February 2020

Principal’s Welcome In other positive news, students have embraced our new rewards system and have shown a This term has been the most challenging so far for significant improvement in their attitudes to me as school Principal, and also the most inspiring. learning over the last half term. The diagram It has been my privilege to host so many individual below represents just how far positive meetings with you to gain a valuable insight into achievement points now outstrip negative your child’s experience at school. In addition, our behaviour points. newly formed parents’ forum has provided Start of the term constructive feedback which is instrumental in shaping how we address the concerns raised in the Ofsted report. It has been inspiring to find that we all share the same determination to rapidly improve the quality of education at West High

School.

This term, students have been exhibiting our core values in their pursuits both inside and outside of End of the term the classroom. Showing ambition, Billy

Haythornthwaite was sponsored to run 122 miles over six weeks, one mile for every Year 11 student. Billy raised a staggering £937 and the money raised will ensure the year group have a prom to remember! Mrs Price’s form tutor group demonstrated their supportive nature in their quest to raise much needed funds for Pendle Dogs in

Need. A team of cheery Year 9 students were exuding positivity at the recent parents’ I am also pleased to announce that after half term consultation evening, offering directions and a Claire McGlasham will join our team warm West Craven welcome to families attending. as our Exams and Data Administrator and Marie Evie-Mai Blenkhorn, Elizabeth Holtom, Jack Kirby Kimber-Smith will be covering Amy Roberts’ role and Amber Muller are showing great as Pastoral Support Worker for Years 7 and 8. independence by reading their way through 60 In closing, I would like to personally thank you for books in their impartial role as judges for the your continued support and wish you and your Book of the Year 2020. Demonstrating families a relaxing half term break. I look forward resilience beyond her years, Beth Hope was to welcoming your child back into school on presented with a signed football by HRH The Duke Tuesday 25th February following our training day. of Cambridge at the launch of the Premier League’s Best wishes Heads Up campaign in London. Equality was at the heart of recent work of Year 7 student, Casey Mrs Tracy Foy - Principal

Richardson on our PSHCE day. On this special day she learnt about how to challenge stereotypes and reduce the risks of being a victim of cyber-bullying.

February 25 Term begins 10 Year 8 Parents’ Evening 4:15 – 7pm

25 Year 10 Mock Art Exam (this week) March

11 Year 9 Vaccinations 28 Year 11 Mock Exams start 28 Feb – 13 March 12 Deadline - Year 9 Options Forms 2 Year 11 Mock Exams 28 Feb – 13 March 24 Year 11 Mock Results and Parents’ Evening 4:15 – 7pm 2 National Careers Week

1 Year 11 GCSE Art Exams 5 Year 9 Options Evening March start 5 – 7 pm

2 World Autism awareness 5 World Book Day April

day

6 Science and Engineering week begins

3 Year 9 Reports published

9 Year 11 Mock Exams 3 Last day of term 28 Feb – 13 March

20 Term begins 9 Year 11 Maths PiXL Trip

English Literature Focus Day

On Friday, 10 January, Mrs Stoker took a group of Year 11 students to Turf Moor for an English Literature focus day. The morning session was spent focusing on Romeo and Juliet and the afternoon session on An Inspector Calls. After a warm up quiz on the content and historical context of Romeo and Juliet, the students analysed the assessment objectives and learnt how to apply the Point, Quote and Analysis essay writing style to the exam questions. They looked at a marked exemplar piece and pulled apart how they had structured their essay - each student then wrote an essay structure plan for themselves. They then marked an exam board exemplar piece of writing and applied their knowledge of the mark scheme to this, allowing time to discuss how and why the final mark was applied. Each student was then given an individual differentiated essay question on Romeo and Juliet and given time to plan a response, which was then shared with the class. The afternoon consisted of a similar task but with the focus on 'An Inspector Calls' – via a quiz, they recapped the characters, plot, themes and context. They worked with exemplar material, mark schemes, essay plans and paired planning time. Director of English, Mrs Stoker said, “From the minute students arrived in school to the minute they returned their behaviour and attitudes were exemplary and made me and the school very proud.”

PSHCE Day

Wednesday, 16th January was our second Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Careers Education collapsed curriculum day, which aimed to help prepare students for life by developing the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. We offered a broad curriculum, for all years, exploring healthy living, sexual health, positive relationships, careers, citizenship, British values and safeguarding students through our Prevent sessions – equipping students to make well informed decisions. Year 11 students were treated to a 'Jack the Ripper' session hosted by Nelson and College to expand their horizons and explore courses that have not been taught at school such as psychology. Sessions were put on by College post 16 options liaison team members, Silentnight and Burnley FC in the Community which encouraged students in Year 10 to focus on employability and future aspirations. Year 9 students explored the barriers students face to learning while Year 8 focused on various aspects of health and well-being and Year 7 examined the impact of bullying on young people. Year 7 student, Casey Richardson, said, “It is important to have PSHCE days in school. On this special day Year 7 covered cyber-bullying, bullying sexting and stereotypes. A fact I learned on that day was that 19,000 students a year commit suicide because of bullying.” Emily-Jayne Austin, Year 8, said, “We covered topics that are relevant to today’s youth and it was great to look in-depth at subjects we wouldn’t normally discuss.”

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Billy crosses the West Craven bookworms finishing line in Prom judge Lancashire Book

Fundraiser of the Year 2020 West Craven High School’s Head Boy has put Four West Craven High School students are his running shoes on to raise money for the Year reading their way through 60 books as they 11 prom. prepare to shortlist them as judges for the Lancashire Book of the Year 2020.

Evie-Mai Blenkhorn, Elizabeth Holtom, Jack Kirby and Amber Muller are representing West Craven as judges for the competition which sees young people deciding the best new fiction book of the year for their age range. The West Craven students met with judges from four other schools at Burnley Library to review the Billy Haythornthwaite was sponsored to run 122 books they have read so far, in preparation for the miles over six weeks – one mile per Year 11 shortlisting event in March. student. He fitted the challenge in around English Teacher, Mrs Woodward said: “Our attending school, revision sessions and sitting students made us proud with their honest and his mock exams. eloquent reviews of the books they have read and Billy said: “I wanted to do something that would are looking forward to the next stage of the judging benefit the Prom fundraising, so I decided to do process. They are really enjoying reading the a run that I could incorporate alongside my varied books and sharing their opinions of them.” regular gym sessions. I thought running one mile The final celebration day and announcement of per Year 11 student would give the whole the winning books will take place at UCLan in challenge a more significant meaning.” Preston in July. Billy raised a staggering £937 and would like to thank all his family, friends, students, staff and employees of D & H Concrete who kindly sponsored him.

Mrs Gartland, Pastoral Support Lead at West

Craven High School, said, “We are so proud of Billy raising such a significant amount for our school prom. He came up with this original idea himself, which demonstrated a huge amount of determination and commitment. The money raised will ensure the year group have a prom to remember!”

Students gain a sweet insight into running a business GCSE Business students at West Craven High School visited The Chocolate House in Blackburn to learn more about factors that can affect a business. The students spent time with owner Susan Bristow, listening to how her business operated in the current economic climate and the impact of exchange rates on her business. They then took part in a question and answer session with her before tasting some handmade chocolate truffles. Student Edward Dickinson said: “It was really interesting visiting The Chocolate House. The shop opened in 1983 so we learnt about how the company survived during recessions and has grown into a successful business. We also enjoyed tasting some of the wonderful products made by Susan.” West Craven High School Business teacher, Mrs Thompson added: “We would like to thank Susan for welcoming us to The Chocolate House and giving a fascinating insight into the running of her business. It was fantastic for the students to see first-hand how what they have learnt in the classroom is put into practice by a business.”

Excelling at Art

Twenty brilliant students, in Year 7, received certificates and prizes for their excellent Day of the Dead Art homework.

Fourteen students received Certificates of Excellence and six

students received a Gold Award. The standard was very high across all homework with each student receiving 10 out of 10! Some real stars, well done!

Lancashire Schools

Cross Country

On Saturday, 18 January, several West Craven High School students, who qualified at Holt House back in November, competed at the Lancashire Schools Cross Country at Witton Park in Blackburn. All our students performed to an excellent standard and deserve great credit. Year 9 student, Ciara Duffy, finished in Bronze medal position for the Pendle Team. Year 11 student, Jack Villiers, capped a brilliant run finishing in 7th position and qualifying to represent Lancashire in the English schools event in March. We would like to wish Jack all the very best, he has performed with credit throughout his time at West Craven.

Indoor Athletics Champions

On Tuesday, 28 January, at Pendle Vale, a group of Year 7 girls won the Pendle Schools Indoor Athletics. Congratulations to Freya Craddock, Sasha Farrell, Ruby Gill, Grace Hindley, Rosie Hill and Leah Jarvis who excelled in their events which included: track events, shot push, speed bounce, standing long jump, standing triple jump, javelin and vertical jump. The girls go through to represent Pendle at the County finals at Blackpool, in March. On Tuesday, 4 February, Year 8 competed at Fisher More finishing runners up. Well done to Kieran Baldwin, Seamus Driver, Jackson Grace, James Stirk, Kayden Watson, Emily-Jayne Austin, Georgia Garbutt, Rose Piskorska, Fennella Turner and Mynnie Williams.

Magnificent Music Homework

Year 7 students have produced some fantastic music homework for display on the ‘WOW WALL’ in the music room. The task was to produce a fact file or booklet about a musical artist or band, of their choice; to include musical genre, songs, members, instruments and voices used. Mrs Woodward was extremely delighted with the quality of work submitted, with many students excelling themselves. During assembly students were presented with chocolate treat prizes and Gold Certificates, with Freya Craddock, Ellie Dean and Harrison Garner receiving Platinum Certificates for their outstanding work. Well done!

Beth meets Prince William at mental health event A Year 11 student at West Craven High School was presented with a signed football by HRH The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the Premier League’s Heads Up campaign in London. Beth Hope was attending the event with Katy Westwell, one of seven Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners employed by Burnley FC in the Community and working in secondary schools in Burnley and Pendle, including at West Craven High School and Colne Primet . Beth was chosen to attend the event by the Premier League after a case study about the support she has received from Katy was published on World Mental Health Day in October. Heads Up weekends will run over the 8th – 9th February and 14th – 17th February, with the aim of highlighting the power of talking as a way to support one another and dispel stigma. Spearheaded by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the season-long Heads Up campaign aims to harness the influence and popularity of football to normalise the conversation around mental health. Katy and Beth attended the table football launch event on behalf of Burnley FC in the Community and were joined by representatives from other community initiatives including Southampton FC in the Community and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Community. Speaking about the event, Katy said: “Beth and I had an amazing time at the launch of the Heads Up campaign. It was really interesting meeting and learning from people involved with other mental health initiatives, who work with young people, men and people with addictions. “The table football tournament was a really fun way of getting to know the other guests and it was fantastic that Beth won the signed ball and got to meet the Duke of Cambridge. She has been really excited about seeing coverage of the event on Sky Sports News and couldn’t wait to get back to school to tell her friends all about it. “The key message of the Heads Up campaign is to get people to normalise the conversation around mental health. This is something the seven Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners in schools in Burnley and Pendle aim to do every day. Since the programme launched in March 2019, the schools we work with have reported seeing a significant improvement in students’ engagement and mental wellbeing.”

Eden wins Best Supporting

Performance Award A Year 10 student at West Craven High School is celebrating after winning the Best Supporting Youth Performance at the NODA North West District Awards. Eden Barritt won the award for her role as the storyteller in the production of Shrek Jr – The Musical at Pendle Hippodrome in June 2019. She will now go up against winners from 10 other districts at the NODA North West Regional Awards which take place in Manchester in May. Eden has been with the Hippodrome Youth Theatre for four and a half years and won the Female Theatrical Endeavour Award 2019 for her performances and dedication to the Theatre at the Theatre’s 30th anniversary event in October. She is currently working with the Hippodrome Youth Theatre on its performance of Summer Holiday. When she leaves West Craven High School, Eden plans to progress to a Performing Arts course at college or study to become a make-up artist in the performing arts industry. She is also currently training to become a Taekwondo instructor. Tracy Foy, Principal, said: “We are all delighted with the award Eden has won and are looking forward to hearing about how she gets on at the awards ceremony in May. She is truly committed to her future career plans in the performing arts industry, and we can’t wait to see where this takes her.”

Students step up to the Maths Challenge 50 students are eagerly awaiting results from the UK Maths Trust after sitting the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. The Intermediate Mathematical Challenge is a 60-minute, multiple-choice competition aimed at students across the UK. It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The best students receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award. The UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) is a registered charity whose aim is to advance the education of children and young people in mathematics. The UKMT organises national mathematics competitions and other mathematical enrichment activities for 11-18-year-old UK school pupils. It was established in 1996 and in the last academic year over 600,000 pupils from 4,000 schools took part in the three individual challenges, the UK's biggest national maths competitions. Tracy Foy, Principal of West Craven High School, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of our students sitting the UK Maths Trust Challenge papers and we can’t wait to find out how well they have all done. They all worked incredibly hard to prepare for the challenge and it will be fantastic experience for their Maths GCSE papers.” In addition to students sitting the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, students in Years 8 and 9 are entered into the Junior Challenge. The academy also organises its own maths challenge for local primary schools, most recently won by Lane .

Students go on code-breaking mission A group of students from West Craven High School have visited the home of Allied code-breaking during World War II to learn more about coding. Staff and students had a 5.20am start to head to Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes where they visited the huts that staff worked in during the War, saw a replica Bombe machine and the room where numerous Bombe machines were operated. Computer Science teacher, Mrs Thompson said: “One of the most amazing things on the day was seeing an Enigma machine and in our Cyber Security session actually using an Enigma machine to code break. “A fantastic day was had by all of us and our students have come away seeing a national treasure and with a greater understanding of coding.”

It continues to grow and there are over 2,100 children within it at Pendle Primary Academy, Castercliff Primary Academy, , Casterton Primary Academy and West Craven High School.

For more information, visit www.pendleeducationtrust.co.uk

Foreign Language students say très bien to revision conference

Pendle Education Trust’s French GCSE students visited a revision conference in Manchester to help them prepare for their upcoming exams. Students from the Trust’s two secondary academies – Colne Primet Academy and West Craven High School – attended the PiXL French Student Conference at Kings House Conference Centre in Manchester. The conference was designed to get Year 11 students ‘exam ready’. It was an interactive and motivational conference which equipped students with a range of strategies and techniques which will maximise their exam performance. Sessions on the day looked at the life changing power of languages, a mock listening and reading activity, speaking and listening top tips and building memory skills. Lynne Blomley, Executive Principal for Secondary Education at Pendle Education Trust, said: “We’re entering a key period of revision for our Year 11 students and events such as this for our French students are a great way of picking up tips and preparing for the upcoming exams. “We had some fantastic feedback from the students who attended the event, with many saying they found it really worthwhile, fun and that they learnt a lot. It was also encouraging to hear them excited about the career opportunities that could open up to them if they achieve well in their modern foreign language exams.”

Music students produce aspirational rap!

Pendle Education Trust’s Music students have taken part in a song writing workshop with the band Lazy Mondays. Year 8 students from West Craven High School and Colne Primet Academy took part in a series of activities with the band which is made up of music teachers from Lancashire Music Services. The day started with students enjoying a performance from the band of well-known pop songs, including: This is Me from the Greatest Showman, Senorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabelo. The students then moved onto the genre of rap and created a rap based on the West Craven values of ASPIRE. They collaborated with each other to create a rap to the verses of We Are Young by Fun. Lynne Blomley, Executive Principal for Secondary Education at Pendle Education Trust, said: “It was fantastic to see students from our two secondary academies enjoying working together to create pieces of music. They really enjoyed the interactive nature of the sessions and it was great to see them working so well together, both with their classmates and students from the other academy. “They picked up lots of tips throughout the day which will be useful throughout their music studies with us.”

Marcus trials for Sale

Sharks

Keen sports man, and rugby player, Marcus Lilley has been selected to play for the Under 13s Program Place at Sale Sharks. Year 8 student, Marcus will attend a series of monthly training and assessment sessions, at Sale Academy, where he will be able to develop his rugby skills further. If his trial is successful, Marcus will be selected to play for Sale under 13s and hopefully progress to Sale Academy. Good luck Marcus – wishing you the best of luck!

Attendance Matters

Well done to the 288 students who have managed 100% Attendance this half term.

100% attendees were treated to Valentines themed cakes.

Stars of the Week

7.1 Freya Craddock and William Shuttleworth – for achieving the most resilience points. 7.2 Evie Holt and Ebony-Leigh Murgatroyd – for achieving the most resilience points. 7:3 Chloe Lee – for achieving the most resilience points. 7:4 Rafael Phipps - fantastic resilience points! Well done! 7:5 Joshua Glennon - excellent number of positives.

8:1 Poppy Town - fantastic resilience points! Well done! 8:2 Mahrukh Al Khan - fabulous number of resilience points. 8:3 Jake Redmond - an excellent number of resilience points. 8:4 Jacob Ariss – for the most resilience points. 8:5 Jackson Grace - excellent number of positives.

9:1 Rodney Dewhurst – for the most resilience points. 9:2 Jack Townsend - best resilience score. Well done! 9:3 Jack Robinson - an amazing six resilience points achieved this week well done! 9:4 Lorraine Stewart – for achieving six resilience points this week. 9:5 Troy Thompson - fantastic number of resilience points! Well done!

10:1 Ella Codling - best result for resilience points. Fabulous! 10:2 Leasia Fuller - fantastic resilience points! Well done! 10:3 Jodie Nelson – for the most resilience points. 10:4 Erin Barnes – for the most resilience points during the week! 10:5 Eden Barritt – for achieving the most resilience points.

11:1 Callum Perry – for achieving the most resilience points. 11:2 Bryce Hendley – Resilience. 11:3 Cameron Pearce - fantastic number of resilience points! Well done! 11:4 Lucy Ayrton - fantastic number of Resilience points! Well done! 11:5 Kaili Wilson – for achieving the most resilience points.

Year 7 Accelerated Reader Year 8 Ruby Andrews Jacob Ariss Casey Baines Emily-Jayne Austin x2 Harris Brierley x3 Jamison Craddock Carter Capstick 100% Club Megan Dodd Isabelle Chew The following students have successfully read Ryan Farrell

Lily-Grace Clayton and quizzed on their reading book at 100% Cameron Flockheart between the Kieran Darvill Jake Ford Paige Davies 16 December 2019 – 7 February 2020 Erys Gaul Ellie Dean Well done and congratulations to Jackson Grace x2 Korey Dixon Bryony Hardacre Lexie Filardo x2 Violet Haworth Michail Gounalakis Faith Henstock x2 Bailey Hadaway Skye Houseman x4 Brett Harper Nicole Jackson Ben Harrison Zaira Khan Keira Hayton x2 Sean Lewis Rosie Hill x9 Marcus Lilley x2 Freya Hutchinson Charlie Marshall Crystal Jewainat Isabella Milligan

Rowan Lazenby 100% Club Anees Mohammed Jasmine Leah Rose Piskorska x3 Scarlett Leary Edie Poole Sophie Lee Brandon Shine Logan McCredie Year 7 Lucy Thomas Jade Peel x2 Noah Syers x6 Paige Thompson Rafael Phipps x2 Alex Taylor Fennella Turner x3 Declan Place Emily Taylor x5 Olivia Waddington Harley Poppleton Jack Trickett x2 Mynnie Williams Casey Richardson Aimee Wade Arlo Robinson Isaac Whiteley William Shuttleworth Florence Whittaker Harvey Spencer Lincoln Wilkinson

Accelerated Reader

Year 7 Year 8 7.B Rosie Hill Highest Word Count 8X 1 Skye Houseman 7.A Noah Syers The following students have read the most 8X2 Fennella Turner 7.R Mason-Jay Honeyman words between the 8X3 Florence Garrity 7.N Lexie Filardo 16 December 2019 – 7 February 2020 8X4 Tom Boothman 7.O Casey Baines Well done and congratulations 8X5 Isabella Milligan

Highest Word Count 16 December 2019 – 7 February 2020 All the names of students who gained 100% on an Well done to the top reader in Year 7, Rosie Hill Accelerated Reader quiz this half term were entered and Skye Houseman, Year 8, for reading the into a prize draw. most words this half term. Congratulations to Year 7 and 8 students, Noah Syers and Anees Mohammed respectively, who each won a £5 Love2shop voucher.

Rosie Hill Skye Houseman Well done to Rosie who Well done to Skye who has read a total of has read a total of 420,906 words this half 886,398 words this term. half term.

Celebrating Accelerated Reader Success

Special assemblies were held to celebrate student success. Year

7 and 8 students were issued with certificates in recognition of their reading achievements.