OVER £170,000 RAISED FOR TURKEY AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Pupils, staff and families across Star once again demonstrated their compassion and extraordinary generosity by collectively raising an incredible £173,000 for victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Amongst the tens of thousands of people to have lost their lives in the disaster, countless more people are living with the devastating effects of serious injury or homelessness. While The Olive School, Bolton community collectively raised an astonishing £23,000, Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East contributed £16,000 in the trust-wide appeal by selling food kindly made by staff, pupils and members of the local community.

Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham also held food stalls at their school for staff and families to enjoy, while pupils at Laisterdyke Leadership Academy raised funds through a sponsored silence.

The donations will help aid charities’ disaster relief activities, including providing medical care, hot food, blankets, bedding, clean water and safe spaces for families.

‘Outstanding’ debut Ofsted for Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East

Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Birmingham East was rated as ‘outstanding’ in all areas in its first ever Ofsted inspection in January.

Ofsted inspectors awarded the school, which opened in September 2018, the highest rating of ‘outstanding’ in all areas, with no areas for improvement.

The report highlights many positive aspects of the school, noting that ‘pupils benefit from an exceptional education at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy. Leaders and teachers share strong school values of service, teamwork, ambition and respect. These are woven throughout the school. Staff and pupils live out these values every day.’

As well as lavishing praise on the school’s staff, pupils were also commended for their commitment to learning. Inspectors concluded that ‘pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Pupils move calmly and quickly around the site. In lessons, pupils happily meet their teachers’ very high expectations.’

The report added: ‘Pupils understand the importance of their academic work. They thrive in a wonderful working environment’. Inspectors also commended pupils’ attitudes to their work, stating that ‘pupils’ attitudes to learning are extremely impressive.’

Visionary pupils consider the future of education

At their termly meeting in February, representatives from all Star schools joined together at the Star Pupil Council to express their views about school life. Two pupil council members from every Star school joined their counterparts to discuss topics ranging from technology to the King’s Coronation.

The main topic of discussion at the Spring term meeting was ‘Schools of the Future’. Pupils shared their visionary thoughts on what schools and education may look like in 20 years’ time. Their creativity sparkled as they explained their imaginative ideas for how the school day and learning environment could change over the next two decades. The evolution and adoption of technology – from robot teaching assistants to AI learning and augmented reality headsets – was at the fore of pupils’ vision for education in the 2040s along with a more connected world where pupils from across the globe would learn together collaboratively.