EducateFREE
The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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The future forschool leavers
+INSIDETesting, TestingRaising literacylevels
January – April 2011
SpotlightSpecialistArts Schools
A fresh approach totackling climate changeMerseytravel’s website prepares for launch
Climatlantic
Winan Amazon
Kindlesee our
competitionon page 5
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Published by Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151 707 1678 Email: [email protected] Executive Editor Kim O’Brien Advertising Sales Manager Andy Rogers Tel: 0151 709 7567 Advertising Sales Jo Tait Tel: 0151 709 7567 Photography Tom Murphy Editorial Alan Birkett, Lucy Oliver, Dina Karim, Marya McCann Design & Production Mersey Mirror, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel: 0151 706 7411 Email: [email protected] Distribution Barbara Troughton Tel: 0151 733 5492. Printed by PCP. Educate magazine is published by Mersey Mirror. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted or reproduced without permission. Disclaimer The information contained within Educate we believe to be correct at the time of printing, no responsibility can be accepted for errors oromissions. © Copyright Mersey Mirror 2009.
Welcome...Welcome to the latest issue ofEducate where we take a look atwhether schools need to do moreto improve literacy in early yearseducation and the governmentsplans to test six years oldsreading skills
Our focus group for this issuedebate about the opportunitiesthat lie ahead and what directionshould your child take.
We have all the latest school newsfrom primary to secondary,showcasing schools, teachers andstudents achievements, talentsand events.
Educate meets up with theHeadteachers, Phil Jamieson ofAlsop High Schol who will laterthis year be stepping down after acareer spanning almost fourdecades. We also chat to newlyappointed headteacher, SusanKerwin who reflects on her firstyear at St Andrew’s Church ofEngland Primary School, Maghull.
We also take a look on how tocreate a splash of seasonalspringtime yellow to create some
much needed wardrobesunshine for your children.
Finally, we interviewAiden Byrne, theKirkby born Michelinstarred chef who
proves that geeks toocan have their day.
Many thanks
Features
09-11Testing,Testing?Age 6 ReadingTests
22-25The University of LifeWhat directionshould yourchild take?
30-30Meet the HeadteacherPhil Jamieson, Alsop High School,Liverpool
36-38Specialist ArtsSchoolsWhat is the roleof specialist artsand music colleges
40Dear EducateHelp & Advice for parents
42-43Meet the HeadteacherSusan Kerwin, St Andrew’s Church ofEngland Primary School, Maghull
61ViewpointShould pupils be able to end academiceducation at 14 in favour of vocationaltraining?
62-63Original StyleFashion with a twist of lemon
66-67Where can we go?Out and about inMerseyside
68Book ReviewJennifer Dobsonrecommends
70My school daysAiden Byrne - Michelinstarred chef
News
12-14Gold for Evelyn
16-18Word up
20-21Risinguniversity fees
26-28City first for Calderstones
34-35College welcomes acclaimed author
44-45Merseytravel launches new school project
Events
47Pupils look to the future
48Talented Merseyside
49Celebrating landmarks
50Futurefoundations
51Community links
53Enchanted tales
55Grease is the word
57Woolton Rocks
59Education showcase
60Aladdin under the sea
Educate Contents
09-1112-14
36-38
5566-67
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 3
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This Spring, Merseytravel are launching abrand new website for children, teachersand organisations who want to tackleclimate change by making sustainabletransport choices.The Climatlantic website will have fun,
interactive games designed to educate childrenon climate change, the environment and
sustainable transport choices.The multi-lingual website will include
contributions by young people from Merseyside,Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain who will beable to post text, video, images and sounds tothe site.Keep a look out for the website when it
launches in Spring.
A fresh approachto tackling climate change
Coming Soon
www.climatlantic.co.ukwww.climatlantic.co.ukwww.climatlantic.co.uk
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Win a Kindle and see yourpoem in print!With the launch in Spring of the Climatlanticwebsite Educate magazine have teamed upwith Merseytravel to launch a special poetrycompetition.
The theme of the competition is climate changeand the environment. We want schools andpupils to get involved and send in their writtenpoems about climate change.
There are four age groups and the best poemfrom each group will win not only an AmazonKindle but have their poem printed in a specialpoetry book to be published this year.Four runners up from each group will receivea £20 Waterstones voucher and their poemprinted also.
So get thinking, get writing and maybe youcould be one of the lucky winners and seeyour poem in print.
Send Completed poems to:Educate Poetry Competition36 Henry StreetLiverpool L1 5BS
or email it [email protected]
Open to all Merseyside school children. There are four age group categories. Poems mustbe written about the theme of climate change and the environment. Poems should belegible, either written or typed and no more than 150 words long. Poems must be submittedon a single A4 with the pupil’s name, age, class and school on the reverse or if emailing, ina Word document attached to the email. The closing date for entries will be the 31st March2011. Only one entry per child. Please note poems will not be returned. All winners willbe notified.
Competition rules
The four categories are:
Primary age groups7 - 9 yrs10 - 11 yrs
Secondary age groups11 - 13 yrs14 yrs plus
PoetryCompetition
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils6
For further details, contact the Headteacher:
Mr P Stewart on 0151 709 2572Fax 0151 707 8942 email: [email protected]
❤ OFSTED Oct 2007 - ‘St
Vincent de Paul Catholic
Primary School is an
outstanding school.’
❤ Convenient City Centre
Location
❤ Places Available
❤ Breakfast Club: open from
7.30am
❤ Range of After-School
Extra-Curricular Activities
❤ Two Computer Suites
❤ Educational Visits in our
Private Minibus
❤ Healthy Schools Award
❤ Activemark Gold
❤ Basic Skills Quality Mark
❤ Liverpool Hope University
Articled School Status
❤ Archdiocesan Religious
Education Inspection “an
outstanding school”
“Serving With Love… Striving For
Excellence”
St Vincent de PaulCatholic Primary School
Pitt Street Liverpool L1 5BY
We have a broad and balanced curriculum offering a diverse range of courses tomeet the needs of every sixth form student. We offer:• The prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma• Institute of Legal Executive course• NVQS in football coaching and hairdressing• A range of level 2 and 3 courses in Business Studies, Science, ICT, Health and Social,
Performing Arts, Sport and Dental Nursing • In addition we offer a Level 2 Foundation Pathway programme which includes
literacy, numeracy, ICT and customer service. Recent quotes from our last inspection in May 2010 include :“The school works effectively with other sixth form providers to extend its range of
courses and qualifications to match students needs and aspirations”“Care, guidance and support are good”“Induction into the sixth form enables students to settle quickly”
Come along on the 10th February or Contact us to arrange a visit on 0151 254 6805 or email [email protected]
Broadgreen International SchoolJoin the Journey …….. In our sixth form
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 10th February 6.30pm to 8.00pm
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 7
Liverpool CollegePrep School Open MorningSaturday 5th March 2011 from 9am – 12.30pmIAPS Independent School for girls and boys, Ages 3-11
Please take this opportunity to see for yourselves whatLiverpool College Prep School has to offer your child:
• Small class sizes and academic excellence• Tradition and respect in a caring community
For more information please contact our Registrar on:Tel: 724 4000 ext 228 orE-mail: [email protected]: www.liverpoolcollege.org.uk
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils8
Archbishop Blanch CE High School
A Technology College, Training School, Applied Learning School
Mount Vernon Road, Liverpool L7 3EAemail: [email protected] tel: 0151 709 1452 website:www.abblanch.com
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING
Wednesday, 2nd February 2011at 6.30 p.m.
“This is an effective sixth form, where students benefit from good teaching and high levels of guidance and support”
Ofsted 2008
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Education Secretary Michael Gove says schools need to do more to improve literacy in early years education, but the government’splans to test six year olds’ reading skills have been criticised by theteaching unions. Educate examined what schools in our area aredoing to improve their pupils’ literacy, and how recentrecommendations could raise our young people’s reading agesbefore secondary school.
Age 6 Reading Tests
“We want to make sure that thoseschools where children are not
being taught to read are tackledbecause, ultimately, if you
do not get a child reading by the time they leave primary
school, by the time they arrive atsecondary the curriculum is just a closed book to them – literally.”--------------- Michael Gove ---------------
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 9
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Age 6 Reading Tests
urrent attainment levels in
literacy show considerable
improvement on previous
years, with 80 per cent of
pupils in Year 6 achieving
a level 4 equivalent in
SATS compared with
49 per cent 15 years ago.
However, the coalition government state
its intention to boost pupil reading ages by
the end of primary school, concerned that
one in five seven year olds did not reach
their literacy target in 2010. On the BBC’s
Today programme in 2010, Michael Gove
stated his belief that improved reading
skills are integral to a successful secondary
education. He said: “We want to make sure
that those schools where children are not
being taught to read are tackled because,
ultimately, if you do not get a child reading
by the time they leave primary school,
by the time they arrive at secondary the
curriculum is just a closed book to them –
literally.” When it comes to poor levels
of literacy, the north-west is by no means
the worst-affected area. National figures
indicate that currently nine per cent
of pupils (approximately 18,000) arrive
at secondary school with a reading age
of seven. In some areas, the figure is much
higher. The local authority with the
worst attainment levels for reading is
Nottingham City Council, where 15 per
cent of children have a reading age of
seven on leaving primary school. Poor rates
of literacy in primary school are also found
in Manchester, Rotherham and Telford.
However, spokespeople for these areas
point out the increasing number of pupils
in those areas for whom English
is a second language.
Other social factors also play a part
where literacy levels are low. Children
on free school meals and those with
special educational needs performed less
well overall, and while boys’ performance
improved overall, they still scored less
well than girls. In the early years of a
child’s development, making associations
between words and pictures is key to
word recognition, cognition and functional
literacy skills. Pupils whose parents read
to them at home, and who have access to
books, will increase their familiarity with
words and develop language skills much
more quickly. These pupils are also more
likely to recognise the difference between
the language of mobile ‘phone texting,
and the appropriate register used in
written work. This stands them in good
stead to develop social skills, needed
in the classroom and the playground,
which influence the development of their
character and personality, and to access
the school curriculum. For pupils with poor
literacy at the end of Year 6, the transition
to secondary school, with larger numbers
of pupils and a challenging curriculum
is daunting and poses other problems
beyond the immediate learning needs.
The link between disaffected young
people and disruptive or potentially
criminal behaviour can frequently be
traced back to their inability to engage
with the curriculum.
Michael Gove’s approach to boost
literacy is to focus on the teaching of
reading at primary school, promoting
a synthetic phonics system were sounds
are matched to letters. Many schools
have, however, been using this and similar
strategies for some time. The UK Literacy
Association has expressed concern about
the government’s enthusiasm for phonics-
based teaching, at the expense of a range
of other successful reading strategies such
as more time spent reading to children,
with children, instruction in grammatical
and spelling rules, in how to use a
dictionary, and feedback on completed
written work. The group, which is made
up of teachers, academics and librarians,
warns against a “one-size-suits-all
approach” which limits pupil development:
“Restricting them to an unbalanced diet,
the thin gruel of a phonics-dominated
approach, is a recipe for lowering
standards and turning children against
the written word.”
For the majority of schools, the approach
to improving literacy is to embrace
a range of strategies in order to meet
pupils’ individual needs. For some pupils,
a synthetic phonics-based approach may
work well, but memorable rhymes and rules
better assist other pupils.
Of course, measuring pupils’ progress
in reading is no simple matter. Assessment
of pupils at primary school age has been
long debated, with many academic journals
casting doubt over the accuracy of such
tests. Some would argues that to assess
six year olds for their reading age not only
adds to the teachers’ workload
but increases unnecessary stress on
youngsters and on parents, and with no
promise of improving pupils’ progression
or confidence. For their counterparts in
successful educational systems on the
continent, schooling does not formally
begin until age six.
At a number of local secondary schools,
however, teachers are struggling to meet
the needs of pupils whose reading and
writing ability does not match up well to
the levels provided by their primary school.
Interventions needed to address these
needs may include one to one tuition or
additional time spend in the school’s centre
10 Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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for Special Educational Needs, and this will
require further timetabling throughout the
course of the school year. A truer reflection
of pupil ability on entering secondary
education would make the transition period
less stressful for pupils, as they would feel
better equipped for the lessons which would
have been planned to suit their needs and
ability. However, some of the interventions
carried out to boost literacy of pupils in some
local schools show creativity and reflect a
strong ethos. One Liverpool girls’ school runs
a Paired Reading scheme where pupils in
Year 7 to 9 who struggle with their reading
are paired with a Sixth Form pupil, who
meets them for an hour a week and reads
with them. For the pupils involved in the
scheme, the majority become much more
engaged and focused in all of their lessons
as their reading ability improves. In this
respect, addressing literacy needs of pupils
becomes less a problem to be tackled and
more of an extra-curricular activity, with no
attached stigma for the pupils involved.
In terms of how schools must compete
to for pupil numbers, provision in the area
of literacy might not be the first area to
attract parents’ attention. However, in areas
where increasing numbers of pupils speak
English as a second or additional language,
schools with a larger intake of these pupils
receive a larger budget from the local
authority to cater for their needs in
accessing the curriculum. At open evenings,
it is worth asking how this budget is spent,
and what resources are available to these
pupils (and others) as a result. The
advantages may be the support of a
translator in lessons or highly developed
technology to support non-native English
speakers, but they might also include a one
to one tuition specialist on the staff – with
spin-off benefits for all pupils.
ne key area in developing pupils’
literacy skills which must not be
overlooked, is that of ICT.
Advances in technology have
seen the development of
interactive games and activities
for pupils to work on their literacy
and numeracy skills inside and
outside the classroom. By this measure,
the playing field has in many ways been
made more level for schools competing
to offer the most support in these areas,
as only a basic computer is needed to
benefit from the majority of these resources.
Furthermore, more recent research shows
that schools are doing their best to engage
with the technology favoured by pupils,
from computer games to mobile ‘phones.
By encouraging the use of these
technologies in lessons, teachers succeed
in engaging pupils with their work more
effectively than those who expect pupils to
separate their everyday and home life from
their educational experiences. In assisting
Year 7 pupils in the transition from primary
school to secondary school expectations
of performance, a sense of familiarity can
be provided through ICT resources, helping
to build confidence and lay the groundwork
for more challenging tasks to come.
Current school practice to increase
literacy levels takes many forms, and works
best when teachers and parents understand
and apply the many resources available at
their disposal. Whether the new tests will
suggest new ways to address the teaching
of reading remains to be seen. It’s certainly
to be hoped that the testing does not
encourage staff to adopt a blanket approach
to the teaching of reading for tests, with
little regard for the enjoyment of books
and the development of the whole child.
Restrictingthem to anunbalanced diet,the thin gruel of a phonics-dominatedapproach, is a recipe for loweringstandards and turningchildren againstthe written word.
“
Literacy Support for Parents
Accessthesefreeresources online,athome,to support yourchild’s development.www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/literacy.shtml
By Lucy Oliver
11Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
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12 Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
Primary News
Gold for EvelynA Prescot school has been awarded thehighest level of a prestigious nationalaward.
Evelyn Community Primary School hasachieved gold level as part of the Go4It SchoolAward.
The Go4it award scheme, sponsored by thecharity HTI – Heads, Teachers and Industry -recognises schools which demonstrate aculture of creativity, innovation, positive risk-taking as well as a ‘can do’ attitude andadventure for learning.
An assessor visited the school in Octoberand assessed the school against nine criteriaincluding how the school thrives on creativecurriculum planning, flexible timetabling andcan demonstrate how this has improved thelearning experience and discovers, celebratesand enhances the talents and abilities of thewhole school community.
The assessor commented the school hadexcellent outcomes, pupils’ behaviour wasoutstanding, they had high aspirations andwere determined to succeed. On concludingthe visit, the assessor added that “EvelynCommunity Primary School is a truly magicalplace from the moment you walk through thedoor.”
Right: Headteacher Carole Arnold withEvelyn pupils
A time to rememberChildren at St Nicholas CE Primary,Sefton held a poignant Service ofRemembrance back in November.
Year 6 pupils led a very moving act ofworship using poems, songs and prayersthat they had studied as part of theircurriculum topic this term.
The children performed “FlandersFields” by John McCrae and “For theFallen” by Laurence Binyon in the school
hall and presented a powerpointpresentation of images and film includinga moving extract from the Royal BritishLegion.
The children, staff, parents andmembers of the local community thenmoved outdoors to congregate around theschool flagpole where hymns were sungand poppy wreaths, made by the children,were laid.
The Last Post was played byChesterfield High School pupil, HenryDavies and a minutes silence was held inhonour of those who lost their livesfighting for our country. The children alsoprayed for those members of the armedforces currently fighting in Afghanistanand other war zones across the world.
Tayla Hartley aged 10 said: “It was veryemotional but heartwarming. It made methink about all the soldiers who have diedso that we can be free.” Matthew Bailey,aged 9 added: “ I didn’t think that theminutes silence would be so quiet.Eveyone was extremely still and peaceful.Henry playing The Last Post was amazing.The service made me feel very thankful tothose who have lost their lives.”
Becky Woods, Headteacher, said, “Itwas very moving to see the childrentaking part in our service with suchunderstanding and empathy. We hopethat the children will take the message ofpeace with them throughout their ownlives. Many thanks to all the children,staff, parents and especially to all thosefrom our local community who joined usfor our service.”
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13Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
Primary News
Blooming lovely communityChildren from Thomas Gray and All Saintsprimary schools, Sefton, recently helped tobrighten up Bootle by planting bulbs in thegrounds of the schools, Poets and Peel Roadparks and St Leonards Church Hall.
As part of its efforts to make the area a cleaner,greener and safer place to live, Riverside enrolled thehelp of local schools to develop environmentalimprovements in the area with support from SeftonCouncil and One Vision Housing.
The resulting work by the schools saw theCommunity and Residents’ Association win a‘Thriving Neighbourhood Award’ at the North West inBloom Awards for its contribution towardsenvironmental improvements.
Barbara Hardwick, Chair of Peel Road Communityand Residents’ Association, said: “I would like tothank all the schoolchildren, partners and localresidents who have made this award possible.”
Bringing home the truth Ex prisoners steer pupils away from crimeThe dangers of a life of crime werespelled out to children in Knowsley ina hard hitting campaign to steerthem away from trouble.
Former prisoners talked to nine and tenyear olds from five primary schools inHuyton about the choices people makeand the impact they can have.
The children were also taken into arecreated “cell” to show them what lifecan be like after criminals are caught.
“This really brings it home,” saidCarmel Perry, one of two learningmentors involved in the so-called Cellsproject.
“The ex offenders are real people,talking about what really happened tothem and the effect of the mistakes theymade on everyone around them.
“By going into a “cell”, the children seethe lack of space and privacy the inmateshave – sharing a toilet and a tiny spacewith someone they don’t know.”
The idea is part of a wider communitycohesion project organised by Carmel, alearning mentor at St Margaret Mary’sjuniors and Michelle Denny, a learningmentor at St Aloysius.
It has been running for the last fouryears and the schools taking part in thelatest Cells scheme were St Aloysius, StMargaret Mary’s juniors St Aidan’s, StDominic’s juniors and Malvern.
Carmel and Michelle say earlyintervention is essential, as the age whenchildren are held responsible for any
crimes they might commit is ten.Michelle said: “Sometimes, older
children are too far down the road tobring them back on the straight andnarrow.
“We talk about the importance of notdoing the wrong things and about how to
walk away from friends or gangs thatcould lead them astray.
“The former prisoners are allrehabilitated and really passionate aboutwhat they are doing. They know theymade the wrong choices and they wantto stop others doing the same.”
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14 Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils
Primary News
Nice littleurn-erHelping raise funds for Africa
Pupils from Longview CP School,Huyton, have helped farmers inAfrica to buy a cow and otherlivestock through generousfundraising.
The pupils have been working hardover the last few weeks and havemanaged to raise an impressive £500for the “Send a Cow” charity.
Headteacher Keith Skinner, said:“As a school we have supported andraised funds for a number of worthycauses over the years, Children inNeed, Red Nose Day, Water Aid, Jeansfor Genes, Blue Peter Appeal and soon.
“We feel that it is important topromote the caring consideration forothers as a quality that we would hopeadults and children would display
throughout our lives. This is also astrand of their PSHCE teaching.
We chose “Send a Cow” this year asan international organisation tosupport. A representative came in totalk to the children earlier in the year
“At the suggestion of one child wehad an Activity Day. A variety ofactivities, such as mask making,model making, dance, sport, foodtechnology and pompom making tookplace with children making a donationto the Send a Cow organisation.
“We have now raised enough moneyto buy two local cows, two dairy goatsand 14 chickens! At these times offinancial difficulties we feel that ourschool community has achievedsomething special by raising such anamount for an extremely good cause”.
Rev Clive Doran, School Governor and Headteacher, Keith Skinner withproud pupils and their ‘Send a Cow’ cheque
Winter RoadSafety Message
Hundreds of children across Seftonhave been learning the importance of'Being Safe and Being Seen' througha series of special winter road safetyassemblies.
The visits, which have been arrangedby Sefton Council's Travel Awareness andRoad Safety team, have been taking placeto teach vital road safety skills with aspecial emphasis on the winter weather.
Among the schools visited wasForefield Juniors in Crosby where anassembly was held for pupils in years fiveand six.
Joe Morris, from Sefton Council's roadsafety team, said: "It seems that thiswinter is shaping up to be longer andharsher than the last one - and coupledwith dark evenings, it is very importantthat young people are encouraged towear brighter or more visible clothing.
"Far too many young children are hurton the UK's roads and we must all playour part in encouraging young people tomake it safely through the winter."
Quality school
The staff and pupils of St Laurence’s,Kirkby have been commended fortheir hard work and sense ofcommunity by a recent Quality Markassessment.
The report states that the school: ‘is aschool with a heart – not only in the sensethat it is a caring school, but also in theway it is life-giving and life-enhancing forits pupils.’ The report highlighted theschools strong leadership andcommitment to support each pupil, aswell as its sense of family and the need toforge well-rounded members of society.
“We’re very proud to receive such awonderful report,” said Headteacher PaulCronin.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 15
– Is your child thriving in a safe,secure, happy environment? –
‘The relationship between staff and pupils, based onmutual respect and trust, is excellent and pupilsclearly feel safe, secure and happy in their lessons.This enriching relationship contributes greatly to thepositive learning environment that pervades theschool.’
Independent Schools Inspectorate
Tower College, Rainhill Christian Independent School for boys and girls aged 3–16Termly Fees £1,671 - £1,965For more details and /or a prospectus Tel: 0151 426 4333 Or Fax: 0151 426 3338 Visit our web-site on www.towercollege.com Email: [email protected] : Miss R J Oxley
Open Morning 26th March 10am
p01-18:covers 14/1/11 12:53 Page 15
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils16
Primary News
Word upSefton reading stars enjoy Anfield experience
Schoolchildren from Waterloo metLiverpool FC star Lucas Leiva thanksto their efforts in a Sefton readingscheme.
Pupils from St John's Primary Schooltook part in the 2010 Premier LeagueReading Stars, which encourages childrento read more and is supported by TheFootball Foundation and the NationalLiteracy Trust.
The scheme runs in libraries across thecountry and focuses on family readingwith an emphasis on the enjoyment ofbooks through sport.
Sefton Council's Libraries Service workswith Liverpool FC on the project and a firstteam player is chosen to support thescheme.
Gillian Morgan, Children and YoungPeople's Librarian, said: "This is the fourthyear we have taken part in the PremierLeague Reading Stars and the group fromSt John's really worked hard to developtheir reading experience.
“The children met Lucas who signedtheir certificates and posed for photographswith all the young people. They thenenjoyed an offical tour of Anfield.
"It was a wonderful afternoon andeverybody really enjoyed themselves." St John's Primary pupils with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva
School pull out all the stops Roby Park Primary School, Huyton, pulled out all thestops in support of Children in Need, which saw afun-filled day for pupils and staff whilst raisingmoney for the worthy cause.
Pupils were invited to go into school dressed insomething spotty, from Pudsey costumes to spotty t-shirts.
A ‘Pudsey in the SPOTlight’ talent show kicked off theday, where the whole school was encouraged to take part.
“We had jujitsu performances, break dancing and solosingers, to name just a few,” explains head teacher RuthHarrison.
“The whole school got involved and took theirperformance seriously. It’s amazing to see the wide rangeof talent these children have.”
All the pupils who took part in the talent competitionwere rewarded with a special Pudsey badge with winnerstaking home a Pudsey teddy bear.
It wasn’t just the pupils and staff who joined in the fun.Four of the school’s governors were appointed as ‘judges’for the Pudsey themed talent show, with Strictly ComeDancing style voting.
The fun continued into the afternoon, with pupils bakingand decorating spotty biscuits and having their facespainted in the style of Pudsey bear.
To finish off the day, the staff put together a GenerationGame style quiz for the pupils, which was enjoyed by all.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 17
Primary News
The children and staff of Ravenscroft Primary Schoolare celebrating after being named the first SilverSinging School in Knowsley.
The awards are part of a national initiative to encourageschools to put singing at the heart of school life. Certificatesare awarded by Sing Up and endorsed by Knowsley Musicand Performing Arts Service’s vocal leader and Sing UpAwards Advocate Vicky Harris.
Angela Ball, Head of Service, says: “Singing is a healthyactivity that helps to develop children’s learning, confidenceand self-esteem and encourages them to attend and enjoyschool. Ravenscroft Primary has a very special atmosphereand the importance the staff place on singing togetherdefinitely contributes towards this.”
The school began to work towards the award in 2009,holding special singing assemblies, taking part in regularsinging workshops and even performing at the Schools’Super Sing event at the Liverpool Echo Arena in June.
The Music and Performing Arts Service worked closelywith the school on the Super Sing project and fully endorsedRavenscroft’s application for Silver Singing School status.
Nicky Cochrane, the school’s Music Co-ordinator andAwards Champion, has led the staff and children on theirjourney. She says: “Singing has become the heart of ourschool and I would like to thank all the children, staff andparents for their ongoing support and enthusiasm. We are afantastic school and I am proud to be part of it. Well doneeveryone!”
At Ravenscroft, even the children are involved withleading the singing. Head Teacher Jeanette Hegarty says:“Our Young Singing Leaders have an infectious enthusiasmthat positively impacts the rest of the school. We aredelighted with our Silver Award and are now going forGold!”
Head Boy, Bradley Smith echoed this, saying: “We are allgreat singers and I know we will easily achieve gold.”
Singers scoopSilver Award!
Pictured (left to right) Jessica Moorcroft, ClaytonMcKee, Sophie Glascott, Leon Doyle, Nicky Cochrane(Music Co-ordinator), Daniel Mather, Kai Price, CaitlinRoberts
Bedford Primary School in Bootle has been accreditedthe International School Award for outstandingdevelopment in the international dimension of thecurriculum.
Throughout the past year, pupils have been immersed in aninternational voyage of discovery with pupils learning aboutthe world, its languages, traditions, music and culture.
The school has embarked on a whole host of innovativeprojects such as a World Cup themed research assignmentwhich saw the findings shared on an internet learningplatform ‘elanguages’ with partner schools from around theglobe; to a 10 week project about Latin America led by ‘AllThings Latin’ in which were exposed to music, stories,history, artefacts and of course, language.
Mrs Ana Lopez-Thomas, teacher and Spanish Specialist atBedford Primary said: “The past year has been extremelyexciting with our children participating in lots of internationalinspired projects, the children have experienced Africandrumming, fiestas, food tasting, music, singing and dancingfrom all over the world. Only recently we have had the benefitof a teacher exchange with our partner school in Avila,Spain”.
Since achieving their award children at the school arecontinuing to explore thetraditions of other cultureswhich includescomparing Christmastraditions byexchangingpowerpointpresentationswith children inFabiola, Spain.
Bedfordchildren havebeenparticularlyinterested tolearn thatSpanish childrenleave their shoesout on the 5th ofJanuary to befilled with presentsby the three WiseMen…not FatherChristmas.
Voyage ofdiscoveryCulture in colour
Pupils from Bedford Primary learnt about dress and traditions of different cultures
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils18
Primary News
Seeds of new school to be sown New £8.8 million primary school gets green lightPLANS for a brand new primaryschool integral to the regeneration ofnorth Liverpool have been approved.
The council’s Cabinet have given thegreen light to the new £8.8 million FourOaks Primary School in Everton.
The school, which has 258 pupils, wascreated earlier last year from thefederation of Hope Valley and BreckfieldPrimary Schools.
It is currently based in the former HopeValley building on Walton Breck Road.The building dates from Victorian timesand is not suited to modern teachingmethods.
Under the proposals, a new two formentry state of the art primary school witha 26 place nursery will be created on anew site at the former Adam Streetplayground.
Council leader Joe Anderson, said:“This new school will be located in theheart of the Anfield/Breckfieldregeneration area and is a key part of ourplan to breathe new life into the area.
The two storey building has beendesigned around two large courtyards andthe main hall, and will also include twoareas which can be used by localresidents and community groups.
Outside there will be a covered playarea which can be used in all weathers,and the first floor will have access to aninternal “playdeck” with large roof lightsto let in large amounts of natural light andsunshine.
The report is also recommending that£350,000 is spent creating much needednew accommodation to replace mobileclassrooms at St Vincent De Paul CatholicPrimary School near the city centre. Thework is in addition to nearly £600,000 ofwork already carried out including thecreation of new nursery and receptionclassrooms as well as a new kitchen.
Cabinet member for education,Councillor Jane Corbett, said: “Theseschemes will make a major difference toeducation in two of the most needy areasof the city.
“At Four Oaks the new building willprovide top quality education for localyoungsters, and will be a facility whichwill be available for use by the entirecommunity.
“St Vincent De Paul has been in direneed of improvement work, so I ampleased that we have been able to findadditional money which will meanultimately that children won’t have to betaught in prefabricated buildings anymore.”
Funding for both schemes has mainly
come from the Primary Capitalprogramme.
Headteacher at Four Oaks, SaraHoward, said: “I am delighted that we aresoon to have a brand new state-of-the-artschool and I know that children and theirfamilies along with staff and governorscan’t wait for it to be completed.
“It will really enhance the learning andenjoyment of our pupils, and the whole
school community is really excited. “We only came together as one school
at Easter, but already the children havebonded together really well. Many havesaid they would never have met many oftheir new best friends if Hope Valley andBreckfield hadn’t federated.”
Work started in January 2011 and thenew school is expected to open to pupilsin April 2012.
Pupils grow their own
Pupils at St Anne’s RC Primary School, Liverpool are cooking up a storm intheir newly refurbished school kitchen.
The school has become part of ‘Let’s Get Cooking’, a national network of cookingclubs for children, families and their communities across England.
The scheme aims to teach pupils a new healthy eating skill in a bid to increasetheir intake of nutritionally healthy foods.
The pupils have also opened an allotment and are growing their own vegetablesand herbs and will be using them in their future recipes and meals.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils20
Education News
Ofsted inspectors have recognised thatKnowsley’s childrens services areperforming well, with the large majorityof services, settings and institutionsbeing rated good or better. This includesprimary schools, most special schools,children’s homes and pupil referral unit.
This follows on from Ofsted’s last inspectionof safeguarding and looked after childrenwhich judged strategic leadership andmanagement to be outstanding along withthe capacity to improve for both safeguardingand looked after services as well.
Resources have been invested successfullyin strengthening child protection services andin supporting the major re-organisation of theborough’s schools.
Knowsley recognised certian issues and aretackling:• Obesity rates amongst primary schoolchildren• Persistent absenteeism although figures arefalling each year• The number of all 19-year-olds getting goodqualifications being below average althoughyoung people from low-income families domuch better than their peers in similarauthorities
Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member forChildren and Family Services, said: “We arepleased with the report, which highlights themany positive achievements of our children’sservices team, as well as confirming someareas which Knowsley has already recognisedas being in need of improvement anddevelopment.”
Positive progressfor Knowsley
North Liverpool is rapidlybecoming a hub for theregion’s young musiciansand its reputation isbeing strengthenedfurther with news theSaturday Morning MusicCentre has moved fromits city centre base toNotre Dame CatholicCollege for the Arts inEverton Valley.
Saturday Morning MusicCentre providesopportunities for youngsters aged 3 –21 years throughout Merseyside withwell known and establishedensembles like the 80 piece LiverpoolYouth Orchestra and the LiverpoolYouth Choir rehearsing alongsideearly years music making, jazzgroups, brass and windbands.
Jonathan Dickson, Head of theservice believes the move onlystrengthens the reputation of the artsin the north of the city. “Our team isalready based at Notre Dame and it’sa unique partnership between a citywide service providing music tuitionand a specialist arts college. Thanksto Notre Dame Catholic College for
the Arts and its continuing work inthe community, North Liverpool isbecoming a focal point for arts andmusic education. The college isdeveloping some fantastic ideas touse Saturday mornings as anopportunity to provide activities forboth pupil and parent alike, so watchthis space!”
Headteacher of Notre Dame,Frances Harrison adds, “this ongoingpartnership between Notre Dameand the Music Support Service is aground-breaking one in the UK andwe are committed to furthering ourpolicy of arts for all in ensuring eachchild can learn and access a musiceducation”.
North Liverpoolto be a hub foryouth music
Liverpool students to face annualuniversity fees of £7,000New figures reveal thatLiverpool’s future studentscould face annual fees ofover £7,000.
The analysis, from theUniversity and College Union(UCU), shows how much everyEnglish university would needto charge in tuition fees inorder to maintain currentlevels of income in the face ofmassive government cuts toteaching budgets.
Students at the LiverpoolInstitute of Performing Arts(LIPA) would be hardest hit,paying £7,019 in tuition feeseach year, while those atLiverpool John MooresUniversity would have to pay
£6,802 annually. Futurestudents at Liverpool HopeUniversity would face a bill of£6,750 for a year’s tuition andtheir contemporaries at theUniversity of Liverpool wouldneed to pay £6,503. The newnational average fee would be£6,863.
MPs voted on plans to tripleuniversity tuition fees to£9,000 a year. The governmenthas claimed that it would beexceptional for a university tocharge more than £6,000 ayear, but the UCU analysis hasfound that every singleEnglish institution withundergraduates would have tocharge more than £6,000 a
year just to maintain currentfunding levels.
In draft guidance recentlyreleased, the government saidthat any institution wishing tocharge more than £6,000 ayear would need to agree an‘access agreement’ with theuniversity access regulatorOFFA.
Any institution thatbreaches or fails to deliver itsaccess agreement would facea fine of up to £500,000.
UCU general secretary, SallyHunt, said: “Governmentclaims that universities willonly charge more than £6,000a year in exceptionalcircumstances are completely
bogus when one scratches atthe surface of the plans. Byremoving the entire teachinggrant and making studentsfoot the bill we will see wholesubject areas starved of publicfunds and potentially forced toclose.”
Sally Hunt
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 21
Education News
Hope opens stunningnew Education BuildingLiverpool Hope University hasofficially opened its stunning newEducation building which brings awhole new look to the front of itsHope Park campus.
The £8.5m Centre for Education,Innovation and Enterprise, officially to bereferred to as the Education andEnterprise (EDEN) building, includes a250-seat lecture theatre with internationalconference facilities.
Professor Bart McGettrick, Dean ofEducation said: “This is an exciting time,not only for the faculty but also for theUniversity as a whole. The new Centre isa wonderful building which will facilitatenew ways of thinking about education. Itsdesign and outlook makes it a meetingspace as much as a teaching space. Ithumanises the process of education andis a great new facility for Liverpool.”
The EDEN building will be home to theUniversity’s Education Faculty and willalso be used by Liverpool’s widereducation community.
It accommodates five new ResearchCentres – for Culture and DisabilityStudies, Pedagogy, Child and Family,Christian Education and International andDevelopment Education.
The top floor of the new Eden buildingis dedicated to CPD (ContinuingProfessional Development) and Outreachand will be used extensively by schoolsand the University's partnerorganisations. Those rooms will be usedby teachers and education professionalsfrom across the city in order to developtheir own skills.
It is also designed to increaseinnovation and enable businesses tobenefit from the knowledge, research andexpertise of the University and will alsohouse the University’s ContinuingProfessional Development (CPD) officeand Enterprise Desk.
Further developments at Hope’s maincampus in South Liverpool include abrand new refurbished food court. The350-seat ‘Fresh Hope’ includes a high-spec food hall, restaurant, coffee shop,lounge and convenience store.
At the University’s Creative Campus inLiverpool City Centre, a new library andReading Room have now been openedjoining the impressive Capstone Buildinghousing Liverpool’s newest performancevenue ‘Hope Theatre’ and Angel Fieldgarden which were unveiled in March2010.
A teacher who brings music education intoclassrooms across Liverpool has been namedas Classic FM’s Peripatetic Music Teacher ofthe Year.
Jean Tremarco, who has taken part in highprofile music events across the city including TheWreck of the Titanic at the Liverpool Philharmonicand Supersing at the Echo Arena, is the Co-ordinator of Classroom Support at the LiverpoolMusic Support Service, which is based at NotreDame Catholic College for the Arts in Everton.
Jean’s job involves managing a team of musicteachers who work in schools across Liverpoolproviding music curriculum. Pupils can accesssinging, playing and creating music, also playingan instrument as part of the Wider Opportunitiesprogramme. Each Thursday evening, Jean runs a music centre with an instrumentalteam which is open to all pupils in the city learning instruments with many going onto play in orchestras.
Jean says she was surprised when she received the news of her success over halfterm, “When I heard of my win I was shocked, overwhelmed but absolutely thrilled! Ilove my work and get so much pleasure working with the children helping todevelop their musical skills. I also work with some amazing teachers and havelearned from the best. Music is a subject which touches many and I'm privileged toshare in that. Thank you to those who nominated me and to all staff and pupils Iwork with!”
The judges said: “Jean has been working for the Liverpool Music Support Servicefor five years and in the judges’ opinion, epitomises the whole idea of the PeripateticMusic teacher.
Hitting the right notes
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Focus Group
Educate’s roundtable
The Universityof LifeWhat are the opportunities that lie ahead?And what direction should your child take?
While many would argue that therising costs of university tuition feeshave put a question mark over thisroute for school-leavers, our panellook at the opportunities available to young people today and how thecurrent system needs to change.
Employment
Apprenticeships
Further Education
University
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Are you concerned by the recent news
of rising fees for students, and the cuts
to university budgets?
BJ: Yes, particularly about the cuts in the
higher education sector, which seem
particularly severe. Under even the Labour
government I would have expected funding
to be reigned in, but these cuts in funding
could see a number of small universities
go to the wall. However, the impact under
the coalition is less severe than I would
have expected under a Tory government.
Luckily, Liverpool Hope University is in
good financial health, but nobody is safe
at the moment. University teaching budgets
have been cut by 70 per cent, and I don’t
see how some institutions will survive.
There is something to be said about the
structure of the changes which will mean
that students do not have to pay their fees
upfront, as they have in the past, so a lot
of concessions have been made for poorer
students.
AD: In my industry I see so many students
come from courses which are useless, and
the education has been sold to them. Often
these courses aren’t recognized by the
industries they’re supposed to be
concerned with, for example the multi-
media and creative and cultural courses.
The downside affects both the students
and employers, because they’re looking for
people with the right skills to recruit.
That money has been wasted and should
be better spent – and I’d argue that the
academic courses do merit the use of
resources. That’s where their strengths are,
and it’s an area where they do deliver very
well. We talk about the rising costs in
students’ fees, but these loans don’t have
to be repaid until the students are in
employment which pays them a certain
amount. If someone said to me they were
thinking about not going to university
because they had to make the repayments,
I’d wonder why they didn’t have more
faith in themselves succeeding…or think
perhaps that they should reconsider that
particular career path.
Is the prevailing culture that going
to university is the only way to secure
a better life wrong?
AD: There is certainly a problem in this
area, and it’s a difficult one to address.
Every parent wants the best for their child
and, depending on their own experiences,
they may well encourage them to go to
university. Having not been through that
system myself, my knowledge is limited of
it, but I would urge anyone who wanted to
enter the professions and had a passion for
a degree course and the academic ability to
do it. In my experience, those who succeed
are those with a hunger and a passion
to do well – no matter what their subject.
That applies to vocations as well though,
and without the passion and the interest in
the relevant area, young people do struggle.
What needs to happen, is for there to
be investment in integrating the school
to work transition, as something is
currently missing to link up those two
for our young people.
BJ: We suffer in this country from so many
parents who don’t take enough interest in
their children’s lives, and we see a number
of teenagers drifting through school without
any idea of what they’d like to do, or could
be good at. There’s a huge number of
people who lack aspirations, and in many
ways we suffer from a poverty of aspiration.
On the continent we see much stronger
family networks and this has a really
positive influence on every aspect then of
the child’s life. There’s such huge potential,
but then there’s a dominant apathy which
seems to prevail. It sounds really negative,
and it doesn’t apply to every family, but
it’s definitely out there. An attitude which
takes so much granted has ramifications
throughout society. Young people who don’t
have the role models to show them the
expectations of the world of work so they
won’t see the value in work experience, or
in being punctual, and standards will suffer.
Our panel enjoyed the afternoon tea at Neighbourhood on Woolton Road, a stone’sthrow from Liverpool Hope University and a number of good local primary andsecondary schools.
Andy Dockerty,managing director at Adlib Audio
Professor Bill Jones,Hope University lecturer in politics
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Focus Group
Some would argue that for some students
on certain courses, university education
provides false hope…do you agree?
AD: Absolutely. As an employer in the
creative and cultural sector, and bearing
in mind the incredible diversity of jobs
this sector covers, courses for students
in recent years have been completely
irrelevant as indications of how a student
will get on in the workplace. In the first
place, and I’m speaking mainly about
college courses here, the institutions are
poorly equipped to deliver an ‘education’
in this area. They don’t have the facilities
and the knowledge they can provide
is out of date – sometimes by 20 years.
In the music business, where sound
engineering and lighting design are seeing
advancements all of the time, it just
wouldn’t be feasible for courses to deliver
the sort of training which apprentices
receive in the workplace. There’s the
added problem that a number of courses
in these areas are designed with theatres
in mind – taking no account of how a
sound engineer’s job would be completely
different in a live event to in a theatre,
and the different skills and ways of
working needed.
BJ: I know that our university makes
its courses very relevant to the workforce,
and as a result has a high graduate
employment rate. However, there are many
courses where the same cannot be said.
For a number of students I’ve taught
over the years, however, in a number
of institutions I have wondered whether
it’s really the best option for them. They
haven’t seemed to want to work. Unlike
the mature students, they haven’t got the
same focus – they don’t see the importance
of it to their lives.
Is there anything that could or should
be done to create more opportunities?
AD: It certainly wouldn’t be just to add
another course to the list…Schools very
rarely cover the concept of work, and what
work experience is for, but this could make
a real difference to young people, if they
took up the opportunity. It needs to be
taken more seriously. Parents are, of
course, very influential in the decisions
their children make, and those who’ve
visited our premises have been absolutely
blown away by the warehouse and the
facilities. They can see the opportunity
there to get real, relevant work experience
that can lead to full-time employment there
and on tours all over the world. That’s why
we have started running full-day events at
schools to get keen youngsters to find out
what it’s really like on the job, and for
them to see if they have what it takes.
Either way, it’s certainly educational
for them. We’ll host a live event at the
school, and the pupils will have to work
on arranging and creating every aspect
of that from lighting to sound to ticketing.
It’s tough, and it’s not glamorous, but it’s
a true reflection of the job.
BJ: There’s also a disparity between the
focus on opportunities for kids of differing
abilities. For the more academic there is
plenty of choice, but for the lower ability
there needs to be more variety of training
and opportunity to find their skills and
career opportunities.
How does Britain hold up against the
continent in opportunities for young
people?
BJ: In Germany, the apprenticeship system
seems to be alive and well. That was our
system, and while we couldn’t make it
work for us the Germans too it and it’s
been incredibly successful. They cracked
it. We really need to focus on this area.
It’s not a new viewpoint; politicians have
been saying it for years but we need
to keep on saying it! What’s needed
is a rediscovery of the apprenticeship
system for our young people.
What are the issues for employers?
AD: Out of the huge sector of creative
and cultural skills, something like only
three per cent of people go into jobs
in that sector - according to 2008 figures.
Immediately you can see the problem
in matching up those jobs to the huge
numbers of students on courses! At the
same time, there are so many colleges
trying to sell the creative and cultural
apprenticeships to businesses, but the
businesses aren’t interested. What they
want to know is that they can select good
candidates for their apprenticeships.
The system can be very restrictive, and
at times lacks common sense and vision.
There’s a tick box mentality to employment
and apprenticeships which isn’t flexible
“Schools very rarely cover the concept ofwork, and what workexperience is for, but this could make a real difference toyoung people”
Andy Dockerty
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to suit the needs of individuals which
means that young people are missing out.
Of course, 90 per cent of the time the
rules work just fine, but there are occasions
when some relaxation of the requirements
could open more doors.
How are employers in our area looking
for solutions?
AD: About 18 months ago now, Dave Kay
– one of my fellow directors – and I became
part of the Creative Apprenticeships
Steering Group which has representatives
from business and from the educational
providers, to work together to see how
we can help young people to take
advantage of the opportunities available.
This is definitely a step in the right
direction. The better use of traditional,
existing courses, which have come about
through partnerships between employers
and the colleges, combine the best training
which each can offer in their particular
areas. We have apprentices with us, for four
days a week, and on the fifth day they’ll
study basic electrics at the college. Courses
like basic electrical skills and health
and safety – and across a wide area of
industries – the colleges are well equipped
to provide. For the practical application of
skills and specialist on-the-job knowledge,
working in the business is most useful.
Have we lost something valuable in the
British education system by doing away
with polytechnic status?
BJ: On balance, I don’t think we have.
Polytechnics already acted as degree giving
institutions so it was not illogical to grant
them university status. Maybe their
'elevation' distracted them from their
former role in providing courses of a more
vocational nature so that might be seen
as a 'loss' however. The problem with the
British education system is that we’ve tried
to reinvent the wheel. While I took the
academic route, going to university and
studying for a doctorate, my brother took an
apprenticeship at Rolls Royce, worked hard,
and became a millionaire. His training was
excellent grounding for his success, but
apprenticeship numbers dropped and
further education and college hasn’t filled
the gap. The teaching focus isn’t always
quite right, the funding doesn’t allow for
the most up-to-date resources and the
relevance of the courses to industry
is sometimes tenuous.
AD: A few years ago, careers advisors
would put students off jobs like, becoming
a sound engineer. To pursue that, the
student would have had to be very keen
and found out about it themselves. Today,
a course like that will be sold to a young
person, and when that happens the same
passion isn’t there. Students can learn so
much more about the real experience on
the job. We currently have six ex-Gateacre
Comprehensive pupils working for us, and
we have seven young people on Creative
Apprenticeships across joinery, lighting
and audio.
How should more able students’
university places be paid for?
BJ: We could learn something from the
American system which is the most
successful in the world, and which sees
50 per cent of students take a university
degree (as opposed to 40 per cent in
Britain). American students leave university
with debts of perhaps a hundred thousand
dollars, so they have to be committed to the
course they’re pursuing.
AD: As we’ve said, the fees don’t have
to be repaid until the graduates are earning
a certain amount, and I don’t see the
problem with that.
BJ: I’ve also come to that conclusion.
Only a fifth of university students are
working class, so 80 per cent of students
are considered middle class and they’re
the ones that are benefiting most from the
higher education system. It wouldn’t be
right for the working classes to pay for
the education of the middle classes.
Are we in danger of creating a two-tier
society?
BJ: I do worry that there’s a danger of this,
of creating a layer of very privileged and
very educated people and another base
layer of education for everyone else.
AD: There’s a need to look at the bigger
picture. Employers need to see how
partnerships will work for them. They may
have become disillusioned by meeting
college graduates who arrive for work or
for an interview with little understanding
about what a job in their particular industry
means, and they need to be convinced by
the applicant that that’s the job they want
to do. For those that do make it, they’ll have
had the drive and the commitment to do
their research and get the relevant work
experience. There’s a huge difference
between this kind of person, and someone
who doesn’t know what they want to do
but is told by a careers advisor about a
course in lighting design; they just don’t
have the same passion. No matter whether
a young person chooses an academic route
or a vocational route, they need to have the
motivation to engage with what they’re
doing and be hungry to learn.
What do you see for the future of
education and training, going forwards?
BJ: Some of the most focused students
I have are mature students. They have
some life experience and they’ve seen
inside the workplace, and they have a
determination to succeed – which means
they do very well. With the economic
situation being what it is, I think we
may see more people mid-career using
redundancy as an opportunity to retrain,
to explore areas of interest, and to improve
their job prospects by going back to or
going to university. It could be a very
positive development for us, the lecturers,
to have so many enthusiastic and mature
students, and it could certainly alter the
way society sees the traditional, linear
path from education into a career.
AD: Students will really have to weigh
up whether they really want to pursue
a course, knowing that it won’t be feasible
to drift through university for three years.
I would encourage anyone with academic
ability and a passion for their subject
to go to university, but I do think that
a better chain between schools and
work experience and apprenticeships
could be the answer for a number of
young people.
“ What’s needed is a rediscovery of theapprenticeship systemfor our young people.”
Professor Bill Jones
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Secondary News
City first for Calderstones Every Child Matters Award
Calderstones School, Liverpoolbecame the first school in the city andone of only a small handful of schoolsnationally to achieve the Every ChildMatters Award following an externalassessment in 2010.
An assessment day was the final stagein the process after a number of staff ledby Sharon Maguire, AssistantHeadteacher, who had spent a number ofmonths looking at the practices and
policies in place at the school to showhow committed the school is to its pupilswellbeing and development and itsrelationships with the community aroundthe school.
The assessment included meetingswith a number of staff and pupils withinthe school, pupils giving the assessor –Rita Cheminais from ECM Solutions – afull tour of the school, lesson observationsand observing pupil activities around the
school at break and lunchtime.Assistant Headteacher, Sharon
Maguire, said: “Working towards thisaward gave us the opportunity to evaluateand strengthen existing policies andpractices. At Calderstones School,particular attention is given to ensuringthat the school is a safe place for studentsto work, we promote exceptional harmonybetween our students and they feelsecure and valued”.
Rita Cheminais presents the award to Headteacher Brian Davies
Wedding Planners of the FutureYear 10 girls from ArchbishopBlanch School, Liverpoolrecently took part in theLiverpool Schools EnterpriseChallenge held in associationwith The Liner Hotel atLiverpool.
The challenge was to design, co-ordinate and plan a wedding withina restricted budget and then pitch apresentation to an audience. Thejudges were a panel from LiverpoolCompact and The Liner Hotel.
Against strong competition fromother schools Archbishop BlanchSchool won the challenge andbrought home the trophy.
Pictured left are teammembers: Helena, Charlotte,Erin, Faye, Elizabeth andNicola
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Secondary News
Young entrepreneurs from NotreDame Catholic College for the Artswere invited into the ‘dragons’ dento showcase their business skills inorder to support top North Westcharity Nugent Care, in the run up toChristmas.
As part of the challenge, Year Tenstudents at the college in Everton weretasked to design an innovative product,working in teams to develop a fullbusiness plan with budgets and costs tothen present their ideas in front of thepanel of chosen Notre Dame judges.
The group of judges included formerstudent and cosmopolitan businesswoman of the year 2007 Clare Molyneux
MBE and members of staff from NugentCare, including Marie Reynolds(Fundraising Manager) who is a formerhead girl at the College.
Headteacher of Notre Dame, FrancesHarrison, also one of this years judgescommented; “This has been a fantasticopportunity to support such a worthycharity that has a long history inpromoting education for children forhundreds of years.
“Everyone has really got behind thecharity, and the high calibre of thestudent’s projects clearly show their hardwork and effort put in to make this daysuch a huge success.”
Students facethe Dragons
MotoringsuccessYear 12 pupils at St Hilda’srecently took part in a brand newEnterprise day, delivered by theInstitute of Motor Industry (IMI).
The day focused on highlighting thejobs available within the motorindustry and how to get them.
A high percentage of our year 12pupils are females and traditionallythe motor industry is not a sector thatthey would consider as it’s normallyperceived as an oil and rag industry.The IMI are keen to change thisperception and show young peoplethat the Motor industry can offer somuch more.
As part of the day the students hadthe opportunity to visit Peoples Ford,Speke where they met with JackieWaterhouse, Director & GeneralManager and Ian Mc Farlane, GroupMarketing Director who spoke to thepupils about the various jobs availablewithin the industry.
Joanne Poole, Enterprisedevelopment officer at St Hilda’scommented “With the demand forUniversity places at its highest andthe job market being so competitivewe feel students need to be moreinformed of opportunities available tothem when they leave school.”
We hope that the day has enthusedpupils and opened their eyes to otherpossibilities not just in the motorindustry but in other sectors that theymay have dismissed as non-traditionalto their sex.
The day concluded with a selectionof presentations about the varioushigh level jobs available within theindustry.
‘Rude Science’ workshopIt was a very cold morning when agroup of Year 8 pupils fromBroadgreen International Schooljoined pupils from St EdwardsCollege to look into the Science ofthe human body....with a twist.
Pupils were challenged in working outthe surface area of your skin and howmany hairs are on an average body, (didyou know the only places on your skinwithout hair is the palm of your handand the sole of your foot?). Other nastyexperiments included making snot andear wax plus finding all about dandruffand urine.
Judges pose for photoswith Year 10 students
Broadgreen students test the viscousityof ‘snot’
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils28
Secondary News
Gateacre welcomes Rebecca Return for X-Factor singing sensation Pupils and staff at GateacreCommunity Comprehensive School inLiverpool welcomed former studentRebecca Ferguson, runner-up in TheX Factor recently.
The singing sensation from Anfield gota rapturous reception when she visitedthe school during a flying visit toLiverpool to perform a special concert atthe ECHO Arena ahead of the final.
She sang two songs for pupils,including the Robin S dance classic“Show Me Love” which wowed thejudges.
Deputy Headteacher CatherineChapman said: “Her voice is outstandingand she’s even better live!
“She is very humble and took time tospeak to the students and asked them tostudy hard to achieve their dreams.
“She’s an inspiration to all of them andwe were all rooting for her in thecompetition.”
Year seven student Carrigan Mannionadded: “It’s really great that she used tocome to my school. All my friends votedfor her in the competition.”
Rebecca was a pupil at the school until2003.
School celebrates refurbishmentThe Lord Mayor of Liverpool Hazel Williams and a teamof professional Chefs enjoyed a school meal at HollyLodge Girls’ College in West Derby, Liverpool recently tocelebrate refurbishments made to the college diningroom and the impact this has had on students’ GCSEresults.
Martin Kane, deputy head at the Holly Lodge Girls’ College,said: “By re-structuring lunchtimes, serving better quality foodand improving the total dining experience we have seen asubstantial improvement in concentration levels in theafternoon and this in turn has had an impact on academicachievement.
“Last year the number of A*-C at Grade C & above includingEnglish & Maths was 34%. This year it increased to 51%.Similarly, 59% of students gained 5 A*-C at Grade C and abovecompared to 86% this year.”
Holly Lodge Girls’ College is a Food for Life Partnershipflagship school. It is currently working towards the Food for LifePartnership Gold Mark – the national award, which recognisesschools that use practical learning experiences to re-connectyoung people to the food they eat, following the journey fromfield to plate.
As part of this mission, Holly Lodge organised a day to
celebrate their redesigned food courts. The celebration alsoincluded a visit from the Food for Life Partnership Cooking Bus,a mobile kitchen/classroom which bought practical cookingskills to not only the pupils and the teachers, but also membersof the local community.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 29
This is a school with energy, ambition and high aspirations for its students
CHILDWALL SCHOOL
A Specialist Sports & Science College
Anyone wishing to view the schoolplease contact 0151 722 1561
Headteacher: Dewi PhillipsFiveways, Queens Drive, Liverpool L15 6XZ
E: [email protected]: www.childwallsc.co.uk
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils30
Meet the Headteacher Phil Jamieson, Alsop High School
When Phil Jamieson steps down as headteacher in July, it will mark the end of acareer spanning almost four decades atAlsop High School. But whilst retirementwill allow him more time at home awayfrom the world of work his legacy willcontinue to be felt throughout the school.
When Phil arrived at Alsop in 1972 itwas a relatively small split-site northLiverpool boys’ secondary school.Since then he has overseen itstransformation into the co-educational technology and specialistlearning college of today, rankedfourth in Liverpool for achievement,and offering students a broad rangeof learning opportunities.
There is fulsome praise among staff,students and governors for Phil’saccomplishments. So much so that thefinal building project, which wascompleted last term, is named after him.
Phil’s life in education began at theopposite end of Queens Drive, as a pupilat Quarry Bank, Calderstones. Said Phil:“I enjoyed my own school days and Isuppose I wanted to pass this love oflearning on. I joined Alsop as a PEteacher, studied for a degree in
management with the Open University,became pastoral head of year and thendeputy head before taking over as headin 1997.
“During my time here I’ve witnessedmajor secondary reorganisation acrossthe city, as well as the changes that havetaken place within Alsop. It became amixed school when girls were invited tojoin in 1985 and in 1989 we settledpermanently at the current site onQueens Drive. The school today – with1,800 students – is far bigger than when Istarted.”
Phil believes that many of Alsop’spositive outcomes can be linked to thecultural changes at the school, which hehas promoted consistently. Said Phil:“The culture here is one of success nowand this goes for the school as a whole aswell as individually.
“I try to instil in students that they can
achieve their goals if they really put theeffort in, whether that goal is academic,sporting or musical. The school motto,Learn Achieve and Be Successful, hasreally helped to inspire this culture, and itgoes beyond nurturing the mostacademic students.”
For example Alsop boasts threevocational centres designed to trainstudents for the workplace. Aspire Hair
Learn,Achieveand BeSuccessful
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 31
and Beauty and Aspire Construction aretwo of the school’s initiatives which aimto prepare students for work.
The salon, based in Walton village,allows students to train in hairdressingand beauty in a work based environment.Not only has it has become popular withfriends and family - mums and grandmasespecially – but it is a great communityresource.
There is also Aspire Constructionwhich is a purpose built constructioncentre teaching bricklaying, joinery andpainting and decorating skills. “Studentsget the chance to study, hands on,towards a diploma in construction orhairdressing and are taught by qualifiedprofessionals” said Phil.
The school, in partnership with NotreDame Catholic College and The NorthLiverpool Academy, funds Inspire, thethird work-based initiative. It is a stateof the art computer suite in the ConnectBusiness Village in Bootle, and the firstproject of its kind in the north west tooffer students the chance to study for anICT Diploma. This, like the construction
centre and hair and beauty salon, is animportant way to promote trades as a realalternative to higher education.
The culmination of the £20millionBuilding Schools for the Future projectwas the new building, which the schoolhas opted to name after its industrioushead teacher. Quite coy about TheJamieson Building, Phil smiled and said:‘It’s highly embarrassing but really verynice of them. It houses our dining area, adance studio and music and dramacentre.
“The school is really going fromstrength to strength. GCSE achievementhas trebled over the past decade, the 6thform has trebled and we now have a 99per cent pass rate at A’Level.” And onthe site of the old Queens Drive baths is
now Alsop’s sports centre, a facilitywhich is also used by the localcommunity.
“72 students progressed to universitylast year and results are improvingconstantly” said Phil. “The broadspectrum of subjects available forstudents means that every student canexcel at something, be it sport, problemsolving in a practical way or academically.This then raises their awareness of whatis possible and feeds our culture ofconstant self improvement.”
On retirement in the summer Phil (alifelong Liverpool season ticked holder) islooking forward to spending more timetravelling and relaxing with his family -although he hopes to maintain some ofhis educational links “maybe in aconsultancy capacity…
“It is certainly a great time for someoneto take over the reigns,’ he said, ‘andmove the school up to the next level. Wehave created a great educational culturefor our students, their needs are always ofprime importance and Alsop will go on tobe even more successful in the future.”
I try to instil instudents that theycan achieve their
goals if they really putthe effort in
“
”
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SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENINGThursday, 3rd February 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Why choose Alsop Sixth Form Centre?
• We are one of the top four Sixth Form Centresin Liverpool.
• In 2010 we had record results with a 99%pass rate at post 16.
• There are over 50 different courses on offer,including A Levels, BTECs and the new Diplomas.
• We have a £20 million BSF building programmeproviding specialist areas including a cyber caféexclusively for Sixth Form students.
• We have links with other schools providingaccess to even more courses.
“Alsop High School is an outstanding school.Students make excep�onal progress” - Ofsted
Please come and look around and meetour staff and students.
ALSOP HIGH SCHOOLTechnology and Applied Learning Specialist College
Queens Drive, Walton, Liverpool L4 6SH Tel No. 0151-235-1200
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils32
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 33
Worried about your Child’s education?
Do you recognise any of these problems?
Counting on fingers when adding up Difficulty with subtraction • Can’t grasp times tables • Little interest in reading
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CALL TODAY for a free consultationFind out how your child can succeed.
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2 Vine Street, Widnes WA8 6DW
We will design an individual montage for you.
A great way to showcase and display yourphotographs in the home.
See something different each time you look at the picture.
Simply send your digital photos by email or we can scan traditional photos.
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TO PLACE YOUR ORDER OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT OURWEBSITE WWW.MEMORABLEPHOTOGRAPHS.CO.UK
p19-38:covers 24/1/11 14:24 Page 33
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils34
Secondary News
Ormskirk’s young hockey umpireAlex Whalley was recently selectedto attend a highly prestigiousnational High PerformanceAssessment Camp (HiPAC) event.
The HiPACs, run by England Hockey,are the most prestigious non-tournamentevents in the national hockey calendarand Alex, who is in Merchant Taylors’Sixth Form, has been selected as one ofonly six young umpires nationwide toattend this year!
The residential three-day camp aimsto give talented young umpires such asAlex first-hand experience of aninternational training camp environment,in preparation for potential futureinvolvement in a National Age GroupSquad (NAGS).
Competition for places was extremelyhigh and he benefitted a large amountfrom a packed programme of excitingactivities and coaching. Alex receivedhigh level training, led by EnglandHockey appointed coaches, he alsoattended workshops on subjects such asanti-doping, injury management andnutrition.
The Sixth former, has umpired some ofthe regional events for U18 / U16 boys.He continues to umpire games of a highstandard at club level and his coachessay he is one of the most promisingyoung umpires involved in the game andwill hopefully get to umpire at the veryhighest level.
Alex said: “I found the coursedemanding but very rewarding, and it isvery exciting to be selected among thebest young umpires nationwide. I hopeto further my achievements withumpiring in tangent with pursuing acareer in the financial services.”
Alex aims forthe top
College welcomesacclaimed author
Students at Childwall Sports Collegewere delighted to meet the famousauthor David Whiteley recently.
David who graduated from OxfordUniversity with a Double First in EnglishLiterature has a passion for writingchildren’s fiction. At the age ofseventeen his first children’s novel wasshortlisted for the Kathleen FiddlerAward and at twenty he won theCheshire Prize for Literature for aChildren’s Short Story making him theyoungest writer ever to win thisprestigious award. After that Davidwrote his well known novel entitled “TheMidnight Charter”.
The story takes place in the City ofAgora where everything can be boughtand sold and two children stumble uponthe mysterious, and dangerous,
Midnight Charter. Students at Childwall Sports College
were delighted to work with David andduring the course of the session withhim students produced their ownimaginative writing which was highlycommended by David.
Childwall Sports College promotesliteracy and writing and is delightedalways to welcome authors and poets tothe school. The most recent visit byDavid Whiteley was a huge success.
Headteacher, Dewi Phillips, said: “I amreally grateful to David for spendingsome time with our budding novelists.Students thoroughly enjoyed meetingDavid and have been hugely encouragedby him to write their own works. I lookforward to the next David Whiteleycoming from Childwall Sports College!”
Belvedere Drama Festival Every year the Belvedere Academy hosts an annualDrama Festival, a day of performances across KS3.This tradition has become an integral part of theschool year, with plans already afoot for 2011!
Talented sixth formers select a form group and write orselect a script of their choice and then spend weeks inrehearsal, directing and managing the divas in theirforms! The talent of Belvedere never fails to amaze andthis year was no exception. The final rehearsal day turnsthe school upside down with colour and costumes, hairspray and glitter. Peter Pan was seen sitting alongsideHarry Potter while Sleeping Beauty competed with thecast of ‘The Only Way is Liverpool’ in the queue toperform on stage.
The end result was an overwhelming success and performances this year hit anall time high.
Eventually the overall winners were announced and the cast and directors of‘Dracula Spectacular’ took their rightful place in the cannons of history and tookhome the trophy amongst tears of joy and delight.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 35
Secondary News
Students prove to be super stars College raises funds for Imagine AppealKirkby Sports College (KSC)students staged a Super StarCompetition to raise money forAlder Hey Children’s HospitalImagine Appeal.
Year 7s were responsible fororganising, marketing, andproducing goods to sell at a SummerFayre during a project day in theEnglish department. The fun dayincluded face painting, manicures,beat the rat competitions andjewellery stalls that sold jewelsdesigned by the KSC students.
To end the day there was a SuperStar Competition, Staff versus Year 7students, in which there were aseries of stamina events and
challenge courses organised; KSCstudents were declared thechampion super stars despite avaliant effort by the staff.
Acting Principal Pam Kilham said:"This was a wonderful experience forstaff and students alike who all reallyenjoyed the day. The Englishhomebase, for a few hours at least,took on the identity and atmosphereof a mini village green. I amdelighted that so much money wasraised for such a worthwhilecharity".
Pictured right are current Year8 students presenting IreneAxon from the Imagine Appealwith a cheque for £341.
Talented duoStudents dance their way to Shanghai
English National Balletinvited St John BoscoArts College to audition22 students from Year 7to Year 13 to perform acontemporary version ofthe ballet Swan Lake atthe Royal Albert Hall inLondon, this projectinvolved five schoolsacross the UK and China.
St John Bosco was luckyenough to be invited to taketwo students to Shanghai,Beijing and Hong Kong toperform on UK National Dayas part of the professionalprogramming at the world expo in Shanghai, alongside theEnglish National Ballet, Shanghai Ballet and London SymphonyOrchestra.
Students from St John Bosco Arts College Abby Lewis andLauren McQueen accompanied by their teacher Diana Strevensflew to Shanghai to perform at this prestigious event.
The students performed Swanning Around with larger groupsfrom Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. The chorographers fromthe English National Ballet adapted the piece to portray thetraditional Chinese culture.
The two students were lucky enough to be able to perform forthe Duke of York, Prince Andrew who met with the girlsafterwards to discuss their experience. Following theperformance the students were able to visit the expo site withtheir new Chinese friends and were taken on a private tour ofthe UK pavilion.
On their sightseeing days they were able to visit the YuanGardens, the Old town, the famous Jade Budda temple, the PearlTower and take a boat trip along the Bund Huang River.
St John Bosco Arts Collegestudents Abby Lewis and LaurenMcQueen in Shanghai
Historic school re-bornStudents and staff at Liverpool’s biggest secondaryschool recently celebrated the official opening of thestunning new £18 million Alsop Technology College.
The 84-year-old school has undergone a completetransformation, with a new, three-storey teaching andactivities block and 36 classrooms with retractable walls, toallow for flexible lessons which adapt to the needs of youngpeople.
The school also features a new dance studio, new areas fordining and socialising and bright, open atrium areas. Andspecialist business studies classrooms and cutting-edge ICTequipment will further boost the school curriculum.
The new building has been named the "Jamieson" building,in recognition of almost 40 years of service from currentheadteacher Phil Jamieson. Headteacher Phil Jamieson said:“This is a momentous day for Alsop School and we areabsolutely delighted to be formally opening the doors of ournew facility.
“It’s vital that our young people have the very best learningtools and are taught in a modern, attractive environment. Ournew building will transform life at the school and drive upeducation standards across the board.
“Staff and students have been fully involved in theseambitious plans right from the start and it’s wonderful to seeour dream become a reality. It really is a new era for Alsop.These massive improvements will bring huge benefits toyoung people for generations to come.”
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Specialist Art Schools
The establishment of specialist schools status hasa strong reinforcing and positive effect upon schoolethos. It significantly enhances the school’s appealwithin the local community and is associated withraising academic performance. As part of a specialseries, we will be looking at specialist statusschools in Merseyside, their achievements andtheir links to the community.
p19-38:covers 13/1/11 14:27 Page 36
The role of specialist arts and music
colleges, working to develop the subject
in secondary schools and working in
partnership with primary schools with the
same aim should not be underestimated.
Specialist schools are committed to
working with partner schools and the
wider community; this partnership is an
important aspect of being a successful
specialist school. Its status is a particularly
effective form of school improvement
because of its focus on enhancing the
quality of teaching and learning both
within and across subject areas. It is also
an important means of raising attainment
and improving performance. Notre Dame
Catholic College for the Arts is one such
school who has seen a significant
improvement after OFSTED named it as
the highest achieving girls’ school in the
country for student progress. Director
of arts at Notre Dame Catholic College,
Lesley Bentley commented: “Here at
Notre Dame, we believe participation
in the arts underpins the student’s
creativity in the classroom. We
were first granted official arts
college status in 2002 and since then
the college has gone from strength to
strength. The college now has a 500-seat
auditorium and state of the art professional
dance and drama studios. As well as
providing an interactive arts-based
curriculum for our pupils, part of Notre
Dame’s commitment includes extending
our expertise and facilities out to the local
community and other schools in the city.”
The launch of the high-tech ArtsBus, with
a recording studio, software for interactive
musical tuition and performance centre,
provides a mobile centre for creative
training and performance to every child
in Merseyside.
Formby High School, which specialises
in performing Arts and Science, has
worked with a range of local arts
organisations including the Liverpool
Philharmonic, LIPA and National Festival
of Music for Youth to name just a few.
Originally, Formby High were designated
a joint performing arts college with
Maghull High. Formby always had a
strength in Music and Drama and have
built upon this experience to create an
outstanding performing arts faculty
with an equally strong dance and music
technology dimension. Since 2006, they
have operated independently. “We are now
one of the leading performing arts colleges
in the country, with an acclaimed school
and community arts programme,” says
Steve Cook, Director of Performing Arts.
“In 2008, we spearheaded the huge 'Itoku'
project for Capital of Culture involving
35 Sefton schools and over 1000 young
performers, culminating in a schools
opera in Liverpool Cathedral. We have
also developed strong international links
through performance tours to China, Kenya
and Canada. We are currently preparing
for a new tour to Las Vegas and Flagstaff
during Easter 2011.”
It is this vital partnership between
local arts organisations and specialist arts
schools, which takes the practice of the
classroom into the outside world, providing
a complete education. Currently there are
a number of organisations working with
local schools giving an insight into the art
world. The Liverpool Empire Theatre has
an Education and Community department
that works with a number of specialist arts
schools in the area. Natalie Flynn, Head of
Education and Community at the Empire,
commented: “Our department has been
pleased to offer workshops linked to our
shows and backstage tours with a specific
focus on careers within the performing arts
industries. It is important for organisations
such as ourselves to work with specialist
arts schools as we can offer an invaluable
resource to those who wish to pursue
a career in the performing arts
industry in later life which
complements the excellent
teaching within the schools.”
The Everyman and Playhouse theatres
work with over 80 schools, college and
universities across the North West. The
theatres have over30 formal partnerships
with educational organisations in the area.
Of that number, eight are ‘unique’
“We believe participationin the arts underpins thestudent’s creativity in theclassroom.”Lesley Bentley, director of artsat Notre Dame Catholic College
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 37
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partners. Unique partners pay £1000 per
academic for a bespoke programme of
activities planned in close collaboration
with the theatres’ Education Department.
They receive £600 of ticket credit, reduced
tickets prices, free workshops and tours,
membership of the theatres’ Drama
Teacher’s Forum and support where
appropriate. Specialist art school St John
Bosco is a member of the unique partner
scheme. The theatres have worked with
them on a number of projects including a
social drama project about homelessness,
which involved the entire Year 9 class,
and ‘In My Liverpool Home’ with all
of Year 7 creating pieces relating to
religious faiths in the local community.
“Arts College Status enables us to
deliver a quality curriculum that
motivates, inspires and challenges our
students through creative, aesthetic and
innovative approaches to teaching and
learning,” says Rosemary Pritchard,
Deputy Headteacher at St John Bosco.
“Our vision is that every member of our
school community deserves the
opportunities to flourish and fulfill their
potential with hope and confidence.
Through our many valued partnerships and
links with outside arts organisations, we
have provided enriching and transformation
learning experiences for a great majority
of our students. Over the last two years,
we have committed to projects with
The English National Ballet who toured
in Liverpool in 2009, The Echo Arena,
The Everyman Theatre and LIPA.”
Emma Smith, Education Coordinator for
the Everyman and Playhouse, commented:
“It is a great pleasure to work closely with
schools such as St John Bosco High School.
Their specialist arts status raises the profile
of the arts across the school.
Providing opportunities for students to work
with professionals in the industry makes for
meaningful work that is endorsed and
celebrated by the school community.”
Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
also runs an active programme of activities
with local schools as part of its widening
participation strategy. “For the last two
years we have been working regularly
with students in local schools who have
demonstrated some talent in performing
arts/creative subjects and who are from
backgrounds without a family history of
going on to Higher Education,” said Corinne
Lewis Director of Marketing and student
Recruitment at LIPA. They provide regular
after school classes and
workshops and have also
provided specialist summer
schools to help to raise their
aspirations to go on to study a performing
arts or related subject at university.
It seems likely that employment prospects
in conventional jobs will continue to
diminish for school leavers - not through
lack of qualifications but through lack of
jobs. Young people cannot enter non-
existent jobs, however well qualified they
may be. A narrowing of the curriculum
helps in these new social circumstances
with links to the local community and
employers paving the way for employment
for school leavers.
Specialist Art Schools
“Arts College Status enables usto deliver a quality curriculumthat motivates, inspires andchallenges our students.”Rosemary Pritchard, Deputy Headteacherat St John Bosco
“Providingopportunities forstudents to workwith professionalsin the industrymakes formeaningful work.”
Emma Smith,Education Coordinatorfor the Everymanand Playhouse
Merseyside Schools withSpecialist Art StatusFormby High SchoolHuyton Arts and Sports Centrefor LearningNotre Dame Catholic CollegeSt John Bosco Arts College
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils38
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Notre Dame Catholic College
for the ArtsEstablished1869
AH QU'ILEST LEBONDIEUBON
Everton Valley L4 4EZ Telephone: 0151 263 3104 Fax: 0151 260 [email protected] www.notredameliverpool.comHeadteacherMrs F Harrison BSc (Hons) NPQH
6th Form Open EveningTuesday 8 February 2011 Starts 6.00pm
All welcome
Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils40
Help and advice
The previous
government’s
guidelines on
homework have
not yet been
updated by the
coalition and still
stand. They
emphasise the
importance of out of school learning, and
profess a strong belief in partnerships
between parents and teachers. Homework
tasks will vary between schools, even for
the same age groups, because the
curriculum is varied and the class teacher
will be working to suit the different
capabilities of the students. If you’re
concerned about the level at which the
tasks are set, then you should speak to the
class teacher. If your son is finding the tasks
accessible and enjoyable, and is learning
then you have no need to worry at this
stage. If you’d like to look at some
additional resources to help your child at
home, try the BBC website for ideas.
This sort of behaviour among girls is pretty common,especially in the later years of primary school and in thefirst year of secondary school when pupils are learningabout their emotions and how to manage them. Thegovernment’s recommendations for PSHE lessons oftenaddress this sort of behaviour in class, with the aim forpupils to be able to look objectively at theirbehaviour and how they can treat each other withrespect. Of course, however, problems still arisefrom time to time and bullying can become aproblem. You have done the right thing to tellyour daughter to find other girls to spend time with,and if the problems persist then she should speak to herform tutor who will know the girls involved and will sit downwith all the pupils to get to the bottom of things. The form tutormay then even address the issue in form period time/academicreview. If the situation worsens, you could try writing or‘phoning the school to speak to the form tutor personally,or to the head of year, to discuss a plan of action. For now,keep an eye on it, making sure that your daughter doesnot become unhappy and that her schoolwork does notsuffer, and try not to worry.
My son is now in juniors and gets a reasonable amount ofhomework per week. However, I have noticed from talking to otherparents that their children, who attend other schools, get quitedifferent homework. Are there guidelines available of what amountand what type of homework this age group could be getting perweek?
My daughter has started secondary school last September and Ihave noticed already some catty playground behavior between thegirls which seems to be causing my daughter some distress. Myadvice to her has been that, if the girls she wants to play with arebeing unkind, she should tell a teacher or find some other girls toplay with. My son, who’s older, has gone through school withoutexperiencing anything like this kind of behaviour. I’m not sure if Iam giving her the right advice and how best to deal with it.
I have just started to thinkabout extra schoolactivities for my childrenand am really unsureabout what level of activityis best for each child. My children are aged 5 and 7.After-school activities can be greatfun for children, allowing them tomeet and make new friends anddevelop new skills and interests. Theyare often an excellent accompaniment
to their educational experience inschool. However, when parents plana full schedule of activities, saymore than three a week, it can betoo tiring for the majority ofchildren. For all children, and
especially your five year old who isright at the beginning of his/herschool career, it’s important to keepfree time and play time available forthem after school and at weekends.When children are allowed to choosetheir own activities, invite friendsover, and invent their own games,they develop social skills and thecapacity to feel good in their ownskin. If they are occupied withscheduled activities all week long, theadverse effect could be that theybegin to feel entirely dependent onexternal sources for theirentertainment. As another matter, children who arepushed into activities which theyaren’t too keen on, may decide torebel. While you should encouragethem to take part in after-school clubs,listen to them talk about theirexperiences and allow them to chooseclubs and groups which they enjoy.
Dear Educate*******************************************************
p39-54:covers 13/1/11 14:42 Page 40
Bellerive FCJ Catholic CollegeSpecialising in the Sciences, Applied Learning Maths and Computing
Sixth Form Open Evening8th February 2011
6.00pm-8.00pm
For male and female students seekinga place in September 2011
Please enter via the sixth form block on Windermere Terrace
Windermere TerraceLiverpool
L8 3SBwww.bellerivefcj.org
Serving education inLiverpool since 1844
p39-54:covers 13/1/11 11:37 Page 41
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils42
Meet the Headteacher Susan Kerwin, St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Maghull
Susan Kerwin’s first anniversary as head at St Andrew’sChurch of England Primary School, Maghull, is approaching.The school’s very first female headteacher - which is alandmark in itself as the school was founded in 1839 - shereflects on her first year.
“It has been lovely,” she said. “Ihave experienced a whole bundle oflaughs with the children and thestaff, who have been reallysupportive. When I started it tookthe children a while to get used totheir new head’s title being ‘Mrs’rather than ‘Sir’ but they soon gotthe hang of it.”
Before her current post Susan washead at St Luke’s, Halsall, in Crosby. “StAndrew’s is a bigger school, with twiceas many pupils, and so the challengesare greater” she said. The school has agreat reputation both locally and in thewider area, and this has led to a mixedprofile with children travelling from asfar away as Kirkby and Litherland. “It isa popular school,” said Susan, “and interms of results we are above thenational average and also Sefton’s.
“The school has always maintainedhigh standards, and focuses uponexciting ways to help children learn.Whilst this will obviously contribute togood results we believe that a creativeand enjoyable environment is thepriority.”
The creative curriculum is usedthroughout all subject areas at StAndrew’s and many of the topics arebrought to life in fascinating ways. “Ourteachers welcome the children’s inputinto how the learning will develop,” saidSusan. So, when studying the slavetrade one of the Year Five classesdecided that they would, unbeknown tothe other class, invade them and takethem as slaves.
“By using drama techniques likefreeze framing children will be requiredto think about how they feel in a numberof situations, be it as a slave trader,slave, groundbreaking scientist orcampaigner” said Susan.
“Year Six are currently studying the
protest movement of the 1960s and so toreally bring it to life they have plannedtheir own protest outside school. I’mnot sure what will be on the agenda as itis their protest and they have planned itthemselves, but it will no doubt behighlighting things that are important tothem.”
Bringing subjects to life like this hasmany positive outcomes extending toattendance and a general sense thatschool is fun. Said Susan: “School isusually so exciting that children reallydon’t want to miss out. And this isreflected in our attendance figures.”
Susan goes on to highlight thedifferent experiences her primary schoolchildren have today compared to theearly 1990’s when she began teaching.“That was just before the advent of IT inthe classroom,” she said, “which hasbrought with it huge benefits, especiallyas a research tool for children who takelonger to learn.
“As a teaching tool the internet isvery powerful. We use the intranetthrough Sefton Council so searchengines are all very safe. Children have
Bringing education to life
Our teacherswelcome the
children’s input intohow the learning will
develop
“
”
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 43
instant access to knowledge, fromwhere they can test its usefulness andwhether it answers their questions.We are beginning their preparation forlife in general, as computers areintegral to most work places.”
Looking to the near future Susan isaware of the challenges posed bygovernment cuts. How does she thinkthey will affect St Andrew’s?
“There is certainly a degree of
uncertainty,” she commented, “and it ishighly likely that we will lose part ofthe advisory service provided throughSefton council. However, we are luckyto be part of a network of local schools(MADCOS) which plans to sharedevelopment and information in orderto support each other.
“As a group of headteachers wemeet regularly and will be relying oneach school’s strengths more and more
in the future. We feel secure in ournetwork although we are very aware ofhard times ahead” said Susan.
And when she is not in school Susandoes find time to relax with her family.Her husband is a retired police officerand they have two daughters. “I cangenerally be found dog walking onFormby beach,” she said, “reading or atthe cinema; all things that I lovedoing.”
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils44
News
Website for climatic changeMerseytravel launches new school projectThe Climatlantic website is forchildren, teachers and organisationswho want to tackle climate changeby making sustainable transportchoices. The website has beencommissioned by Merseytravel theUK partner of Climatlantic: atransnational project looking atreducing the carbon footprint in theAtlantic Area.
The multi-lingual website, being builtby Liverpool based educational digitaldesign specialists Splinter, will launchto Merseyside primary and secondaryschools in spring 2011.
Merseyside school children havespent the past 2 months working withSplinter and Merseytravel to develop theover-all style of the website, ideas forthe site’s interactive games, and theyhave named the site and game’scharacters: Ollie the orangutan, Ula the
parrot and Roofus the polar bear. Thegames are being designed to enthuseand impart nuggets of informationrelating to climate change, theenvironment and sustainable transportchoices.
The site will include a searchabledatabase for teachers of lessonresources selectable by subject and keystage. Project postings from schools inEurope and Merseyside will includevideo, photos and a chat forum. Othercountries involved include Ireland,France, Portugal and Spain.
The young people from differentpartner countries can add text, videos,images and sounds to build projectsassociated with the transport and theenvironment.
People visiting the site will be able toview the young people’s contributionsto the projects. They will be able to
search for specific topics and can viewcontent from their own country or any ofthe other participating countries. Theprojects can receive comments andfeedback from the public and otheryoung people.
For further information contact:Rachael Boden on 0151 709 9066, oremail: [email protected]
Educate PoetryCompetitionEducate have teamed up with MerseyTravel to launch a very special poetrycompetition to get schools and pupilsmore involved with issues affecting theclimate and the environment.
MerseyTravel are one of the partners inThe Climatlantic project, which is a projectin partnership with five European countries;Portugal, Spain, England, Ireland and Francewith aim of looking at an issues andreducing carbon footprint over the AtlanticArc (the western side of these countries).
The poetry competition is the chance forchildren to think about climate change andenvironmental issues and write a poem onthis theme for a chance to win an AmazonKindle reader as well as getting their poemprinted.
The competition is open to all Merseysideschool children. There are four agecategories, with one winner and four runnersup per category, each of these will have theirpoem printed in a special poetry book. Thepoems need to be sent in to the Educateoffice before the 31st March on a single sideof A4 with your details on the reverse oremailed as a Word document with all detailsto: [email protected]
So teachers why not get your classinvolved.
For full details on the competition simplylook at the advert on page 5 or go on theeducate website.www.educatemagazine.com
Educational Daysout at Spaceport!Teachers are being encouragedto bring their class to Spaceportand join the BBC/Wallace andGromit ‘World of Invention’workshops.
Inspired by Wallace’s love ofinventing, pupils will get the uniqueopportunity to experience a fun andcreative Wallace and Gromitinvention session. There will also beoriginal film animation sets to seeand pupils will be able to get hands-on at the clay station.
The workshops are FREE* and allpupils will be able to take theirinvention back to school with themto display in class. Places are limitedand will be available on a first come,first served basis - to avoiddisappointment book now!
Spaceport is a £10m attractioncovering the subjects of space andspace travel and is currently hostingthe Wallace and Gromit in Spaceexhibition. Wallace and Gromit makethe perfect partners for your class toexplore the solar system throughhands-on exhibits and lots ofopportunities to make and create.
We also have a fantastic newSpaceport education resource pack
featuring Wallace and Gromit inSpace available to download fromthe Spaceport websitespaceport.org.uk
For more information about aneducational visit to Spaceport,please call 0151 330 1333 or [email protected]
*Normal Spaceport schooladmission price applies. There is noextra cost for the invention sessions
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 45
News
Stateof theArtsNew Sixth FormCentre for AlsopHigh SchoolThe BSF programme provided Alsopwith an opportunity to create stateof the art facilities which our rapidlygrowing and successful sixth formdesperately needed.
The sixth form centre is now locatedover two floors in the Jamieson Building,with a study centre located on the firstfloor containing 40 PCs where studentscan work independently. On the top floor- with a panoramic view of the City - isthe Cybercafe where sixth form studentscan meet for a chat, have a snack orbrowse the Internet in a comfortable,informal and relaxed setting.
Access to this area is restricted toSixth Form students and the addition ofthese facilities will help ensure thatAlsop is well prepared to accommodatethe increasing numbers of studentschoosing to continue their studiespost-16.
It is widely expected that the newfacilities and the extensive course choiceavailable will encourage even more
students to choose Alsop as thepreferred place to begin their A Leveland BTEC studies in September 2011.
Bluebell Studios onHeathfield Road, Liverpoolcelebrated its SilverJubilee in October. Thebusiness started on 1stMay 1985 in the WelshChapel on Auckland Road,moving across toHeathfield Road in 1990.
The Studios now housesBluebell Dance & DramaAcademy, Bluebell NurserySchool, Bluebell FitnessCentre, Perfect Parties andseveral other small businessoffering Music, Salsa,Personal Training, Yoga andPilates. It is a wellestablished, family runbusiness that has grown andevolved over the years.
Carol Talbot (MD) said:
“‘Throughout our journey wehave been helped along theway by our parents andfamilies, their involvementwith all of our productionsand events have givenBluebell the friendly, familyoriented atmosphere that wehave today. We are thrilled tobe working with the secondand in some cases, thirdgeneration of the samefamilies here at Bluebell.Without everyone who usesand supports the studios wewouldn’t be where we are. Iwould like to take thisopportunity to thank everyonefor all of their love andsupport over the years.’
In celebration of achievingtheir 25 year anniversary
Bluebell Dance and DramaAcademy held an extraspecial production at thePhilharmonic Hall in Octoberon the tenth of the tenth ofthe tenth. The ominous showwas called Silver Circles and
included a cast of 200children from age 2 years andupwards. Its theme wasabout the circle of life and isthe 4th production to be heldin this prestigious Liverpoolvenue.
Silver Jubilee for dance studios
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Headteacher: Mrs M Rannard | 364 West Derby Road | Liverpool | L13 7HQFor a prospectus call 0151 235 1333 or visit www.westderbyschool.co.uk
We are the most improved Maths and ComputingSpecialist in the Country (April 2009), the mostimproved school across all the specialisms in theNorth West (April 2009), and in the top 1%nationally for adding value to our studentseducation.
***** Outstanding OFSTED 2010 *****
West Derby School Sixth Form Open EveningThursday 10 March 2011 @ 7 pm
Come and see what we have to offer in our state of the art new school
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Year Nine pupils at West DerbySchool recently received a helpinghand in choosing their GCSEsubjects for the following year.The day was designed toencourage the students to speakwith 21 companies, includingEverton FC, Merseytravel andJohn Moores University byshowcasing a range of careeroptions. Gary Evans, Deputy Headteacherat West Derby School, said: “A bigthank you to the 21 companieswho took time to come and speakwith our pupils. An event like thisbroadens the pupil’s horizons towhat is out there waiting for themand definitely something we willbe carrying out again.”
PUPILS LOOKTO THE FUTURE
West Derby Career Day
Thomas Kyle, AlexSharpe and Ben Wroe
Daniel Stephenson, Liam Watkinson, Jack Saleh,Arron Holt, Anthony Hanratty and Jonathan Ryan
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TALENTEDMERSEYSIDETalent shines brightly
CAREERS OPEN DAY
Budding engineers from schools acrossMerseyside converged on LiverpoolTown Hall to find out how to becomeengineers of the future.Engineering Your Future (FYF) was afree one-day careers eventto provide students withan insight into thebroad scope of acareer inengineering.The event wasthe only event ofits kind to havethe backing of theUK’s leadingengineeringgroups andinstitutions.
ACTION FOR CHILDRENThe musicians of Archbishop Beck College tookpart in Action for Children’s Christmas Concertat Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, before agathering of over 300 school children fromacross the city. The annual concert has raisedthousands for the children’s charity, which hasgained a reputation over the past 140 years forits excellent work.‘We were very honoured to be asked to play suchan important part in the concert,’ said BruceHicks, Assistant Headteacher at the College.
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CELEBRATINGLANDMARKS
Schools celebrateachievements
STATE-OF-THE-ARTNEW BUILDING
Stephen Twigg MP officially opened West DerbySchool’s new £28 million building in hisconstituency at a ceremony at the school. Pupils and staff started the new term at the newbuilding which comes complete with state of theart facilities. The Maths and Computing SpecialistSchool now houses a Theatre and Media Suite,sports and activities studio, an outdoor terrace,catering standard kitchen facilities as well asconference facilities and cutting edge ICT.Stephen Twigg MP, said: “I am delighted to openthe new West Derby School, built as part of theBuilding Schools for the Future programme. Thisgives the students and staff at West Derbybuildings they can be proud of.”
CELEBRATING 170 YEARSSt Thomas’ School, Lydiate celebrated 170 years ofHistory recently. In their foyer they have the schoolbell dated from 1840. Children came to school inVictorian Clothes and experienced what it wouldhave been like to be at school in the nineteenthcentury. They also had some special visitors to helprecreate a Victorian School and published a book ofthe school history which is on sale.
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FUTURE FOUNDATIONS
Schools learn skills for the future
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Liverpool Compact EBP recentlyorganised EmployabilityInterviews for Broughton HallHigh School. Business Leadersfrom a variety of companies cameto interview Year 10 students,including Steve Beet (right),Partner at PwC and Ken Harris(far right), Technical DesignArchitect at Liverpool Direct Ltd.Steve was keen to share hisinsight into business with theyoungsters and travelled fromLondon to Liverpool to conductthe ‘mock’ interviews. He said hewas really impressed with theprogramme and enjoyed his dayat school.
COOKING UP A STORMStaff from the children’s charity ‘Not JustCooking’ are cooking up a storm in schools onMerseyside by teaching children about healthyeating and how and what they eat can affecttheir health, well-being, self esteem and that oftheir families and friends.Head Chef, Gavin Williams, gave up a promisingcareer in catering to be more hands on, passingon his skills and love of cooking to make adifference in the lives of young people.If you would like your school to find out moreabout ‘Not Just Cooking contactwww.notjustcooking.com
Chef Gavin Williamsand the Ykids team
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COMMUNITYLINKS
Schools link up with local communities
TACKLING ISSUESTHROUGH DRAMA
Following on from the Your Choice Conferences andworking in partnership with Merseytravel and aTheatre Company, the Sefton CommunityEngagement Team has funded the DRAPA project tobe delivered to all Year 7 pupils from the six HighSchools in South Sefton. Pupils from various schoolstook part in a half-day of workshops and usingdrama and rap which tackled the issues surroundingvandalism, graffiti, dog fouling, travelling safely,bullying and grassing through mind-friendlylearning. The project, which was welcomed by pupilsand teachers in the last school year, was held inHugh Baird College, Bootle.
PENSIONERS’ CELEBRATE
Nearly thirtypensionersfrom St Luke'sCourt and theWalton TaxiClub attendedthe annual“ChristmasParty” atAlsop HighSchool. Anevent theylook forwardto every year! The Christmas partyis organised and run by the SixthForm staff and students with a realteam approach! Guests were invitedto a buffet lunch and were alsotreated to a performance of theschool show. This showcased thetalents of Alsop students andencouraged all to get into theChristmas spirit.
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If anyone spotted Mad Hatters,White Rabbits, Jesters and BugBands in Croxteth recently youweren’t mistaken. During December the students ofSt John Bosco Arts Collegeperformed Alice in Croxteth.Ann Pontifex, Headteacher at StJohn Bosco Arts College, said, “Iam immensely proud of all of thecollege community, the excitementabout the production built up daily.Taking part in such alarge scaleproduction, withover 200 studentsbeing involved inthe cast, band, stage crew andproduction team, remains in anindividual’s memory for the rest oftheir life”.
Sophie Craven asthe White RabbitENCHANTED
TALESA wonderland performance
Bling The Bumble Bee – StephanieDa Maia; Karl the Cockroach –Charlotte Dolan and Shelby theLadybird – Emily Woosey
Lauren McQueenas Alice
The Queen of Hearts –Ailish Taylor Jones
Mad Hatter –Antonia Hamer
The Wonderland Singers
Wonderland Dance TeamWitch of the woods – Sam Jones
with the Wonderland Chorus
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For more details contact: email: Catherine Chapman Deputy Head at [email protected] or Ian Thornhill Business Manager [email protected]
Space to Develop » Space to Grow » Space to Play » Space to learn » Space to Hire
The new £32 million Gateacre School opens September 2011.With state of the art facilities for the whole community.In 2010 – 71% A*-C at GCSE and 99% A-level pass rate.
Watch this space!Our new-look Gateacre School
Sports Barn
Dance Studio
MULTI-PURPOSE OUTDOOR SPORTS AREA
267-seat theatre
Conference facilities
with catering
ICT suites with
full wi-fi coverage
Learning café with internet
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Gateacre’s latest spectacular Musicand Drama Christmas productionwas ‘Grease’. The production sawover 100 talented students of allages sing, dance, play music andchoreograph the show. Studentsalso worked on lighting, sound,and stage management, set, makeup and costume design.Collaboratively, the pupils pulledtogether an outstandingproduction attended by familyand friends, the localcommunity and even the LordMayor of Liverpool made aspecial mission to see theshow. The contractors ofGateacre’s new school BalfourBeatty sponsored theproduction.
GREASE IS THE WORD
Electrifying show
Trumpeters CharlesSweeney, Jack Rigby
CheerleaderRebecca
Dramond
Danny - Jack Dodd
Sarah Walker
Danielle Bowers and JamesKewley
Georgia Bowers, Megan Mather,Sarah Walker Jake Rainford, Joseph Green, Connor Kristensen, Martyn Sayer
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Our Secret is Our Success
In the top ten percent of schools nationally for student progress
Every Day
in
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Shorefields Technology College
Dingle Vale, Liverpool, L8 9SJ
tel: 0151 727 1387
www.shorefields.com
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St Julies’ Christmasproduction this yearwas a resoundingsuccess, involving acast of over onehundred students from all years.This gave A level dance, drama andBTEC music performance studentsthe opportunity to display theirimpressive performance skills.Local primary school pupils wereentranced and terrified of the man-eating plant ‘Audrey2’ at the specialmatinee performance. The fourevening performances were asellout. The imaginative set wasdesigned by Art teacher, Mrs.Preston, and the plant was kindlylent from Gateacre School. Thecombination of high quality acting,dazzling choreography and singing,backed by highly talentedmusicians resulted in a productiondescribed as “an outstandingprofessional performance”.
Ashley Mills inthe lead role
of ‘Audrey’
Isobel Hawkins as ‘Seymour’
Peter Harrison
Glam chorus girls’ Marieta Daly, MeganKelleher and Dominique Daly
VanesssaMae Park as
‘Mushnik’
WOOLTONROCKS
To The Little Shop of Horrors
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Organised by Liverpool CompactEducation Business Partnership,companies including Barclay’sBank, Liverpool Daily Post & Echo,British Transport Police andGlendale Liverpool, met the staffand pupils at Holly Lodge Girls’College, toured the school, gainedan insight into school life todayand heard about the benefits ofEducation and Business workingtogether.Head Teacher Julia Tinsley said:“The event allowed our students tohave direct contact with potentialemployers and enabled employersto recognise the great wealth oftalent within our school…..a greatsuccess.”
EDUCATIONSHOWCASEBusiness leaders go
back to school
Liz Roberts, Liverpool Compact EBP,Julia Tinsley, Holly Lodge Girls’College, Mike Corley, Liverpool
Compact EBP
Holly Lodge students with Michael Connor and Richard Thompson fromBritish Transport Police
Head Girls – Sarah Thomasand Nahida Ullah
Staff and Governors from Holly Lodge Girls’College and Liverpool Compact EBP
Andy Dockerty, ManagingDirector of Adlib Audio
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Year 1 and 2 BTEC Performing Artsstudents from Roby CommunityCollege put on an entertaining andoriginal panto, entitled ‘AladdinUnder The Sea’. The pantomime merged thetraditional stories of Aladdinand the Little Mermaidtogether and includedsongs from all eras, to helptell the story. Aladdin falls in love withAriel and they have to provetheir love to friends andfamily. The adventure leadsthem through battles onland and under the seaas they race againsttime to get Ariel out ofa fixed marriage to anevil octopus.
ALADDINUNDER THE SEA
Epic love story at Roby
The WickedDame makes a
point
Year 1 and 2students fromthe performingArts
Aladdin meetsAriel
LaurenSidwell asAbanaazer
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Viewpoint
Should students be able to endacademic education at 14 infavour of vocational training
Eddie Ritson – Executive Member of the NationalUnion of Teachers“It is not acceptable that, at the age of 14, pupils may beforced into specific learning routes which could restricttheir future education or career choices. The NUT has long argued that all students should haveaccess to a broad and balanced curriculum within a singlediploma framework. The government needs to create a single overarchingqualification that embraces all young people and does notlabel them as one thing or another at such a young age”.
Trish Barker – ParentI think as long as students have obtained a minimum levelof academic standards, which would need to be defined,then for a percentage of students the option of thenundertaking vocational education only is a positivepossibility for them and the economy. It would improve themorale of such students, that would normally be strugglingwith the prospect of academic only qualifications.
Rob Peacock – Principal, Carmel College, St HelensThe main objective of education is to open up opportunitiesfor young people. I would be very worried if students werelocked into a particular career path at the age of 14. Thereis a danger that UTC’s will become places only for lowerachievers and that this will impact mainly ondisadvantaged young people. Scarce resources would bemuch better used helping existing colleges and schoolsachieve the aim of the improving student achievement andsocial mobility.
John Patino – Deputy Headteacher, Alsop HighSchool, Liverpool Personalised learning programmes and pathways areessential if we are to engage young people and enablemore of them to achieve success and become successfulmembers of society. Clearly basic skills of literacy,numeracy and IT are prerequisites, but the flexibility tofollow a ‘vocational’ pathway as opposed to a purelyacademic one must be preserved if we are to maximize thepotential of all young people.
Are less able students being pushed into vocational courses and pupils forced to makeimportant decisions about their future at too young an age?
Have your say:To suggest or contribute toa topic for debate inViewpoint email us at: [email protected] to view our on-line poll visit: www.educatemagazine.com
Up to 70 technicalschools teachingpractical skills could beopened before the nextelection, according toLord Baker of Dorking,the former Toryeducation secretarywho is heading thescheme.
Baker said the schoolswere not a smallexperiment but amovement designed totackle a shortage ofyoung people withvocational skills.
"If we are going tohave high-speed rail,the fastest broadbandin the world, newnuclear power stations,we are going to needtechnicians," he said."We simply don't haveenough technicallyorientated peoplecoming through."
Eddie Ritson
Trish Barker
Rob Peacock
John Patino
Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 61
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils64
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 65
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Big Fun Parties - Under 4 yearsThemed Parties - 5 - 11 yearsTeenage Parties & Hen Parties
We will make sure it is a celebration to remember!
7 Heathfield Road, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 9EU. Email: [email protected] www.bluebellstudios.co.uk
For more information please call:
0151 734 2001
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils66
WHERE CAN WE GO?Your guide to what’s happening out & about in Merseyside
FU
TU
RE
EV
EN
TS
12th-15th FebruaryEveryman Theatre, Liv-erpool0151 709 47760151 709 4776
Will Lola ever tidy herroom and will Charlie getLola to sleep, even thoughshe is not sleepy and willnot go to bed? The Tigerswant their bedtime milk,the Dancing Dogs haveborrowed Lola’s pyjamas –not to mention the Ogre inthe wardrobe! Don’t misseveryone’s favouritebrother and sister.
Charlie and Lola’s Best Play
The X Factor - Live!Echo Arena Liverpool,Kings Dock, LiverpoolTuesday 8th MarchTickets £32.500844 8000 400
Following last year’s record breaking tour, demand is going tobe huge for The X Factor Live Tour which will call into the EchoArena on Tuesday 8th March 2011.The seventh series of The X Factor became the talking point ofthe nation with a record average of 16 million tuning in eachweek. Now fans of the show have the chance to see theirfavourite acts perform live, as the final nine contestants are con-firmed to appear on 2011’s X Factor Live Tour. Taking to the stage this year are 2010 winner Matt Cardle, Liverpool’s own Rebecca Ferguson, One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne, Katie Waissel, Wagner, Paije Richardson and Aiden Grimshaw.
6th February Liverpool ChinatownCity Centre
The arch is the perfectbackdrop for ChineseNew Year celebrationsthis February, as the citywaves goodbye to theYear of the Tiger and wel-comes the Year of theRabbit. With somethingfor all ages, don't miss thetraditional Lion, Dragonand Unicorn Parade andthe Firecraker Display inGreat George Square.Free event
Chinese New Year
Not to be
missedLiverpool Performing ArtsFestival 2011St George’s Hall, LiverpoolFebruary 28th-March 18th0151 233 2008www.liverpoolperformingarts.co.ukDon’t miss the 87th Liverpool Performing Arts Festival2011 - Liverpool’s longest standing platform for talentedpeople.Over 4000 performers from across the North West will de-scend on St George’s Hall over two weeks to showcasetheir talents in music, speech, drama and dance fromsolo verse to 60 strong choirs and orchestras from ages 5to 80.Past festival winners include Sir Simon Rattle, ClaireSweeney, BBC Young Musician of the Year Mark Simp-son and X-Factor finalist Ray Quinn.
MustSee
FLAWLESS Liverpool Empire Theatre7th February 2011Tickets: £23.25
Great
one to
watch
The stars ofStreetdance3D andBritain's GotTalent presenttheir first soloshow. This in-spirationaldance acthave becomean international phenomenon with stunning streetdance and jaw dropping moves. They've worked withsome of the biggest names in music includingMadonna, Beyonce, Leona Lewis and Jamelia andwon countless awards including World Dance Cham-pions and Best Street Dance Act.You've seen them on television, now it's time to seethem live in this breathtaking, dizzying debut showfrom one of the UK's hottest dance acts. Don't miss!
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils 67
FILM REVIEW GAME REVIEW
8th April Port Sunlight Museum& Garden Village 0844 847 2525
Take part in a trail of fun,quirky and informativepublic art installations.Delivering the event isthe award-winning Wildin Art Company, theteam behind the phe-nomenal Go Superlam-bananas and Go Pen-guins, and the LiverpoolLantern Company.
Child of the Wirral
5th MarchHesketh ParkPark Crescent, South-port 0151 934 2932
HONEY is Pif-Paf's ac-claimed journey into theworld of the bee and itsrelationship with man.Performed four times aday in a Giant HiveHONEY is an intimate30 minute multi-mediashow for all ages. Startsat 11:00
HONEY
7th-19th FebruarySt George’s HallLiverpool0151 225 6909
The whole Great Hall willbe transformed into themagical land using 590mof sky, 320m of snow, aforest of 80 pine treesand a cast and crew of500 that are made up ofvolunteers. The NarniaExperience has been de-scribed as ‘ingenious,truly fantastic and bril-liant’.
Narnia
9th-10th March Southport Theatre andConvention CentreSouthport01704 540545
From the land of legendsand warrior Shaolinmonks comes the incredi-ble new Chinese StateCircus production – thelive acrobatic spectacular- Mulan.Entertainment for all thefamily - from the world’sleading Chinese acrobats.Tickets: £12.25 - £24.75
Chinese State Circus
Super MarioGalaxy 2
NintendoWii
Verdict: ★★★★★By Andy Kelly
Things are once again rotten in the MushroomKingdom. Bowser has taken Princess Peach prisoner for theumpteenth time, forcing Mario to momentarily put hisplumbing gig on hold to rescue his fair lady. The best thingthat can be said about the story is that it mostly stays inthe background. A few lighthearted exchanges betweenMario and his foes precede major battles, but there is onlya brief break in the action before you get back to flingingfireballs and cracking shells. In fact, Galaxy 2 is much morestreamlined than its predecessor. The elaborate hub worldthat has appeared in each of Mario's previous 3Dadventures has been scrapped and replaced by an easy-to-navigate map that lets you hop right into the next level.Galaxy 2 has less downtime than the original, ensuringyou're always engaged and entertained. The sights and sounds are so enthralling that you can justsit back, relax, and take in everything. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is so phenomenal that it's difficult toimagine where Mario could possibly go in the future. Butthat's hardly your concern now. Mario proves that he is stillthe king of fun.
Tron Legacy 3D Rated PG
Cast: Jeff Bridges, GarrettHedlund, Olivia Wilde,Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, BeauGarrett
Verdict: ★★★★✩By Andy Kelly
In 1982, Disney’s Tron became a cult classic. Basedon arcade, the film followed game designer KevinFlynn (Jeff Bridges), who hacks into a computersystem but finds himself trapped in a world of neon,disc games and light cycle battles. Sam Flynn, a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by themysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn, a manonce known as the world's leading video-game developer.When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the oldFlynn's Arcade - a signal that could only come from hisfather - he finds himself pulled into a digital world whereKevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of thefearless warrior Quorra, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyberuniverse - a universe created by Kevin himself that hasbecome far more advanced with never-before-imaginedvehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain whowill stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Enjoyable with plenty of action and CGI effects but thestory plods along in parts.
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Educate The Magazine for Parents and Pupils68
Book Review by Jennifer Dobson
In association with
5-8 YearsThe Clumsies Make a Mess of the Big Show by Sorrel Anderson – £4.99 The Clumsies are back in their third and most hilarious book yet! Full of exciting actionand wit we've come to expect, this latest instalment will have everyone checking undertheir desks for talking mice! A real laugh a minute read!
Magic Tree House-Valley of the Dinosaurs by Mary Pope Osbourne – £3.99Eight-year-old Jack and his little sister, Annie, are playing in the woods during theirsummer holiday, when they find a mysterious tree house full of books. But these are noordinary books ... and this is no ordinary tree house ... read all about Jack and Annie asthey get more than they bargained for. A fantastic tale all about Dinosaurs and prehistorictimes. A great read!
Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy-Star of the School by Hayley Daze – £4.99When Puddle the Puppy comes to play, magic is never far away! Puddle is a naughtypuppy who loves to go on magical adventures with his friends Ruby and Harry. He only hasto jump into a puddle for the magic to begin. Join Puddle and friends on an adventure tothe Wild West! Just beware there is an outlaw on the loose!
Are you a librarian, teacher or purchasing manager? Do you buy books for your business or institution? Waterstones Liverpool offers a comprehensive account sales service. Contact Vic Brazel, Sales Department, Waterstones Liverpool, 14-16 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4DS. Tel: 0151 707 1649
9-12 Years FictionSparks by Ally Kennen – £6.99Three children plot to give their grandpa his dying wish of a Viking funeral in a burningboat heading out to sea. A funny moving family adventure about love, death, sailing andcoffin stealing and a race against time to achieve the impossible!
Tithe by Holly Black – £6.99Do you believe in faeries? Not the soft, gentle kind, but the sinister, feral kind - the onesthat wreak havoc on everything in their path ... sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad.Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band, until anominous attack forces them back to her childhood home. A fantastic novel by Holly Black,and one of her best. You won’t want to put it down...
Deep by Helen Dunmore – £5.99A devastating flood has torn through the worlds of Air and Ingo, and now, deep in theocean, a monster is stirring. Mer legend says that only those with dual blood - half Mer,half human - can overcome the Kraken. With the help of the whale Sapphy must now facethis terrifying creature with the help of her friends. A truly heart warming story and a taleof strength and survival.
Teenage FictionTime of the Ghost by Diana Wynne Jones – £5.99A ghost turns up one summer day, alone in a world she once knew, among people whowere once her family. She knows she is one of four sisters, but which one? She only knowsthat an accident has happened. One of her sisters is about to die unless she can use thefuture to reshape the past. How will she warn them if they don’t know she exists? Agripping tale from start to finish and will have you sat on the edge of your seat!
Being Billy by Phil Earle – £6.99Eight years in a care home makes Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy's angry - withthe system, the social workers, and the mother that gave him away. As far as Billy'sconcerned, he's on his own. His brother and sister keep him going but even they can’tkeep him out of trouble. Billy is happy just being Billy. A heart-warming story and an eyeopener. Fantastically written and has already become a favourite title of the year so far!
Candor by Pam Bachorz – £6.99Oscar Banks lives in the pristine town of Candor. Son of the mayor, he is good-looking,smart and popular. And he knows something he's not supposed to - he knows about thebrainwashing messages embedded in the music that plays all over the town. Can he find away of banishing the messages and will he then risk his new found technology on helpingnewest arrival Nia. Psychological and a Big Brother in the making. A gripping tale...
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My SchoolRuffwood Comprehensive School, Kirkby, the
school closed in 2009.
My Favourite TeacherMrs Dot Hurley (my cateringteacher of course) she is now alecturer at Roby College.
My Favourite Subject at SchoolWell the obvious answer has to
be Catering, it goes without saying.
Were you streetwise or a bit of a geek?
Oh, I was a total geek at school.
My Favourite ChildhoodSinger/Band
I was a big fan of The TalkingHeads and especially the lead
singer David Byrne.
My Favourite Extra-Cur-ricular ActivityCooking (told you I was a geek), I spent all my timetrying out differentrecipes.
Do you remem-ber your firstschool crush?My first schoolcrush was on a girlcalled GillianCarmichael (Iwouldn’t know hernow if I ran her over).
My Favourite BookIn school it had to be ‘Stig of theDump’ and out ofschool is‘Made inGreatBritain’ ofcourse (mybook).
School Din-nersI wasn’t agreat fan ofschool dinners,the less saidabout them the better!
My Ambitions at SchoolMy ambition at school was not to be a geek
but I failed miserably (once a geek always a geek I suppose).
My School DaysAiden Byrne – Michelin starred Chef
Kirkby-born chef,Aiden Byrne firstcame to prominencewhen he was work-ing at Adlard’s inNorwich, where atthe age of 22 he be-came the youngestever chef to win aMichelin star. Hewent on to work atother Michelin-starred restaurants,alongside knowl-edgeable chefs such as PaulRankin and TomAikens, before fullyestablishing his own identity as head chefat The Grill in theDorchester Hotel. He is now part own-er of the ChurchGreen Restaurant inCheshire.Aiden says that he ispassionate about
British ingredients, and
has recently written a cookbook - Aiden Byrne: Made in Great Britain
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Open EveningWednesday2nd March 20117.00-9.00pm
Admissions Presentation at 7.00pm
For further information please contact:John Foulkes M.B.E, Director of Sixth Form
St Margaret’s CE Sixth Form CentreAigburth Road, Liverpool L17 6AB
Tel: 0151 427 1825 Fax: 0151 427 9430Email: [email protected]
Web: www.stmargaretshigh.com
St Margaret’s Sixth Form
“Once they embark on
courses students
invariably complete
them successfully.”
Ofsted
“Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding because of the frequent opportunities they are given for reflection and expression.”
Ofsted
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CALDERSTONES SCHOOLA Specialist Science College
Harthill Road, Liverpool L18 3HSTel: 0151 724 2087
Take acloser lookCalderstones Specialist Science Collegehas excellent facilities including 15 ScienceLaboratories, extensive Sports provision, Art rooms and Drama facilities. Our examresults are amongst the best in Liverpool andwe always aim to offer each pupil as manyopportunities as possible both inside andoutside the classroom.
“The school’s true commitment to ensuring that all studentshave equal opportunities to reach their potential is at theheart of everything it does.Students are known as individuals and feel extremely safebecause of the school’s outstanding provision for their care,guidance and support.”
OFSTED November 2010
For a prospectus call 0151 724 2087or visit www.calderstones.co.uk
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