The Batley Buzz October 2021 Edition 2
Ensuring exceptional outcomes for all.
Our Trust Vision Every young person, regardless of their starting point, or background receives a high quality education, including first class care, guidance and support.
Our Primary News
It is our mission at Field Lane for all our children to speak in front of an audience at least twice a year. A confident voice is one of the most precious gifts we can give! Having parents back in to enjoy our class performances has been so empowering for the children this term. We have seen both Y5 and Y6 share some of the work they have been doing on the concept of ‘conflict’. Y5 recited a range of poems including 'The Hills We Climb' by Amanda Gorman, 'Flanders Fields' by John McCrae, 'On the Move' by Michael Rosen and Khaled Siddiq's 'Demons'. It was a very powerful and moving performance. Y6 worked with Konflux Theatre Company to put on a play, Albie's War, in just one day! It took the audience through a potted history of World War Two with a focus on the life of an evacuee, Albie. The whole project has enabled the children in Upper KS2 to explore the concept of conflict in the past and in the world today; conflict between countries and the consequences that it has for refugees; conflicts that can occur amongst friends and how to resolve them; and the conflicts we can have within ourselves.
A return to Educational Visits! We have our first trip in almost two years! Children in Y3 and Y4 enjoyed a history focussed visit to York. We could not have picked a sunnier day! The main aim was for the children to experience firsthand what it is to be an archaeologist. The DIG is a hands-on archaeological adventure giving them the chance to become trainee ‘diggers’ and discover the most exciting artefacts from 2000 years of York’s history! At The Jorvik Centre the children found out about the lives of the inhabitants of 10th-century York as they travelled around the reconstruction of the city. It was a truly authentic Viking adventure! The Staff said that they felt so welcomed by the people they met in York with some remarking on how well the children behaved. Here is what the children said: “I liked the time capsule best because we went back in time to see what the Vikings did.” “We learned how Viking coins were made.” “The digging made me want to be an archaeologist!”
October brings us Harvest walks and outdoor learning of all sorts: Visits to the library, First Aid lessons outdoors and harvesting crops - we have learnt lots! We are also pleased to support our local Food Bank with gratefully received donations from staff.
Our Secondary News
We held our Careers Fair this week, for the first time in two years, which was fantastic! We had a wide range of Higher Education providers and employers in attendance including Buy It Direct Group, ITV, Falmouth University and our very own Yorkshire Rose Teaching Partnership.
All nominations have now been received for the first Headteacher Awards of the year and we will be distributing these over the course of the next few weeks.
This month has been very busy and exciting at UBHS. Our curriculum enrichment activities have all recommenced after the Covid-19 pandemic, and our teams have seen huge sporting success winning their cricket, football and basketball matches week in and week out. We are immensely proud of their hard work in practice sessions, and their achievements in the matches. Our Year 10 and 11 learners have enjoyed work experience, with a real taste of what working life is like in local businesses. Our elections have been held as part of Democracy week and our new Head Boy elected, plus our year 8 learners have trained as Student Councillors to help their peers and learn about the role of MPs and Councillors in their community. We were even visited by Her Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Hare as our year 7 learners have all undertaken first aid training called restart your heart! We are now getting ready for Activate Week - wow where do we get the energy! At UBHS great learning happens everywhere, in our classrooms and in all our enriching learning experiences. We were also very proud to welcome our MP, Kim Leadbeater who had heard about all of the great work being undertaken so came to spend the day in our super school.
Our Sixth Form News
We attended the Get Inspired event run by C+K Careers on Thursday 14 October. The free event is for Year 11 students and their parents/carers and showcases the range of opportunities available to young people post-16.
Our Open Evening is on Wednesday 3 November where prospective students will be able to speak to the BG6 team as well as subject tutors about their specialisms to help them make their post-16 decisions. We will be showcasing our BG6 campus as well as our new prospectus and full course listing.
Our Curriculum Enrichment Our family of schools offers a wide range of extra curricular activities. This greatly enriches our young people's educational experience, and also supports their health & wellbeing.
Our Staff Super Heroes On Monday 18 October, 2021 our teams of staff and young people across our family of schools are getting involved in Activate Week. Throughout the week all our young people and our adults are encouraged to be as active as they can because a healthy body, means a healthy mind. There are a wide range of activities taking place across our schools to assist with emotional wellbeing, and to have some fun whilst getting fit and healthy at the same time. Being more active helps: ● ● ● ●
Keep us fit and healthy Reduce pollution if we can reduce the cars on the roads Reduce traffic congestion on our streets Us to try something new-a new sport or activity
Our Community Work … really means a lot to us, and we see our Trust and our schools at the very heart of our community. Community Makes Us and it is the unity in community that matters.
In 2022, the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee and there is an extra Bank Holiday across the country to mark this historic achievement. The Bank Holiday falls within the school holidays so BMAT has this day in October. Enjoy the day everyone.
Careers Hub Two of our secondary schools (Batley Girls’ High School & Upper Batley High School) lead on the Kirklees Careers Hub, and offer support on careers information, advice and guidance across all Kirklees Schools. We are passionate about providing outstanding careers education for all our young people, and raising their aspirations for the future.
Our wider links Our family of schools Works closely with the BBEST Hub. Check out their website for details of local services, support and activities.
https://bbesthub.uk/About-Us/
Our schools play a key role in the Calderdale & Kirklees Teaching School Hub. This Hub offers support to over 270 schools across our region. The purpose of the hub is to provide high-quality professional development for teachers and leaders. https://www.ckteachingschoolhub.org/
Online support & advice for parents, carers and families. Childnet International has produced a very informative resource for parents to help you keep your child safe online. https://www.childnet.com/resources/online-safety-activities-you-can-do-from-home
For young people;
For families;
Other specialist services;
Childline Providing help & support for Under 18s. 0800 11 11
NSPCC Free support & advice for parents/carers worried about a young person. 0808 800 500
Get it right from a genuine site Find out which sites are legal for downloading movies, music and games. https://www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.org/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Ask about games Advice and online guides about gaming and PEGI ratings. https://www.askaboutgames.com/
https://www.childline.org.uk/
The Mix Provides essential support for 13-25 year olds.
https://www.themix.org.uk/
Family Lives Free, professional, non-judgemental advice. 0808 800 2222
https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Batley Multi Academy Trust (BMAT)
Batley Multi Academy Trust C/O Batley Girls’ High School Windmill Lane WF17 0LD Telephone: 01924 350080 Website: batleymat.co.uk