The Batley Buzz May 2024

The Trust at the heart of the Batley community

May 2024

9

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

Grant bid success

Recently, we have had a run of success in applying for grants to enhance our school and educational provision. We have been allocated generous grants from the Royal Horticultural Society, the Universal Music UK Sound Foundation and the Local School Nature Grant.

We have already spent the music grant on whole class sets of percussion instruments to enhance music teaching. We are using the RHS grant to improve the ‘grey areas’ in our school to make them more greenour Eco Council, led by Mrs Lane-Stewart and Liam Clarke are leading on this exciting project. The third grant is being used to enhance the outdoor provision in our Early Years and provide free CPD around outdoor learning, which is open to all primary staff in our Trust family. Learning through landscapes really brings learning to life for all our learners.

Oh no, it’s the Gruffalo!

In English, Year 1 have been learning about the author, Julia Donaldson. Our learners were very excited to spot a special visitor in our Year 1 playground! The Gruffalo also visited our Year 1 classes and were asked some fantastic questions by our young inquisitive minds! They also produced some amazing independent Gruffalo artwork.

Reception trip to Whistlestop!

Reception were so excited to go on their first school trip of the term to Whistlestop Valley. They learned how steam engines work, had a ride on a mini railway, rode a real steam train and let off steam themselves on the adventure playground! They had a super day. The learners were brilliantly behaved and made us all proud. We can't wait for the next trip, which is to Yorkshire Wildlife Park!

Year 1 class assembly

1SLS/GG performed their class assembly to parents/carers around their learning this term, which has been animals. The assembly was a huge success, with the learners showing great public speaking skills, sharing their amazing learning, writing, artwork, dancing and singing with their parents and carers.

We are especially proud of our young people for their loud voices and those that overcame a little stage fright to perform so confidently.

Improving our mental health

Key Stage 2 had the privilege of working with six trainee mental health nurses from Huddersfield University, who delivered a presentation on the significance of getting quality sleep for maintaining good mental health. Our young people also loved being taught how to perform CPR! Many expressed an interest in pursuing a career as a mental health nurse after these informative sessions. Our parents/carers and staff had the opportunity to receive a brief health assessment as part of the day too - Field Lane resembled a mini clinic as we all queued up for our blood pressure and oxygen levels to be checked!

A special visitor

We were delighted by the visit from Natalia, an Ukrainian refugee, who shared her experiences and message of hope for the future with Year 5. Our young learners posed thoughtful questions, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding each other's stories. Natalia expressed a desire to return for another visit in the near future which we are looking forward to.

Democracy and soup!

SOUP days involve young people donating money to have some soup, which creates a pot of money. Each class then pitches an idea as to what they would like to spend the money on and why. Everyone debates their views, whilst eating the tasty soup and they vote for their preferred idea. The winning class then receives the money to fund their idea.

A group of Year 6 learners took the role of clerks and informed everyone of the correct terminology: polling station, polling booth, ballot box and ballot paper, before the proceedings began.

During the pitching process, the learners have the opportunity to improve their oracy skills as they have the chance to speak in front of an audience, which is a vital life skill and also helps to build confidence.

The winning idea, with Fidget Toys, was Year 5 with a total of 63 votes - congratulations!

Reception rid themselves of cavities

During their outdoor play; Reception class have used paint, soap and water to brush a large set of teeth and practise the ‘side-to-side’ and ‘up and down’ motion whilst recognising the importance of regular teeth cleaning. They scrubbed and washed away the paint stained on the teeth until they were sparkling clean. There were plenty of gleaming smiles as the learners brushed up their knowledge of oral hygiene!

Year 2 practice sewing

Year 2 have been learning all about the different materials that can be used for sewing. They investigated a variety of material types that would be good for making an outfit by looking at patterns, designs, colours and textures - was it rough, soft or smooth?

The learners thoroughly enjoyed creating outfits and threading the needle through the fabrics to piece them together.

Creating community links

Year 5 has recently been involved in an inspiring project; Carry My Story, which gives young people the opportunity to explore their own identity and learn about others. It aims to develop understanding between different communities, encouraging people to understand different ethnic, religious and heritage backgrounds and see beyond these to build strong, sustainable relationships at a local level.

As part of the project, Year 5 have been corresponding with a Yemeni refugee, Amina who is an environmental activist and devised a way to create bricks from recycled plastic bottles in Yemen. Upon a visit to the school, our learners collectively put together some questions to ask her. They received this beautiful wooden box from her, filled with gifts and pictures. They also decorated their own boxes and traded them with a link school, also involved in the project tasked, with ‘carrying’ their own story as well as that of the refugee.

Caterpillars!

This half term, Reception Classes have learnt about life cycles.

Over the last few weeks, they have watched their caterpillars grow. It was fascinating to see each of them spin their own chrysalis. We were incredibly lucky to witness one of the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis too! The butterflies have since been released outside, near some flowers!

Home-School Links

Year 1 parents/carers were invited into school for a phonics event. Mrs Nash presented to parents/carers, showing them how we teach phonics and what their children are learning to do at school. Each parent/carer was given a free resource pack to help them to support their child at home. Happy reading!

A

delicious week of SATs

Year 6 have really enjoyed having breakfast together during SATs week.

They have been impressed by the choice of: waffles, crumpets, toast, fruit, pop-tarts, croissants and pain au chocolat! Making sure that all our young people had a good breakfast meant they had the energy they needed to work really hard in all of the tests!

Our Secondary News

Learning to fly - quite literally!

- Written by a Year 9 learner

I am currently in Year 9 and I am also a trainee pilot; now gaining my hours towards my PPL (private pilot licence). I have always wanted to work in the aviation sector because of the frequent trips I embark on to Pakistan, as I have relatives who live there.

I think more women should have roles in aviation as there are not many women in this career and it is a majority male-dominated industry. I fly in Sherburn (near York) in a PA-28 Cadet with an instructor. I also go to a flight school in Barnsley where I fly a 737-800 simulator, which I can fly completely solo, without an instructor.

Batley Girls’ High School hosted a careers World Pilot Talk for anyone interested in the field of aviation. I was really impressed with the amount of people who turned up! Overall, the session was really helpful to me personally, and gave me more of an idea on the career that I have now started to pursue.

I would like to see more of these careers events in school as they are really helpful!

Junior

Maths Challenge

Well done to the learners from Years 7 and 8 who took part in the Junior Maths Challenge at the end of last month. Everyone received a certificate to acknowledge their achievement; additional congratulations to those who achieved Bronze and Silver certificates!

The Junior Maths Challenge involves a series of multiple choice problem solving questions, designed to make young people think carefully and logically. It is a great opportunity for learners in top set Maths groups to apply their classroom knowledge in a different way. For example, what is the value of 1 + 2 − 3 × 4 ÷ 5 ?

The Junior Maths Challenge is only available to Years 7 and 8. For those in Years 9-11 they can take part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge next February, or BG6 learners in Years 12 and 13 can join the Senior Maths Challenge this autumn.

Learners attended a special theatre production titled ‘Lola’s story’. A preventative project in response to the rising figures of violence against women and girls, the educational production focussed on the risks involved in meeting someone online, the challenges with social media and the topic of ‘love bombing’ and toxic relationships.

The company gave a fantastic performance and then held a discussion in which the young people could ask the characters questions and understand how they could get support if they, or someone they know, is faced with a similar situation.

Brilliant Club

A group of Year 9s and 10s, recently completed The Scholars Programme conducted by The Brilliant Club. The purpose of this initiative is to introduce these young scholars to higher education opportunities while developing essential skills. The programme included five tutorials led by a PhD tutor, an initial baseline assignment, and a final challenging assignment. The learners’ work was assessed according to university-level grading standards, with scores of 70 or above qualifying as a First-Class grade.

Huge congratulations are in order as they achieved excellent results: five received a First-Class grade and nine earned a 2:1 on their final assignment. They then attended the University of Leeds for their Graduation ceremony, where they were able to celebrate their hard work and dedication.

Young leaders’ tennis qualification for Year 9

A group of Year 9 learners took part in a Young Leaders Tennis Qualification at Batley Sports Centre, which was facilitated by the LTA - the national governing body of tennis in the UK. Our young people were given an introduction to tennis, as well as being shown how to organise warm-ups and different tennis activities, with the aim of providing support as well as taking on leadership roles, in future school competitions.

Throughout the day, there was the opportunity to develop a variety of different personal skills including; leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and self-management. Our learners thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are now well-equipped to take charge of leading and organising a primary school tennis festival that will take place in June.

Rotary Club links and social action

All year a group of learners have been working with Birstall Luddites Rotary Club, through the Interact project, to raise money for local and national charities and work to help improve the community. Led by the president, they have organised pizza sales at break and lunch, a sponsored silence, and plan to organise a charity car wash later this term.

They recently held their charter meeting with Rotary Club representatives including the Club President and the District Governor for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Our young people competently discussed all the work that they had done, as well as the way they had organised their finances and took minutes at each meeting. This experience enables learners to build those communication, organisation and teamwork skills which are vital to success in and out of school life.

Lego therapy builds confidence

Learners have been undertaking weekly Lego based therapy sessions. Starting with a spot task each learner then works within a given role - Builder, Instructor and Supplier. They each have to communicate using descriptive and positional words to successfully build a Lego kit together. The Instructor reads from the instruction manual and asks the Supplier for the relevant pieces of Lego which they then instruct the Builder to build. The course covers planning, assessment and personal target setting.

Lego therapy places the emphasis on communication, cooperation, social interaction and problem solving, and is designed for young people who benefit from a clear structure and purpose to communicate. Young learners are considered for this confidence building Lego based intervention in liaison with the UBHS SEND Office.

Community minded citizens

A group of learners have recently exercised their social conscience (as well as themselves) and went out into the community to pick up litter in the local area surrounding the school.

This is an important life lesson in being respectful of others and having pride in the area in which you live, work and learn.

Our Sixth Form News

Enrichment and opportunities to overcome barriers for growth

Biology Taster Day at Balliol College, Oxford

One of our amazing learners has made it through the competitive field to gain a place on the Biology Taster Day at Balliol College.

This experience will be a fantastic platform for her to stretch and challenge herself and we will be supporting her all the way. What a shining star!

Smart Futures with EY Foundation

Congratulations to one of our amazing Year 12 learners who has attained a place on the Smart Futures Programme to pursue her interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Smart Futures helps to level the playing field with a 12-month programme which includes paid work experience, interactive employability skills training and mentoring for those in Year 12. The foundation opens up opportunities, in particular, for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Year 12 gains 100% on Unifrog profile

In her own words:

This platform has provided me with a great comparison of universities I'm interested in and, after completing everything, I am feeling more confident that I have the knowledge to make informed decisions about my future.

The EY Foundation will also be visiting BG6 during the next academic year: 2024/25 to expose more of our young people to this programme.

Unifrog provides a detailed overview of the aspects of the recommended professions, and this helped me realise that my future lies in therapy.

From the work setting to the required skills and salary, everything aligns perfectly with my aspirations.

Our Curriculum Enrichment

CCF

(Combined Cadet Force) - based at Batley Grammar School.

Developing leadership skills, resilience, confidence and self-esteem.

Fieldcraft

On Tuesday 7 May, Cadets took part in fieldcraft training with Sergeant Robinson. The lesson was focused around ‘why things are seen’. They applied camouflage cream to their faces and attached shrubbery to their uniform and equipment. The aim of the lesson was for the cadets to make their way through the school fields and forest to a designated point, without being seen by the staff. This lesson was thoroughly enjoyed and forms part of the ‘blue fieldcraft training’. The next lesson involves cooking meals out in the field!

Gliding

On Saturday 11 May, cadets travelled to 645 Squadron at RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire. They were given the opportunity to fly in the Viking glider aircraft. The cadets had a thoroughly enjoyable day out and even assisted the staff with preparing the aircrafts for flight. What fantastic learning experience for all!

Our Staff Superheroes

Elle Atkins, Kayleigh Hughes, Sophie Chapman

Huge congratulations to colleagues from Batley Girls’ High School and Upper Batley High School who have completed their NPQs. Elle and Kayleigh completed their NPQLT and Sophie completed her NPQLL. Your hard work, dedication and commitment is superb, and developing evidence-informed practice is so important in our schools as we provide a great education for all our young people.

Amy Norcliffe

Amy is Key Stage 2 Lead Teacher at Healey and has recently successfully completed her NCFE Instructional Coaching Apprenticeship with distinction, which is superb.

Ben Tierney, Jacqui Hall

Janice O’Hanlon

Ben and Jacqui at Manorfield, have been recognised for their involvement and support with the recent Exceed OFSTED inspection. Ben was personally thanked by the Director of the SCITT for his perceptive and invaluable contributions to the inspection process.

Congratulationsyour hard work and efforts have paid off!

Janice brought Trust colleagues together for a fun evening for the first-ever Trust-wide quiz for staff. She made it look easy, but we want to thank her for all the time that went into preparing such an interesting and challenging quiz!

Thank you to Fayyaz and Simon in the IT team for all of their help with the roll out of the ICT strategy that has been undertaken at Manorfield. It's a massive piece of work, but will have a huge impact on our learners and their access to suitable ICT technology to enrich their learning experience.

Alan Ramsden, Martin Dunne, Martin Mitchell

The estates team at Batley Girls’ High School have been recognised for their exceptional work and effort around the site, especially with the challenges faced due to RAAC.

Fayyaz Novsarka, Simon Donnelly

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 is about bringing people and communities together and tackling loneliness through one connection at a time. You can find out more about this nation-wide initiative here. Our Trust family of schools will be involved in a number of fantastic activities and initiatives in support of The Great Get Together, and indeed to celebrate the life of Jo Cox and everything she stood for.

The Batley Bake Off

Friday 21 June 11am - Jo Cox Conference Centre, UBHS Run for Jo and Family Fun Day

Sunday 25 June 9:30am - Oakwell Hall Country Park

The Jo Cox Way

Wednesday 24 July - Sunday 28 July

Sign up now to secure your place on this 280 mile challenge ride from Spen Valley to London, through stunning country lanes.

Celebrating creativity through crafting

Let’s Craft is led by Crafts Council working in partnership with Shape North to support the delivery of their national programme to get young people, in primary schools, crafting.

Fantastic Hobbycraft boxes were delivered earlier this month to Field Lane and Healey, much to the excitement of the learners. What a wonderful treat to tempt our learners away from their digital devices!

Please click the image below to complete the BBEST Training Course Survey for parents and carers to ensure your training and development needs can be met.

Survey closes Saturday 1 June 2024

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 Fields Community Spaces at Field Lane and Manorfield

The Fields Community Spaces are situated at two of our primary schools in the heart of the Batley community; Field Lane Junior, Infant and Nursery School and Manorfield Infant and Nursery School.

Both sites have fully equipped spacious professional conference rooms that can be hired out for meetings, training sessions, seminars and workshops.

We are able to host courses and workshops as well as meetings, including: ESOL, baby massage, breastfeeding support, ‘create time for wellbeing’- craft club, phonics training, menopause info-sessions, diabetes info-sessions, eat well for less - cooking course, ‘unwind with gardening’ and more!

Find us at:

Field Lane: Albion Street, Batley, WF17 5AH

Contact The Fields Community Space Administrator: Huda Khan

Manorfield: Manor Way, Batley, WF17 7DQ

fieldscoordinator@batleymat.co.uk 07497 512801

Careers work

Unifrog - an invaluable tool for

secondary schools

We have been embedding the Unifrog platform across our secondary schools to aid our young people to discover what options are available to them, and make the right choices for them, playing on their strengths.

At Batley Girls’ High School, it was launched with Year 8 and has been rolled out to Year 9, 10 and 11, with Year 7 to follow.

Upper Batley High School are running Unifrog as a pilot for one term with Year 7 currently and will then roll it out to all year groups in September.

Batley Grammar School has introduced Unifrog across all year groups.

At BG6 - Newcastle University delivered a successful workshop to Year 12s and learners are now equipped with their career choices and university selection.

Careers leaders recently attended the Unifrog CPD event in Leeds, where they made links with many university representatives and employers to enhance their schools careers programme.

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.

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 400 schools across our region. The purpose of the hub is to provide high-quality professional development for teachers and leaders.

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

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;

Childline

Providing help & support for under 18s.

0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk

The Mix

Provides essential support for 13-25 year olds. www.themix.org.uk

For families; NSPCC

Free support & advice for parents/carers worried about a young person.

0808 800 500 www.nspcc.org.uk

Family Lives

Free, professional non-judgemental advice. 0800 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk

Other specialist services; Get it right from a genuine site

Find out which sites are legal for downloading movies, music and games www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.org

Ask about games

Advice and online guides about gaming and PEGI ratings. www.askaboutgames.com