STAR PEOPLE

Enabling pupils with SEND to flourish

LIZ MURRAY, SEND IMPROVEMENT LEAD

In this edition of Star People, we talk to Liz Murray who is the trust’s leader with responsibility for supporting schools to provide a first-class education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). An experienced teacher, SENCo and school leader, Liz joined Star Academies in June 2021.

What are the key challenges facing schools as they provide for pupils with SEND?

Research shows that while Covid-19 has led to gaps in knowledge for many pupils, the impact of the pandemic has been disproportionate for pupils with SEND. Catch-up is a significant challenge and this means identifying the best ways of supporting children. Many teachers in Star schools do excellent work in adapting their lessons to meet pupils’ individual needs. They often know intuitively the steps they need to take to help pupils make the best possible progress. Nonetheless, there is always work to be done to ensure that staff are trained and confident to support children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional development.

Parents are their children’s first educators. Building strong relationships with the families of children with SEND and helping them to liaise with other services is a significant challenge, particularly at a time when those services are very stretched.

What aspect of your job gives you the greatest satisfaction?

My guiding principle is that young people with SEND should flourish in an inclusive environment in which they are nurtured and challenged. I get satisfaction from seeing this in practice. I know that I am making a positive contribution when I see teachers successfully trying new approaches that lead to children learning happily and overcoming barriers.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

My drama teacher, Miss Hardcastle, left a lasting impression and helped me to become the person I am. She taught me for GCSE and A level and she instilled a love of theatre that has sustained me ever since. She introduced us to a great range of playwrights and encouraged us to read widely, as well as enjoying live productions. She was genuinely interested in us as individuals with varied talents and I hope that I emulated her when I became a teacher myself.

What interests do you have outside of work?

The arts are a source of great pleasure. I love going to the theatre and art galleries and am encouraging my 12-year-old daughter to share these pursuits. I’m committed to reducing waste and upcycling projects give the opportunity to develop my creative skills creating products without adding to my carbon footprint. Exercise is an important part of my routine too, especially Pilates and running.

What are you currently reading?

I always have two books on the go, one fiction and one non-fiction. Currently I am enjoying Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. It’s set in 1950s London and the central character is a female journalist. I’m also reading The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis which is very much about taking opportunities as they come and designing a fulfilling career that is linked to your interests rather than being obsessed with the traditional ‘ladder’ approach. I enjoy inspirational literature in which strong protagonists overcome the odds stacked against them.

Key Appointments

Lee Waring has been appointed Associate Principal at Bay Leadership Academy

Sarfraz Shah has been appointed Principal at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester. Sumeya Bhikhu has been appointed Associate Principal at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham.

Jonathan Harris has been appointed Principal at Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy.

Peter McKee has been appointed to the Star Academies Board of Trustees.

STAR LETTERS ROLL OF HONOUR

All pupils and staff listed have received a Star Letter from the Trust Chief Executive in recognition of their exemplification of our STAR values (Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect).

PUPILS

DILAN HAMA, Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester – his bravery and quick thinking helped to save his father’s life during a heart attack. SHARULL HOSSAIN & IBNUL HOSSAIN, Eden Boys’ School, Bolton – completed all 925 skills on the Hegarty Maths Programme.

MUNEEBAH BIZZARI, SANA KASHIF, MARIA KHAN, HIBBA

RIAZ, ANAM SHAMI & SENNA YOUSEF, Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester – represented the school in media interviews about HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

MOZA ALI, RIHAN ABDALLA-OSMAN, MAARIYA IMAAN &

AYMAN ZAMAN, Eden Girls’ School, Coventry – represented the school at The Goldsmiths’ Award for Community Engagement and presented proudly on the range and depth of the school’s community work. AYSHA CARDWELL-KASHIF, Eden Girls’ School, Coventry – displayed resilience and leadership during difficult personal circumstances throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period. ZAYD MUSA, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School – took part in weekly community clean-ups. UZAIR PATEL, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School – led on the social enterprise project Uniformity, helped to produce safety visors using a 3D printer during lockdown and achieved an Arkwright Engineering scholarship. HASHIM VALLI, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School – raised funds for Alder Hey Children’s Charity and took part in weekly community clean-ups. AAMIRA HAJEE, The Olive School, Bolton – raised over £4,500 by climbing Ben Nevis to support the Penny Appeal charity. ABDULLAH ZAMAN, The Olive School, Small Heath – contributed towards digital technology and remote learning by creating a FlipGrid which has been shared with other Star schools.

STAFF

ROSIE BARRETT, Bay Leadership Academy – played a key role in the school’s Covid-19 testing programme. JO MALIN, Bay Leadership Academy – voluntarily took on additional responsibilities in the school’s reprographics department alongside administrative duties. PAUL MCLAUGHLIN, Bay Leadership Academy – excelled in his role and regularly goes above and beyond for the school. SHAUN ROGERSON, Bay Leadership Academy – used his building skills to make significant improvements to the appearance and maintenance of the school. SHAUN WYSE, Bay Leadership Academy – used his experience and expertise to make improvements to the school website and rebuilt IT equipment that would have become obsolete. SHAHEDA BHATIA & SHAFIQ PATEL, Eden Boys’ School, Bolton – played and important role in the successful operations of a Covid-19 vaccination centre at the school. SHOHAB ALI, ABDUL AZIZ & NADEEM SHEIKH, Laisterdyke Leadership Academy – supported the bereaved family and friends of a pupil involved in a tragic accident. SUMERA QAYYUM, Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy – provided exceptional support to the School Business Manager and Principal. GRACE GARDNER, Star Central – provided exemplary support with the recruitment process at Star Central. EMMA KEANY, Star Central – demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience in performing her duties despite being newly appointed. NATASHA LEWIS, Star Central – managed the Star Talent Pool and supported Star Central colleagues to ensure the highest level of service was maintained. SHAHNAZ AKHTAR, Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College – exceptional leadership of the Maths Faculty and continuous support for pupil and colleagues. AREFA DARBAR, Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College – led on the Covid-19 rapid testing and supported the welfare of pupils, colleagues and parents throughout the pandemic. AAMENA PATEL, Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College – supported the transition process for new Year 7 pupils through various induction programmes.

REHANA ALI, FIAZ BEGUM, KULSUM FARUKI & AMREEN

KAUSAR, The Olive School, Small Heath – a dynamic EYFS team who continuously aim to achieve the best outcomes for all children in EYFS. HUMAIRA HAMID, The Olive School, Small Heath – ensured the smooth running of the school with excellent communication and organisational skills. SADIA KHAN, The Olive School, Small Heath – played a significant role in ensuring the smooth running of the school.

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