The Batley Buzz December 2022

December 2022 Edition 4

Our children deserve the best. No child left behind - ever. Every school a great school. Creating remarkable people.

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 Infant and Primary News

Festive fun and self-exploration!

Manorfield school is full of glitter and Christmas cheer! Rehearsals are well underway for our Christmas sing-a-long events in school. We are very much looking forward to performing for our parents/carers before the holidays.

We’re excited about Santa visiting us in the last week of school and we are all really looking forward to our Christmas dinner (even the sprouts!).

At the beginning of December we had a whole school art day where we looked at our progression of skills through the lens of different artists for each year group.

Reception studied Yoyoi Kusama, Year 1 studied Paul Klee and Year 2 studied Romero Britto. We chose self portrait as our whole school art theme, as we feel that it fits with our values of Inclusivity and being Transformational.

Our beautiful self portraits will be displayed in our school hall, to celebrate how important every single child in our school is, and to show that we are all different and all special in our own unique way.

Super Learning Day!

A day of awe and wonder ignited imaginations as children explored the concept of change through art and science. What happens if...? Why does that happen? How does this work?

So many questions inspired such a lot of scientific discussion and some wonderful artistic masterpieces!

A spiritual boost for reading!

Our parent/carer workshop on the importance of reading for pleasure received a huge thumbs up from parents/carers who were inspired to try new ways of encouraging their children to read at home.

Ms Potts emphasized that we are a partnership, but that it is parents/carers who are instrumental in their children’s reading progress right from birth to long after they leave our school, and into adulthood. The links between knowledge and understanding of the world, oracy, cultural capital and reading comprehension were explored through our 'stalls' including how to make a cosy reading den and enjoying rhymes and poetry together.

One parent described the event as 'a spiritual boost for reading!'

Batley Christmas lights switch on

Earlier this month, 40 super singers excitedly journeyed to Batley Town Hall and joined with young people from our other Trust schools. Together they formed the Trust Choir and sing at the Batley Christmas Lights official switch on. Some fantastic singing helped to create a wonderfully festive atmosphere!

Our Year 5 and 6 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors travelled to Doncaster to take part in the 'Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassador Training Day' (sponsored by Nationwide). It was a wonderful experience and it has equipped our children and staff with the tools needed to tackle bullying behaviour head on whilst creating a safer, kinder school community.

In 2023, our ambassadors will lead their own anti-bullying campaign. Watch this space!

Our Reception children have enjoyed outdoor learning, linked to their literacy. They have all been on a Bear Hunt, where they have waded through grass, splashed through “rivers” and squelched through the mud in search of a bear. What a surprise they found in the cave on the other side of the dark forest!

Believe Achieve Succeed

Year 2 classes visited Purlwell Lane Mosque, as part of their Religious Education. During the visit, the children explored and looked at the Mosque building and gained understanding of the beliefs and practices associated with Islam.

Our Secondary News

Valuable prep for Year 11

All of our Year 11 students had an opportunity to take part in mock interviews, which aim to support our young people to prepare for future interviews with employers, apprenticeship providers and universities.

Many of our young people said the interviews improved their confidence and they are now more motivated.

“I found the experience extremely helpful in preparing me for the future which allows me to be more confident and be prepared.”

“I should not let my dyslexia hold me back and I should be proud of myself.”

We could not conduct these interviews without our providers who said:

“Students were excellent and articulate.”

“One student did so well in her interview that they would have certainly employed her.”

Baking for charity (as well as a Guide badge!)

Our Girl Guiding Unit here at BGHS has completed many badges throughout the years, allowing young people to gain skills they may have not been aware of before. We are proud to say that they have almost completed our first badge of the year. The theme for this term was confectionary and we all know what that means.... baking!

Our Guides hosted a Bake Sale earlier this month, to complete this badge and raised a grand total of £171.75, which will be donated to Batley Food Bank.

A big well done to our guides and everyone who supported this event!

Big careers on the small screen

We welcomed Channel 4: 4Schools to speak to our Year 7 and 8 students about careers in the creative industries.

Our Gothic

Year 11 Celebration Evening

Batley Grammar School was proud to welcome back last year’s Year 11 students for a fantastic evening of prize giving, music and celebration.

Our special guest was England Rugby League star and former BGS student, Georgia Roche.

Paying homage to heritage

Batley Grammar School was host to this half term’s Batley Breakfast event, welcoming Trustees and Governors from across the Trust.

On display was a collection of memorabilia demonstrating the proud history of the school; including keepsakes recently donated by the family of Mr Stanley Gray, who was a student at BGS from 1928–1935.

Curious Creators

Behind

Year 10 Ambassadors ran a creative writing workshop for Year 7

learners. They put together a presentation and split themselves across four groups so they could provide more focussed advice and mentoring throughout the session, which included a number of interactive tasks.

The session began with a warm-up exercise to help channel their creativity and get the younger learners to think on their feet, instinctively, to help to develop their imaginations.

There was a task focussed on writing a poem where the older learners helped the younger ones develop statements about themselves into an interesting poem. Examples were given to help motivate and encourage, and the discussion that took place was interesting and inspirational.

The second task was a short story of around 8 lines, based on the premise of a series of ‘what ifs?’ Once again, examples were given and the freedom of this in particular really galvanised both the participants and ambassadors.

At each stage the Year 10 Ambassadors selected a Year 7 learner from their group to receive Achievement Points. Hopefully we’ve now encouraged some budding writers in our midst!

Creative Workshops

This half term there have been a series of workshops run by the Creatives team: digital music production, Food - chocolate brownie baking, printing techniques and light photography.

the Scenes…

at Leeds Grand Theatre

Last week the Creatives team took 30 Year 7 and 8 learners on a trip to Leeds Grand Theatre for a behind the scenes tour and hear about the history of this prestigious Victorian entertainment venue.

The world of careers available in the theatre were explored; from Stage Manager to Crew, Box Office to Lighting. Learners also had the opportunity to create social media posts for a variety of stage shows, design a programme of events and investigate the link between lighting, mood and setting.

Our Sixth Form News

Student leadership and ambassadors news

BG6 student leaders have been involved in some fantastic initiatives this term.

- Transformation team launched a student mentorship programme with our Year 11 students. BG6 students will be supporting and guiding the Year 11s with revision/study plans and sharing their BG6 experience so they can gain an insight in post-16 study and opportunities available to them at BG6.

- Respect team is working on recruiting some BG6 student representatives that will support the BGHS reception and admin team with administrative duties. Our young people will have the opportunity to enhance and develop their communication, teamwork, administration and organisation skills.

- Achievement team are currently working on supporting the chosen sixth form charity; Batley Food Bank.

BG6 student ambassadors have been very busy this term supporting many events within the school and community. We had over 50 student ambassadors who supported at the BG6 open evening in November. Year 12 ambassadors were tour guides for the evening and our Year 13s represented their subject areas and lead on subject-related activities. Our young people displayed such a positive and professional attitude and the feedback from visitors was highly positive.

Women into Sport event

We recently attended this event hosted by Leeds Trinity University, which both supports and celebrates women in the sport industry. It also aims to highlight their sports degree options through presenting the vast number of female career pathways that exist.

Pictured are some of our BG6 students who are currently working in the industry along with Jess Learmonth, British Triathlete, European, Commonwealth and World Triathlon Series Medal Winner.

Jess made a big impact on the sport with her ability to lead out the swim and grow a lead during the bike section. She is often in small breakaway groups on the bike, a strategy which has helped her win global medals at World, European and Commonwealth events.

IMAX cinema trip

Year 12 and 13 Digital Media students had the chance to see Wakanda Forever at the IMAX at Vue cinema. The students are studying the film industry and Black Panther for their exam, so it

was an enriching experience to be able to see it on the imposing IMAX screen.

They really enjoyed watching the film and would recommend it as a must-see. We’re now hoping to organise a trip in the summer term to see a film in the even more immersive 4DX!

Our Curriculum Enrichment

Our trust family of schools offers a wide range of curriculum enrichment activities. This greatly enhances our young people's educational experience, and also supports their health & wellbeing.

Our Staff Super Heroes

Aswat

For her exceptional work and dedication in providing governance advice, and support, and data compliance, across the Trust.

For her brilliant work in improving attendance and reducing persistent absence. She has also supported a World Class school in Bradford to help improve their learner attendance.

For her work supporting children with emotional literacy at Healey. Julie has gained the qualification for ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and also works with SEND children each morning.

Julie also helps families in need by fundraising and supporting with food banks.

For the excellent work he is undertaking on the dialogue around diversity at both a school level across the Trust family of schools. He is also a school governor.

For leading on first aid and medical responses at BGHS, whilst also providing high quality admin support to various colleagues across school. Jamila is very creative, solution-focused and forward thinking-she is a great team player.

For going over and above to develop art across Manorfield, running whole school art days. She has worked very hard developing the Art and Design curriculum, with a focus on a progression of skills. Eve has also supported her colleagues by investigating artists and preparing resources for the whole school art days.

For her outstanding work as a Governance Professional, supporting our Trust family of schools on this key aspect of leadership.

Julie Knapton

Eve Clarke

Jamila

Angie Garside

Mohammed Usman

Laura Bland

Elaine Milligan

Our Staff Super Heroes

Field Lane TA Team

Field Lane would like to nominate their team of teaching assistants who support their most vulnerable children. Their dedication and enthusiasm for what they do makes such a difference to children and their families. They are an incredible team!

IT Team

Dominic Wroe (Trust Team) & Simon Donnelly (UBHS)

Nominated by Field Lane.

Their support to us, after taking on our school for IT support recently, has been outstanding. Their response time is immediate. We appreciate they are a small team at the moment and they are expanding in the future so their response time is even more appreciated as we know they are supporting schools across the Trust.

An amazing team and service!

Michael’s resourcing and planning is excellent and he is running a sustainability project with which the students are really engaged. He has also instigated an 'open door' observation system in humanities, as part of his NPQLTD, which has been adopted by many members of the team.

Eleanor has played a key leadership role in RE. She has led on the planning for several year groups and helped to organise mock exams for Year 11.

Michael Scurr

Eleanor Atkins

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.

Singing our hearts out for Batley Christmas lights celebration

More than 50 students from our Trust schools appeared on stage together, to sing a range of festive songs and carols as part of the switch on of Batley Christmas lights. A huge thank you to all staff and young people for your support and participationwe are extremely proud of our Batley Multi Academy Trust choir!

Kirklees Faiths Forum

Reading Group

The half termly meeting took place at Batley Girls’ High School earlier this month. It’s a lovely example of working with the community and the group really values these sessions. If other schools wish to be involved, please get in touch with: iahmad@batleygirls.co.uk

Next month: The Great Winter Get Together

Places for connection is this winter’s theme as, when we feel lonely, that’s what we seek.

The Great Winter Get Together starts on ‘Blue Monday’ 16th January and runs through to 29th January 2023.

A series of events and activities will take place across the country to allow people to make connections with one another.

The cost of living crisis means it’s even more difficult for people to take part in their usual social activities, this year’s Great Winter Get Together is more important than ever.

We are looking for Governors across the Trust…

Are you interested in a key strategic leadership role?

Governance is all about ensuring we provide the very best education, care, guidance and support for all our young people. No child left behind - ever.

The main charitable aim of our Trust is looking beyond one school, to the whole community and every child.

What's involved?

Attendance at four Local Governing Board meetings each academic year where you will play a strategic leadership role in our schools, including; securing continued improvements and ensuring high standards are achieved and maintained.

Want to know more? Please email Laura Bland at: governance.professional@batleymat.co.uk

Careers work

Our careers provision is a real strength in our Trust family of schools with all three of our secondary schools having achieved 100% in all 8 Gatsby Benchmark measures. Well done to those schools on this outstanding achievement.

Congratulations to Batley Grammar School on recently achieving 100% in all 8 Gatsby benchmarks. This is a brilliant measure of success.

Raising aspirations for all our young people is a key part of our work helping everyone to be the very best version of themselves. It is never too early to start thinking about your career.

Our wider links

https://bbesthub.uk/About-Us/

https://www.ckteachingschoolhub.org/