Bright Futures newsletter Spring edition

An Introduction from Dame Dana Ross-Wawryzynksi DBE

Welcome to the spring edition of our Read on to find out more about her We have also Rising Stars Newsletter. As we head valuable insight. been working towards exam season, now is the closely with schools Alongside Judith’s work on the Carter time to reflect on the hard work which and colleges outside of Review, I was also delighted to has been taking place in our schools our immediate reach to ensure announce the launch of the revised since the Christmas break. the Trust’s reputation continues to National Headteacher Standards grow across the North West. Beyond our schools, the Trust works earlier this year. The findings of the on a number of national issues to review, which I was asked to Chair I would like to wish all of our students improve the standards of teaching in 2014, will give Headteachers a far every success in any exams they in the UK. One such initiative is greater understanding of their own may be sitting in the coming months. the Carter Review of Initial Teacher professional standards and how those This year has seen huge commitment Training. Sir Andrew Carter revealed standards impact on their colleagues. from all involved in Bright Futures the results of this independent report At school level, we have celebrated and I look forward to seeing that hard recently, and we are delighted to say academic and sporting successes, as work come to fruition. that one of our Directors of Education, well as visits from the great and the Judith O’Kane OBE, was a key Dame Dana Ross-Warwzynski DBE good of TV and politics in contributor to the report. Chief Executive Officer, recent months. Bright Futures Educational Trust

Bright Futures influences independent teaching report The start of this year saw Judith Over a six month period, the Judith commented:“Being a part of O’Kane OBE, BFET Director of government-commissioned review this project has provided fantastic Education (pictured second from right), drew together 18 recommendations insight into the way we develop join the Carter Review team to publish for the future of teacher training which and train the people who will shape its report on Initial Teacher Training will influence the delivery of education the day-to-day education of our (ITT) in the UK. Judith contributed in both primary and secondary children in the future. Bright Futures to the review as one of five expert schools nationwide. takes great pride in the support we advisers appointed to Sir Andrew provide our teachers and we look Carter’s independent investigation forward to seeing the impact of the into the provision of training for those Carter Review as new teachers join entering the teaching profession. our schools.” Page 2 Page 3

South Shore Students place News flash: TV’s Dr Hilary wins hearts and minds End of an era Blackpool MP in the hot seat at Educational Village at South Shore Stanley Grove Blackpool South MP, Gordon Marsden, was questioned on Students and staff from Cedar Mount Academy and Melland South Shore Academy’s U16 everything from the legal voting age to meeting President brings community High School welcomed Good Morning Britain’s Dr Hilary Jones to basketball team is celebrating the end Obama when he visited South Shore Academy in February. Gorton Educational Village in February, as part of a new of an era, after a number of the squad Students quizzed the Minister on a variety of issues ‘Under One Roof’ national campaign to improve cardiovascular health. played their final game together in an showing that young people are anything but apathetic unbeaten run spanning five years. in the run up to May’s General Election. Alongside and Hulme, Gorton has one of the highest February saw over 100 parents and families mortality rates for circulatory disease in Greater , The majority of the team’s members After speaking with the school’s Student Parliament, from across Central Manchester attend an event and TV’s Dr Hilary was on-hand to teach the staff and students how joined in Year 7 and have remained Mr Marsden, who is the current Shadow Transport Minister, hosted by Stanley Grove Primary Academy and to perform CPR effectively. dedicated to the team throughout praised the students, saying: the Central Children’s Partnership Board. The their time at South Shore Academy. Pat Rice, Principal of Cedar Mount Academy, said: Under One Roof event was organised to help In its first year, the team was crowned They asked some great questions on a wide raise awareness of the wide range of services As the statistics highlight, cardiovascular health is an important League Champions and Blackpool variety of local and national issues. I was pleased available to children and young people in Central issue in the local community. CPR is a fantastic life skill to have Tournament Champions, before later to discuss with them the importance of politics Manchester. 35 exhibitors, including local and it was brilliant to see Dr Hilary highlighting its benefits becoming U14 and U16 and how it makes a difference to their charities and public sector services, were on hand for both our students and staff. League Champions. everyday lives. to ensure a feel-good community event that gave In the five years the players have parents the opportunity to access local support. Watch this space for a future SSA-educated MP! The visit was part of Good Morning Britain’s ‘Heels 4 Hearts’ been together, the team has never campaign, which launches in March. Keep your dial set to ITV lost a match and now, as many of the to see how the students got on! original members conclude their time at the academy, they will be taking Manchester Mayor launches their experience at SSA to college, university and beyond. MCMA Fairtrade Fortnight Well done team! Councillor Susan Cooley, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, was on hand at Manchester Creative and Media Academy Altrincham Grammar to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight in February. School for Girls Students from the school hosted a Fairtrade-sourced lunch for Councillor Cooley, who heard about the extra-curricular continues to excel activities on offer at the Academy to develop student leadership. A nationwide comparison of GCSE results has revealed that Altrincham Grammar School for Girls achieved the second highest score of all schools in the country. AGGS was the only school Wigan UTC student in Greater Manchester to achieve at scoops Siemens Certificate least five GCSEs (including english and maths) for each student and only missed out on the top spot based on Thomas, a student at Wigan UTC Academy is celebrating Education Secretary praises English Baccalaureate results. winning the inaugural Sir William Siemens certificate. The Year 13 student, who is currently studying A-levels in mathematics Bright Futures CEO The school also achieved fourth place in and physics alongside a high status technical qualification in engineering, a similar comparison of A-level results. was one of 10 students nominated nationally by their College or UTC. Bright Futures’ CEO Dame Dana Ross-Wawrzynski received personal Principal Stephanie Gill said: The Sir William Siemens Certificate recognises STEM excellence and praise from Education Secretary Nicky Morgan for her work leading “These results are a testament to innovation during first year study. An award ceremony was held earlier the review of Headteachers Standards for England. the hard work of our girls and our this term at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry The Education Secretary unveiled the new Standards in January inspirational staff, and it is wonderful to celebrate the achievements of all involved. at the Education World Forum in London. Created by the profession, to see so many of them continuing to for the profession, the findings are designed to empower and inspire thrive in our sixth form. I’m so proud of Well done Thomas! Heads, drive aspiration, promote excellence and reflect the greater the achievements of every single one of decision-making powers Heads now enjoy. our girls, and look forward to celebrating more successes this summer.” Page 4

BFET primaries continues to shine A number of students from Gorton Mount Primary Academy, together with pupils from Stanley Grove, continue to take part in the SHINE project, which takes place every Saturday. The project is held in conjunction with the Hallé Orchestra and aims to improve literacy, numeracy Calm classrooms a matter of mind and social skills through exciting and creative lessons. at Melland This term, the project included a trip Students at Melland High School have The results have had a major impact, to the Bridgewater Hall, where the been developing their mindfulness both at home and in lessons, with children enjoyed listening to the Hallé through experience-centred lessons students being able to calm their Orchestra playing Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’, to help deal with stressful situations. tempers and communicate any as well as taking part in a literacy The students, who may have difficulty frustrations properly. A study to workshop with the poet Terry Caffery. dealing with school life due to disability measure the impact of the project or domestic circumstances, have been has seen the average mindfulness working with Vice Principal Jill Cinan, score of the group improve. using heart-mapping technology to The students recorded their learn self-regulation techniques. appreciation in a video, including Using this technology, the students a comment from one student that were able to measure their the initiative had improved their sleep coherence levels, displayed on and made day-to-day life much easier. screen in a coloured chart, and then watch how these improved when they Here’s to a happy and focused on their breathing. healthy classroom!

Connell students tread HE pathway Marton flexes The Connell Sixth Form students pictured are just a few of the Year 13 students who have been athletic muscle offered places in this autumn’s university intake. In total the College’s students have received 50 The children at Marton Primary places so far. For example, one student has Academy continue to achieve highly received an unconditional offer of a place at in regional sporting competition. This Salford University and others have come term has seen the Year 6 football team from universities such as Manchester, make it to the finals of an all-Blackpool Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester Metropolitan, Leeds, 6-a-side football tournament, as well Birmingham and Huddersfield. as the athletics team finishing an impressive fifth place in a competition Those Year 13s not planning to go to university have made applications for featuring 26 other local primaries. high-level apprenticeships such as Engineering & IT, with one student taking up a place in the Royal Air Force.

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