Batley Buzz - June 2022

June 2022 Edition 10

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

Stigma Strategy Group This group of parents and staff met for the first time this week - our quest is to raise awareness about mental health.

We do so much in school and we want this valuable work to continue once the children get home.

As one of the most important ways of supporting our mental health is to talk, the parents decided that they would run a 'Chat 'n Chill' session every other week in school.

It will be a chance for some 'me' time as well as raising awareness and gathering more ideas about what we can do in the future.

Carry My Story: Kurdish Connections As part of the Carry My story project, Year 5 welcomed Bhara, a Kurdish refugee, to their class. In preparation for the visit, they designed their own recipe for samosa and spring rolls. They spent the morning sharing stories of their lives - it was such a special time.

Dentist’s Visit As part of their topic, ‘People Who Help Us’, Reception ‘Penguins’ Class at Batley Grammar School have been finding out about dentists and how to look after their teeth.

Our classroom role play dental surgery has been very busy with patients and we’ve had lots of linked activities in our continuous provision to support our learning.

Amina, Lucy and Inshra, some local dentists, made a surprise visit to class when they came into school to do dental hygiene workshops with our Year 4 pupils. They talked about their job and asked the pupils about their teeth brushing routines. The pupils had the opportunity to ask some questions too.

Pupils demonstrated that they know how to brush properly by miming, using imaginary toothbrushes: up and down on the outsides and insides and top and bottom of each tooth and gently on our tongues.

They were also given a toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing chart to use at home.

The pinnacle of our celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was our afternoon tea that we made for the residents of Charles Jones Court. The intergenerational work, through children singing and speaking with the residents, made this a very special occasion.

Passionately inspiring our children to find their love for music An unforgettable experience!

Our children taking part in Young Voices, at Sheffield Arena, have had the opportunity to perform alongside incredible artists, with their school friends around them for support.

This helps promote their self-belief, self-motivation, confidence, and ability to communicate as part of a team - which is invaluable! We can’t wait to return next year.

“Today was outstanding, from the organisation of the event , the warmest of welcomes from all at the school, to the fabulous afternoon tea. The residents of Charles Jones have had a wonderful time and really appreciated the work the children and staff have put in to make such a special afternoon. We have all laughed, sung along, and cried to the beautiful performances given. The children were amazing 😊” Charles Jones Court Manager

Our phonics continues to be a strength in Key Stage 1, with 95% of Year 1 children passing the phonics screening test. Well done to all our children and staff team.

Believe Achieve Succeed

Our Secondary News

Guides Platinum Jubilee ‘Street Party’ On Wednesday 8 June our LRC was transformed into a Platinum Jubilee Street Party, decorated with bunting and ample afternoon tea the Guides, along with teachers, Governors as well as Jean Reece, Joint District Commissioner, Batley District, Girlguiding UK - celebrated the Queen’s 70 year reign on the throne!

Debating with MP Kim Leadbeater The students have been trained to do 'Oxford Style Debating' and performed a debate in front of guest judge Kim Leadbeater. The motion of the debate was: This house believes that water bottles should be banned in school.

Both sides debated brilliantly and there were some fine speeches. Kim was very impressed by both team but awarded victory to the Proposition Team of four students.

Budding Pilots On Wednesday 8th June 2022, 10 RAF cadets from the Batley Grammar CCF unit were fortunate enough to attend a trip to a RAF base camp at Leeming, North Yorkshire for an Air Experience Flight (AEF) day.

Over the course of the afternoon all 10 cadets got to experience flying for the first time and while up in the skies they were also able to take sole control of the aircraft. All potential pilots in the making.

Bushcraft Trial Last week some of our Year 7, 8 and 9 learners went on a fantastic three day residential to Castle Howard.

They had an amazing time experiencing the outdoors; including sleeping under canopies and undertaking activities such as archery, basic survival and first aid. They also dressed themselves in camouflage, made campfires and even saw a whole salmon being filleted!

National Reading Champions - Grand Final 2022 Learners from Years 8 and 9 took part in the grand final of The National Literacy Trust, National Reading Champions Quiz, following their victory winning the regional heat in March.

The final was held in central London and the boys were awarded a fabulous trophy for winning the regional heat. Although we were not in the top three on this occasion, it was a invaluable learning experience to take part in a national final.

All learners were rewarded with a Waterstones voucher and were taken to the largest bookstore in Europe (Waterstones, Piccadilly) to spend their prize before heading home.

Our Sixth Form News

Kim Leadbeater Visit BG6 Leadership Team organised for Kim Leadbeater to attend a Q&A panel session with all the members of the student council across both BG6 and BGHS.

Leadership Team Plans - student voice Our BG6 Leadership Team are forging ahead with their plans, based on student needs. Some examples below: Achievement Team Student support - grouping students according to their timetables/subjects so they can study together and help each other out Respect Team ●

Community work - getting involved with different collaborations and projects such as a Q&A Panel with our local MP Kim Leadbeater Transformation Team ●

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Student mentoring - BG6 students to volunteer to mentor Year 11 to support them in their transition from high school to sixth form

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 Celebrating Healey’s Ofsted Announcement Huge congratulations to Healey School for the fantastic team effort to attain the Ofsted outcome of Good in their recent inspection.

It is the first time in the history of the school it has ever been awarded this level of accreditation; and is testament to the dedication and hard work of the whole school community that the Ofsted inspection team recognised good practice in every area of provision.

As published in the report, one pupil said: ‘If you are coming here to learn, you will leave with lots of knowledge and a smile on your face.’

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.

The Great Get Together Month Our Trust family of schools does some amazing work with the community, most recently creating bunting that was displayed at Tate Britain. June is The Great Get Together month and this weekend sees the annual celebration of Jo Cox’s life and what she stood for, at the time of what would have been her birthday.

There are lots of activities taking place in our area this weekend; starting with Batley Bake Off at UBHS on Friday, The Great Health and Wellbeing Get Together on Saturday and the Run for Jo at Oakwell Hall on Sunday, in which many of our staff are taking part.

There is also an exhibition all about Jo Cox and her life at the People’s History Museum in Manchester. The brilliant work from young people in Batley is featured in this exhibition.

Community Makes Us. And it’s the unity in community that really matters.

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/

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/

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

Batley Multi Academy Trust C/O Batley Girls’ High School Windmill Lane WF17 0LD Telephone: 01924 350080 Website: batleymat.co.uk