CLF NEWS Edition 17 19/07/18 “Empowering Learning” Mayor visits City Academy ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE... European Champion Ofsted Marvin Rees visited City Academy to celebrate the Bristol WORKS programme. Whilst there, the mayor took part in a short assembly with pupils before jumping on board the Engine Shed on Tour bus to see a 360 degree film that City Academy students made with Boomsatsuma at Pukka Herbs, all part of the Bristol WORKS activity. WORKS is a Bristol Learning City partnership initiative that is building a unique collaboration between employers, learning providers and local communities to develop a skilled local workforce. The programme offers bespoke experience of work programmes created with schools, based on the needs of the schools and their young people. Launched in 2015, Bristol WORKS is about to enter a new chapter of work as it reaches out to four new schools that will be part of the initiative during the next academic year. Battle of the Bands Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “When I became Mayor, one of my aims was to improve local children’s experiences of work. Research suggests that young adults who had four or more experiences of work while at school are five times more likely to engage in further education, employment and training afterwards. “We want to make sure children across the city are inspired to achieve more and can access more opportunities. As part of our WORKS programme we have been connecting schools with employers to find new opportunities for children to experience work in a whole new way. It has been great visiting City Academy and finding out how our children are benefiting from this scheme. If you are a local employer who thinks you have something you can offer, I’d encourage you to get in touch with our team to Flying Start see how we can help.” Jon Angell, Principal of City Academy said, “Bristol WORKS has been a fantastic addition to our careers and works programme here. We have worked really closely with them around STEM work in Year 8 and 9 and with EDF. That work has continued with one of our partner primary schools Easton Primary School, with our students going there to work with their students. We’ve had some amazing guest speakers talk to our students, Mayor Marvin Rees and Councillor Asher Craig to name but a few. They really raised our students’ aspirations and showed them that there are a number of career pathways available to them. Another initiative is having employers come in and meet and hold careers interviews with our Year 11 students to talk about what their plans were, not necessarily to be employed by those companies, but to ensure students have a career plan.” “Empowering Learning” Digitech Studio School scraps school uniform Digitech Studio School has taken the decision that from July students in Year 10 and Year 11 will not have to wear school uniform, this is in line with their Post 16 counterparts. This has been introduced because staff, students and parents believe that non-uniform will suit the ethos and culture of the small 14-19 school. That said, staff will ensure that students are dressed appropriately for a public working environment. As a simple gauge, students should be dressed as if they are going on work experience or an interview for college. The Studio School specialises in creative, digital media and high tech courses. Lis Jolley Principal said, “This is a 14-19 school that has a mature college feel. Students currently are dressed for business, but in reality the business dress does not reflect the employers and sectors that we work with where the dress code is much more casual.” The RAF fly into Hanham Woods Over 300 students from Year 7&8 at Hanham Woods Academy were inspired and motivated by a visit from the RAF roadshow. Hanham were extremely fortunate in that the roadshow only visits six schools a year, and Hanham was a chosen school. The ‘fun with flight’ presentation delivered by RAF staff looked at the history of flight, including the science behind vertical take-off. Students got involved in practical activities that included irtualV Reality and a balloon exercise. RAF staff even demonstrated a real mini jet engine which they fired up. RAF staff talked to students about the various career pathways available in the RAF and the importance of STEM subjects that are, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The roadshow enthusiastically promoted women to look at a career in engineering and sought to demystify the work of engineers and engineering. Allen Williams, Raising Attainment leader at Hanham Woods Academy said, “This has been an amazing opportunity for our students to see what careers are available to them in the future and what qualifications they will require to achieve their ambitions. It is also important for them to realise how far STEM subjects reach into various careers they may be considering.” “Empowering Learning” King’s Oak celebrate ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement King’s Oak Academy was recently inspected by Ofsted. The Cabot Learning Federation is very pleased to announce that Ofsted have judged that the Academy remains ‘Good’ in all categories. Ofsted said, “Since his appointment in 2016, the Principal, Richard Clutterbuck, has acted with determination to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment for all pupils. He understands the importance of raising standards without delay but at the same time ensuring that improvements are embedded and long-lasting. This approach has led to a steady, long-term improvement in the quality of education across the school.” They said, “The Principal, supported by the multi-academy trust, has strengthened his senior team. Together, they have a clear-sighted view of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. This has led to continual, steady improvement. The board of governors provide strong oversight of the work of the school. They hold the principal to account well and they have acted to strengthen the school's leadership team. The school has improved as a consequence." On senior leadership Ofsted said, “Senior leaders are challenging pupils and teachers alike to reach those expectations. Leaders have developed a strong assessment system and, as a result, they have a good understanding of the progress that pupils are making over time. They make good use of the common structure in place across the multi-academy trust to check on the accuracy of teachers’ assessments. Pupils enjoy the challenge they now get and respond positively to it, the most able are given challenges that stretch them.” On pupil behaviour they commented, “The behaviour of pupils is good. The conduct of pupils around the school site is typically good. Behaviour has improved significantly over the last few years.The vast majority of pupils move around the school sensibly and treat each other with warmth and good humour. Parents, carers, and pupils, say that behaviour has improved significantly over the last two years.” “Pupils’ attitudes to work are generally positive. They are punctual to lessons and come to school expecting to work. They enjoy answering teachers’ questions and they generally take pride in the presentation of their work. In most subjects they are keen to do well. They know how to improve their work and are diligent in correcting and redrafting their work." There is a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities available across the school. Pupils enjoy these and are keen to take part. There are also opportunities for pupils to take on positions of responsibility, such as those of school council representatives. Pupils who are selected are proud of their success. Ofsted noted the impact of King’s Oak being part of the Cabot Learning Federation, they said, “Leaders make good use of the support they receive from the multi-academy trust to improve teaching and learning. They work closely with the trust’s leaders to get access to training for teachers and to make sure that they are assessing pupils correctly. The Acorn has made particularly good use of the trust’s support as it develops from its early days.” “The multi-academy trust draws on its understanding of the school’s current performance when it deploys resources to provide the additional support the school needs to develop further. This has proved effective in addressing some of the school’s pressing issues.” Leadership of special educational needs (SEN) is good. Leaders make good use of the funding they receive to support pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities. On safeguarding Ofsted said, “All members of staff take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously. They are well trained and know what to do should they feel a pupil is unsafe. Acorn staff are vigilant and all the appropriate safeguards and risk assessments are in place. Pupils say they feel safe and they are confident that they can approach a member of staff if they have a concern. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe online and to protect themselves from the dangers of radicalisation.” On early years provision Ofsted said, "The primary phase, called 'the Acorn', is providing a good start for pupils because expectations are high and leaders and staff work hard to meet the needs of all pupils. Children get off to a flying start and all groups of children make good progress over time so that by the end of the foundation stage outcomes are above the national average and improving. Outcomes for disadvantaged groups are improving quickly.” “Leadership of the Acorn is strong. It is in its third year of operation and is thriving as a result of strong strategic oversight and good day-to-day management.