Bedford Highlights Academy

News and Views from Bedford Academy Winter 2015

Student Achievement Celebrated at Awards Evening See page 9

Inside this issue: • Students Rise to the Challenge • Glittering Awards Evening Celebrates • You Said - We Did! on Outward Bound Trip Student Achievement Welcome A message from Bedford Academy Principal, Mrs Smith. Students and staff are looking forward to a well-deserved rest during the festive period. You can read in this Newsletter about some of the varied and interesting activities students have had the opportunity to take part in during the last few months, including a report on an exciting, albeit a rather wet and windy, Outward Bound trip to Aberdovey in Wales. Just before the October half-term break, the school was visited by Ofsted and I am pleased to be able to confirm that Bedford Academy remains a good school. Some of the key strengths identified by the inspectors were that pupils in all year groups are making better than expected progress in many subjects; the Academy’s ethos, which aims to develop character in all pupils, is at the heart of its success; and that the Academy provides a high quality and well maintained learning environment for pupils. A copy of the full report is available online via the Academy’s website. I would like to thank you for all your on-going support as we progress on our journey to be outstanding. Students have also been working very hard in preparing for our whole school performance of Grease the Musical. All students, both on stage and behind the scenes, deserve a huge round of applause for all their hard work and commitment. We will include a full report of the performance in out next Newsletter. Happy holiday wishes to you all.

Mrs Smith, Principal.

Family Support Season’s Greetings…

Christmas is finally here! It’s the one For free support please contact: parent coffee mornings and socials, look time of year we all tend to gather with Over 18 out for more information. If you would our loved ones and unwind. With all the Cruse Bereavement Care Bedfordshire like to volunteer to help run these events, festivities, it is easy to forget those we www.crusebedfordshire.org.uk/ just want to attend or have any ideas you have lost along the way, for some it will or call on 01525 841415 would like to share, please feel free to give be relatives, friends, pets or people we me a call to discuss. 13-25 years didn’t even know who were taken from Michelle Williamson, Bedford Open Door the world in terror attacks or world Family Support Manager www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk/ or call disasters. We will remember all of these Tel: 01234 301 500 ext 703 / on 01234 360388/07922 105200 people in different ways and each of them 07749 454 479 or email: will have a different impact on what we Take care this Christmas and New Year, [email protected] now call Christmas but when you look be safe and look after each other. Enjoy around the dinner table, remember what the festive season and I look forward to you still have and the memories those no our return to school in the New Year. Follow @BA_Families longer here have left. Next term, I will be seeking to reinstate

02 Highlights - Winter 2015 News

Parent Survey Feedback – Autumn 2015 ‘You Said – We Did’ Thank you to everyone who completed the survey on Target Setting Day; we had over 450 returns. Things you say we are doing well: to ensure that we are gathering as much add homework to the system for the entire information about how we can improve our year at the very start of the year so that 3 98% said their child was happy at performance as possible. parents can see the tasks set. school 3 99% said their child feels safe at You asked us to work on two areas: Low Level Disruption: school Homework: 92% of parents felt that there is a good 3 97% feel their child is making good 91% of parents felt that their child did standard of behaviour at this school and this progress receive appropriate homework for their figure continues to grow each year. Again, we 3 99% believe their child is well age and this figure shows improvement would like this figure to be higher still and we looked after at this school over the last two years. We also recognise are continuing to work hard in this area. 3 98% said their child is well taught at that this is an area where parents do have We work with all students to develop their this school very differing views on what an appropriate understanding of character (grit, zest, social 3 95% agreed that the school deals amount of homework is but we would like intelligence, gratitude, optimism, curiosity and effectively with bullying this percentage to be higher. self-control) and how developing this can support them to be successful students and 3 98% believe the school is well led Last year we introduced Show My Homework be successful in their adult lives. and managed which enables parents to see and track their child’s homework directly online, without 3 96% said that the school responds We regularly provide training for staff on relying on the homework diary. We will be well to concerns that I raise building positive relationships with students, providing further support and training for staff developing structures to lessons and to 3 96% said they receive valuable to ensure they are using the system properly. improve the quality of their teaching. information from the school about In addition, we will be providing hand-outs their child’s progress We have very high expectations of all our for parents explaining how to use Show My students with regard to the work they 3 98% were happy with the Transition Homework and recirculating these. produce and the way they conduct themselves Process for Year 7 Subject Leaders have been asked to review in lessons and around the building. We actively In this survey you asked us to improve: the type and quality of homework that seek the support of parents and families to Any parent that completed a questionnaire is being set in each subject. Once they impress on students the importance of good providing their name or their child’s name have looked at this information, they will behaviour and have invested further in our and ticked a box that showed that they had a be making necessary improvements. For support structures to provide support for concern, will be receiving a personal call back example, the maths team have decided to students who find this difficult.

Successful Ofsted Visit On the 22nd and 23rd October 2015, Ofsted inspectors visited the Academy. They spent the two days visiting lessons, talking to students and staff and seeing in close detail the achievements of Bedford Academy. As a result the inspectors officially recognised that Bedford Academy continues to be a Good school with outstanding leadership. The full report was published by Ofsted on the 13th November 2015 and is available to download from the Bedford Academy website.

Bedford Academy have a new website! We have recently launched a brand new website. Visit www.bedfordacademy.co.uk and take a look!

Highlights - Winter 2015 03 Humanities Chelsea’s Choice comes Geography Field Trip to Bedford Academy On Wednesday the 4th of November the On Monday November 30th Bedford Academy was lucky GCSE geographers embarked on their GCSE enough to have the drama group AlterEgo’s come in to deliver Geography controlled assessment fieldtrip. The aim of the fieldtrip was to investigate the production ‘Chelsea’s Choice’, highlighting the very serious different functional parts of a settlement; and emotional issue of child sexual exploitation. we decided to go to Hitchin. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side, as it did not The play told the story of a group of three In conjunction with Bedford Borough this stop raining the whole time we were there, students who discover the diary of a girl innovative and powerful message was however that didn’t stop the spirits of our called Chelsea. Chelsea was a young girl who, delivered to our Year 9 and 10 students, dedicated geographers. In true geography having fallen out with her friends and family, where a member of Bedfordshire Police style we just got on with the task in hand, was approached by a man called Gary. Gary Sexual Exploitation Abuse Unit was on hand no matter how wet and soggy our booklets was older, owned a car, had a flat and treated to answer any questions from them and got. Considering the amount of hair being her like an adult. Unfortunately Gary was point out the variety of places available for ruined, soggy shoes and items of clothing, not what he seemed to be! Chelsea’s story advice and help. The production unpacked, I was really impressed with the mature was played out and examined by the three analysed and then served to illustrate the attitude and grit our students showed. They students who, along with their teacher, attempt many forms that exploitation can have and knew they had a job to do and just got on to understand what happened to Chelsea and highlighted the devious nature in a way that with it, so credit to them. I would also like to how it could have been prevented. students were engaged and concerned with. take this opportunity to thank the four other members of staff who supervised, as well as my 5 dedicated 6th formers, who without them this trip wouldn’t have gone ahead so smoothly. One student commented: ‘For our GCSE Geography Coursework, we had to collect primary data to be in with a chance of receiving full marks. On the 4th of November, we went to Hitchin; a small market town and went around collecting all kinds of primary data, like traffic counts and pedestrian counts. Although the weather wasn’t the best and we got incredibly soaked by the rain, we did what we had to do and travelled around Hitchin in small groups. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, as we were able to get a Costa and Subway after we’d done our data. It was a rainy but fun day.’

Remembrance Day To commemorate Remembrance Day, second and what can be achieved in five History teachers Mr Marsham and years? The crux of this is that, if we paused Mr Davies delivered assemblies to each for one second to remember each person village focussing on the lives that have been who has died from war around the world lost to wars around the world since the since 1900 then we would end up paused First World War. We felt it was important for five whole years. That is 167,777,000 to recognise the origins of the First World seconds for 167,777,000 fallen soldiers. War, the poppy and the silence that is held on the 11th November each year. However, we also felt that it was crucial to recognise that wars have taken the lives of soldiers around the world for centuries. The assembly focussed around two key questions: what can be achieved in one

04 Highlights - Winter 2015 Humanities

Praise for our History tweets! Bedford Academy received praise and recognition recently from Mr Newmark, the Head of Humanities and a teacher of History at a school in Leicester. Mr Newmark said that he uses the model answer work of Bedford Academy students, which Mr Outward Bound Adventure to Aberdovey Marsham shares on Twitter, to inspire his own Last week Miss Watkins and Mr Davies took 23 adventurous Year 8’s away students to aim for an A*. Here are three to Aberdovey in Wales for a week of character and team building at the examples of work shared by GCSE History Outward Bound centre. students Rebekah Thompson, Caitlin Vaughan For many students the week was their with helping each other and encouraging and Melissa Braine that Mr Newmark advised first time away from home for more than one another to push themselves. On our Mr Marsham have been used in his lessons. a single night and certainly presented a last night we all sat around a campfire #successfulstudents number of opportunities to test their and discussed what we had learnt about Grit and Optimism. As you would expect, ourselves during the week. It was wonderful going anywhere in the British Isles at the to hear how everyone on the trip had end of November, it was incredibly wet developed more confidence and was and very windy but none of the students preparing themselves to return to school allowed the weather to prevent them in a more positive frame of mind knowing from pushing themselves to their limits that they can overcome any challenge that as we climbed mountains, jumped off comes their way. high ropes, went sailing, built rafts, scaled Whilst everyone pulled together to make high walls, and even went for a dip in the the week a great experience, on the sea at the end of the week. final day awards were given to Josh Yates Great character was shown, in particular and Tarnya Wolczenko-Brown for their Grit when we climbed a mountain and Character, Aliya Rahman and Kayleigh Young walked 20km in the rain, wind and rapidly for the progress they made during the falling temperatures before making our own week to take on new challenges despite camp in a muddy field on Tuesday night. The being difficult. Patryk Pacholski and students showed optimism through it all (on Alex Cowley were given awards by the the whole, Miss Watkins and Mr Davies tried others in their groups for leadership. also) and they really came into their own

Geology – not just about rocks! During November our A Level Geography students were privileged to have a visit from Jake Cain who graduated from St Andrews University in the summer after completing a degree in Geology. Jake has recently found employment with everything links back to geography and a gem mining company and will shortly be other specialities such as seismology and undertaking a ruby mining expedition in catastrophe modelling. He had hands on Mozambique. Students got to hear about experience and was so interesting having Jake’s career journey so far which began been to countless countries, volunteering with an initial interest in volcanology whilst and having inside advice on university studying A Level Geography. options. I now also have a contact that can Jake spoke about the vast range of jobs help in the near future too. I’d really like to linked to Geology and gave tips and advice thank Jake Cain for coming and the careers on applying to university. He also brought team for arranging this after my request in a rock which came from a meteor that during my careers interview. landed on Earth billions of years ago! Vanda Vilarigues – Year 12 Students gained a lot from the visit: Meeting Jake Cain was very eye opening for me. I’ve always known that I would like to go to university and have focused on volcanology however I feel as if this has caused me to forget all the opportunities that geography held. Jake showed me how

Highlights - Winter 2015 05 Humanities Year 7 Explore the Wonders of our World During the Autumn term Year 7 geographers have increased their curiosity and awe of our fantastic world as a result of the interaction between physical and human processes. Our geographers have worked independently management plans for Stonehenge and and collaboratively to realize the wonders of understand the changes from headland Prison Me our world and the reasons behind it! to stumps! This term has required Year 7s to become This term of awe, fascination and wonder No Way! active, informed and reflective learners to may have come to an end, but the New Year On Wednesday 25th November solve the mystery of the sliding rocks in will bring another term of challenges for our our Year 7 students were given a ‘Race Track Playa Death Valley National Park’, Year 7 geographers who are more than taste of prison life with the arrival become cartographers to create sustainable willing and ready to face the challenge! of a team of prison officers from the No Way Trust. The students took part in a number of educational workshops that looked in detail at what prison life was like, how drugs can negatively impact their lives, the purpose of electronic tagging and were even given an opportunity to hear from an ex-offender about what it is like to be inside a fully functional prison. Students were split into wing numbers through their form groups for the day, What do people say about God and the universe? working their way round the various workshops on offer. The workshops were Is God real? What arguments support this? delivered by experts that were either current serving prison officers or retired Where did the universe originate from? personnel that had years of experience working for agencies that were linked to What reasons are put forward by atheists prisons around the country. against the existence of God? The highlight for many students was the opportunity to get inside a real prison What do I believe and how do I express that? cell, spending some time in the cramped Year 7 Students have been exploring these of God, students looked at how best to conditions with standard issue products ideas and more in their Religious Studies express these beliefs. We looked at a variety that are given to inmates when they lessons this term. After engaging with of religious and humanist poetry, statues and arrive at prison. arguments for theism, agnosticism, and art work. atheism, looking at the origins of the universe Students made a representation of what they from a Christian, Hindu and Scientific believe in, some of which can be seen below. viewpoint, and exploring the characteristics

‘Although I am ‘I am a Christian a Hindu I have but I believe in the chosen to show Big Bang Theory. that I believe in the I believe that God oneness of religion caused the Big and the importance Bang as he is the of people living cause of everything.’ around the world Julia Gorniak peacefully’. Sameeksha Jalagari

06 Highlights - Winter 2015 Sixth Form News Festival of Social Sciences Application process On Tuesday 10th November, fifteen of our A Level Social Scientists visited the for Head Boy/Girl University of Bedfordshire to take a leading role in an event designed to engage The process of applying for Head Boy/Girl more young people in social research. begins with Sixth Form students receiving an Our students gained training on how to Our students took on roles of facilitators, assembly to inform them of the upcoming conduct a focus group and went on to work observers and note takers during the event. opportunity of applying for the role of alongside a nationally recognised team of The team did a fantastic job and were highly Head Boy/Girl. The general requirements researchers from the university to find out commended for their professionalism and for applying for the role are relative to more about young peoples’ understanding their attitude towards working with other attendance, behaviour record and persona of sexual exploitation and to find out what young students from across Bedfordshire, and will be stated in the assembly. Letters are they think can be done to raise awareness whom they had not met before. issued to students who are interested in the of this issue. role; outlining the duties and responsibilities applicants will be expected to fulfil if their application is successful. Sixth Form Peer Mentoring Programme Applying for the honourable role of In October, Sixth Form students at Bedford Academy were invited to take Head Boy/Girl is part in a peer mentoring initiative which involves working closely with a very competitive, younger student in the school. with a large number 22 Sixth Form students came forward thought would most benefit from working of applications for this opportunity and participated in a alongside an allocated Sixth Form mentor. received from range of after school training sessions that Careful consideration was given to pairing across the year. students up based on the interests and allowed them to develop the necessary Applicants are skills needed to become a successful peer experiences of both students. required to write mentor. Modules covered in the sessions Peer mentoring will involve fortnightly a formal letter included; communication, confidentiality, informal meetings between the Sixth addressed to the Assistant Director of Sixth differences in values, use of SMART Form mentor and mentee to allow targets Form stating why they would like to take targets and monitoring progress. and goals to be set. These personalised up the role. This letter should include any The Sixth Form students demonstrated goals may be subject specific, linked supporting experiences, characteristics and outstanding engagement in these sessions to developing character or improving values the candidate has to offer by taking on and soon began to showcase the qualities behaviour and attendance. This initiative necessary to help to raise aspirations of is one that Bedford Academy is confident the role. Based on application letters, strong the younger students. will help to build relationships between candidates are shortlisted and informed by a letter of their interview time and location. Meanwhile, Learning Village Leaders different year groups, and as a result, raise had taken the time to identify students aspirations, develop character and help Candidates undergo between Years 7 and 11 of whom they students to make maximum progress. a rigorous interview with the Head and Assistant Director of Sixth Form, during Year 13 Post-Sixth Form Preparation which they are asked a number of This term has been an extremely busy one for our Year 13 students. questions relative University applications are coming in thick support in light of decisions of what their to their application, and fast, whilst those not intending on next steps are likely to be. For students not character and why applying to university are busy working applying to university, this has involved talks they feel they’d be on their CVs and applications for Higher from external visitors and trips to external most suited for the role. Apprenticeships or full-time employment. events that will support them in making Proceeding the interviews, shortlisted Making informed choices about life after decisions about what to apply for. They have candidates are called to the Head/Assistant Sixth Form is always a big challenge and we also been lucky enough to have attended Director of Sixth Form’s office to be are proud that our Year 13s have taken every workshops led by our own careers team informed of the decision. opportunity to prepare themselves for these to prepare them for interviews and the tough decisions. Students have attended application process. University applicants are Shortlisted candidates who were unsuccessful numerous university events and open excited about what the coming weeks will at the interview stage will form the senior days, including University College London, bring and we look forward to seeing the prefect team. Nottingham University and Loughborough competitive offers that our students are given Sumit Karunakotha & Aklima Islam University. We are extremely proud that by their top choice universities. Next term (Head Boy & Head Girl 2015-2016) our students have been making the most will see students making their student finance of the opportunities available to them in applications. Full guidance and support will Mamun Rahman, Nahima Sultan, order to develop their skill set and gain vital also be offered to ensure students and Dylan Claasens, Lakiesha Kumari, experiences that will contribute positively to parents are fully aware of the process and Dev Bahra, Faima Shah. all applications being made. Students have the financial support that is available to (2015-2016 Prefect Team) also been really fortunate to receive tailored undergraduate students.

Highlights - Winter 2015 07 News

Grease Set to Rock the Academy! Students have been working hard towards the Christmas musical production of Grease. Since September students have been undergoing rehearsals and working hard on preparing for their roles in the production. The students have developed their skills in acting, dancing and music. Based on the original film, the musical tells the story of Sandy and Danny, and their crews the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds on the path to graduation. The show is due to run for two consecutive nights in December and tickets have nearly sold out! Although a little nervous, the cast are really looking forward to performing and we are confident that the production will be a real hit with everyone! Look out for a full report on how the performances went and for details of our next production in the Spring edition of the Newsletter.

08 Highlights - Winter 2015 News Student Achievement Celebrated at Awards Evening On Thursday 3rd December we held our annual Awards ceremony. Parents, Governors, Staff and Students gathered to celebrate the successes, achievements and efforts of Academy students past and present. The scene was set in the Main Hall for the in Learning Villages and students were Contribution to Academy Life Award. ceremony, with students dressing to impress nominated for either Highly Commended, After the ceremony there were photo before being shown to their seats and Outstanding Academic Achievement or opportunities in the Atrium and SLT staff collecting their Awards. Outstanding Academic Progress. Major served canapes to parents and our award The evening kicked off with a speech from Award winners were in attendance to collect winners. The evening was a great success Mrs Smith, recognising the year that we the awards which require outstanding effort and a real celebration of our students’ have had and some of the highlights we and consistency over time. Some of these effort and hard work. have experienced together in our Academy Awards included The Principal’s Award, Congratulations to all of our community. Awards were presented the Diversity Award and the Outstanding award winners.

Highlights - Winter 2015 09 Arts & Sports Physiotherapy County Success for Careers Talk: Year 12 Sport Bedford Academy This term has seen three rising stars at Bedford Academy, push themselves Julie Dass, a local physiotherapist visited Bedford to achieve sporting success. These three students have all been selected to Academy during October to give a careers talk represent their sports at county level. to the Year 12 BTEC Sport students. Julie is an experienced practitioner and runs the ‘Stables Teodora Zivko in Year 9 has smashed Markel impressed in his trials and was an Therapy Centre and Injury Clinic’ in Bedford. through the competition and has been easy pick up for the coaches. Julie gave invaluable advice and guidance to the selected for the East Midlands County Markel commented “I am really pleased students about developing their sports studies rugby team. She will continue to work on and a bit shocked I got in, there were a further, specifically what to do in order to developing the skills and techniques to number of good players at the trails. I am become a physiotherapist or a sports therapist. perform successfully at this level during very happy I made it in though.” She gave exciting practical demonstrations her GCSE PE lessons with and even taught the students techniques that Miss Underwood. Teodora commented, she uses on a daily basis. Following the session, “I can’t believe it, I am so happy; I was Julie invited two students (Tyreiss Campbell jumping around with excitement when and Naimur Ahmed) to shadow her team of I found out. I can’t wait to start playing.” therapists at the Stables Centre for the day. Ravi Galsin in Year 11 has bowled During the day both students gained experience his way into the Bedfordshire County to support them in their journey to becoming a Cricket team. Cricket has always been a physiotherapist in the future. Naimur commented passion of Ravi’s and a sport he loves to “I thought the session from Julie was very interesting be involved in. Ravi commented on his and made me decide what I want to do after school selection into the county team saying, life. Now I know what I need to get and what skills “I was over the moon when I heard the it takes to become a successful physiotherapist.” news; I know I need to keep working hard to maintain my place, but I am excited.” Finally, Markel Cousins in Year 10 has been selected to represent the under 15s Another busy Bedfordshire county football team. term for the PE Department Talented Students in PE Once again the start of the new school year has The PE department at Bedford Academy The students will begin seen the fixtures calendar packed full, with over has been working together for several the initiative with a 40 fixtures taking place over the last 6 weeks. All months to identify and comprise a trip to Loughborough students who have taken part and represented register of ‘Talented students in Physical University on Thursday Bedford Academy have done extremely well Education’. Students selected for this 17th December. The often coming back with winning results. register are those who demonstrate trip will include a tour Girls netball and boys basketball have had exceptional skill in more than one sport, of the campus and its games every week, with the girls finishing in along with the character needed to be nationally recognised Ravi Galsin the top half of the league. Boys basketball successful within sport. sports facilities, before has been represented by every Key stage The 13 shortlisted students include: students have the opportunity to take which is a first for Bedford Academy – a huge Niall Jones, Markel Cousins, Ravi Galsin, part in a variety of sports workshops. achievement! Kai Blake, Mehrazul Muhammed, These will include ‘the day in the life of Table tennis has also once again been hugely Oran Byrne, Alexander Cowley, an elite athlete’, ‘sports nutrition’ and popular with over 50 students trialling to be Yasmin Worsick, Tia Bell, Rushanna ‘fitness testing’. part of the team. The Year 7 and 8 girls did McFarlane, Jessica Tavares, Kerry Kelly and As the year progresses, the enrolled themselves and Bedford Academy proud by Laurel Bedeau-Rider. students will also take part in the Sky winning the local tournament and progressing Throughout this academic year, the Sports Living for Sport project. Within on to the Level 3 County finals hosted at the students on this register will have this, students will be working alongside Academy. This has also been a similar story for various opportunities to participate an athlete mentor to take part in the Year 9 girls badminton team who recently in trips and events a range of swimming activities that won their local tournament and will now that allow them to allow them to further develop their progress on to county level. further enhance their techniques in this area. After Christmas we see the start of football physical literacy as Congratulations to all students who have and hockey fixtures, which will also result in well as developing been selected to be part of this register, winning score lines. It has been a great start their knowledge and I look forward to working with you to the year and we are all excited to see understanding of throughout this academic year. what further new achievements the Bedford different career paths Markel Cousins Academy students can gain. into sport. Miss Warner

10 Highlights - Winter 2015 Arts & Sports Performing Arts This term has been a busy one for the Performing Arts department. GCSE drama most recently visited the Gielgud Theatre in London to watch ‘The Curious Incident of the dog in the Nightime’. This supported students in their studies and in a Q&A in the ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Rock Challenge workshop in February. also gave them the opportunity to see a live Factory’ workshop. Students also need to keep working hard for theatre performance in the West End. After The Year 12 students have also been working Performing Arts Student of the Week to earn the performance students were lucky enough very hard this term performing ‘Confessions’ points for their Village! to be visited at the school by a cast member in October, and they from the Milton Keynes production. were also involved in This term we also launched our first ever ‘Gothic Horror Live’ at Performing Arts week! Over the week Bedford Modern. students worked with a range of different We continue practitioners from the Swindon of Advanced to grow as a Dance and the West End production department and we of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. will be offering more The boys learnt new skills in the Parkour new and exciting workshop and created an outstanding piece opportunities after of choreography. A range of students were the Christmas period also given the opportunity to develop their as well as competing musical theatre skills and were involved in the National

Maths & Business BIMA Day 17th November The 17th November saw BIMA Digital Day; a day designed to increase the awareness of the international digital and computer media industry. 20 Year 7 and 8 students were joined by Daniel, Tony and Gareth, 3 staff from ‘Lost Boys’ digital media company in London, to investigate the use of digital media in aspects of their lives. The day started with a 360 degree live presentation and national tweet on the importance of digital media and a look at examples from ‘Lost Boys’ own portfolio of marketing campaigns for companies such as Honda F1, UGG and French Connection. During the rest of the day students worked on projects including designing a new app for Vodaphone, an app that will encourage budgets and savings with Standard Life and digital marketing campaign for Sony Music and Little Mix. The day ended with students presenting their findings and ideas to the group. Daniel, Tony and Gareth all agreed that the quality of work was so high it should be entered for the national competition with BIMA.

Highlights - Winter 2015 11 Communications Literacy Focus Objectives Film Club In every lesson, we want to ensure the basics of literacy are explored. Film Club has been running successfully during this term and we have had the These are the objectives we incorporate will be running a competition for all students. opportunity to watch a variety of films; into our teaching. The English Team are Postcards with the objective codes will be some of which are listed below: challenging all students to self-assess how printed and students need to check off Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs many times objective are used in lessons when they have experienced an objective outside of Communications and notice in a lesson outside of the Communications Arthur and the Invisibles when literacy is taught to support other Village. Prizes can be won for completed Despicable Me 2 subject areas. Next term, Communications cards, signed by your teachers. The Spiderwick Chronicles If you would like to join us, you will find us in Communication R7 – Proof Reading CO14 every Monday from 3.40pm. C1 – Language Structure • Understanding of how to use proof reading • Using complete sentences when speaking. when writing. • Considering spoken language for tenses. • Strategies to help proof reading. C2 – Pronunciation Writing • Checking pronunciation of new words. W1 – Spelling • Pronouncing words clearly for others to • Understanding of how to use a dictionary to recognise. assist with spelling. C3 – Language Choice • Using a variety of strategies to improve spelling. • Understanding of the effect words can have W2 – Vocabulary on others. • Understanding of how to use a thesaurus/ • Choose language that is appropriate for all dictionary to widen vocabulary. to hear. • Widen vocabulary for use in writing and speech. C4 – Turn Taking W3 – Sentences • Ensure someone has finished talking before • Sentences are clearly formed and punctuated. starting. • A variety of simple, compound and complex Frankenstein • Give others equal opportunity to talk. sentences are used in writing. captures the attention C5 – Listening W4 – Punctuation • Be a ‘good’ listener at all times. • Understanding of how and when punctuation of Year 12 Students • Ask for help when something heard is unclear. marks should be used. Year 12s have been studying Frankenstein • A variety of punctuation used to add effect Reading this term as part of the AS course. As well when writing. as gaining a good understanding of the plot, R1 – New Words W5 – Tenses students have also been exploring links with • Break down new words using phonics to help • Understanding of the variations to verb forms other literary texts. Paradise Lost is one such understand the word. for past, present and future. text and students have been busy creating • Ask for new words to be said aloud to help with • Using tenses correctly and consistently in writing. future reading and pronunciation. presentations that highlight differences and W6 – Planning similarities between the two. Students will R2 – Vocabulary • A variety of approaches to planning and then present their ideas to the group which • Log key terms and definitions. knowledge of when each is appropriate. will be followed by a Q&A session where • Build words from reading into written and • Planning used as a tool to assist in organising they will have the opportunity to support, spoken vocabulary. thoughts before writing. develop, and challenge points raised. R3 – Structure W7 – Organisation An example by Umay and Sanjana: • An awareness of the structure of written texts. • Sentences are organised logically within a Paradise Lost is a 17th century retelling of • Consideration of the effect text structure can paragraph. have on readers. the story of creation. Frankenstein is a 19th • Paragraphs are used to structure a text. century novel about a scientist that wishes R4 – Language W8 – Making Connections to create life. • An awareness of the language choice of written • Sign posting and link texts. Different themes:- sentences are used with • Both of these explore the theme of • Consideration of the effect language choice can paragraphs. have on readers. creation – creation without thinking about • A variety of connectives R5 – Reading Approaches used. the consequences, and it also has guilt and responsibility as themes. • Knowledge of a number of approaches to W9 – Presentation reading different texts. • Abandonment • Work is clearly • Consideration of the effect text structure can organised and laid out • Revenge have on readers. on the page. • Deceit R6 – Reading Situations • Handwriting is legible • Evil and an appropriate size. • Strategies to help with difficulties when reading • Innocence individually. • Death • Confidence in reading aloud in front of others. • Loss of innocence

12 Highlights - Winter 2015 Communications

Focus on Metaphors Creative Writers Shine at Bedford Academy Metaphors are one of those descriptive Congratulations to our creative-writing competition winners whose work has recently been devices that can be difficult to use but published in the Young Writers’ Grim Tales East of England Short Story Anthology! Each once you get the hang of them, they are a winner made an excellent effort to produce a dark fairy tale with a twist. Copies of the powerful addition to your writing! At the anthology are available to read in the ILC. simplest level, a metaphor is when you say Competition winners included: one thing is another, e.g. The moon is a round of cheese. To improve your metaphors, why not play the following game? Choose an animal and compare it to one of the following: • A person • A mood • A place • A colour • An object • A character from a book (This is only a small selection, there are many Dontay Spence Jasmin Galsin Amy Farrant Konna Spencer Emma Loeffler more ideas you could choose from) Here is a metaphor list about a giraffe. A giraffe is: …a clown on stilts at the circus, …a hat stand with no hats, …a hopeful glance across the town, …a yellow streak of sunset, …the number one… Hopefully you get the idea! Have a go and Aleksandra Gaia Sanches Tia Anderson Thomas Hunter amaze your teacher the next time you write Treder a piece of descriptive writing.

News from the Independent Learning Centre September saw a change in the staff team learning is important for us to recognise We are planning a Book Fair during within the ILC. Mrs Bolter was appointed as and celebrate diversity and banish the Spring Term, if you would like more the Director of the ILC and Miss Hodge as discrimination wherever it is found information on this please get in touch the afternoon ILC Assistant. Mrs McGill is the • Lack of adequate reading skills can limit the The ILC is open from 7.30am to 5.00 morning ILC Assistant. success of a person in the workplace and pm, Monday to Friday. Staff are on hand We are very lucky to have more than 20 000 reading skills only develop through reading to offer advice and guidance on homework, books in our library. We are determined to • In terms of professional life, most well- coursework and revision. If your child would encourage all students to read more this year paying jobs require reading as part of like an early morning pass please ask them to and we have already added over 250 new the job. There are reports and memos to call into the ILC and request one. titles so there is bound to be something for read and respond to in a timely manner. As well as traditional reading books we have everyone. Poor reading skills make it difficult to read a range of graphic novels and an increasing Reading is important because through pages and pages of a report and range of audio books. Students also have increases the time required to absorb the access to laptops. words, whether they are spoken information and react to it. Lunchtime in the ILC is a dedicated work or written, are the building All Bedford Academy students are members zone – students can read quietly, complete blocks of life. of our library and we try to cater for all homework/coursework as well as revise. • We are the result of words that we abilities and tastes as our Dear Diaries display have heard or read AND believed about shows. If there is a book that your child is ourselves. What young people will become longing to read tell them to come into the in the future will depend on the words ILC and ask us about it. We may well have they believe about themselves now. People, the book already, if we don’t have it we families, relationships, and even nations are may purchase it to add to our ever growing built from words. collection. • Reading teaches us about the world We recognise the important role that around us. Through reading, young people parents and carers can have in influencing learn about people, places and events young people’s reading habits. If you would outside their own experience. They are like information on how you can further exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs support your child(ren) with their reading about the world which may be different please do not hesitate to get in touch with us from those which surround them. This at ILC.bedfordacademy.co.uk

Highlights - Winter 2015 13 Careers Army and UOB bring Year 10 Careers Awareness to Life! Former Student Returns to This term our Year 10s have been fortunate enough to have the Army and University of Bedfordshire Bedford Academy come into school to deliver workshops on This term we were lucky enough to have former student William employability and higher education. Soukal-Walsh return to Bedford Academy and share his success Corporal Richard Reeve and his team from Army with some of our science and physics students. recruitment delivered a session on employability skills Will left Bedford Academy in 2012 and job applications from a recruiter’s perspective. after completing his A level studies The sessions were a real eye opener for many of our in Graphic & Product Design (A), students. Nikita Hayden from University Outreach Business Studies (Distinction*) and and her team have also been in school to deliver an ICT (Distinction). interactive workshop introducing higher education. The He explained to the students that workshop explored some of the 38,000 different subject when he was deciding his career path choices that are available, banished some of the myths it was important that he chose a role surrounding how much it costs go to university and he would be passionate about. He challenged stereotypes. had always been really interested in Here’s what some of our students thought… motorsports so decided to go for it! ‘I have learnt that you can study With this in mind he enrolled at many things and that you need Derby University to study Motorsport to be really interested in what Engineering and he successfully you decide to study.’ graduated in 2015 with a 2:1 BEng. ‘I learnt that there are 38,000 Alongside his undergraduate studies subjects to pick at university and he also became involved with Formula the higher your education the Student. This is the most established Will with his dissertation in the more opportunities you get.’ University workshop student motorsport competition in the ‘I learned about university and world. Essentially over 100 Universities from around the world design, the finance of it and how you build and compete with a single seater race car (as seen in the group can pay it off.’ photo). This was the first year Derby University had entered a team and William was responsible for aerodynamics/bodywork and deputy team leader. Since graduating he has had career opportunities with companies such as Bentley Motors, but was fortunate enough to be awarded a £10,000 grant to continue his studies and is now studying Motorsport Engineering. He is also been promoted to Team Leader on the Formula Student team. RKCR/YR Advertising Agency Visit Formula student team photo In October, two representatives from RKCR/YR advertising agency visited Bedford Academy to speak to Year 13 students as part of their BTEC Business coursework, and to give information about careers in Marketing. The students found out about the role of the advertising agency and companies they have worked with, including Marks and Spencer, Lloyds Bank and most recently Emirates Airline. Students have been able to incorporate this into their Unit 9 assignment. Work experience placements at the agency are now a possibility for these students as a result of their attitude to learning and interest shown throughout the presentation.

Bedford Academy Careers Fair – Medical Careers Evening In September some of our Sixth Form students attended Friday 11th March 2016 a Medical Careers Evening at Bedford Modern School. We will once again be hosting our annual Careers Fair. This gives our Students had the opportunity to hear an inspiring talk students the opportunity to speak to employers first hand and learn more from Dr Shahid Khan, Director of Clinical Studies at about their organisation, the types of jobs they have to offer and what St Mary’s Hospital and Deputy Admissions Tutor at skills and qualities they look for in potential employees. We already have a Imperial College London. The talk covered the role number of employers and educational providers attending. If you have your of a GP and the various specialisms, entry own business or work for a company that would be interested in attending requirements for Medicine, admissions tests, please contact the Careers team on 01234 301500 Ext 182 or email how to go about finding work experience [email protected] and much, much more!

14 Highlights - Winter 2015 Year 12 BTEC Science Careers students visit Viapath during National Pathology Week Visit to University College London To celebrate National Pathology week, Viapath (based On an extremely rainy day in September some of our at Bedford Hospital) hosted two days of school visits for Year 13 students travelled via train and underground to Year 12 students. University College London. The students were treated to a guided tour of all areas, with The day included the opportunity to speak to lecturers and the opportunity to try their hand at plating out some mock pus students, attend subject talks and take part in a guided tour of (mayonnaise and mustard) in Microbiology, the University by a current undergraduate. watching a dissection in Histology and Students found the day really inspiring; below are a few of their marvelling at the size of analysers and comments; vast testing equipment in Blood Sciences. Feedback from the students and their • ‘It was very useful because I now know the specific entry tutors showed it to be both an enjoyable requirements for different courses, including medicine’ and worthwhile experience, helping – Masooma students identify possible career paths. • ‘I have found out what university I want to go to (Kings College) Laboratory staff and clinical staff also hosted and great day out’ – Mamun a careers lunch session which enabled • ‘A very beneficial experience allowing me to speak to university students to enquire about scientific, clinical members (especially Jeremy) and those who have studied at the and other career opportunities in pathology. various universities’ – Aklima Each department worked hard to create interesting and informative stands which demonstrated the science behind each discipline. The staff at Viapath shared their passion for what they do with Trip to Loughborough University students. Their routes into pathology varied from entering the In September ten of our Year 13 students went on a trip to profession as a MLA (Medical Lab Assistant) after GCSEs,or at a Loughborough University. They got the opportunity to tour higher level after A levels to graduate positions. around the campus which includes extensive and state-of-the- The visit also linked nicely into the BTEC Science unit students were art sports facilities. They also had the chance to sample a range beginning on designing a laboratory. of lectures covering various degree specialisms and listen to a ‘I enjoyed microbiology the most as it was fun and interesting. The staff talk from the Vice-Chancellor. were friendly and it was funny to see how competitive they were about whose department was the best!’ Students gave lots of positive feedback: Charly Singleton – Year 12 “I really enjoyed the Loughborough University open day, everyone I ‘I enjoyed going around the pathology part of the hospital, I was inspired had a conversation with was very approachable and useful. I found looking more closely at Pathology as a career. The funniest part was the day very informative and also had the opportunity to attend a when they got a uterus out of a solution and a couple of people had to lecture on business where they covered every course they offer with make a hasty retreat.’ The most interesting fact I learnt was that particles the entry requirements which was very impressive and helpful”. of poo can travel up to six foot!’ Mashalla Ahmed – Year 13 ‘I learnt that there are different ways to get into a job in pathology – after GCSEs, after Sixth Form or after going to university.’ Nahima Akhtar – Year 12 ‘All the people in the department play a really important role. The machines are in use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I enjoyed microbiology the most as it was really interesting and I learnt a lot. I am now considering this as a real career possibility, I never realised there were so many different jobs in pathology.’ Matthew Moulding – Year 12

YOUR FUTURE – Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce University of Nottingham Open Day As part of the Academy’s commitment to supporting students A selection of students from Years 10, 11 and 13 visited the Your with their future choices, eight Year 13 Sixth Formers had the Future event, at Kings House on the 19th November. Students opportunity to visit the University of Nottingham Open Day. got to meet employers first Here, we were able to explore the university grounds by a hand, experience a number of guided campus tour and then given the freedom to attend challenges that were on offer any course talks which interested us. As well as this, we were as well as finding out about job able to view the variety of accommodation on offer such as opportunities and career paths. ensuite rooms and rooms with shared facilities. It was a great “I found today extremely enjoyable, experience as we got to see a Russell Group university and can the detailed information you got now compare this to other universities we visit. It was especially was great, I really loved it!’ useful to visit a sample lecture as it gave us a real taste for the ‘It was one of the best trips I have subject and what it would be like at university level. ever had.” Lakiesha Kumari

Highlights - Winter 2015 15 Diary Dates

Spring Term 2016

January February March 4th Staff Training Day 4th Year 11 Parents’ 10th Year 9 Parents’ Evening 7th Year 7 Parents’ Evening Evening 24th ‘The Final Push’ evening 28th KS4 Options Evening 11th KS4 Options Deadline 24th School Term Ends 15th Half Term 25th ‘First GCSEs’ How to get the best results Years 9 & 10

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