VillageVillage Issue 8 Spring 2018 GreenGreen magazinemagazine TopTop SpotSpot Marchbank pupils top the town’s leagueleague table ColourfulColourful CharactersCharacters Springfield bookworms bring literary figures to life BuildingBuilding BridgesBridges Haughton Academy pupils took on the challenge of building a giant suspension bridge to inspire their interest in engineering. UPILS from Haughton P Academy joined more than 105 pupils from secondary schools across Darlington for a week of sessions run by the national award winning Foundation for Jobs. Pupils built the 14-metre long cable-stayed bridge, owned by The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, from scratch and then carried out the ultimate test of walking across it. The Breakfast Club STUDENTS are getting their teeth into their studies thanks to a new initiative which starts the day with a hearty breakfast. attainment. I am a firm believer that diet and hydration have such a positive impact and the breakfast club has certainly confirmed this.” The £1,000 worth of funding from Kelloggs has enabled the school to buy a fridge to allow buying in bulk and to keep the breakfast produce fresh longer. Evidence of improved behaviour and The idea of special needs attainment linked to the breakfast teacher Sarah Wilson, funding has club is being logged by staff. been secured from cereal Mrs Wilson said: “The case study manufacturer Kelloggs, while two we used when applying for the local supermarkets, Morrison and funding highlighted the plight of ASDA, supply the goods. one of our students who was a Beaumont Hill Academy students, refugee. She used to cry every day now spend the first 20 minutes of but the breakfast club really the school day socialising over a helped her emotionally and healthy breakfast of cereal, brown helped her grow in confidence. EAUMONT Hill Academy has toast and fruit. “Another student used to arrive B launched a breakfast club, “The effect is amazing,” said Mrs every day with pockets full of which is already having an Wilson. “Having a good breakfast sweets. He became so much impact on concentration, inside them instantly promotes calmer when these were behaviour and improved positive behaviour, helps substituted for a proper breakfast. attainment. concentration and improves All the students absolutely love it.” Progressive Pupil PRIMARY pupils are celebrating their success after topping the town’s league tables. HE progress of pupils at complex learning, social and Marchbank Free School was emotional needs. T rated as being well above “Each one of the pupils has failed average for both reading and to succeed in the mainstream mathematics in the government’s system, where it has not been latest progress report, securing possible to meet their complex them the number one spot from needs. over 30 other primary schools in Many of them have at some time the town. experienced multiple exclusions The key national figures indicate and time out of school for the overall progress pupils make significant periods. between the end of Key Stage 1 “We recognise that our children and the completion of Key Stage do always make good progress, in 2 compared to other primary part due to our low class sizes, pupils across the country. however sometimes we may have Principal Mandy Southwick said: year groups with more complex “All of the children here at learning needs when we won’t Marchbank Free School have an top the league tables – so it’s education health and care plan great to be able to celebrate outlining their own specific when we do.” ls Top the Tables Marchbank Free School helps children re-engage with school life and begin to learn. “The progress our pupils have made is outstanding, even compared to other mainstream primary schools.” Principal Mandy Southwick The school provides an exciting curriculum, which supports the development of the whole child, It also combines the most up-to- carers and friends of Marchbank recognising the importance of date research, such as Free School,” added Mrs Southwick. academic achievement neurosciences, attachment “The progress our pupils have alongside unlocking potential and therapy and child development, made is outstanding, even removing barriers. This it achieves to ensure a lively and engaging compared to other mainstream through a number of approaches learning environment. primary schools, and we are very including creative arts, forest “We are so proud of our pupils, pleased that the achievement of school, sport, music and our staff and the incredible each child has been recognised by enrichment. support we get from parents, our school’s position in these tables.” HitHit thethe HighHigh NoteNote YOUNG singers reached a crescendo in their learning thanks to a choral workshop with national coaches. AUGHTON Academy hosted pupils from Springfield Academy, the children out of their comfort the session, which was led Year 7 and 8 choristers from zones and they rose well to the H by Jamie Wright, a Hurworth School, the Year 6 choir challenge. graduate of the National Youth from Whinfield Primary School and “They were brilliant. Everyone is Choirs of Great Britain Fellowship Red Hall Primary School. capable of clicking with Programme and Royal Academy Students took part in a variety of something and by exposing them of Music, who has coached voice warm-up exercises, to as much repertoire as possible groups for BBC2 and with the star improvisation, singing in the round you could see them spark.” of The Choir Gareth Malone. and solo performances. Haughton Academy assistant Up to 200 pupils from Years 6 to 11 Children explored their voices head teacher Fiona Campbell joined in the 2018 Durham Vocal and how best to combine them said: “Moving from primary to Festival, working with Durham into a performance to remember, secondary education is a pivotal Music Service and the National giving them a fresh insight into a time in the education of young Youth Choirs of Great Britain at The variety of music, techniques and people and anything we can do Education Village, Darlington. a new awareness of what they to ease that transition is essential. The aim was to support transition, can achieve. “The music workshop was the often daunting jump from The sessions also boosted absolutely amazing and all the primary to secondary education. self-esteem and improved their children were buzzing when they Taking part were GCSE music social, teambuilding and left, having pushed their personal students, choir members and Year leadership skills. boundaries and made some great 8-10 pupils. They were joined by Jamie said: “The aim was to take new friends from other schools.” Future Careers HUNDREDS of school children have been given a glimpse of their futures in a week-long initiative to promote education and the workplace. AUGHTON Academy H became a market place for further education providers and employers as they gave students an insight into future opportunities. Students from Years 7-11 were involved in the programme, which coincided with National Careers Week and involved colleges and employers from across the Tees Darlington College retail and Valley. curriculum manager Maria Harrop Year 7, 10 and 11 talked to further said: “The Year 7s were fantastic education providers while Year 8s and among the best students I quizzed employers on the best have come across. routes into careers and Year 9s “I was very impressed by their tackled interview techniques. enthusiasm and passion. They EVAT learning mentor and conducted themselves careers officer Suzanne Lyon said: confidently, they were very well “The aim is to catch students as behaved and were working to a early as possible to open their eyes plan.” to the rich diversity of opportunities For Haughton Academy student life has to offer. Sam Mulhall, 16, the session was “It is also invaluable experience an opportunity to ask Darlington engaging with adults who are not College staff about how best to their usual teachers, which pushes pursue his dreams in motor vehicle them out of their comforts zones, maintenance. boosts self-esteem and “I love cars and already have a confidence and raises aspirations. Saturday job at A1 Body Repairs in “The exercise also helps them to Faverdale,” he said. “I have had a appreciate that what they learn in driving experience on the track at the classroom has real relevance Croft Circuit in a Mini, which was to the world of work they will great, and I can’t wait for when eventually enter.” I’m old enough to have lessons.” MeetMeet thethe HeadHead WE pose some searching questions to find out more about the Principal of Gurney Pease Academy Alison Sinclair... Which actress would you like to play you in a film about your life? Kiera Knightley What is your greatest achievement? My children. My daughters are now 10 and almost 15 and I really don’t know where the time has gone. They make me proud every day. Who is your hero? My dad. Describe your perfect night in. Saturday night at home with my husband and my two daughters watching a film while enjoying a take away…and perhaps a glass of wine! Where did you grow up and are you still in touch with any childhood friends? What was your first job and how much What would you cook for me if I came I’ve lived in Darlington since my last year of did you get paid? around for dinner? primary school, which I spent at Abbey While at Sixth Form College and University, I I love Italian food, so lasagne would Junior School before moving on to had a Saturday job in a bakery. The probably be at the top of the list. Hummersknott Comprehensive. My best temptation was great each week for friend from school was one of my someone with a bit of a sweet tooth! I can’t What would your superpower be? bridesmaids when I got married and is remember how much I was paid, sometimes Super strength to break down barriers – godmother to my eldest daughter.