A Trust at the heart of the Batley community December 2023 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
The Magic Flute with the Royal Opera House The whole of Year 2 went on a visit to Huddersfield Town Hall to participate in a performance alongside The Royal Opera House and Kirklees Musica. Over 1000 young people were part of this amazing music event. Mrs Ellis had undertaken training from the Royal Opera House and the children had been practising their songs for weeks. The young people were amazed to see a live orchestra in action alongside professional opera singers. Our children were seated right at the front and were absolutely absorbed in the experience, singing their hearts out to both opera songs and other well known songs. We were incredibly lucky to have this experience which was fully funded as part of the Kirklees Year of Music learning programme.
December is a month packed with so many events and activities, we have had a wonderful month!
Year 1 local visits Mrs Gosal has developed links with the new priest, Fr Hewitt, at Staincliffe Church and Year 1 were lucky enough to be invited for a visit. Despite being next door to the church, we haven't been able to take children there since the pandemic. Our children came back with lots of facts about churches and Christianity, which really develops their RE knowledge and understanding. We hope that this is the start of a great relationship with the church next door for future visits to enhance our curriculum.
Careers work As part of our ongoing work around careers and raising aspirations, we received a visit from two parents to talk about their jobs. Mr Islam is a firefighter and Mrs Islam is a nurse. The children were able to try on the kit, learn how to bandage up an arm and ask lots of questions. One of the children in Year 1 played a prank on Mrs Bradshaw when she came to see her with her arm all bandaged up! We are very fortunate to have parents who want to share their careers with our learners.
Planetarium
Social action!
We continued our space themed learning this half term with a planetarium experience. The children explored galaxies and universes, stars and planets
Blossoms, a group of children from Field Lane, went for their weekly walk, looking for autumn leaves and seeds to make a Nature Bracelet. They set off down Whitaker street,
and so much more!
looking at leaves with autumn colours and turned to go up
Comments from Year 5: “We learned a lot about space, the stars and the solar system. It was very dark inside the
the path back to Whitaker Pitch. Half way up they had to stop, blocking their way was a huge pile of rubbish! It filled the whole path. They couldn’t get
planetarium!” “The videos inside the planetarium were amazing and made us feel like we were in space!”
over it or around it. They have written to all our parents/carers and the council, hoping that it is cleared away and that it never happens
Royal Opera House Year 4 has been working alongside the prestigious Royal Opera House, one of the world’s leading opera companies. The children have been learning songs from the opera, The Magic Flute, and joined singers and musicians at Huddersfield Town Hall to perform with them. An opportunity of a lifetime! Comments from Year 4 children: “I loved watching the musicians play the different instruments. I also enjoyed singing ‘Walk and Tiptoe’ because everyone joined in.” “My favourite part was listening to the drums and instruments. I also loved listening to them performing ‘Papageno’. I had a great time!”
again.
Whipping up ice-cream in Year 4 Year 4 has been conducting a science experiment this term to observe the change of state from a liquid to a solid. We started out with milk and ended up with delicious ice cream! After shaking the milk mixture in a bag with a mix of ice and salt for over 10 minutes, we finally saw results as the milk began to freeze. Then we could then observe the solid state turning back into a liquid when we tried it and it began to melt.
The twinkly nativity Reception and Year 1 Class have been working hard to bring some twinkle to their toes, with their performance of "The Twinkly Nativity". After several long weeks of rehearsing their lines and 8 songs, they pulled off 4 incredible performances. Everyone was impressed with their efforts - staff, parents/carers and fellow pupils - and the children have already started asking "Can we do another one?"
Exciting electrics In Science this half term years 5 and 6 have been building upon their prior knowledge of Electricity to create complete and incomplete circuits. We explored the brightness of bulbs and created an experiment to decide if the amount of batteries in a circuit altered the brightness of the bulbs. For fun we also made Rudolph circuits.
“It’s Behind You!”
Our Energy Heroes investigated and explored school’s energy usage. They continue to learn about the importance and effects of wasting less energy and choosing renewable sources of energy. Being ‘energy literate’ supports our children to develop lifelong skills that will help them to make informed choices, now and in the future, about energy use and climate change.
“Oh no, it isn’t!” “Oh yes, it is!” Everyone has enjoyed the annual school Panto of “Beauty and The Beast”, which has added festive cheer to all at Healey. Our Governor, Mrs. Hussain, also enjoyed the show and Miss Charlett was very popular with the cast who picked her out from the crowd on several occasions!
Nursery, Reception Classes and KS1 have taken part in performances for the Nativity and “The Sleepy Shepherd”. It’s a special time of the year, which showcases the growing confidence and self belief of our children presenting learnt scripts, in front of an audience. With fantastic parental support and exceptional staff guidance, the children have excelled in their speaking, singing and role play parts. Tissues at the ready for proud parents/carers and staff, smiles all around from the performers and hearts melted all around.
Believe - Achieve - Succeed
Our Secondary News
Year 7 meet Peter Pan
Fractured fairy tales - author meet
Year 7 have been working on the theme of fairy tales in English lessons throughout this term and this culminated in a trip to the Bradford Playhouse to see a live performance of the Pantomime; Peter Pan.
In English, Year 7 students had a wonderful virtual visit from author and illustrator, Bethan Woollvin. She talked to the students at the end of their fractured fairytales unit to tell them about her own fractured fairytale storybooks. The students really enjoyed her visit, particularly the draw-a-long aspect and gained a valuable insight into the career of an author and illustrator. The students produced some lovely artwork as part of her session.
They have now experienced a working theatre production with the visual and sound effects, which were very bright, loud and smoky! They’re also more familiar with the classic traditions of Mechanics of life: partnership project pantomime such as; booing, cheering, ‘Oh no it isn't’/Oh yes it is’ call and response as well as Lucky students from 8CBO have had a wealth of different ‘It’s behind you!’ experiences through being involved in the Mechanics of life
project. Including visiting the engineering building at the University of Leeds, touring the rest of the campus and being in the Northern Ballet studios. This project has also given them the opportunity to work with professionals from a variety of backgrounds and in job roles. They have constructed towers, considered the role of engineers, made paper helicopters, learnt how to pirouette, created stop motion animations and decorated mannequins to reflect their experiences throughout the project. The mannequins will be displayed at the premier on 8 February at the Everyman cinema in Leeds. You can read more about this project via the below articles from Leeds University and project lead Dr Briony Thomas. Trampolines, towers, tours: inspiring the next generation of engineers Robot dogs and dance experts challenge engineering in pioneering project
York Chocolate Story
Community Kitchen
Our GCSE Food Tech group visited York Chocolate Story and spent the day marvelling at the origins of chocolate, as well as gaining an insight into the industrial practices by chocolate companies in the UK. The students also worked directly with chocolate in a delicious range of workshops where they learnt about the art of ‘tempering’ and truffle making.
Community Kitchen at Batley Grammar School have been working hard to help local families with hampers over the festive period. This year we are sending out 24 hampers which have been funded by huge donations from our lettings, LS27, Birstall Rovers, staff members and their families.
High commendation goes to our students who were absolutely amazing (as echoed by the YCS staff on site) and impeccably polite and well mannered. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but also made sure to ask questions that were meaningful so that they could gain valuable knowledge from the experience. Having thanked the YCS staff on their way out, our students couldn’t have been a better representation of the school.
We have also been raising money on our JustGiving page and we’d like to say thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Through these donations and hampers, we are able to help around 75 children within our community, which really makes a difference. We also can’t help but love all of the images on each of the hampers all coloured by some truly talented primary phase children. If you’d like to donate, you can do so at our JustGiving page here.
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. The event recognised the wider efforts and contributions of many students and the contributions they’ve made to school life. We were also pleased to welcome our special guest for the evening, our Trust CEO, Sam Vickers. The festive decorations that were placed on each table at the celebration evening were all foraged and handmade by students from the primary and secondary phase and afterwards were available to purchase for a voluntary donation. The money raised was then used to buy seeds for our primary phase students to plant in our polytunnel and then hopefully harvest in spring - watch this space!
Boggle Hole revisited
Master builders
Some of our Year 7 and Year 8 learners took part in our annual residential to Boggle Hole, near Robin Hoods Bay, for a two night residential.
Two of our Year 7 learners have created the site for our new fire pit as part of their work in Forest School. They worked extremely hard to dig trenches and sink four railway sleepers. Two other learners then dug out the foot wells and tidied up the fire area, ready for use.
They experienced many exciting activities including; hiking along the Cleveland way to Robin Hoods Bay, rock pooling, building dams and pebble art, as well as exploring the local area, including Smugglers Bay, taking in the scenery and enjoying the power of the sea and rugged coastline.
This building work taking place is the just the start of our plans to develop the Forest Café site, which has been enabled by securing funding from Groundwork UK, Green Community Grants' Scheme focussed on connecting young people with nature and supporting their overall wellbeing.
Being Europe's fastest eroding coastline, the learners were also able to observe the impacts of erosion processes, which they have been studying during Geography this year.
Behind the curtain Last week 30 Year 7 and 8 learners went on a trip to Leeds Grand Theatre to take a look behind the scenes and learn about the history of this prestigious Victorian entertainment venue. Our young people had a fascinating tour of the theatre, an insight into the range careers available in a theatre setting from; Stage Manager to Box Office and Lighting, as well as being a performer. Learners also had the chance 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.
Careers in healthcare Year 9 learners were introduced to the healthcare industry during dedicated workshops. We were joined by a team from various health care roles including two students studying at the University of Bradford. The team joined to run these sessions to help dispel some of the stereotypes about working in health and care. The aim being for our learners to find out more about different roles and who might work in them.
Our Sixth Form News
Raising aspirations Personalised aspirational CEIAG remains at the heart of what we do with the launch of multiple personalised progression programmes for the students; Zero Gravity for Russell Group applicants, as well as The Social Mobility Foundation (as mentioned last month) who work with some of the biggest global partners in Law, Medicine, Business, and the Arts. We've also partnered with UpLearn, an online platform combining AI, personalised gap work, and tutorials for all students in Year 12 and 13 studying Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. In the first five days alone students have logged a massive 145 extra hours of learning. We can't wait to see the impact on their final outcomes in August!
Enriching visits We had an inspiring trip to Selwyn College, University of Cambridge for Year 11 and Year 12 aspirant applicants. Students loved the experience; from trying on gowns, to Q&A sessions with undergraduates and campus tours. We've also been to the University of Huddersfield with Year 13 students who have completed the Progression Module; earning themselves 12 UCAS points should they wish to apply to the University of Bradford, Huddersfield or Leeds Trinity.
BG6 for a day for Year 11 We are in the midst of recruitment season and we're excited about our 'BG6 for a day' plans on Thursday 21 December when we will welcome our first full cohort of Year 11 students to give them a real taste of the BG6 experience. They have chosen their subject options for the day, from a long list (!) and will have opportunities to experience BG6 life in the new common room and work with Leeds Trinity University on 'Why University and how to get there' in a careers' session. We will also be planning taster days for external applicants in the new year, so watch this space...
Our Curriculum Enrichment CCF (Combined Cadet Force) Developing leadership skills, resilience, confidence and self-esteem. RAF
Army
The RAF cadets are busy training to prepare for Annual Summer Camp.
Army cadets follow the 1-Star Syllabus. They are also busy preparing for their Easter training weekend and the Annual Summer Camp.
This autumn they visited RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire for glider training and experienced two launches each. More recently they visited a very icy RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, to take part in the Air Experience Flight (AEF). This gives them the opportunity to fly in a Grob Tutor aircraft, where they are able to take control of the aircraft as well as perform some aerobatics. The Qatari Hawks and the Swiss F-18’s also gave the cadets an impressive display of high-speed jet training.
Cadets are taught and tested on various procedures for training exercises as well as basic first aid. Therefore learning vital life skills that will help them in their futures.
Our Staff Super Heroes
Gillian Potter Gillian Potter, who works in the Healey breakfast club. Gillian is also a lunchtime supervisor and cleaner. Gillian has worked at Healey for over 24 years and is well known in the community for her fabulous sense of humour and kindness towards others.
Memoona Hussain and Steph Overend Are Healey’s two fantastic Nursery staff who work closely with the class teachers. Steph also works in the Healey breakfast club. They are both brilliant at engaging the children and families. Healey is very lucky to have them both.
Amirah Sadiq
Hasan Passwala
Amirah joined BGS in September 2022. From the start, her communication with parents and students has been excellent. There are a number of students whose attendance was a concern and she works hard to build positive relationships with these families. Students also seek her out if they are having a bad day and she coaches and supports them.
Huge congratulations to Hassan, UBHS, who has passed his Assessment Only QTS route, with Leeds Trinity University this term, to become a Maths teacher at UBHS. He joined the Trust family of schools in September, based at UBHS, after teaching for 10 years within the Bradford area. We’re delighted to celebrate with him!
Damian Rothery and Louise Farrar Congratulations to Louise at UBHS, who worked with Damian our Trust Operations Director to secure significant funding for equipment and resources for food technology refurbishment at the UBHS school site. They have secured over £110,000 of grant funding to help develop the learning environment even furthur at UBHS. Well done!
Jamila Aswat Jamila has excelled in her new role as PA at BGHS and adapted well to a new headteacher and processes to implement. She works well with the admin office, managing everyone’s workloads and is always willing to support the wider team, taking on additional duties when needed.
Linda Kennedy
Nita Gosal
Linda is the Manorfield School cook and is an absolute asset to the school. Not only are her meals absolutely delicious, but she knows every single child, knows their likes and dislikes and ensures that every little tummy is full each day.
Nita Gosal from Manorfield has made excellent links with the local vicar to ensure that children have as many learning experiences to enhance the curriculum as possible.
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. We are proud that our Trust family of BG6 enrichment experiences: giving something back Young people in the Sanctuary group created activity packs for refugees linked with the Shared Goods Charity based in Huddersfield. They visited the charity and met the team who support refugees based in Kirklees. They spent time there and spoke to some refugees as well as helping the charity shop, setting up a Christmas corner for refugees to come in and enjoy. One student said: “It really opened up my eyes, I enjoyed helping the refugees and knowing I was making an impact.” Community enrichment and creative crafts. The BG6 community volunteering group put their vision of helping and supporting mums and their pre-school children into action, in association with Happy MOMents, a local charity for mums and children in Batley and Dewsbury. ● Creative activities on Wednesday afternoons to support wellbeing for mums and children including candle painting, sign language and origami ● Students support young children's development through play, story time, crafts, games and painting. ● Mums get some time out for themselves ● BG6 students are developing confidence and communication skills We’ve received some super feedback: "It is a really comfortable and welcoming environment, I wish the sessions were longer!"
schools has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. In order to achieve this, we: ● have undertaken and successfully completed the Disability Confident Assessment ● are undertaking all of the core actions to be a Disability Confident employer ● are offering activities to get the right people for our business as well as activities to retain and develop the people who already work in our team. Find out more about Disability Confident at: www.gov.uk/disability-confident
Careers work SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US! Community Careers Fair Thursday 29 February 2024 at Batley Town Hall For all the schools in our Trust family, as well as the local community.
Employability Skills
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/
We are proud to lead the Yorkshire Rose Teaching Partnership - providing high quality primary and secondary teacher training in West Yorkshire. This consortium includes 15 local schools, Exceed SCITT and local Higher Education Institutions.
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/
Support & advice for parents/carers and families Childnet International has produced a very informative resource for parents/carers to help you keep your child safe online: www.childnet.com/resources/parent-and-carer-toolkit/ For young people;
For families;
Other specialist services;
Childline Providing help & support for under 18s. 0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk
NSPCC Free support & advice for parents/carers worried about a young person. 0808 800 500 www.nspcc.org.uk
Get it right from a genuine site Find out which sites are legal for downloading movies, music and games www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.org
The Mix Provides essential support for 13-25 year olds. www.themix.org.uk
Family Lives Free, professional non-judgemental advice. 0800 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk
Ask about games Advice and online guides about gaming and PEGI ratings. www.askaboutgames.com
Batley Multi Academy Trust Our family of schools
Batley Multi Academy Trust C/O Batley Girls’ High School Windmill Lane WF17 0LD Telephone: 01924 350080 Website: batleymat.co.uk