem event taking place in May half-term and also our New Student Days and further Year 10 Taster Days in July. You’ll be able to read more about what we’ve got lined up on page 8

Our next Open Events will also take place in June (dates below) and we kindly ask that you encourage your pupils to come and see for themselves first-hand what it’s like to study our three Colleges. This is a great opportunity for them to explore their options, meet our friendly tutors and chat to our support teams about any questions they might have.

I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and seeing the fantastic things we’ve achieved together.

James Pennington Head of School Partnerships

Selby College Wednesday 19th June 2024, 4pm - 6:30pm

Children’s University Launched in Selby

After successfully running Wakefield’s Children’s University for 12 years, we’re delighted to have launched a Children’s University in Selby to promote extra-curricular learning for young people across the district.

The Children’s University Trust is a charity which works with schools to encourage the participation of extracurricular activities for students aged 5-14 years old in primary and secondary education. Each Children’s University works with a broad network of local authorities, educational institutions and charities to co-ordinate the delivery of the learning initiative in the local area.

James Pennington, Head of School Partnerships at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “This will enable children across the Selby district to get involved with a wide range of learning activities, raise aspirations, gain confidence and meet new people. It also provides a line of sight to opportunities in Further and Higher Education. Celebrating learning is at the heart of the CU and we’re looking forward to working with Selby Community Primary School, who already have experience of CU, as well as Airmyn Park Primary

School, Athelstan Community Primary School and Hemingbrough Community Primary School, to help their pupils develop a lifelong love of learning.”

Pupils involved receive a ‘Passport to Learning’ which they use to collect stamps each time they participate in a learning activity such as an after-school club, with the aim of collecting as many stamps and hours as possible. The diverse learning opportunities include activities led by the College, the pupil’s school and other Learning Destinations, with activities completed either at home or online. The Learning Destinations so far include Carol Saunders Swim School, Chelles Dance Academy, Glazed and Confused Ceramic and Art Studio, KCMA- Kris Crump Martial Arts, Perfect Pitch Stars Performing Arts, Rainbows at Barlby and Osgodby Methodist Church Hall and The Painting Pot.

Elaina Wynne, Studio Owner of The Painting Pot, said: “At The Painting Pot, we believe in the power of creativity to inspire and educate young minds. By becoming a Learning Destination provider for Selby’s Children’s University, we're committed to providing a level playing field of opportunity for children of all backgrounds to explore their artistic talents and unleash their imagination through pottery painting. We can't wait to welcome more young learners to our studio and embark on this exciting journey together.”

If you are interested in finding out more about how your school can become a Selby Children’s University partner, please contact Beth Hartley on bhartley@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk

Wakefield’s Children’s University celebrates milestone

In February, we celebrated 12 years of Wakefield Children's University and what an incredible journey it's been!

Seven schools are currently reaping the benefits of the programme, including Crofton Junior School, Normanton All Saints Infant School, St Michael’s CE Academy, Wakefield Independent School, Flanshaw Junior and Infant School, Cherry Tree Academy and Girlguiding Whitwood Divisionwith pupils taking part in a range of activities to build up their learning hours.

This includes activity sheets which the pupils can get involved with during half terms and an annual Christmas card competition, which saw an amazing 27 entries in 2023. Learners have also enjoyed theme-based activities around awareness days such as World Science Week, Chinese New Year and Recycle Week.

We’re also preparing for our Children’s University Graduations, which will take place on the evenings of Monday 8th July and Tuesday 9th July at the Mechanics’ Theatre in Wakefield. Wearing a mortar board and gown, children will be presented with an award – just like a real graduation ceremony.

Pupils expand their culinary skills

As part of cookery week, Wakefield College’s Hospitality & Catering department delivered culinary sessions with pupils from Rodillian Academy and Oulton Academy where they learned how to make and present a range of dishes.

Following a demonstration by Hospitality & Catering tutor Daniel McCarthy, pupils were tasked with plating up their own dishes using a range of creative methods such as adding garnishes and sauces.

Rodillian Academy pupils learned how to fillet a fish, later using the seabass and plaice to make goujons using flour, egg and breadcrumbs. They also prepared and chopped vegetables to make the sauce for the meal, before decorating their plates with a range of garnishes such as fondant potatoes and sauteed cabbage.

Tackling desserts, pupils from Oulton Academy made a chocolate lava cake with a blackcurrant mousse and a Joconde base, which was garnished with meringue bulbs and sticks, candied orange segments, raspberry coulis, chocolate soil and micro herbs.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the session, with one commenting: “I really enjoyed my visit to Wakefield College. The kitchen was amazing and I felt I gained valuable experience which will help me academically going forward.”

Pupils ‘Give Construction a Try’

Over 170 pupils from the Wakefield district took part in a wide range of hands-on construction activities as part of Give Construction a Try – giving them insight into the different career paths available within the sector.

Give Construction a Try, which was held at Castleford College on Wednesday 13th March, saw pupils enjoy 115 interactive workshops across the day in bricklaying, building information modelling, carpentry & joinery, clay tiling, electrical, plumbing, roofing surveying and more.

Pupils from Airedale Academy, Carleton High School, Castleford Academy, Crofton Academy, De Lacy Academy, Freeston Academy, Highwell, Kettlethorpe High School, Outwood Academy Freeston, The Kings School, St Thomas a Becket, Trinity Academy Cathedral and Woodkirk Academy, then broke off into the sessions which were designed to give them insight into the diverse range of roles and opportunities the industry has to offer.

Selby High students explore vocational subjects

Throughout January, we hosted a number of workshops with Year 9 pupils from Selby High School both onsite and in the school.

We hope the pupils enjoyed learning more about Art & Design, Beauty, IT and Sport, and what options are available to them once they finish high school.

Mick Hill Teacher at Outwood Academy Freeston, said:

“Our Year 9 pupils are currently choosing their subject options, so the event was the perfect chance for them to see first-hand the opportunities which are available in Construction. They really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the sections and the industry as a whole, which has given them focus and inspired them to find out more about the different roles they could have and how they can get there.”

Ethan, Year 9 Pupil from at Outwood Academy Freeston, said:

“The day was really fun and I enjoyed the different sessions, especially bricklaying. Before the event, I had thought about studying construction and a career in the industry but Give Construction a Try has confirmed that I want a job in the sector.”

STEMPlus masterclass a success

More than 77 pupils took part in a range of challenging activities in STEM and digital industry related areas as part of our latest STEMPlus masterclass.

Year 8 and Year 9 Pupils from Castleford Academy, Crofton Academy, Kettlethorpe High School, Outwood Grange Academy Freeston, St Thomas a Becket and Trinity Academy Cathedral enjoyed sessions in biology, chemistry, physics, forensic science, creative media, digital photography, games development and music technology.

Students across the district get a taste of college life

Over 828 pupils from across the district were able to get a taste of college life and the course options available to them at our latest round of Year 10 Taster Days.

Pupils from Carleton High School, Kettlethorpe High School, Horbury Academy and High Well School attended our Taster Days at Castleford College and Wakefield College, with pupils from Barlby High School, Holy Family Carlton and Howden School taking part at Selby College.

Well done to the Year 10 students who won Outstanding Contribution Awards in their Taster Day subjects: Barlby High School - Josh and Nicola Holy Family Carlton - Safiye and Eleanor Howden School - William and Emma Carleton High School – Caleb Gibson, DJ Cotton, Maddison Oliver and Poppy Knee Horbury Academy – Charlie Lindop, Ehsan Musa, Grace Beaumont, Joseph Wild and Zak Halstead Kettlethorpe High School – Charlotte Finan, Elliot Powell, Ewan

McGlashan, Saara Hussain and Savannah Abbott-Smith

Our next Year 10 Taster Days will take place on the following dates:

Castleford and Wakefield College – Friday 28th June, Wednesday 3rd July, Thursday 4th July and Friday 5th July Selby College – Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th July

Next stop, Tadcaster!

We are delighted to be introducing a bus service for prospective Selby College students from Tadcaster. The service will be available from September 2024 and we hope that this will encourage more learners from the area to take their next steps with us.

The bus route will start at Tadcaster High Street at 7:30am and the return bus will arrive back at the same point at 5:30pm.

If Tadcaster-based students have any questions regarding the new service, please get in touch with our Student Central Team on 01757 211040 or email studentcentral@heartofyorkshire. ac.uk for more information.

Tadcaster Sherburn inElmet South Milford MonkFryston Hambleton Thorpe Willoughby Brayton

Shouting about the benefits of apprenticeships

During National Apprenticeship Week, members of the School Partnerships Team and the Apprenticeships Team delivered talks at a number of schools to raise awareness of apprenticeships and the routes which are available to them.

We hope pupils from Snaith High School and Trinity Academy enjoyed the talks and finding out more about the benefits of apprenticeships.

Staff from across the Group are available to deliver subject or department-specific talks or sessions which are tailored to your school’s needs. Please get in touch with our School Partnerships Team at schoolpartnerships@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk to arrange this.

Selby College

Encourage your pupils to earn as they learn

Apprenticeships are a fantastic post-16 option and enable apprentices to earn as they learn – allowing them to gain hands-on, practical skills which are sought by employers.

We currently offer Apprenticeships in a range of subjects, including:

• Automotive

• Business & Professional

• Construction

• Engineering

• Health and Education

• Horticulture

• Hospitality & Catering

To find out more about our Apprenticeship offer, please visit www.heartofyorkshire.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact our Apprenticeships Team on 01924 789469 or at apprenticeships@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk

What we can offer

We have over a decade’s experience working with our partner schools to provide a range of opportunities for pupils across the region. We are committed to support learning, attainment, achievement and progression of young people in the local area, and we do this through a variety of focused schemes, programmes and events.

A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES

We offer part-time and full-time programmes for 14–16-year-olds that are dedicated to encouraging and enabling the continued participation of young people in education and training. We also welcome applications from the parent/carers of children who are home educated and aim to offer a quality alternative curriculum experience.

We feel strongly that our courses are relevant for children at Key Stage 4 and

are pleased to offer Technical Awards which carry performance points as part of our provision.

Our 14-16 programmes help the development of young people while keeping them engaged in education and providing a clear pathway into post-16 education. Last year 75% of Year 11 students progressed from our school-link provision to post-16 study with us – a figure we’re very proud of.

EARLY COLLEGE TRANSFERS

The Early College Transfer programme (ECT) aims to offer students and schools a challenging alternative curriculum for a specific group of learners. It provides students who may be disengaged in mainstream school, or for whom school is not considered to be the best option, the opportunity to complete their final year of school with us at College.

The provision is also suitable for elected home educated students. ECT is a fulltime provision where students attend College for three days each week and are in-filled into a post-16 group in a vocational subject area of their choice – typically at Level 1. Learners will combine this subject with GCSE classes in in Mathematics and English aimed at helping students prepare for their GCSE exams in school.

SUBJECT CHOICES

We also provide Entry Level programmes and Level 1 programmes in a range of subjects, including:

• Art, Design & Media

• Childcare, Early Years & Childhood Studies

• Computing & Digital Design

• Construction Skills - Bricklaying Construction Skills - Plumbing

• Carpentry & Joinery

• Foundation Learning

• Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy

• Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

• Land-Based Studies

• Sport & Public Services

What's coming up

MAY-HEM RETURNS

WEDNESDAY 29TH MAY

May-Hem is back for 2024 and will take place on Wednesday 29th May from 10am until 2pm at Castleford Collegeproviding a fun and free day out! A range of activities will be available on the day including crafts, rugby games, interactive blaze pods, gymnastics skills, learning to play drums and ukuleles, mini tennis and so much more.

The sessions will be delivered by tutors from the College and our Children’s University Learning Destination partners including Castleford Heritage Trust, Castleford Library, Girlguiding Whitwood Division, Hemsworth Dragons ARLFC Youth & Junior Rugby League, Phoenix Martial Arts, Rothwell Gymnastics, RSPB Fairburn Ings and St Aidan's, Studio 64, The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield City Cheerleaders, Wakefield Museum & Castles and Wakefield School of Tennis.

May-Hem! 2024

Wednesday 29th May 10am – 2pm

ENCOURAGING YEAR 11 PUPILS TO SIGN UP TO NEW STUDENT DAY

MONDAY 8TH & TUESDAY 9TH JULY

Our New Student Days will take place in July and are a great opportunity for Year 11 pupils to see what life is like as a College student before they start with us in September.

Find out more about the Selby College New Student Day which will take place on Monday 8th July, using the QR code:

Learn more about Castleford College’s and Wakefield College’s New Student Days which will take place on Monday 8th July and Tuesday 9th July, using the QR code:

SELBY COLLEGE GEARS UP FOR SCHOOL EVENTS

MONDAY 24TH

JUNE

Crafts,Games,Music, Sport,Curriculum Historical&Learning

On Monday 24th June, Selby College is hosting a STEM event with Drax where pupils can gain insight into the different courses and career paths available in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Castleford College

Thunderhead Ridge, Glasshoughton, WF10 4UA

Take part in activities with: Castleford Heritage Trust/ Castleford Library/ Girlguiding Whitwood Division/ Hemsworth Dragons ARLFC/ Phoenix Martial Arts/ Rothwell Gymnastics/ RSPB St Aidan’s/ Studio 64/ The Hepworth Wakefield/ Wakefield City Cheerleaders/ Wakefield Museums & Castles/ Wakefield School of Tennis and many more. We also have some amazing sessions to book with our college departments.

There will be 18 activities for pupils to take part in throughout the day, which will range from biology to biomechanics, civil engineering to crime scene investigation, mechanical engineering to molecular gastronomy.

Visit the events pages below for more details on activities www.wakefield.ac.uk/about-us/childrens-university Facebook: /cuatwakefieldcollege Twitter: @WakefieldCU

Selby College is also encouraging Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students to come and take part in a Taster Day on Friday 7th June. This will give pupils with SEND, Additional Learning Support and/or an EHCP, the opportunity to explore our fantastic Foundation Learning department and meet our tutors.

The College is also hosting Discovery Days for its Selby Children’s University schools on Wednesday 19th June and Wednesday 26th June. Airmyn Park, Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School, Selby Community Primary and Athelstan.