Starlight Issue 6 (Summer 2021)

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Starlight

SUMMER 2021 | ISSUE 06

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE

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STAR NEWS

Duke of Edinburgh commemorated in tree planting ceremony

STAR SPOTLIGHT

Wellbeing measures comfort pupils

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STAR COMMUNITY

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STAR PEOPLE

STARLIGHT

Primary pupils are eco-warriors

Leading wellbeing in times of challenge

NURTURING TODAY’S YOUNG PEOPLE, INSPIRING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

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WELCOME TO STARLIGHT Welcome to the summer edition of Starlight magazine in which we celebrate another memorable year in the life of the Star family.

This has been a year characterised by uncertainty and swift response to changing national guidance as we have grappled with the successive lockdowns and significant disruption wrought by Covid-19.

It has also been a year of renewed hope, hard-won success and affirmation of our vision to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.

Shakespeare’s Duke Senior speaks a famous line in As You Like It encapsulating the power of trial and challenge: “Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.” It is undoubtedly true that rising to the most taxing challenges leads us to the most significant rewards as our resilience and creativity come to the fore. We persevere, maintain our belief that the best of times are yet to come, and accomplish success against the odds.

The Star family refused to be worn down by the pandemic. Our amazingly resourceful teachers embraced the education technology strategy and ensured that Star pupils continued with ‘live’ learning throughout periods of lockdown or self-isolation. Our staff and pupils raised impressive sums of money and gave their time and talents generously to support our communities through dark times. Our teams contributed to broader sector developments, forming strong partnerships that enabled StarLine and the Reopening Schools Toolkit to support parents, teachers and leaders beyond Star Academies.

We were delighted by the announcement, made on Thank A Teacher Day, that Star’s work has been recognised by the Pearson National Teaching Awards. These are prestigious accolades that are backed by a number of

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organisations including the Department for Education and BBC. We have achieved the silver award as ‘lockdown heroes’ - an award made to the entire Star family. All our schools and central teams have contributed to this success. Evidence of our achievements was presented to the judges during their ‘virtual’ visit by teachers, principals, parents, local authority partners, community groups and - most importantly - by our pupils. We will find out during a ceremony in November whether Star is the recipient of the national gold award.

I am honoured and humbled to have received a knighthood in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. This recognition is testimony to the achievements of the Star family. You have all contributed through your selfless service, positive teamwork, ambition for children’s futures and mutual respect. Thank you for the ongoing support that enables us to achieve our goals.

I hope that you enjoy this edition of Starlight and that you enjoy some rest over the summer period and are re-energised for the challenges and opportunities that the new academic year will bring.

Together we are strong. We are Star.

SIR MUFTI HAMID PATEL CBE Chief Executive, Star Academies

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STAR NEWS World Book Day celebrations

From NASA to nature

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Teachers visit No. 10 Downing Street

Pupils spread hope

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS 04 STAR NEWS

Trust-wide news and updates

20 STAR SPOTLIGHT

Star promotes wellbeing measures to protect pupils’ mental health

23 STAR COMMUNITY

Stories from across Star schools

43 STAR PEOPLE

Leading wellbeing in times of challenge

Pupils grow new skills

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Read past issues of Starlight online at staracademies.org/ publications Pupils take to the airwaves SUMMER 2021 ISSUE 06

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Hamid Patel CBE knighted in Queen’s Birthday Honours Star Academies Chief Executive, Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his outstanding services to education.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE has led Star Academies since its inception in 2010, with an unwavering commitment to raising the aspirations and improving the life chances of young people from the most disadvantaged communities. This vision has guided the philosophy of the trust under his leadership over the past decade.

For a number of years, Star Academies has consistently been one of the highest-performing multi-academy trusts in England with some of the country’s top-performing schools. In the government’s most recent performance tables (2019), Star schools secured first, second and third places in the national rankings, with five schools in total in the top 15.

The pursuit of educational excellence and the shared desire amongst Star Academies staff to achieve the very best outcome for pupils is deeply embedded throughout the trust’s work.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, said: “This is a tribute for all those who have worked so hard at Star Academies whose care, diligence and passion continue to inspire young people and nurture tomorrow’s leaders. All those involved with our schools at every level – our talented teachers, and our supportive parents, governors and wider community – have made a telling contribution to the positive impact we have had on the lives of so many children and young people.

“The last 16 months have arguably been the hardest that any of us working in education have experienced but we, like those across the sector, have continued to put our pupils first, prioritising their wellbeing and giving them the best academic, extra-curricular and social opportunities.”

Kam Kothia DL, Chair of Star Academies, said: “On behalf of the Star family, we are extremely proud of (Mufti) Hamid Patel and congratulate him on his well-deserved knighthood. This prestigious honour is testimony to his dedicated leadership, selfless service and unfailing commitment to improving outcomes for our young people across the country. It is also an affirmation of the excellent work that is continually undertaken across Star schools nationally and within the central team.

“We know that this recognition does not signal the completion of Star’s work. It will redouble our mission to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”

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This is a tribute for all those who have worked so hard at Star Academies whose care, diligence and passion continue to inspire young people and nurture tomorrow’s leaders.”

SIR MUFTI HAMID PATEL CBE

STAR NEWS

New Year Honour for trailblazing Star Executive Principal New Year brought extra cause for celebration at Star Academies after Asiyah Ravat, Executive Principal at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham, was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Asiyah was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to education in recognition of her longstanding career in education, during which she has helped to lead change and improve outcomes for thousands of pupils.

Asiyah has worked in secondary education for nearly three decades; first as a classroom teacher then as a Head of Science, before working for Birmingham Education Authority as a Science Adviser, supporting underperforming schools across Birmingham.

After playing a leading role in the transformation of a Birmingham secondary school from one of the poorest performing in the country to Ofsted ‘outstanding’ status, Asiyah joined Star Academies in 2014 when she was appointed Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Coventry. She worked to successfully open the school in September 2014. Soon after, Asiyah was also responsible for opening Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham in September 2015 and then, Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East in September 2018.

In her current role as Executive Principal, Asiyah oversees a network of Birmingham schools. Both Eden Girls’ School, Coventry and Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham have been graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

On learning of her OBE, Asiyah paid tribute to her late father, who had encouraged her to study and work hard and to not allow her gender to be a barrier to higher education and achievement. Thanks to his support, Asiyah was inspired to aim high and achieved a 1st Class Honours degree in Chemistry from Queen Mary University of London.

Star schools to share expertise in new national training scheme Three high-performing Star Academies secondary schools will provide professional training and development to teachers and school leaders as part of a new national scheme.

Eden Boys’ School, Bolton, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) and Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College (TIGHS) in Blackburn have been designated as Teaching School Hubs by the Department for Education (DfE).

Eden Boys’ School, Bolton will offer development and training to staff at schools in Bolton, Bury and Rochdale. TIGHS will support schools in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, the Ribble Valley and Rossendale, and TIBHS will provide training to schools in Blackpool, Lancaster, Wyre and Preston.

The new Teaching School Hubs will deliver a school-led approach to the professional development of teachers at all stages of their careers in a bid to improve the retention and recruitment of teachers and to raise the outcomes for children and young people.

LANCASTER

RIBBLE VALLEY

WYRE

BLACKPOOL

Together, the three Star Academies schools will offer support to more than 800 schools in the North West. Training and development provision at the new Teaching School Hubs will be led

by Star’s professional development arm, Star Institute.

The DfE’s new Teaching School Hub programme has created a national infrastructure of 87 centres of excellence for teacher training and professional development, which replaces the previous network of Teaching Schools.

PENDLE PRESTON

HYND BURNLEY -BURN BLACKBURN ROSSENDALE DARWEN ROCHDALE BOLTON

BURY

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Star Institute celebrates success of West Midlands training hub Star Institute is celebrating the successful first year of its Star Teachers West Midlands hub with its first cohort of trainees and teacher apprentices all on track to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

To date, over 25 trainees have been recruited for the 2021-22 cohort. Star Teachers will continue to welcome provider-led application up until mid-August. During the next academic year, Star Teachers will also provide the Teacher Apprenticeship in partnership with Birmingham City Council.

The West Midlands hub has already developed partnerships across the region so that trainees and apprentices can experience a diverse and high-quality school-based training provision.

The Star Teachers programme, which is delivered through Star Institute, provides industry leading pathways into teaching. The programme aims to give every teacher the best possible chance to become an outstanding teacher.

Outstanding teaching delivers outstanding outcomes – Star Academies’ ultimate goal for its own schools and for the whole school system.

Training with Star has been excellent. There’s a real sense of community amongst the trainees and there’s always someone you can reach out to for support or to share good practice with. My mentor has been very supportive and is very knowledgeable about pedagogy and its particular application to my subject.

The entire course has been incredibly well structured and the Star Institute team have been excellent in helping to prepare me for a career in teaching.

ADAM PERKS Biology teacher trainee at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham With some trepidation, I jumped at the chance to return to education and pursue qualified teacher status through a Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship. I felt it was important that I was able to set an example to my children by demonstrating how to be determined and ambitious about what you can achieve, at whatever stage of your life. For me, Star Teachers’ Teacher Apprentice route was ideal and flexible. I didn’t want to leave my job to train, and this was perfect. I could stay at the school where I enjoyed working and train with people I already knew.

I’m incredibly grateful to have received such wonderful support.

ROMAIZA NASEEM Apprentice teacher

School-Led Network to deliver professional qualification scheme A reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), designed to support the development of teachers, is set to commence in November. The new NPQs will help educators to develop their knowledge and skills in school leadership and specialist areas of teaching practice.

Star Institute will be working alongside five leading educational organisations - as part of The School-Led Network - to deliver the new suite of NPQs to teachers and leaders.

The reformed NPQs will provide leaders with the opportunity to train and receive qualifications in specialist areas of practice, including leading teacher development, leading teaching and leading behaviour and culture, and to progress their leadership journey into headship and executive headship.

The newly formed School-Led Network comprises Harris Leadership College, North East Teaching Schools Partnership (NETSP) including Newcastle University, Outwood Institute of Education and Star Institute.

Together, these organisations share a vision of a school-led system with a culture of professional learning within and between schools that drives school improvement and ensures that all pupils can achieve beyond expectations.

The School-Led Network is one of nine providers that have been selected to deliver the new NPQs nationwide.

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STAR NEWS

Plans for two new Star secondary schools are approved Star Academies has received approval from the Department for Education (DfE) to open two new non-faith secondary schools in Wolverhampton and Radcliffe in Greater Manchester as part of the government’s free schools programme.

Star Leadership Academy, Wolverhampton will provide pupils with a high-quality education to enable them to succeed academically and fulfil their potential.

Star Leadership Academy, Radcliffe will help to meet the needs of Radcliffe’s growing population and contribute towards the town’s regeneration.

Both secondary schools, which are expected to open in 2024, will serve young people aged 11-16. Each school will offer a broad and balanced academic curriculum along with a diverse leadership programme to inspire pupils to engage in charitable activity and social action.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive at Star Academies, said:

We are delighted to be opening two new secondary schools, which will give the young people of Radcliffe and Wolverhampton the opportunity to receive a first-rate education.

“Star Academies has a long track-record of running top-performing schools. Our schools are committed to creating an environment where pupils are able to achieve their very best academically and personally.

“We are looking forward to ensuring that both new schools sit at the very heart of the local community. We aim to create schools that benefit not just today’s young people but future generations too, enabling them to grow, prosper and succeed.”

Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy joins the Star family Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy in Bradford is the latest school to join the Star family. The school transferred from Rainbow Schools Trust – a single academy trust - to Star Academies in July, following an extensive consultation process.

The 420-place school, for pupils aged 4 – 11, is located on Nelson Street in the Broomfields area of Bradford.

The decision to join Star Academies was the outcome of ongoing discussions between Rainbow Schools Trust, the school Governing Body, and the Regional Schools Commissioner to identify a suitable multi-academy trust to support the school to achieve excellence in all areas. As a large, high performing multi-academy trust with a significant presence in Bradford, Star is able to bring considerable levels of resources that schools standing alone cannot enjoy.

The school is currently graded ‘good’ by Ofsted and Star will work with the school to help develop and further enhance the quality of its education provision.

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Star celebrates opening of four new school sites Three Star schools in Birmingham and one in Preston are celebrating the opening of their new, permanent school sites.

The four purpose-built sites will give pupils access to outstanding facilities in environments that are tailored to ensuring every pupil is able to achieve their very best.

The new Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham site, which is located on Hob Moor Road in Small Heath, will provide pupils with a new and modern 48,000 square foot campus.

Pupils will benefit from modern teaching classrooms, featuring the latest technology, with specialist rooms for science, art, food technology, creative arts and ICT. The school is also home to outstanding sports facilities, including a sports hall, 3G multigames pitches and an artificial grass pitch.

The new Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East site is located on Alum Rock Road. Pupils will be educated in state-of-the-art facilities including specialist rooms for food technology and ICT as well as well-equipped contemporary science laboratories. Externally, pupils can enjoy a reflection garden, a new hard play area, a MUGA, and a field area with full size and 7-aside pitches.

The new site for The Olive School, Preston, which is located on Vicarage Lane in Fulwood, will provide its young pupils with access to increased space, modern classrooms, and a large multi-use hall. Pupils will also benefit from excellent outdoor facilities including a large playground, a sports field, a gardening area and peace garden. This new school site is also home to a new school kitchen.

Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham

Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham

ingham

Pupils at the primary school will also benefit from exceptional outdoor facilities, including a multi-games pitch, a sensory garden - which pupils helped to design - and a special play area for Reception pupils. Thanks to a new school kitchen, the school will be able to provide on-site catering for pupils and staff for the very first time.

Pupils and staff from across all four schools are enjoying the experience of working and learning in their outstanding tailormade facilities, which they say are already beginning to support improved learning outcomes.

4-miles south, The Olive School, Birmingham’s new permanent site will ensure pupils have access to excellent facilities to support their future education and growth. The new school, which is located on Reddings Lane, provides its young pupils

Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birm

with access to 21 modern classrooms, a specialist multimedia room for food technology, science and art, several group rooms, a large multi-use hall and a library. The school also has a reflection room to facilitate prayer and an ablutions room.

The Olive School, Birmin

gham

Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East

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The Olive School, Birmingham

The Olive School, Preston

Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East

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World Book Day celebrations filled with imagination and joy Pupils across Star schools celebrated World Book Day 2021 with an enormous splash of creativity, culture and colour.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of schools to the majority of pupils meant that this year’s World Book Day was a little different.

But thanks to the ingenuity of pupils, parents and staff, the annual celebration of reading was awash with colourful costumes and daring tales of adventure.

Staff and pupils shared their favourite stories dressed as Harry Potter, Peter Rabbit, Gangsta Granny and other much-loved fictional characters from classic children’s books. Alongside the fun of dressing up, teachers also ensured that activities were filled with learning opportunities.

The pupils at Eden Girls’ School, Slough were treated to a weeklong celebration with virtual visits from prestigious authors who shared their tips and tricks for writing novels. Carnegie awardwinning author, Tim Bowler, talked to Key Stage 4 pupils about the secrets of being a successful author and gave an inspiring speech on resilience. Critically-acclaimed author of young adult fiction, Holly Bourne, also spoke to pupils and discussed the importance of protecting mental health and wellbeing as a writer.

At Highfield Leadership Academy, during tutor time pupils and staff participated in a ‘masked reader’ challenge. Several staff members read extracts from their favourite book, whilst disguised by a mask – inspired by the Masked Singer television show.

At The Olive School, Small Heath, pupils took part in an exciting series of World Book Day workshops where they had the opportunity to join a star-studded cast of authors, illustrators and hosts, including Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton (Football School), Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers and many others.

Pupils were also treated to a live, virtual bedtime story event, where they dressed in pyjamas and enjoyed a hot chocolate whilst listening to a bedtime story.

Staff at High Crags Primary Leadership Academy recorded a special re-telling of The Sorting Hat chapter from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for pupils and parents to enjoy. Pupils also dressed up as their favourite characters and participated in themed activities throughout the day. Many pupils’ highlight of the day was designing their own giant, inspired by the Roald Dahl classic BFG. The young pupils at The Olive School, Hackney took part in a ‘Crazy Reading’ competition where pupils were tasked with finding unique places to enjoy a book. Pupils shared pictures of themselves reading among fish tanks, behind stacks of toilet roll and in rabbit enclosures to bring a little inspiration to their reading.

The World Book Day celebrations are just one part of the Star Academies’ commitment to encouraging a passion for reading amongst pupils.

Pupils attending Star schools benefit from the Star Readers scheme, which aims to promote the joys of reading. Experienced staff have searched through the best of contemporary and classic literature to provide a recommended reading list for each year group. Books have been hand-picked to give pupils a window into other people’s worlds, promote discussion and build reading resilience.

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Eden Girls’ pupils share passion for reading with Duchess of Cornwall Pupils at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry participated in a special celebration of literacy attended by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

The event was held at Coventry’s Central Library as part of the city’s year as the UK City of Culture.

Her Royal Highness had a tour of the library, hearing all about its past as an entertainment venue and how it now engages with all the city’s communities to ensure reading is available to all.

The Duchess of Cornwall met with Year 10 pupils from Eden Girls’ School, Coventry who presented her with posters they had created to celebrate the impact of reading on young teenagers.

Pupils also discussed their favourite books with The Duchess and told her how these books had helped to stimulate their interest in reading. In turn, the Duchess, said she had always been an avid reader and has a longstanding fondness for the book, Jane Eyre.

Teachers say that The Duchess praised pupils’ eloquence and that the meeting was a memory pupils would cherish forever.

Teachers’ pandemic efforts celebrated at No 10 reception Teachers at Bay Leadership Academy received a very special invitation to attend a reception with the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street.

Two teachers from the school were selected to attend the reception, which was held to thank school staff for their exceptional efforts as part of the national pandemic response.

Mrs Rogerson, Vice Principal at Bay Leadership Academy, represented the school for its excellent work in the local community. Throughout the pandemic, staff and pupils at the school worked hard to make and deliver face masks to local nursing homes, local businesses and people in the local community.

Staff at the school also delivered food and hygiene parcels, and treat packs for NHS workers and local residents. Food was also prepared and cooked for the homeless and ‘pop up hubs’ to offer welfare checks for the school’s most vulnerable pupils were established in the heart of the community.

Mrs Worthington, Head of Maths, was selected to represent the school for the tireless work of all staff in ensuring every pupil has access to quality online learning and ensuring the most vulnerable pupils have laptops in their homes.

Around 20 teachers from across the country attended the gathering, where the Prime Minister spoke to teachers about their experiences of the pandemic. Mrs Rogerson told the Prime Minister about the importance of keeping pupils in school, the increase in pupils with mental health concerns and how the school had supported the local community.

Mrs Rogerson and Mrs Worthington said they felt honoured to have represented the teaching staff at Bay at the garden party.

Mr Mathew Hood who is Chair of Governors at Bay Leadership Academy also received an invite to Downing Street in his capacity of Principal of the Oak National Academy, which provided high quality lessons in all subjects for all ages through the pandemic.

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STAR NEWS

Star Academies joins forces with Eton College to open sixth form colleges Star Academies has signed a landmark partnership agreement with Eton College with the intent to open three selective sixth form colleges in the state sector in the next five years.

Proposed to be located in the Midlands and North of England, the colleges will fast-track young people, often living in areas of deprivation, to the most academic UK universities. It will do this by blending Star Academies’ approach of delivering educational excellence with Eton’s educational philosophy, which includes a rigorous and academic curriculum.

This is a fantastically exciting moment for both our organisations.

SIR MUFTI HAMID PATEL CBE The colleges will be inspired by the hugely successful London Academy of Excellence (LAE) in East London, of which Eton is a partner. Last year LAE pupils received 37 offers to Oxford and Cambridge.

The new colleges will admit 240 students each per year and will offer many of the educational and extra-curricular opportunities available to pupils at Eton College itself, including knowledgerich teaching from some of the country’s most respected subject-specialists, access to talks from high-profile speakers, academic essay prizes and debate clubs and Oxbridge-style tutorial sessions.

Some of these students’ teaching will be delivered virtually

by Eton staff and students from the new colleges will have a chance to attend Eton College annually for a Summer School.

has the potential to be transformative for both the students who will attend but also the wider civic lives of the towns and cities in which our new colleges will open. Our mission has always been to change lives for the better and give young people the best opportunities – this partnership will further help us achieve that.”

Eton Head Master Simon Henderson said: “When Eton announced in May 2020 our intention to set up these new sixth form colleges, we knew that finding the right partner could ensure that the project was greater than the sum of its parts.

When speaking to Star it became immediately clear that, while our contexts may be different, we have a shared educational ethos and vision and I am confident that by working together we can deliver outstanding educational opportunities and outcomes to young people in these communities, which will surpass what either organisation could have achieved on our own.”

Our best schools can lead the way in driving up standards across the country, and it’s fantastic to see a leading trust like Star working to expand its reach even further into local communities.

GAVIN WILLIAMSON

The new colleges will be part of Star Academies and will focus their recruitment on young people on free school meals, in receipt of pupil premium, or who live in areas of deprivation.

Eton will make a significant and ongoing financial contribution that will allow for the enhanced curriculum and the provision of enrichment opportunities. The first college is planned to open in September 2024 with others to follow shortly thereafter.

Eton Provost Lord William Waldegrave said: “Since King Henry VI founded Eton in 1440 to provide free education to 70 poor boys, Eton has long sought out ways to broaden our reach, to ensure that as many young people as possible can enjoy the benefits of our educational philosophy. I believe firmly that this partnership with Star is simply a new and exciting development in this long and proud history.”

Both Star and Eton believe that their unprecedented partnership represents a ground-breaking example of state and independent sector collaboration; and one that will not only benefit those attending these new colleges but will also provide new and exciting opportunities for students and teachers at Star’s existing family of schools and at Eton.

Star Academies Chair of Trustees Kam Kothia DL said: “Star Academies has always been deeply committed to enhancing social mobility and seeking out new and exciting ways to change educational outcomes in the communities that we serve.

We also believe in the power of partnership, and learning from other organisations. This unique partnership with Eton is a prime example of both.”

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies said: “This is a fantastically exciting moment for both our organisations. Eton bringing its approach to education to disadvantaged communities, allied to our own successful ethos,

Star Academies has always been deeply committed to enhancing social mobility and seeking out new and exciting ways to change educational outcomes.

KAM KOTHIA DL

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I’m delighted to see Star Academies join forces with Eton College to focus on providing exciting opportunities for pupils. Our best schools can lead the way in driving up standards across the country, and it’s fantastic to see a leading trust like Star working to expand its reach even further into local communities, supported by the resources and expertise of one of the world’s top independent schools, to transform the life chances of young people.

“Projects like these, building on the network of excellent free schools around the country, can help level up opportunities for so many children and families and I wish the teams all the best as they begin the process of turning this pioneering idea into a reality.”

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Spirited Art challenge inspires reflection during holy month In April, the holy month of Ramadhaan was observed by Muslims worldwide as a time to fast, pray, reflect and to serve the local community. Across Star’s faith schools, pupils were invited to take part in a special activity to inspire reflection - the Spirited Art Competition.

The competition aimed to draw on the comfort, reaffirmation, solace and hope that people often find in the expression of spirituality. The theme of the competition was The Month of the Qur’aan. Pupils were asked to research and find a short verse from the Qur’aan that offers inspiration, hope and speaks to them on a spiritual level.

Pupils were then tasked with producing a piece of art, a poem, picture or sculpture to represent the verse. Throughout Ramadhaan, Star’s faith schools’ Twitter feeds were filled with pupils’ beautiful expressions of art and spirituality. Hundreds of pupils produced inspiring pieces of art which reflected a sense of peace, creativity and community throughout the holy month.

Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, who won the EYFS category, created a beautiful artwork depicting the passage in the Qur’aan that describes how saving one person’s life is equivalent to saving the lives of all mankind. Key Stage 2 winners, Maryam and Ibrahim Matadar used drama skills to produce a wonderful video, which explored themes of how the Almighty loves those who carry out good deeds.

Key Stage 4 winner, Mareeha Khan channelled her passion for art to depict the theme of guidance and solace that she finds in the words of the Qur’aan.

Throughout Ramadhaan, schools donated gifts of food hampers to local community groups and emergency service workers as part of their iftar activities. Iftar is the evening meal where Muslims end their daily fast at sundown. Local communities are often invited into our faith schools to take part in the breaking of the fast meal. This year, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that schools have had to adapt their activities and to reach out to their local communities in new ways.

The holy month of Ramadhaan is an important opportunity for our extended faith school communities to demonstrate service and compassion and to contribute to a kind and peaceful society for the benefit of all.

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STAR NEWS

Science Week - an ‘explosion’ of discovery for Star pupils Pupils celebrated British Science Week with a fun-filled week of exciting investigation and discovery.

From designing artificial intelligence robots and going on a virtual mission to Mars, to learning about the development of the Covid-19 vaccine and celebrating the work of pioneering women in science, pupils were encouraged to develop their love of science through a range of inspiring activities.

Pupils also put their scientific knowledge to the test in a special trust-wide competition designed to unite pupils in their celebration of science.

Thousands of pupils across the trust’s primary and secondary schools created mini ecosystems and strategies to consider real world environmental problems as part of the Star Innovator Challenges.

The challenges, which were open to all pupils who attend a Star Academies school, aimed to encourage pupils to think innovatively about the world and how science and technology could help to improve the quality of life for future generations.

Younger pupils, in Reception and Key Stage 1, investigated ecosystems though the Detective Glow Worm challenge. Pupils discovered the importance of ecosystems by exploring the interactions between organisms and using this information to create a mini bug world, model or story.

Key Stage 2 pupils took part in a Wildlife Wonderland challenge where they learnt about the life that exists in our gardens and green spaces, and discovered the importance of our diverse ecosystem in supporting life on the planet. Pupils had the opportunity to create a mini ecosystem, bug hotel or bug model to share their exciting discoveries.

I thought the quality of the entries was really great. It was wonderful to be able to see the work of these talented young people and to play a part in hopefully encouraging them towards careers in science.”

DR RICHARD BARKER Pupils in Key Stage 3 and 4 took part in the Emission Eraser project, which challenged pupils to investigate the cost of human impact on the planet and within their local community. Pupils developed a strategy that considered real world environmental problems and investigated how science and technology could provide solutions to those issues.

Dr Richard Barker, an eminent astrobiologist who works with NASA exploring methods of cultivating plants in space, used his expertise to help judge entries.

During British Science Week, a video of Dr Barker was also shared with schools in which he discussed his work and his role with NASA, and answered questions from pupils.

MASTER CLASSES IN SCIENCE Star’s commitment to ensuring pupils receive the very best education possible has meant that throughout lockdown and beyond, pupils have received additional support to ensure their continued progress in the sciences. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 were given the opportunity to attend a range of exciting online masterclasses which aimed to stimulate their interest in the sciences. Pupils heard from guest speakers on subjects as diverse as knee injuries and the latest scientific techniques to promote recovery to recent developments in the field of neuroscience.

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Pupils from Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester took part in a special ceremony to celebrate the legacy of HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.

Pupils from Year 9 and 10 were invited by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Sir Warren James Smith, to plant a tree in the grounds of the school on what would have been The Duke’s 100th birthday. Around the base of the tree, 65 bluebell seeds were planted to represent 65 years since the launch of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE Award).

Maham Zubair giving her speech about the benefits of the DofE programme.

Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy celebrated in ceremony at Eden Girls’ Manchester

The event was attended by special guests of honour, including Deputy Lieutenant Professor Erinma Bell MBE JP representing the Lord Lieutenant’s Office and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Donna Ludford.

The school was selected to take part in the ceremony from amongst thousands of schools across the north of England thanks to its commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme. Each year, pupils at the school participate in the Award, which encourages young people to push their boundaries in a series of challenges designed to test their fitness, develop new skills and help their local community.

Star Academies schools have a long-established track record of pupils taking part in the DofE Awards, with hundreds of pupils having successfully completed a Gold DofE Award. The awards’ ethos of self-challenge to enable personal growth strongly reflects the trust’s own values and commitment to developing fully rounded individuals.

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Erinma Bell MBE JP Deputy Lieutenant Professor guests of honour. the of one was left) d (picture Amna Anjum and Laraib Shahid planting the memorial tree.

Following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in April, pupils from the school were interviewed extensively by the national media, including live on BBC and ITV news and current affairs shows and by the Daily Telegraph. The pupils shared their reflections on the Duke’s legacy and spoke passionately about their personal experiences of the DofE Award scheme.

STAR NEWS

Star grows its expert team with key governance appointments Star Academies has expanded its family of trustees and members to ensure that it continues to benefit from an experienced and knowledgeable governance team.

The new appointments will help to ensure that Star Academies continues its longstanding track record of success, whilst also maintaining its clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE has joined as a member, and Major General David Eastman MBE, Mark Hageman and Gareth Stevens have joined Star as trustees.

Listed by The Times as one of Britain’s most influential women, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE became a member at the trust in January 2021. She has gained an international reputation for inspiring individuals and organisations to work together for the common good.

After graduating with a history degree from Newnham College, Cambridge, Dame Julia began her working life in 1972 and since then has occupied roles for a variety of forward-thinking and culturally-impactful organisations.

From 1991 to 2008, she served as the Chief Executive of Business in the Community working closely with HRH The Prince of Wales. Dame Julia has also served as Special Adviser to The Prince’s Charities where her efforts were focused on disadvantaged communities across the country to build a more robust civil society.

Other notable roles Dame Julia has occupied include Chair of Teach First from 2006 to 2014 and co-founder of the #iwill Campaign, also known as Step Up To Serve.

Currently, Dame Julia is Chair of the National Literacy Trust.

She is also a board member of the Careers and Enterprise Company.

Major General David Eastman MBE was appointed a trustee in March 2021. He was commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1989 and served in Hong Kong, Nepal, Germany, the Falkland Islands and across the UK. Major General Eastman was made an MBE following the first UK deployment to Helmand in 2006, during which he was employed as the Deputy Chief of Staff, 16 Air Assault Brigade.

From an international perspective, he has been the Military Assistant to a German 4-star NATO commander, commanded a globally-deployed Defence Engagement-focused logistic brigade and commanded the UN multi-national contingent on a number of exercises in South Korea. Major General Eastman General Officer Commanding Regional became Command in February 2020.

Mark Hageman, who was appointed trustee in November 2020, is a Partner at Linklaters LLP in London and his primary area of practice is corporate finance. At Linklaters, Mark has been involved in The Access Project and the Mentoring Works program with students from schools in London. He has been a member of the Local Governing Body at The Olive School, Hackney since 2017.

Outside of Linklaters, Mark has a keen interest in education policy, particularly for children in primary and secondary schools, including providing students with enrichment opportunities in areas such as out-of-class reading, extracurricular activities such as debate and sports, and outside mentoring and post-secondary education and career exploration.

Gareth Stevens, the Chief Executive of Inspiration Trust, has also joined the Board of Trustees as a co-opted trustee. Gareth has been a part of the Inspiration Trust for the last seven years. Previously, he was the Principal of Hethersett Academy in Norfolk and successfully turned the school around from ‘special measures’ to ‘outstanding’ within two years. Under his leadership, Hethersett Academy became one of the top performing schools in the region. Gareth was also formerly the Secondary Director responsible for the strategic leadership, management and outcomes for pupils at nine secondary schools and sixth forms across the East of England.

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Star Academies wins prestigious Pearson award Star Academies has been awarded a prestigious national award in recognition of its monumental efforts to support learners and the community during lockdown.

The trust was honoured to receive the Pearson National Teaching Silver Award in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support category. The award aims to celebrate schools and individuals who have stepped up to support others despite the extraordinary challenges presented by lockdown.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Star family actively sought-out opportunities to alleviate the suffering of people who had been affected by the pandemic.

Star Family Hubs were established in 13 towns and cities nationwide to support vulnerable children and key workers’ children, by providing on-site education during lockdown, and by looking after their wellbeing and that of their families and the local community. Star used school kitchens to cook 100,000 hot meals for hungry neighbours and homeless people. Schools also provided 7,500 families with weekly food parcels and also delivered 10,000 hygiene packs and 2,500 stationery items. Star staff and pupils manufactured 13,500 high-quality items of PPE for key workers.

Star Academies serves communities in areas that have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19. With around 20% of Star pupils having lost members of their immediate or extended family during the pandemic, the Star team felt it was essential that they provided enhanced, personalised pastoral support to its pupils. At least once a week, all pupils received individual phone calls from their school, and for many pupils these were more frequent. Star also trained 135 mental health first aiders across schools to support pupils suffering from anxiety and depression. The wellbeing of pupils was further supported by the training of 100 pastoral staff in the field of bereavement support.

The disruption of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns posed a serious risk to pupils’ education. Star emphasised continuity of high-quality learning throughout the pandemic. Pupils received live streamed lessons on a daily basis in all subjects so that they continued to make progress. Around 5,000 devices (laptops and tablets) were loaned to pupils so that they could easily access their learning at home. Pupils and parents told schools that they were highly impressed by the quality of their remote learning.

By winning the Silver Award, Star Academies has been shortlisted to win one of only 15 Gold Awards later in the year. The Gold Award winners will be announced in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC. The programme will celebrate exceptional trusts, schools and staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with. This year marks its 22nd year of celebrating award-winning teachers, teaching assistants, headteachers and lecturers across the UK.

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Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

This award is a wonderful celebration of our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly throughout lockdown and beyond.

Many Star schools are located in areas of deprivation which have been seriously affected by the pandemic. As a consequence, our teaching and support staff have worked with enormous commitment to ensure that pupils remain safe and well and are able to continue to access an excellent education.

“The pandemic has demonstrated that despite recent adversity, the Star family is united in its desire to achieve the very best outcomes for pupils. We want our pupils to emerge from these difficult times thriving and ready to seize the many opportunities that await them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”

STAR NEWS

Pupils spread hope on National Day of Reflection In March, pupils and staff from across the Star family united for the National Day of Reflection. The day was an opportunity for communities to collectively mourn the thousands of people who had died during the Covid-19 pandemic and to reflect on the lessons that have been learnt during this difficult year.

As clocks struck twelve noon on the anniversary of the first nationwide lockdown, a sombre silence fell across Star schools. Pupils and staff paid silent tribute to the many thousands of lives that had been prematurely lost during the pandemic. Many of the trust’s pupils had experienced the death of a loved-one during lockdown and, where face-to-face support networks were no longer accessible, pupils relied increasingly on the comfort of their school community. This past year has demonstrated that the care and kindness inherent in the Star family is of paramount importance to us all.

From the depths of this national tragedy, pupils and staff reflected on the long journey they had already travelled and the strength with which they had overcome challenges. On the National Day of Reflection, they used their incredible fortitude to spread messages of hope which aimed to inspire their local communities to look ahead to brighter times.

Pupils at Highfield Leadership sent 650 cards and 400 flower pictures filled with heartfelt messages to offer support to those who had experienced loss or faced trauma as a result of

the pandemic. The messages were sent to more than 30 care homes and 20 community groups, including local charities, Blackpool’s emergency services staff and local residents suffering social isolation.

At Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Bradford, pupils planted seeds of hope and other flowering bulbs in the school grounds to serve as a lasting reminder of their experiences and to inspire hope for future generations of pupils at the school.

For the pupils at The Olive School, Small Heath, the National Day of Reflection provided an opportunity to reflect on the strength of their community, which had flourished despite the barriers of lockdown and social distancing. Pupils created paper chains decorated with people standing hand in hand, which were displayed around the school to symbolise friendship and togetherness.

The National Day of Reflection was a chance for the Star family to pause and pay respects, but to also look towards the future with hope. This past year has demonstrated that our schools are home to strong and vibrant communities and our experiences throughout these difficult times will help us to shape a brighter and more positive future.

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Star Academies celebrates National Thank a Teacher Day Teachers across Star Academies’ schools were celebrated for their hard work and commitment to pupils’ education as part of National Thank a Teacher Day. Each year on National Thank a Teacher Day, Star Academies celebrates its teachers and staff and thanks them for their tremendous efforts as they support pupils, schools and their local communities.

In addition, a selection of treats were gifted to schools for staff to enjoy as a token of appreciation for the huge difference they have made to the lives of thousands of people in the Star family.

From delivering live lessons remotely and prioritising pupils’ emotional wellbeing, to setting up foodbanks and distributing essential items to vulnerable people, staff have gone above and beyond during an incredibly challenging year to ensure pupils’ academic progress remained at the fore.

Star pupils across the country created surprise video messages of thanks for their teachers as part of the celebrations. The personal touch from pupils illustrates the impact of their teachers’ continuous assistance, kindness and selflessness.

In recognition of their inspiring dedication to nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders, members of staff received a special letter of thanks from Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, thanking them for providing unwavering support to pupils, parents and colleagues alongside extending their support beyond the classroom and deep into their communities.

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The day brought extra cause for celebration as the collective efforts of all at Star Academies were recognised by the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards. The trust was awarded the Pearson National Teaching Silver Award in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support category. The accolade highlights the sheer breadth, quality and impact of Star’s response to the pandemic.

STAR NEWS

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

We are extremely grateful to our wonderful teachers and staff who show endless commitment to improving the lives of our young people. Despite another increasingly challenging year, they have worked tirelessly to ensure pupils continue to benefit from the best possible education provision, whether remote or onsite.

“Our colleagues across the Star Family always go the extra mile in service of others. From fundraisers and foodbanks to various other charity campaigns, they are selfless in extending their help to our communities.

“Receiving the Pearson Award is a further testament to their hard work and dedication which does not go unnoticed. I am extremely proud of all that they do.”

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STAR PROMOTES WELLBEING MEASURES TO PROTECT PUPILS’ MENTAL HEALTH The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the wellbeing of thousands of young people across the country. From the loneliness and boredom of lockdown to the devastation of coping with the death of a loved one, this past year has wrought an unprecedented level of mental health challenges for our children.

A recent report found that one in eight children now has a diagnosable mental health disorder, which equates to around three children in every classroom. According to experts, these figures could be set to rise as a result of the stress, uncertainty and loss of support networks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to these challenges, Star Academies is working with pupils to help them develop the necessary skills to be the ‘resilient Covid generation’ who can tackle different forms of adversity that may come their way. A raft of additional, specially designed measures has been developed to help support pupils through these difficult times. Ensuring that pupils remain safe, happy and well, remains Star’s biggest priority and is the golden thread that runs throughout the trust’s work.

and community issues. For example, pupils in some schools have experienced a high number of Covid-19 bereavements.

To support those pupils, more staff have been trained in bereavement counselling so that they can provide emotional support to pupils who have lost someone close to them. In another example, pupils from some schools may be at greater risk from county lines gangs and, in those contexts, pupils are educated on how to stay safe from harm.

ENSURING THAT PUPILS REMAIN SAFE, HAPPY AND WELL, REMAINS STAR’S BIGGEST PRIORITY AND IS THE GOLDEN THREAD THAT RUNS THROUGHOUT THE TRUST’S WORK.

Now more than ever, Star’s team of wellbeing experts is reflecting on its provision and practice to ensure it is fully equipped to support pupils in the best way possible. Throughout this turbulent period, Star Academies has dedicated its efforts to ensuring pupils have the resilience to manage their mental and emotional health so that they are able thrive academically, both now and in the future.

An important part of the trust’s work is to develop a greater understanding of the difficulties pupils are facing and the impact on their wellbeing. Star schools have mechanisms in place to help pupils feel confident about sharing information about their feelings and concerns. This informs and drives their approach to improving pupil wellbeing. Pupil feedback is also helping schools to be proactive in addressing whole-school

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At the beginning of the year, Star Academies further enhanced its wellbeing measures by arranging for school staff to participate in Mental Health First Aid training accredited by MHFA England. The course enabled staff to learn how to spot the early signs of possible mental health issues and to feel confident in how to provide initial support to a person in need of help. The training also offered guidance on promoting positive attitudes towards mental health around schools and to helping pupils understand the issues involved.

Each Star school now has a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders who have the skills and expertise to support struggling pupils and staff when the need arises. In total, 135 Mental Health First Aiders have been trained across Star schools to support pupils with anxiety or depression and 100 pastoral staff have been trained to provide bereavement support for the 20% of Star pupils who have lost members of their immediate or extended family during the pandemic.

In some schools, Star has established In-School Inclusion Centres which, alongside lessons, offer therapeutic support for pupils who are finding school difficult. The centres provide

STAR SPOTLIGHT specialist support to help pupils manage adverse childhood experiences and ongoing trauma so that they can flourish emotionally and academically.

Throughout lockdown, schools kept in close contact with all pupils. Those identified as being more vulnerable than others were asked to attend school so that they had face-to-face support from their teachers and support staff.

The staff at Highfield Leadership Academy offered an extra level of support to pupils by taking the school bus on a mini roadshow. The bus was filled with essential supplies, such as books and stationery, and pupils from the school were able to drop by to specially designated stops - with Covid-19 safety measures in place - to collect items to help with home learning. Staff were able to speak to pupils and their families about any concerns they had and were able to lend a supportive ear and offer practical advice.

At The Valley Leadership Academy, special consideration was given to preserving friendships and social activities during lockdown. Pupils were given the opportunity to relax by socialising with friends online by taking part in a range of exciting extra-curricular activities. Chess, live baking sessions, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) school and newspaper clubs were all held virtually on a regular basis to help pupils stave-off lockdown boredom whilst maintaining their friendships.

The easing of restrictions and the associated changes to routine had the potential to pose significant risks to the mental health of pupils. As schools prepared to reopen to all pupils in March, comprehensive plans and risk assessments were developed in each school to make this transition smoother for pupils and staff. The plans enabled staff to rehearse their routines and were complemented by the trust’s Behaviour Playbook which promoted key behaviours and expectations to help keep pupils safe. For pupils who have suffered particular mental health challenges during lockdown, schools were provided with a centrally developed ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Pack for Schools’. Working alongside external agencies, where required, school staff continue to provide ongoing bespoke support to help address those issues and build confidence.

A large part of Star’s work on wellbeing is focused on activities to help pupils feel confident in expressing their emotions and feelings. This work is predominantly delivered through Personal, Social, Health and Economics (PSHE) lessons and form time. At Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester, pupils participated in lessons about their emotional wellbeing to further their understanding of mental health issues and were also set weekly wellbeing challenges, which aimed to promote their sense of self-worth.

USEFUL WEBSITES The following websites provide online guidance and support: Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk Self-harm: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-childrensafe/childrens-mental-health/self-harm/ Depression: www.mind.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/ depression-alliance/ Obsessions and compulsions: www.ocduk.org/ocd Suicidal feelings: www.papyrus-uk.org Eating disorders: www.b-eat.co.uk/about-eating-disorders

A Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Policy outlines the trust’s whole-school approach to keeping our pupils mentally and emotionally healthy as we navigate through the pandemic. The policy is available on school websites so that everyone can understand the support available to them at this challenging time.

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22 STAR SPOTLIGHT COMMUNITY Lessons in wellbeing were further developed at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham where pupils received additional support on the subject of resilience from Mosaic, a charitable organisation founded by HRH The Prince of Wales. Younger pupils at The Olive School, Bolton took part in Wellbeing Thursdays during the national lockdown, where they were encouraged to take a break from screens and online learning and enjoy a fun, themed, weekly challenge. From a Come Dine With Me cooking challenge to family spa days and cinema nights, the engaging activities encouraged pupils and their families to spend time together and boost their wellbeing.

Star schools also work to support pupils’ confidence by providing opportunities to try new activities and discover hidden talents. From taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to public speaking competitions and sports and arts activities, pupils are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones to build self-esteem and improve their resilience.

Fundamental to the Star mission is service to communities. All pupils are encouraged to embrace social action and to recognise the role schools play in serving their communities. When restrictions allowed, many pupils were actively involved in assisting school-run foodbanks or with the production and delivery of food and hygiene parcels to ensure that they felt part of a strong community that was dedicated to creating positive social change. Pupils who took part in the work told how it had helped them to realise that they were able to make a positive difference to the people in their community, and of the benefits to their own mental health in helping others.

Star Academies also offers practical assistance to pupils and their families who are suffering hardship related to the pandemic. Through its Shine Charity, Star Family Hubs provide food and hygiene parcels to alleviate the financial difficulties that many families faced as a result of the pandemic.

The trust continues to be incredibly proud of the Star family and how it has risen to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. During these times of stress and challenge the Star family has demonstrated that it is an emotionally resilient community where everyone can shine.

WHEN TO GET HELP You may become aware of signs that may indicate your child is experiencing mental health or emotional wellbeing issues.

These warning signs should always be taken seriously. If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing speak to a member of staff at your school or seek medical advice. If you believe that there is an imminent risk to life, call 999.

Warning signs may include:  Changes in eating or sleeping habits  Becoming socially withdrawn  Changes in activity and mood  Talking or joking about self-harm or

suicide  Expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or loss of hope  Repeated physical pain or nausea with no evident cause  An increase in lateness or absenteeism.

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Blackburn maths teacher puts his best foot forward to help pupils A teacher at Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) is helping to improve pupils’ mathematical ability thanks to the power of the popular football computer game, FIFA. Sheikh Iqbal, who has worked as a maths teacher at the school since 2015, took up gaming to help him relax after a busy day at work. Iqbal’s talent for FIFA meant that he was soon offered a contract as a pro gamer for his beloved Burnley Football Club. The contract led to him competing in the FIFA ePremier League tournaments and manning the matchday GAME zone, a special area where young fans are able to play FIFA, at Burnley’s Turf Moor stadium.

But for Sheikh, it’s not all just fun and games. The popular teacher from Blackburn revealed that FIFA has helped him bring maths to life in the classroom.

Sheikh explained how he uses familiar concepts that pupils access through the game to teach taxes, interest rates, percentages, trends and ratios. For example, in FIFA, when you buy a player, you pay in coins, you’re taxed and you follow fluctuating trends to buy at the best price.

Sheikh uses this information to ask questions such as: “If I bought this player for 50,000 coins and sold him for 60,000, reduced by 5% because of tax, how much did I make from the sale?” Or he might ask: “The digital pitch is 1,000 times smaller than a stadium one, so what size is a real pitch?’”

Using something familiar means that pupils are much more likely to be engaged in their learning and readily ask and answer questions.

Sheikh also described how playing the game helps make him relatable to pupils and helps to encourage pupils to pursue their own goals. Gaming, he says, can often be treated as a negative pastime by parents but, when used in a balanced way, it can be beneficial to pupils who need to wind down after an intense period of study.

Pupil and staff wellbeing is of paramount importance for Star schools. Sheikh has found that encouraging pupils to find something they enjoy, like gaming, can be a great method for reducing stress and passing exams.

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24 STAR COMMUNITY Highfield pupils use first aid skills to help elderly man in medical emergency Pupils from Highfield Leadership Academy leapt to the rescue of an elderly man during a medical emergency. Levi Burke, Josh Baggaley and Mackenzie Thomas were making their way home from school when they saw the man fall from his mobility scooter near to their school.

The concerned Year 8 pupils immediately ran to see how they could help the man and quickly established that although the man was breathing, he was having difficulty speaking. Pupils stayed with the man and offered him reassurance until ambulance crews arrived.

Pupils then gave paramedics a helpful account of the events leading up to the man’s fall and helped to move the scooter to free the man.

Ambulance crews praised the pupils, who they said had been incredibly polite and respectful in a highly stressful situation. They said pupils had been a credit to the school, their parents and most of all themselves.

The pupils are all members of the school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and had received first aid training through activities provided by the CCF. The Heartstart first aid training course taught the pupils emergency life-saving skills. Pupils said that the course had given them the confidence to know what to do in an emergency situation.

Mackenzie said: “To be faced with a real life first aid situation was a bit scary, because it was a big responsibility to get it right. We didn’t want to hurt the man or make his injuries any worse.”

Andrew Galbraith, Principal at the school, said that pupils had clearly demonstrated the value of their first aid training and had acted with a great deal of maturity.

In December, Highfield Leadership Academy pupil Alex Whitehead, who is also a member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force, used his first aid training to help an elderly man who had collapsed at a bus stop.

Olive School Hackney pupils walk with the dinosaurs Young pupils at The Olive School, Hackney were treated to a ‘roarsome’ day of dinosaur-packed fun thanks to a special learning day planned by their science leads.

Pupils used their literacy skills to create ‘wanted’ posters containing descriptions and drawings of dinosaurs that were displayed around classrooms. Pupils also followed a giant dinosaur footprint trail around the school to try to track-down the missing dinosaurs.

The dinosaurs were eventually tracked down in the playground where pupils were able to get up close to the fearsome beasts. Pupils were excited to meet the life-like models which caused a huge buzz in the playground.

Pupils also enjoyed a fossil exploration workshop where they learned about the role of archaeologists and the importance of fossils in helping us to understand the world of dinosaurs.

Teachers focused on developing pupils’ vocabulary and their scientific understanding of fossils and dinosaurs. Pupils were also encouraged to think imaginatively about dinosaurs by reading fictional stories, playing with small world dinosaur figures and creating their very own paper dinosaurs.

Pupils and staff had a ‘dino-mite’ day of fun, memories and excitement and are looking forward to scheduling another dinosaur day next year.

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TIGHS finishing school hosts lessons in resilience with Baroness Morgan In a year where pupils faced unprecedented disruption, not just to their education but to their day-to-day lives, the sixth form students at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College (TIGHS) celebrated the power of resilience as part of their finishing school programme.

Finishing school sessions are held each year to enable pupils who are completing their journey with TIGHS to prepare for life beyond school. Many of the students are the first in their families to attend university, and the finishing school aims to equip them with the confidence and leadership skills to embrace the many opportunities of university life.

Around 80 Year 13 pupils, along with the head of Sixth Form and careers team, were joined by the former Secretary of State for Education, Baroness Nicky Morgan, for the special event.

Students from the Sixth Form shared their observations of life under lockdown and the lessons they had learnt from their experiences. Aliyah Patel and Lubna Shah, who presented on the day, told how lockdown had helped them to realise the love they felt for their school and to appreciate their privileged education.

Baroness Morgan, who served as the Minister for Women and Equalities and is now a life peer in the House of Lords, presented on her own career journey and described the challenges she met along the way.

Students were then offered the opportunity to quiz Nicky Morgan on democracy, resilience and her experience of being an MP. Pupils seized the opportunity to gain insights into her career and to understand the secret to her success.

Students Aliyah Patel and Lubna Shah

The pandemic has obviously caused us all to grow up faster.

We have all been forced to come to terms with our own mortality, our limitations and our weaknesses, however this hasn’t caused us to give up. Instead of hindering us, the pandemic has provided us all with a coming of age, allowing us to work past any difficulty life may present in our respective paths.“

Baroness Morgan was very encouraging of political participation by young people and explained that she had demonstrated resilience and brute ambition at every point of her political career. When asked what advice she would give to her 18-year-old self, she replied quite simply: “Be ambitious and work hard.”

The finishing school series is a key part of TIGHS’ work to build aspiration and develop leadership skills amongst its pupils.

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26 STAR COMMUNITY Small Heath pupil receives special lockdown visitor A Year 7 pupil from Small Heath Leadership Academy, received an exciting surprise visitor during lockdown.

Nazeefa Zaman, who has been praised by teachers for her efforts to raise the spirits of her family and friends throughout the pandemic, received the surprise of her life when she answered her front door following a busy day of home-learning.

The young pupil was astounded to see Blue Peter’s Mwaka Mudenda at the end of her garden accompanied by a Blue Peter Robot.

The pupil had been busy through lockdown baking brownie treats for her loved-ones to help cheer them up through the dark days of the pandemic.

On hearing of the young pupil’s caring nature, the producers at Blue Peter were keen to reward Nazeefa’s efforts with a specially delivered Blue Peter badge.

Nazeefa opened the door to be greeted by presenter Mwaka and the robot which began to fire Pot Noodles around her garden. Inside one of the pots was her very own Silver Blue Peter badge, which are awarded to Blue badge holders who go on to make an extra effort.

Nazeefa says that she is a huge fan of Blue Peter and the day was one of the best days of her life.

Millions of Blue Peter fans have been awarded badges since their launch in 1963. There are now eight different badges that can be earned by fans in a variety of categories.

Preston pupils launch book to raise funds for hospice Pupils and staff at Eden Boys’ School, Preston have created a book filled with hope to raise funds for East Lancashire Hospice.

The book, which is entitled ‘Inspire’, contains a collection of thoughtful poems and artwork which has been created exclusively by pupils, staff, parents and governors and made especially for the project.

The Inspire project aimed to help pupils, parents and staff by encouraging them to think about the positive changes they could bring about during times of difficulty.

Nafisa Patel, Principal at Eden Boys’ School, Preston, thanked pupils, parents and staff for their hard work and for supporting the project.

She said: “The Inspire project has helped to provide a positive focus during what has been a challenging time for many of our families.

“By focusing on the things we can improve, we are teaching pupils how a positive outlook can help them to remain resilient during these difficult times.

“We are immensely proud of our book and I am personally very grateful to all of our pupils, parents and staff who have supported and contributed to the project.

“We hope the book will raise some much-needed funds for East Lancashire Hospice which carries out incredible work across the area.”

The book has successfully raised £700 so far to help provide valuable support for the hospice.

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Preston primary pupils capture historic moment Young pupils at The Olive School, Preston captured a monumental development in the history of the school by writing a series of news reports to document the school’s move to its new permanent site.

Shortly after the move, pupils, armed with notebooks and microphones, bravely set about interviewing staff members and pupils to gather testimonies. The pupils had carefully planned their questions to gain the best insights with which to tell their news stories.

Teachers were delighted with the pupils’ accounts, which they said were a wonderful reflection of the optimism and excitement that surrounded the move.

The stories depicted pupils’ delight on seeing freshly decorated walls, the light and airy classrooms and how much they enjoyed the sense of tranquillity. Other stories described how pupils noted the care with which new displays had been created by staff and how they appreciated the hard work of their teachers and teaching assistants who had worked hard throughout the Easter break to ensure the school was perfect for pupils. Throughout the articles, pupils conveyed a deep sense of gratitude for their new surroundings.

Miss Bala, a Year 5 teacher, described how she was looking forward to summer, when the grass would grow, so that pupils would finally have access to a playing field where they could run and play games. Mrs Burgess, the school’s Business Manager, was quoted as saying there was a new found confidence associated with the building and that teachers would find the bigger, spacious classrooms easier to teach in and that the facilities would help pupils and staff to achieve fantastic results together.

Bay pupils scoop exclusive interviews after launch of news channel An innovative school-based news channel has been launched by the creative pupils at Bay Leadership Academy. The channel, which is called BLA News, captures the latest news from in and around school in a slick production that is uploaded to the school’s website.

The news programme launched in March, following the reopening of schools to all pupils, and features a range of in-depth interviews and news pieces to keep pupils informed about current events.

Pupils have already scooped several exclusives and interviews that are helping to engage audiences about the many issues that affect the school community.

Exclusives have included interviews with the grandchild of a concentration camp survivor for Holocaust Memorial Day and a wellbeing coach for the International Day of Happiness.

Pupil Eve Roberts interviewed two of Bay’s sporting stars - former pupils, Team GB competitor Beckie Kershaw and pentathlon athlete and Olympic 2021 hopeful, Georgia Hannam - for International Women’s Day and found out about their views on women in sport.

Beckie described how watching Kelly Holmes compete in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens had helped to inspire her to work hard towards her goals. Georgia shared how the life of an elite sportswoman meant that she had made many sacrifices, including living apart from her family and friends for four years to attend the National Training Centre for Swimming in Bath.

Both athletes said that International Women’s Day and the celebration of women’s achievements was a helpful reminder of the progress made towards equality but also served as a reminder that there was still much work to be done.

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Eden Girls’ School, Coventry in virtual bid for Tokyo Olympics Pupils, parents and staff at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry have launched their own ‘bid’ to reach this year’s Olympic games in Tokyo.

But instead of travelling by air, these contenders will be taking on a virtual challenge to collectively run, walk, hop, skip or jump the 9,522 km distance from Coventry to Tokyo.

The challenge was launched in a bid to help the school’s community focus on achieving a more active lifestyle after months of lockdown had led to fewer opportunities for pupils to take part in sports and activities.

The school’s Tokyo challenge has even won the support of local former Olympian and middle and long-distance runner, David Moorcroft OBE. Moorcroft is no stranger to the Olympics and represented Great Britain at the Montreal games in 1976, Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984. He also set a new world record for the 5,000m in 1982, and won two gold medals in the 5,000m at 1982’s Commonwealth Games and in the 1,500m at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Moorcroft has been spurring pupils on with their challenge by sharing words of support and encouragement through special videos that have been shown to pupils.

The school’s community was delighted to complete the mammoth challenge by mid-June, following months of effort and hard work.

Caroline Amos-Wilkins, a PE Teacher at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, said that the challenge had been met with a great deal of enthusiasm by pupils, parents and staff.

She said that the programme had harnessed the spirit of Olympic Games and the values that they instil in others. The aim was to motivate pupils to do something different, have an end goal and be enthusiastic about getting active. It was also hoped that the challenge would inspire families to get away from screens during lockdown and beyond.

Pupils impressed teachers with their dedication to the project and said that they had enjoyed working towards a collective end goal.

STARLIGHT

David Moorcroft OBE said that the activity was a great way for pupils to work towards a common objective and to enjoy the benefits of a more active lifestyle. He said:

It is wonderful that Eden Girls’ School, Coventry is actively seeking out new ways to inspire its pupils to engage in physical activity. This is an imaginative and fun way for the school to encourage pupils back into sport after what has been a turbulent time for many. I’ve really enjoyed hearing about pupils’ progress and their enthusiasm for this project has been truly inspiring.”

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Jacob Bateman, Danielle Bose and George Flanagan

Tong celebrates special relationship with Bradford Bulls Pupils and staff at Tong Leadership Academy are celebrating their commitment to sport and their close relationship with local rugby legends, the Bradford Bulls. Three pupils and one teacher from the school currently train with the Bulls with the pupils signed to coveted youth scholarship places.

Jacob Bateman began playing for Birkenshaw Bluedogs when he was just seven years old. The pupil, who is now 15, was spotted by a scout and signed by the Bradford Bulls in March last year, just as the country entered the first lockdown. This meant that his twice weekly training sessions were forced to take place remotely via video.

Jacob plays in the loose forward position so has had to work hard to keep his level of fitness high during lockdown as his position requires plenty of running. The young sportsman was overjoyed to be able to return to physical training and enjoys all aspects of rugby. Jacob aims to make rugby his full-time profession when he’s older. He says that with hard work and lots of training he is confident he will achieve his long-term goal.

Fellow Tong pupil George Flanagan began his training at Dudley Hill Rugby League Club when he was six-yearsold and began to play matches when he was seven.

George played his first match for the Bradford Bulls Scholarship team last May against Wakefield Trinity.

George says that training with the Bulls through Covid-19 has been challenging, but the 16-year-old, hopes to stay with the Bulls and make his way to their first team.

16-year-old Osman Conteh, plays at West Bowling and was awarded a scholarship with the Bradford Bulls in

January 2020. The talented sportsman has only been playing rugby league for three years, but his natural ability helped to ensure that coaches were able to select Osman for the scholarship. Osman enjoys all aspects of rugby, but says that he particularly enjoys making tackles and scoring tries.

Danielle Bose, a PE teacher at Tong Leadership Academy, has been part of the Bradford Bulls Women’s rugby team for the past 17 years. Danielle began playing rugby at Wibsey Warriors and, six years ago, the team became Bradford Bulls Women and now competes in the Women’s Super League. During her time at Bradford Bulls Women, she has been both vice-captain and captain and has had the honour of representing England on five occasions.

Danielle stepped down as captain for Bulls Women two seasons ago to spend more time with her daughter. The team has had lots of success since forming the Bulls Women’s team reaching numerous finals and winning both the Challenge Cup and the Grand Final. Danielle hopes to encourage more girls to participate in rugby in the future as the game has an exciting future ahead, particularly with the Rugby League World Cup being held in England this autumn.

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Eden Boys’ Manchester continues charity efforts in hard hit areas Caring pupils and staff at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester have been working hard to provide valuable support to people who are struggling in their local area.

Throughout the pandemic, people across the northwest suffered particular hardship due to the area’s high prevalence of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown restrictions.

But in spite of these challenges, the Star family at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester looked to find practical ways to offer comfort to people experiencing difficulties.

During Ramadhaan, fasting pupils chose to donate their dinner money or school meals to local homeless shelters. At the end of each day, Mr Matadar, Mr Brown and Miss Hon took meals for distribution to those in need. Each day, around 100 meals were delivered to vulnerable local people.

Pupils were also encouraged to help by donating items to the school’s food bank. The generosity of donations saw ten large crates and multiple bags filled with essentials. The items were donated to the Mustard Tree food bank for the homeless and vulnerable. Staff at the food bank were highly appreciative of the donations, which they said had come at just the right time.

The school community also rallied to raise funds to help support local charities. Pupils held a staff charity car wash. Staff and pupils worked together to ensure that 32 cars were left sparkling, raising £320 for charity.

Staff and pupils’ efforts didn’t end there. They also raised funds by buying treat boxes, filled with cakes, sweets and other savouries, to eat at Iftar time during the holy month of Ramadhaan. A total of 210 treat boxes were sold for £5 each, raising an enormous £1,100.

The school also worked to raise the spirits of key workers by making gift hampers filled with sweets, chocolates, biscuits and other treats for key worker staff to enjoy. A total of 35 gift hampers were made and distributed by school staff to Manchester hospitals, Mustard Tree food bank and local homeless shelters. The school also teamed up with the charity hospital Iftars to provide food packs for fasting staff and patients at local hospitals.

STARLIGHT

Eden Boys’ pupil creates food packs for vulnerable During the pandemic, Year 10 student Umar Shiekh showed his charitable side by making food packs for the needy during the lockdown. The kind pupil said he had been inspired by the many charitable activities taking place in his school and, as a consequence, had decided to undertake his own charitable work.

Umar, who thought of and planned the whole idea with his cousins, worked with the charitable organisation Inspire to prepare food packs for the homeless and those who were struggling during the lockdown. The food packs, which included sandwiches, water, snacks and fresh fruit, were distributed to people in the local area.

STAR COMMUNITY

Olive Birmingham pupils are super learning pirates Teachers at The Olive School, Birmingham are taking an imaginative approach to developing pupils’ literacy skills through the magical world of pirates.

Staff at the school staged a Pirate Super Learning Day where they shared stories of adventure and took part in themed activities to inspire an enthusiasm for reading and writing among their young pupils.

As part of their celebrations, the author of The Pirate Picnic, Juliet Clare Bell, visited the school and encouraged pupils to compose invitations to the book’s central character, Pirate Frank, to invite him to their special pirate picnic.

At their picnic, pupils were treated to golden jam sandwiches, treasure snacks and lashings of delicious milk. Pupils and staff dressed in fun and creative pirate outfits and even sailed on the school’s own pirate ship. The picnic was topped off with a tale of pirate adventure and a cheerful song.

The school’s Pirate Super Learning Day has become an annual, iconic day for children, parents and staff as they look forward to spending a day filled with fun and creativity, and making memorable links to aid pupils’ learning.

Waltham Forest pupils shine in Oxford University competition Pupils at Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest have excelled in a national computing competition run by a prestigious university.

Assia Yahiaoui, Maimunah Kola and Aila Ahmed were awarded Gold certificates by the University of Oxford in its UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge.

The Year 7 pupils were placed in the top 10% in the country of more than 240,000 entrants, thanks to their advanced computer skills and problem-solving abilities.

Participants in the challenge are required to take part in a range of tasks that are based on problems that computer scientists often face.

Examples of these techniques include the ability to break down complex tasks into simpler components, algorithm design, pattern recognition, pattern generalisation and abstraction. The tasks can be solved without prior knowledge but require logical thinking.

In total, 80 out of 290 participants at Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest achieved a Distinction in the Challenge and 72 were awarded a Merit.

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Eden Boys’ Bolton pupil wins prestigious competition A pupil at Eden Boys’ School, Bolton scooped the prize for best speaker in the prestigious English Speaking Union (ESU) Churchill Public Speaking competition.

The ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition is the largest spoken language competition in England. Teams comprise three individuals, each with a unique and challenging role. At Eden Boys’ School, Bolton, Zamry Mohamed was nominated to be the speaker, Saifullah Hussain was the chairperson and Bazil Anwar was the questioner. All three pupils performed exceptionally in the competition.

Zamry spoke eloquently about America and whether it is the land of opportunity. The Year 11 pupil blew the judges away with his incredible speech, which led to him being awarded a prize.

Chairperson Saifullah introduced another speaker and summarised the key points of their speech. Bazil acted as questioner and used his inquisitive nature to interrogate a speaker about her topic, freedom of speech. The three pupils demonstrated their hard work, diligence and perseverance in preparing for this competition. They worked extremely well together and were a credit to the whole school.

Saifullah described how the competition had helped him to improve his public speaking skills and helped to boost his confidence. For Zamry, the competition helped him to improve his critical thinking skills and oratory skills.

Teachers said it had been a pleasure to help the pupils prepare for the competition and that it had been a very enjoyable experience all round.

STARLIGHT

The ESU competition has been a significant factor in the development of my oratory skills. Having to give intuitive responses to my opposition teams’ questions granted me the opportunity to harness and further improve my critical thinking skills. In a time of confusion and disarray, the art of oratory allows not only information, but hope and unity to be spread. In these demanding times, it is our obligation to utilise the power of our voices to make a positive impact.”

ZAMRY MOHAMED, PUPIL

STAR COMMUNITY

Starbank pupils in radio extravaganza Pupils in Years 3 and 5 at Starbank School have been enjoying the experience of presenting their very own radio show. Working with Shan Bansil, Starbank’s specialist practitioner for children’s TV and radio broadcasting, pupils collaborated to create a thirty-minute Rocket Radio broadcast to share all the exciting things they have been learning in their curriculum topics.

In their show, The 353 Show, the first feature got off to a dramatic start as pupils from Year 5 at Starbank Road shared their rewriting of the poem The Highwayman, complete with sound effects to really bring the story to life. Luckily, this version had a happy ending, with Bess uniting with the Highwayman.

Year 3 pupils from the school’s Bierton Road site, then shared their learnings about the vicious Vikings, debunking some common Viking myths before performing a powerful song that captured the gritty spirit of the Vikings in their longboats. To round off the show, Year 3 pupils from the Hob Moor Road site reported on all the different benefits of insects and how these crawly critters actually do a huge amount to help the environment.

The pupils recorded the radio features in classroom-based recording sessions. They also had the opportunity to get behind microphones and studio equipment to broadcast live in the school’s radio studios.

Each half term, pupils from different year groups at Starbank School produce a radio show as part of Rocket Radio, getting a taster of what life as a radio presenter, technical specialist and production team member is like. Rocket Radio has been part of Starbank pupils’ lives since it was launched in 2010, and began as a creative initiative to improve literacy standards and promote pupil voice.

Rocket Radio and the school’s iStarTV channel are available on the school website.

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Eden Boys’ Birmingham support domestic abuse shelter The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in domestic abuse cases worldwide. For the victims of domestic abuse, lockdown made it difficult to seek help or to identify an escape route.

Domestic abuse charities reported a surge in demand for their services.

For Birmingham Crisis Centre, phones were ringing off the hook and their rooms remained constantly full, with families seeking refuge. Despite the Covid-19 restrictions, its doors were always open and staff continued to work around the clock, attending to a 24-hour helpline, whilst ensuring staff, women and children remained safe.

Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham has supported many local and national charitable organisations over the years, however, after learning of the increase in demand for domestic abuse support services, the school committed to providing an extra level of support for Birmingham Crisis Centre.

From the start of the first lockdown, pupils and staff at the school began to strengthen their support for the centre. They provided regular hot meals and breakfast food parcels, and also facilitated other organisations to support the worthwhile charity by gathering donations that would enrich the lives of those who were living in the charity’s refuge accommodation.

Working alongside Lendlease UK, the school gave all the families gifts over Christmas, as part of the trust’s Festive Winter Gift Programme. Over the Easter period, families were given Easter eggs and Eid gifts were given to celebrate the end of Ramadhaan.

Birmingham Crisis Centre is a registered charity and is reliant on government funding and donations from third parties. The centre was founded more than 30 years ago to fill a desperate need in the Birmingham area, providing temporary, emergency accommodation and support for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. It is one of the largest independent centres for domestic abuse in Europe, with 24 self-contained units.

When Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham reached out to us it was perfect timing.

The support of your young people and local connections have been greatly appreciated.

You have provided hot meals for families in need. You have even gone beyond blessing us with foods and basic necessities and gifted all of our women and children with Christmas and Eid gifts. The smiles on our families’ faces are immeasurable. You have helped those in uncomfortable situations feel a little more comfortable. I have no idea how we could ever repay you as a thank you doesn’t seem enough. All your hard work has not gone unnoticed.”

BIRMINGHAM CRISIS CENTRE

STAR COMMUNITY

OLIVE SMALL HEATH TAKES STEPS TO SAVE THE PLANET Environmentally conscious pupils from The Olive School, Small Heath heeded David Attenborough’s pleas to save the planet by taking on their very own eco project.

Pupils at the school have been working to create an oasis of calm whilst learning about the importance of sustainability and how even small changes can help to make a difference.

Armed with litter pickers, the pupils frequently patrol the playground collecting harmful litter that could damage local wildlife.

Pupils have also learnt important lessons in growing their own food and successfully harvested a delicious crop of apples from trees in the playground.

The pupils also helped to care for plants and learnt that in order to be able to grow, plants need water, nutrients from the ground and light.

The importance of living sustainably and caring for our environment is embedded throughout the Star curriculum. From a young age, pupils are actively encouraged to take part in environmental projects that benefit the local community and to think about the actions they can take to help protect the environment.

Pupils learn that by taking action today we can work together to help avert a climate crisis.

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Pupils go ‘quackers’ for new classmates Young pupils at Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy had an ‘egg-citing’ return to school after lockdown thanks to some very special classroom visitors.

Reception pupils at the Bradford primary school were welcomed back into the classroom in March, following the full reopening of schools to all pupils, with a fun duckling experience.

Eggs were brought to the school in an incubator and pupils watched as the eggs hatched into ducklings. Pupils even had the chance to see their fluffy ducklings take their first swim.

Teachers used the activity to help pupils settle back into school life after the disruption of lockdown. The duckling eggs gave pupils the opportunity to witness an everyday miracle and to share in a moment of wonder.

The ducklings have since been rehomed and are now enjoying life on a farm in Halifax.

Laisterdyke pupils celebrate reading with literary festival During February half term and the Easter holiday, Laisterdyke Leadership Academy held an innovative series of events to encourage more pupils to pick up a book and enjoy a good read.

The events were staged through imaginative reading conferences that were held for Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils.

Pupils were able to access inspiring sessions including a guided reading of The Boy at the Back of the Class, poetry classes using video clips of Poet Laureate Simon Armitage followed by pupils writing their own poems, and book clubs. The book clubs involved watching video clips of well-known people talking about their favourite books and students being given the opportunity to read the first chapter of the texts.

STARLIGHT

During the Easter holiday, staff used MS Teams to encourage pupils to discuss and share their own reading highlights. Pupils read blurbs and first chapters as a group and discussed their opinions of the new texts.

Inspired pupils flocked to the library to borrow these books so that they could experience the novels in their entirety during their holidays.

STAR COMMUNITY

Varsity challenges raise the bar for The Valley pupils Pupils at The Valley Leadership Academy have been broadening their horizons thanks to a series of varsity challenge competitions.

The challenges were rolled out across Key Stage 3 to help pupils embrace a new range of extra-curricular activities.

Challenges began with a focus on the arts with pupils asked to complete photography, art and poetry competitions.

The second half of the term used the power of competition to develop pupils’ literacy skills with pupils taking part in spelling bees, language and inspirational voices contests.

In each challenge, pupils initially competed in their form groups for a chance to go through to the whole school finals, where form groups battled it out to claim the top spot.

The competitions encouraged pupils to step out of their comfort zones and to take their skills and creativity to the next level. They were also used as an opportunity to celebrate pupils’ efforts and to reward their achievements by displaying examples of excellent work around the school. Winners were also awarded special certificates.

Pupils embraced the competitions with enthusiasm and filled the school with inspirational words and visually arresting artwork.

Teachers say the competitions helped to raise pupils’ esteem whilst ensuring they continued to meet their learning goals.

Manchester food bank support goes from strength to strength As the first lockdown was announced the staff at Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester realised that pupils, their families and the local community would need more support during this difficult time. The lockdown meant that many families were unable to go out for food easily, and those who were isolating due to illness suffered the additional pressure of an uncertain income.

The school immediately began to look at how it could actively support families in a constructive way.

Staff began by establishing a food bank for their families in need. Food and supplies came from FareShare along with donations from families and staff. Staff also worked hard to secure donations from other companies such as Morrisons, Mcvities, Soap and Glory, and other local companies. Food boxes continue to be sent out weekly, and contain a wide range of supplies such as soup, flour, pasta, sauces, and cereals. Each family is also given a supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. Since the food bank began at the start of the pandemic, Miss Pinches and Miss Qureshi have delivered over three hundred food boxes.

Initially, just five families took up the offer of the food bank. However as the pandemic continued, this increased to over 30 families who have regularly benefitted from its support.

Although the food bank was born from difficult times, the staff at Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester feel there have been many positive benefits. Alongside helping to support families, it also enabled the school to develop stronger and deeper relationships with parents and pupils. Staff say that an extra level of trust has been established amongst the families it serves.

Pupils in school have also found helping with food bank activities to be very valuable and working with the food bank now forms an important part of the school’s enrichment calendar. For pupils participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the experience has enabled them to demonstrate that they have completed the required volunteering activities. Taking part in the operations of the food bank has also contributed to the development of the organisation and team building skills of Year 10 students.

Ruqaya, a Year 9 pupil, has taken an active role in the food bank since school returned in September. She has found it a great scheme to be involved in and feels she has grown in confidence, improved her organisational skills and has enjoyed working as part of a team. She feels she now has a greater understanding of the difficulties families can face and wants to look at career where she can support people in the future.

The food bank is now an established part of the school’s community service and will continue to be a valuable source of support for families. The school aims to continue to work in partnership with FareShare and other companies to make sure that all families are able receive the support they need.

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Eden Boys’ Bradford grows environmental leaders The pupils at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Bradford have been working with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to inspire young people through nature and to develop a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a charity dedicated to caring for the people, landscape and wildlife of the Dales and to helping everyone to appreciate the unique landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.

Pupils worked with the YDMT’s green mentor, Rosie Russell-Cohen, to explore what it means to be an active environmental citizen.

The sessions began last autumn with an online workshop about plastic, and pupils are now engaging in face-to-face lessons. Pupils recently planted over 200 seeds that will be sold to raise money for charity, they also explored food waste and composting, and discovered the importance of bees and their significance in sustaining the planet.

Workshops encouraged pupils to work together as a team, to connect constructively with their community and the world around them, and inspired them to discover a love for nature.

It is hoped that pupils will be able to become leaders in ensuring their permanent school site, which is due to open during the autumn term, is as sustainable as possible.

Through the development of a peace garden, pupils will be part of the process to grow and develop the site with biodiversity as a priority.

STARLIGHT

STAR COMMUNITY

Pupils inspire joy with choir at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East is alive with the sound of music thanks to the dedicated efforts of its nasheed choir.

A nasheed is a work of vocal music that is either sung a cappella or with instruments, and is a popular form of music throughout the Islamic world. The material and lyrics of a nasheed usually make reference to Islamic beliefs, history and religion, as well as current events.

Despite the challenges of lockdown, pupils continued to practise their talents to ensure that their music would continue to inspire the hearts and souls of their school community.

The nasheed choir is led by the head of Year 8, Mr Ayubi, and involves pupils from Year 8 who meet weekly to rehearse and learn the different styles of nasheed. Pupils are also learning to develop their drumming skills to provide a lively accompaniment.

The nasheed choir has performed to the whole school during online rewards assemblies in December 2020 and in April 2021.

Mr Ayubi is a prominent nasheed artist who has had over 14 million views of his popular nasheed, Ya Illahi. The school has also recently employed another nasheed artist, Mikhaael Mala who is teaching music and nasheeds at the school.

Mikhaael Mala won the Sound of Souls contest in 2011 and has performed in world renowned venues including Wembley Arena and the O2 Arena.

Mikhaael’s music seeks to reflect on the human quest for inspiration and purpose.

The school is aiming to stage a performance of nasheeds in a concert to celebrate all of its pupils’ efforts once Covid-19 restrictions are fully lifted.

Eden Girls create bespoke benches for peace garden In the last week of the spring term, Year 9 pupils at Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham had a wonderful opportunity to take part in a Volunteer it Yourself (VIY) workshop, where local community professionals volunteer to share and develop a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related skill with young people.

The aim of the workshop was to challenge the pupils to learn trade and employability skills in areas of carpentry and construction. Pupils participated in a workshop to develop their knowledge of working safely with wood and different carpentry tools, and opted to make special benches for the school’s new peace garden.

The pupils demonstrated excellent teamwork as they ambitiously persevered to design and build their benches. Pupils said that they enjoyed the activity tremendously and were very proud of their benches.

They hoped the benches would be enjoyed by all whilst they bask in the beauty of the stunning peace garden.

Since 2011, more than 10,000 young people have volunteered at over 500 VIY projects UK-wide, which were supported by around 1,000 trade skills mentors.

Working with pieces of wood to create beautiful benches was both fun and very rewarding.

We are proud of our new school and are enjoying sitting on our self-made benches in the school’s peace garden. I may even tackle making some DIY furniture at home.’

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Blackburn primary pupils are ‘eco warriors’ Pupils and staff at a Blackburn primary school have received a special award in recognition of their work to protect the environment.

The Olive School, Blackburn has been awarded ‘green flag’ status and was officially recognised as an ‘ecoschool’.

Eco-Schools is a global programme which engages 19.5 million children across 67 countries, making it the largest educational programme on the planet.

For over 25 years, Eco-Schools has been working to help children to drive change and improve their environmental awareness in order to achieve the international Eco-Schools Green Flag.

The award for The Olive School, Blackburn comes after more than a year’s worth of work at the school to take action against global warming and to introduce measures to promote environmental sustainability. Alongside the green flag award, the school was also awarded bronze and silver awards

by Eco-Schools in recognition of staff and pupils’ eco-credentials.

The school teamed up with sustainable clothing brand, Frugi, which provided pupils with a 10-day eco challenge to complete at home. The task was designed to make them more aware of environmental issues and how to overcome them.

Pupils devised a range of sustainable improvements including designing their own eco playground, a healthy eating menu, researching renewable energy sources and designing their own t-shirts to promote the theme of protecting the planet.

The pupils also nominated an eco warrior from each class to bring forward suggestions and update their class on any changes. The eco warriors also formed a litter picking team to ensure school grounds were a place where wildlife could thrive.

STARLIGHT

As part of the challenge, environmentally conscious pupils also planted 315 trees (donated by the Woodland Trust) around school grounds to encourage biodiversity.

Staff at the school encouraged pupils to explore their natural environment and take an interest in the wildlife around them by taking part in the RSPB’s The Big Schools’ Birdwatch and by carrying out a bug hunt.

Thanks to their efforts, the school achieved a bronze award from the RSPB.

STAR COMMUNITY Eden Girls’ Slough pupils given expert insight into biological science The fascinating world of biological sciences was the subject of an expert lecture for the pupils at Eden Girls’ School, Slough.

Dr Shobana Dissanayeke, a lecturer and researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London, took part in a virtual lecture with Year 11 pupils to discuss the science behind tuberculosis (TB). The esteemed senior lecturer is the co-coordinator of the first year bio-scientist course which provides some of the fundamental skills necessary to become a scientist, including processing information, mathematics and communication.

Dr Dissanayeke revealed exciting insights into the many medical advancements surrounding this devastating illness, which kills over one million people a year globally. Pupils were taught about the development of modern diagnostic methods, the symptoms of the illness and how TB is commonly treated throughout the world.

Parallels were drawn between the modern-day Covid-19 pandemic and TB, and pupils were invited to take part in a discussion to further their understanding.

Pupils also tested their knowledge and assumptions through an interactive quiz.

Dr Dissanayeke spoke to pupils about her career path and the reasons behind her choice to study a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) subject. She also talked about her experience working for a top London university.

High Crags pupils scoop raft of writing prizes A group of talented writers from High Crags Primary Leadership Academy have been selected to appear in an anthology of short stories following a county-wide competition.

The Connecting Stories competition asked pupils to write a piece of creative writing that explored a connection they have to a particular place.

Two High Crags pupils, Hollie and Elanura, scooped first and second prize in the competition, which is run by the National Literacy Trust.

Connecting Stories is an Arts Council England-funded project, which aims to address the literacy attainment gap across 14 Hub areas. The project increases children and young people’s access to literary experiences and books in communities most in need of support.

The Bradford campaign is supported by publishers Bonnier Books UK and Faber & Faber who will be donating books to the Bradford area. Authors Konnie Huq, Harry Heape and Sairish Hussain have been supporting the campaign by championing reading and creative writing in Bradford.

The authors gave entrants advice and encouragement in a series of fun videos. Konnie discussed how she drew inspiration from the world around her and delighted in finding humorous situations to share with her readers.

Pupils’ work will be showcased in an online exhibition and in an anthology containing the best stories from across Bradford. The school also received a package of books, which included copies of the anthology.

Almost 400,000 children and young people in the UK don’t have a book of their own and disadvantaged children are more likely than their peers to not own a book.

Reading is championed throughout the Star Academies curriculum and through its Star Readers initiative, which encourages pupils to strengthen and delight in their reading skills.

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Come Dine With Me challenge for Olive Bolton’s pupils A tasty challenge was set for the pupils at The Olive School, Bolton as part of a competition to help pupils switch off their screens and enjoy themselves.

Pupils from across the school took part in a Come Dine With Me challenge where they were encouraged to bond with their families as they whipped up a host of culinary treats.

Galaxy choc chip cookies, pasta salads, cupcakes topped with icing and sprinkles, spicy cheesy nachos and tasty wraps were all on the menu as pupils treated their families to a day of feasting and fun.

Pupils devised their menus, gathered ingredients and carefully followed recipes to create their inspiring dishes.

Many pupils treated their families to the full dining experience by laying the table and serving food to their parents and siblings.

The Come Dine With Me challenge was devised as part of the school’s Wellbeing Thursdays, to help pupils spend quality time with their families during lockdown. Pupils were encouraged to take regular time out of their busy learning schedules to focus on their wellbeing.

Alongside cooking and family film nights, pupils were also tasked with basking in the wonder of the natural world by creating artwork linked to nature, devising creative marble runs as part of a Marble Mania task and creating family pamper sessions.

As well as being fun for pupils and their families, these sessions carried vital messages about the importance of spending time away from screens, interacting with family and finding pleasure in the simpler things in life.

Star primary pupils shortlisted for educational accolades Two young pupils from Star primary schools in Bradford were shortlisted for a notable award thanks to their dedication to learning during lockdown.

Star Gavaza of Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy and Hawa Khan of Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy were selected as finalists in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus Annual Education Awards.

The talented pupils were shortlisted in the Star Student of the Year (under 16) category. Star was selected for her excellent work during lockdown, including her wonderful writing and work to protect the environment as an ‘eco warrior’. The Year 4 pupil talked of her passion for English and described how she devours words in her quest to increase her vocabulary.

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Hawa was selected for her extraordinary resilience, grit and determination with her learning, even during her periods of illness. Teachers described how Hawa is an ‘absolute joy’ to teach and is a wonderful member of the school community.

Staff, pupils and parents from the school leant their support to the two Star pupils as they tuned in for the award ceremony, which was hosted online due to lockdown restrictions.

Despite, being pipped to the post for the winning place, both pupils said they were honoured to be shortlisted and appreciated the celebration of their efforts.

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LISA CRAUSBY Executive Director: Education

In this edition of Star People we talk to Lisa Crausby, who is the executive lead for the trust’s education provision. Lisa, who joined the trust in 2017, takes the strategic lead on the School Improvement Framework, Principals’ Performance Management, the Rapid Improvement Model, Safeguarding, Inclusion and Teaching Strategy. She is also the link education director to a number of schools in the trust. Throughout the pandemic, Lisa has led on the trust’s approach to wellbeing to ensure pupils and staff remain safe and well during these difficult times.

What are the key challenges in supporting pupil wellbeing?

There are two key challenges that come to mind.

Firstly, schools are having to keep abreast of their local challenges at this current time. We know that in some areas, schools are dealing with a very high number of referrals to social care linked to the pandemic. This means that schools in these areas need to be proactive in their support for pupils who may be finding life difficult. It is crucial our schools are a safe haven for these pupils; an oasis where they can flourish, build resilience and achieve academically. To achieve this, they may require specialist therapeutic support alongside their own pastoral key worker within school.

Secondly, pupils need to have opportunities to express themselves.

To develop resilience and enhance pupil wellbeing, we need a strong personal development programme for all pupils. It is important for pupils to be physically active, work as a team, develop new talents and experience a sense of achievement. Our school staff go above and beyond every day to enrich the lives of our pupils through wonderful extra-curricular activities linked to our Star leadership foundations of sport, creativity, performing arts, enterprise and careers, charity and social action - and other initiatives, such as the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the National Citizenship Service. We continue to flood our schools with enrichment opportunities and target

those pupils who will benefit the most from them. In doing so, we will develop pupils’ character, which will help them emotionally withstand future obstacles that may come their way in life.

What aspect of your job gives you the greatest satisfaction?

The greatest satisfaction is seeing transformation happening within a school. There is no better feeling than seeing a struggling school with a long legacy of underperformance starting to flourish. It is wonderful to see the hard work paying off and the school community developing its own distinctive identity. I also love to see happy, caring pupils acting as leaders, taking initiative and making their school and local community an even better place to be. We have so many great schools within Star that make me beam with pride.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

I have two: Mrs Hunt and Miss Billington.

One taught me French and the other taught me German. Both transported me to France and Germany each time I entered their classroom and every lesson, they inspired me to love languages and helped me to achieve the top grades. Their investment in me gave me a hunger to study languages further. I taught myself Spanish whilst studying French and German at college.

I then decided I wanted to study Arabic at university, which was an unusual choice at the time. My reasoning was to challenge myself to learn how to read and write the Arabic script whilst understanding more about the countries

in which Arabic was spoken. After obtaining my degree, I then trained to be a Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Teacher and loved nothing more than imparting my love of languages to pupils.

A special highlight was being a role model to the girls in my form class who all went on to study languages at college and university! I focused my Master’s Degree on how to help boys to succeed in MFL. It was a proud moment seeing my research findings being used in schools across the country.

I will always be personally thankful to those two teachers for fostering my passion for languages and opening up an amazing career pathway which has enabled me to support others.

What interests do you have outside of work?

Being a passionate linguist, I love to travel the world. I want my children to be outward-facing and appreciate new countries and soak up their cultures. To date, we have visited every continent on the planet and I am keen we see all seven wonders of the world. To unwind and relax, I love the theatre, music and ballet. I am blessed to live in the Eden Valley in Cumbria and regularly enjoy amazing lakes on my doorstep. I am also an avid Manchester City football fan having grown up as a junior blue.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Louis de Bernieres’ Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

I am enjoying the Greek island of Cephalonia and immersing myself with the struggle between love and patriotism. It is a brilliant book.

KEY APPOINTMENTS Stephen Dixon (Principal) SUMMER 2021 ISSUE 06

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Stars of

AWARD

Many people have worked tirelessly and exemplified the STAR values over recent months, selflessly going the extra mile to ensure that our pledges were delivered: everyone is a star of hope.

All colleagues listed below have received a Stars of Hope letter and certificate from the trust’s Chief Executive in recognition of their exceptional contribution in the latest round of the Stars of Hope Award.

BARKEREND PRIMARY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Tracy Plummer, Azar Farooq, Sarah Deighton, Jen Pearson, Sajida Ahmed, Abida Asghar, Noreen Iqbal, Anthony Waring, Elayne Simmons, Moazama Ashraf, Kimberley Wilson, Hannah Rudd, Julie Taylor, Kalsoom Khan, Victoria Hinchliffe, Ann Winter BAY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Kathleen Bowker, Samantha Foulds, Simone Hartley, Dean Hartley, Jacqueline Kuyateh, Joan Phillips, Elaine Wood, Georgina Brown, Amanda Spencer, Nicola Turner, Rosie Barrett, Paul McLaughlin, Steven Houghton, Casey Hill, Steph Newell, Dean Sumner, Janet Myatt, Suzanne Hunt, Barbara Soj, Patricia Hemingway, Dave Retallick, Joanne Malin, John Spooner, Shaun Wyse, Gareth Finney, Daniel Kay, Jamie Antcliffe, Rachel Burns, Matthew Clapp, Linda Moorhouse, Julie Bird, Jackie Maddison, Julie Thompson, Sue Tomlinson, Darryl Obertelli, Hayley-Marie Steele, Lucy Murgatroyd, Emma Shirley, Erica Knibb, Minhaz Patel, Julie Sibbert, Sandra Roberts, Lynne Dakin, Julie Crinion, Deborah Horsman EDEN BOYS’ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM EAST Rubee Taher, Shazad Rasool, Sabia Nawaz , Nadeem Yaqub, Faizal Ghumra, Luke Reeves EDEN BOYS’ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, BRADFORD - Ilyas Shafiq, Bev Allison, Waqas Rafiq, Rukhsana Rafiq, Safina Bibi, Ansar Mahmood EDEN BOYS’ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, MANCHESTER - Zaheer Fazal, David Walton, Kiran Hussain, Jasmin Kalam, Sara Bashir, Skeena Murtaza, Netesha Butt, Amreen Yousaf, Veronica Ghazi, Farha Rai, Ajwar Hussain, Sabah Taj, Duha Afzal, Abdeladime Adimou, Aliya Akhter, Nicole Greenwood, Sumaya Omerji, Zubair Patel, Mohamed Bencherif, Alexis Ryder, Amar khan, Mohammed Matadar, Usman Matadar, Khizer Rahman, Tanzeela Shahbaz, Caroline Leung, Nadia Lim, Ramzan Ahmad, Benazeer Hussain, Shuzina Begum, Waseem Afzal EDEN BOYS’ SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM - Farhan Bhayat, Salim Ravat EDEN BOYS’ SCHOOL, BOLTON - Wahida Zaeem, Rijvana Patel, Rehana Patel, Dr Catherine Barker, Shafiq Patel, Shaheda Bhatia, Bilkis Vika, Noorjehan Patel, Farjana Ugratdar, Caitlin McAllister, Neil Fitzsimmons, Peter Bates, Safiyyah Mohmed, Mahera Rai, Laura Riley, Sultana Yar, Meghan Starkey, Tasneem Kadu, Lynda Watts, Anne Garvey, Jennifer McCallum, Mubin Patel, Kadeer Hussain, Muhammed Bhikha, Asma Asmal, Mubarak Mallu, Arefa Patel, Sabina Asmail, Farjana Natha, Farzana Patel, Taherabanu Bagas, Samira Dinath, Samir Khan, Richard Foster, Shenaz Ibrahim, Hussain Hassan, Uthmaan Vali , Ahmed Kotwal, Hassan Fazal, Janghir Hussain, Mohamed Osman, Yunus Mohamed, Farzana Bostan, Sadie Childs, Rahima Master, Mumtaz Vali, Fahad Ahmad, Salman Patel, Mohammed Patel, Rabiya Randera , Sobia Asghar, Mohammed Kotwal, Shamim Adam, Ziyad Bhada EDEN BOYS’ SCHOOL, PRESTON - Mubarak Patel, Azmat Ahmed,

STARLIGHT

John Clare, Amy Hurst, Jordan Johnson, Samantha Cosgrove, Juwairiyyah Patel, Rebecca Dawson, Rebecca Grant, Halima Ismail, Raeesa Lorgat, Matthew Harwood, Oliver Hives, Sally Tattersall, Ammaarah Mulla EDEN GIRLS’ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM - Denise Hunt, Zabar Hussain, Junaid Sheikh, Shazia Amer, Asma Ahmed, Sanaa Malik-Khan, Ahlam Ali, Nasima Akhtar, Ohid Islam, Nadifo Shamati, Faduma Ali, Yankuba Saho, Ibrahim Srammeh, Doaa Elansari, Shahida Begum, Nadia Choudhury, Shani Ali, Jolene McDonagh, Zara Abbas EDEN GIRLS’ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, MANCHESTER - Thomas Hindle, Dana Rahmeh, Georgina Hails, Sufyan Desai, Mishaal Hussain, Rebecca Sagar, Qanita Ahmed, Khadeejah Hussain, Ellie Osborne, Lily Graham, Shafia Begum, Helena Morrissey, Sabah Hafeez, Debbie Knowles, Farhan Patel, Chris Inckle, Jo Pepper, Amy Bates, Shabana Sadiq, Ash Rasool, Alex Wilson, Gemma Beresford, Laura Chivers, Reanne Farragher, Emma Adesile, Simone Hawksworth, Sarah Pinches, Sarah Simpson, Jeremy Balcombe, Ryan Spencer, Saba Irshad, Tina Hurst, Fatoumatta Jallow, Connlan O’Meara EDEN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, COVENTRY - Phil Felgate EDEN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, SLOUGH - Aarti Khurmi, Ahmed Abdirahman, Alison Ward, Aliza Qureshi, Amna Mustafa, Anita Galica, Antikhab Aslam, Atia Ahmed, Baldish Dhanda, Christos Makris, Eirini Ioannidou, Elaine Hayes, Faiza Mughal, Farah Bhatti, Fatima Kazmi, Francoise Cusimano, Georgia Walton, Hakim Setterahmane, Halimo Osman Nur, Huma Shakeel, Iman Warsame, Indrani Bhattacharya, Javed Kachhalia Patel, Juliana Selisteanu, Latha Chidipudi, Lauren Burton, Lesley Jones, Lisa Kiely, Madeehah Jehangir, Mahmoud Farah, Maram Badar, Margaret Brunton, Maschil De Guzman, Masooma Hussain, Mohamed Hassan, Muna Mohamed, Nadia Bashir, Nafisah Asif, Nealmfara Akhtar, Nicole Dolan, Raman Sandhu, Sabiha Ahmed, Safiya Monteiro, Salma Mohamud, Sami Mansha, Samira Ali, Shabazz Siddiq, Shegufta Farooq-Bowkan, Sonia Gilet, Yasmin Khan EDEN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, WALTHAM FOREST - Noor Ullah Swati, Maggie Parrot, Taslimah Dauhoo, Noreen Ali, Raquel Murray, Shaveena Bashir, Mahbuba Kamali, Leomerita Shaddock, Sabier Rashid, Iliyan Dyulgerov, Ahad Hussain, Idris Mulla, Elmehani Ahmed, Rijia Rafiq, Maarya Attas, Laura Woods, Halima Dadabhoy, Fatima Gheewala, Camilli Bhogal-Todd, Genna Greenidge HIGH CRAGS PRIMARY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Jacqueline Gibson, Helen Riley, Christine Housley, Tracy Waite, Leanne Wilkinson, Louise Brearley, Rachel Partovi, Jessica Dawson, Jake Armour, Rebecca Smith, Carla Goodey, Natalie Whitehead, Emma Robinson, Sarah Watmuff, Sonia Kosar, Helen Ray HIGHFIELD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Debbie Haylor, Robyn Holding, Lisa Thorne, Vicki Darnell, Chantelle Ogilvie, Katie

STARS OF STARS HOPEOFAWARD HOPE Mallett, Bill, Claire Cartmell, Karen Benson, Victoria Darnell, Sarah Tabeart, Dawn Leonard, James Sinnett, Anneke Houston, Colette Dove, Katie Mallett, John Kerr, Nick Rainbow, Oscar Marshall, Rebecca Wilkie, Danielle McQueenie, Caroline Taylor, Shumi Ahmed, Dawn Livesey, Alison Hinchcliffe, Nicola Dodgson, Penny Rimmer, Neil Taylor, Debbie Woloncewicz, Ian McCleary, John Hooper, Rachael Anderton, Megan McGrath, Patrick Burns, Ben Povey, Callum Bowie, Nabil Jamil, David Cowans LAISTERDYKE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Julianna Horvath, Charlotte Corkett, Zayna Shah, Nadeem Sheikh, Mohammed Waqas SMALL HEATH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Amer Hussain, Michael Edwards, Salma Ali, Shabina Sikander, Leah Furey, Hawabibi Issat STAR CENTRAL - Andy Martin, Imran Patel, Graham Roberts, Sarah Crame, Saqib Safdar, Rafiq Patel, Rahim Mulla, Richard Cantrill, Saudhrul Amin, Jamil Patel, Hugh Kilroy, Debra Shaw, Sue Elliott, Bushra Kamal, Christian Heath, Mohamed Nakhuda, Amrita Terry, Jason Wilson, Graham Walton, Clare Shaw, Mohammed Kajid Ali, Faizal Musa, Lynn Parkinson, Tasnim Adam, Clare Tooth, Sam Brooks, Daniel Burgess, Kylie Cornwall, Lindsey Hanney, Natasha Lewis, Ian Hemingway, Allan Glover, Francesca Ellsmoor, Andy Lavin, Jennifer Baker STARBANK SCHOOL - Amanda Perry, Alison Crathorne, Nusrat Ajaz, Khadija Qurat-ul-ain, Kiran Bhalru, Kaye Eccles, Eugenio Rubio, Gemma Gurney, Najmin Begum, Ayan Ahmed, Shazia Taswar, Gugandeep Dhaliwal, Peter Dixon, Hajra Rifat, Navdeep Malhi, Nadim Riaz TAUHEEDUL ISLAM BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL (TIBHS) - Bashira Patel, Mohammed Ali Daji, Shabana Riaz, Safwan Patel, Isa Mogra, Salman Ali, Qasim Ali, Tasneem Adam, Shoaib Mohmed, Ismaaeel Hussain, Shazia Hussain, Muhammed Patel, Mohsin Patel, Anisa Mohmed, Shahnaz Ilyas, Asiya Hasan, Saba Mahmood, Aisha Khansab, Zainab Hasan, Naeema Hasan, Zubair Ahmed, Usman Kothia, Samina Yakub, Sabiha Patel, Saadiyah Bhayat, Muhammedsafi Patel, Latifa Adam, Mohsina Mulla, Ethsham Asif, Mehrun Patel, Minhaj Ugradar, Safinaz Yusuf, Rizwana Yusuf, Aroua Nagati, Abdulrehman Umar, Uzair Hansrot, Bilal Patel, Zakir Mitha, Razina Patel, Mohammed Awais Akhtar, William Smith, Ateeq Hazari, Suhayl Master TAUHEEDUL ISLAM GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM COLLEGE (TIGHS) - Madina Master, Nafisa Vika, Farida Nagdi, Sayda Sagir, Kulsum Fancy, Farhana Patel, Nazma Master, Bilkis Bux, Carol Knowles, Samsad Moosa, Akhtar Mulla, Yasmin Namaji, Nazma Patel, Rehana Patel, Ruksana Patel, Sabiha Patel, Marjina Sheikh, Zebun Vika, Ismail Sidat THE OLIVE SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM - Zobiah Shamaela, Somiya Nazir, Safia Farah, Razima Khanom, Nadia Parveen, Muriam Rian, Shazia Kiyani, Arif Ravat, Smira Baz, Shaista Malik, Shazana Ibrahim, Rubyna Zulkifal, Shabnam Deen, Mariam Mahmood, Annisa Aziz, Hadikah Zameer, Salima Begum, Shameem Ashraf, Farat Ayub, Aneela Balal, Rabia Ahmed, Taslima Begum, Aysha Ravat, Zaynab Hussain, Rashada Begum, Maryam Bi, Haleema Ali, Sadia Ali, Hamdi Yusuf, Nafisa Akram, Iftikhar Ali, Humayra Farouk, Sofina Khatun, Sakina Hussain, Misbah Zamir, Abedha Sultana, Romaiza Naseem, Rifat Batool, Danash Ahmed, Mohammed Zafran, Sanaa Lariab, Rahilah Khan, Masum Rahman, Siraz Ahmed, Farina Bolia, Humaira Begum, Shaida Riaz

THE OLIVE SCHOOL, BOLTON - Simon Grime, Mubarak Patel, Shakerha Patel, Sarah Taylor, Nabeelah Pandor, Tasneem Master, Nasrin Patel, Shema Patel, Qulsum Valli, Jennifer Taylor, Lookman Batan, Kulsum Mulla, Tayyab Patel, Amira Rafiq, Ayesha Akhtar, Robyn Kelly, Farzana Bostan, Emma Warwick, Aisha Dakri, Laura Austin, Samira Hussain, Farida Kakuji, Amber Khan, Aamina Namazee THE OLIVE SCHOOL, HACKNEY - Hafsha Khan, Farah Ali, Jakir Hussain, Nazneen Islam, Moshin Patel, Neringa GerybaiteAggoun, Deniz Yesilyurt, Hifzur Rahman, Farzana Ferdousi, Manzurul Mannan, Sumiyyah Aboo, Khaleda Begum, Abdul Sadiq Miah, Hawa Mulla, Francesca Phillips, Hafizur Rahman, Babar Mirza THE OLIVE SCHOOL, PRESTON - Shagufta Fitzsimon, Leeanne Mitchell, Zainab Gajaria, Abigail Cross, Safiya Suleman, Smaira Raouf, Sumayya Patel, Mohammad Mulla, Muhammad Kabir, Lisa Collier, Aamirah Bala, Rukeeya Mahmood, Zainab Ali, Humairaa Madari, Sanah Khan, Khatija Badat, Saba Taju, Najia Wahdati, Khadijah Asmal, Khadijah Isap, Shefa Giash, Aysha Patel, Fatema Patel, Paige McKinley, Ismail Bangee, Shahabuddin Solkar, Ali Karim, Christine Burgess, Rasheda Choudhury, Lauren Clegg, Atika Ahmed, Rashida Patel, Shyra Saleh, Asiya Asmal, Rizwana Patel, Lynn Brown, Shazia Farhan, Nasira Dalal, Farida Patel, Jebuneesha Ismail, Anisa Dadhiwala, Lookman Batan THE OLIVE SCHOOL, SMALL HEATH - Gemma Amion, Geni Begum, Rehana Ali, Ishrat Rehana, Ghania Yehia, Mohammed Bashir, Mehreen Erm, Amreen Kausar, Kulsum Faruki, Maivish Khan, Hibo Diriye, Farmeen Akhtar, Matloob Jan, Iqrah Ahmed, Ayan Mohamed, Fiaz Begum, Menerah Ismail, Elham Mohamed, Christopher Currie, Nahida Saleem, Raeesa Anis, Ruweyda Ali, Farah Mahmood, Humaira Hamid, Abdul-Dayem Sultan, Ahmed Hussen, Mey Jabbar, Asma Butt, Rahila Khatun, Shamila Jabeen, Parveen Akhtar, Shazia Alam, Ashifa Akram, Natalie Duggins, Zaheema Akhtar, Alia Khatoon THE VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Martyn Gibbons, Simon Mayoh, Helen Rooney, Alexandra Fitton, Sarah Simpson, Aadil Laher, Emma Burrow, Lorriane Mitchell THORNBURY PRIMARY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Matthew Cavanagh, Elizabeth Miles, Ruth Corkery, Bushrha Munir, Zoe Manders, Eleanor Evans, Mariya Khan, Rachel Avis, Sadaf Naz, Lucy Clarke-Irons, Ozuma Hussain, Naila Shah, Kaukab Rathore, Cathryn Smith, Belinda Bassett, Sumaya Khan, Beth Sedman, Mariyam Jasiya, Nahid Bashir, Michael Spalton, Nasreen Akhtar, Simon Lenton, Amjid Khan, Clare Daddy TONG LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - Carl Seale, Neil Dalby, David Tobin, Sadran Afzal, Claire Mastrantuono, Norma Gordon-King, Rachel McFarlane, Kathryn Tait, Louise Foulger, Steph Hooley, Brenda Gwebu, Vikki Cuders, Lucy Thirkill, Emily Walker, Maggie Gray, Claire Jackson, Viki Skivington, Bridie McLoughlin, Johannah Cook

THE OLIVE SCHOOL, BLACKBURN - Sabiha Waka, Laura Wade, Hayley Walsh, Suhail Sidat, Kuslum Patel, David Bailey, Maherunnisa Jogee, Shaheeda Mohmed, Memuna Desai, Nazia Parveen, Alwiya Hassam, Haleema Patel, Yasmin Mulla, Zeenat Ali, Fahima Master, Anjuman Kamal, Rukhsana Ali, Aisha Khan

Follow @StarAcademies on Twitter to read more about the amazing accomplishments of our pupils and 2020 staff.

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