Message from the Head Teacher Welcome to our latest newsletter. I would encourage you to spend time reading through the

many features and reports on the range of learning opportunities and successes of

Kingsbury students. Over the last month students and staff have worked hard to recognise

the many successes of individuals and groups. In addition we have hosted a number of

workshops by visiting speakers and guests.

As we approach the crucial exam preparation period for Year 11 students, we have

organised a wide ranging revision programme to support students. At the start of the

Summer Term, parents/carers of Year 11 students will be able to attend another Study

Support Evening where they will be given guidance and advice on supporting students

during the exam period. Ms C O’Driscoll, Head Teacher

Welcome to the following staff who joined us this term:

Miss G Daly Teaching Assistant, English Mrs C Harnett-Mann Admissions and Attendance Officer-

Goodbye to the following staff who are leaving Kingsbury. We

wish them all the very best for the future:

Mr P Creary Teacher of Maths

Mrs S Hall Teacher of English

Mr G Hughes Lead Practitioner DT

Mrs J Weir Curriculum Leader, RE Miss Mullin

March/April 2014

Success through Challenge, Support and Partnership

CBSO visit again To mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War, 20 students from across all year groups have been working with musicians from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The students have been working with Creative Music Practitioner Richard Shrewsbury and CBSO cellist Helen Edgar (pictured) to develop a piece of music in response to images and poems from the 1914-18 war. We also recently welcomed CBSO musicians who performed two ensemble concerts, one for all of Year 7 and the other for students in Year 8 and 9 who had scored highly in our ‘Super 6’ behaviour and progress initiative. The concert included fabulous music from different genres, the musicians explained about each instrument and engaged the audience fully through a musical quiz between teachers and students. The project is part of the CBSO Stay Tuned programme in partnership with Born to Be - the Deutsche Bank youth engagement programme which helps young people reach their full potential by developing their employability skills, building confidence and aspirations. Miss Millward

Kingsbury School and Sports College, Kingsbury Road, Erdington,

Birmingham, B24 8RE

Phone: 0121 373 1080 Fax: 0121 306 4878

Web: www.kingsbury.bham.sch.uk E-mail: enquiry@kingsbury.bham.sch.uk t: @KingsburySSC

Dates for your diary

Mon 14th - Fri 25th April Easter Holidays

Mon 28th April Students return 08.40

Mon 5th May May Bank Holiday

Tues 6th May Inset Day (no students in school)

World Book Day at Kingsbury Staff turned the tables for World Book Day when they dressed up instead of the students. All students were involved in a series of activities and competitions throughout the day, aimed at improving students’ literacy skills. The overall aim of the day was to foster enthusiasm for reading amongst students, as well as showing that staff could have fun too. It worked really well; there were many discussions about books amongst students as they tried to guess some of the more obscure costumes, and it also helped foster positive staff-student relationships. Ms Mann

‘Our journey to outstanding’

Our revised behaviour and rewards policy has begun to improve the learning behaviours in lessons and increased the range of rewards and celebration taking place. More students more regularly are being rewarded for meeting the expectations set. During the last week of term a large number of students are going on reward trips and receiving prizes for their efforts over the term. There is more to do and the work will continue. Two Training Days have involved focused training for staff to improve the quality of marking and refine further staff skills in meeting the range of needs of students. We are working closely with partner schools to draw further on their expertise initially to underpin your journey to outstanding. Student attendance has improved and is an on-going focus. In addition to supporting families where needed to ensure their child’s attendance meets expectations, we also challenge where necessary. In recent months, four court actions have been successfully taken as a result of attendance concerns. The school was recently visited by HMI to check the plans that have been drawn up in response to our Ofsted inspection. These plans were judged fit for purpose and it was recognised that a number of systems and processes had been improved and revised to support our improvement journey. A key priority is now to ensure that rapid progress takes place over the coming months. During the Summer Term we intend revising our pastoral structure to a Vertical House System and will be updating you on proposed changes to the school day and structure of the week.

Together we can succeed through challenge, support and partnership. Ms O’Driscoll

Behaviour rewards and sanctions

We have recently introduced new behaviour systems in school and this is already having a positive impact. Through the new SUPER SIX programme, teachers record all students’ behaviour, punctuality and engagement in every lesson, scoring from 6 – 0. A six score is perfect whereas a zero will require intervention from senior staff. A perfect week will generate a SUPER SIX perfect score of 180 points. Students who have had an outstanding week are highlighted for special mention in assemblies and their names are proudly displayed on form and school notice boards, and on the plasma screens around school. Students also receive recognition certificates and the chance to win prizes in assemblies every three weeks. The top 30 SUPER SIX students from each year group this half term will qualify for an all-expenses paid trip to Star City for bowling and food. Students with low scores will be placed in detention after school the next day and will receive support to reflect upon how good behaviour is fundamental in allowing them to make progress in all lessons. Mr Halstead

This newsletter is also available online at www.kingsbury.bham.sch.uk. If you would like to

receive newsletters by email in future please email: enquiry@kingsbury.bham.sch.uk with

‘Newsletter’ in the subject header.

Success through Challenge, Support and Partnership

ATTENDANCE

March Update

Five students were included in the Action Group

Two penalty notices were issued; one involved a payment of £60.

One parent/carer has been prosecuted at Birmingham Magistrates Court, receiving a fine of £550.

Ms O’Driscoll

Kingsbury enterprise success Kingsbury’s future business leaders are celebrating success in a national competition backed by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Year 10 students took part in the Apax-Mosaic Enterprise Challenge with support from volunteer business mentors from Jaguar Land Rover. They developed business leadership skills, through simulation games and developed some fantastic business ideas. The annual event is organised by Mosaic, an initiative of Business in the Community and aims to increase students’ confidence, employability skills and understanding of ethical and sustainable business. Over 100 schools and 5,000 students took part nationally, so we were thrilled that We were thrilled that one of the teams, G.L.O.R.Y, won a place amongst the final 25 students in the West Midlands regional finals in March Judges and speakers included former Apprentice contestant and social entrepreneur Melody Hossaini, Central News presenter Sameena Ali-Khan, and important guests from local businesses and the community. We were pipped to the post by Harborne Academy but are very proud of our students’ achievements, and the organisers were also impressed: “This is the first year that students from Kingsbury School and Sports College have taken part in the Enterprise Challenge Competition and I am delighted that G.L.O.R.Y team were runners up. The students should be extremely proud of their achievement, and their business pitch was delivered with confidence and flair.” said Annalisa Locket, Mosaic UK’s West Midlands Regional Manager.

Jaguar Land Rover Business mentors Hazel Cooper and Gemma Edwards thoroughly enjoyed their time working with the students: “It was good to give the future generation a helping hand” said JLR Product Development Finance Manager Hazel: “I was impressed at how the game brought in a lot of different aspects of business in a realistic way, giving students the chance to try out different strategies and see what effect they had on profitability and cash flow. It was good to see co-operation between the groups even though they are competing against each other.” Well done to all the students who took part in the challenge. Miss Fisher Above: Team G.L.O.R.Y (with VIP’s Melody Hossaini, Shabir Nawab from MOSAIC, and Sameena Ali-Khan): Cameron Thompson, Kane Shepherd, Subramanian Chandrasehar, Jack Izon, Waqar Ahmed.

Above: Kingsbury students with Jaguar Land Rover business mentors Hazel Cooper and Gemma Edwards.

Success through Challenge, Support and Partnership

Sainsbury’s Active

Kids

Please continue to send Sainsbury’s vouchers in to school. We value your contribution which enables us to buy equipment and resources to promote healthy lifestyles with our students. Thank You.

Miss Stevens

Guest speakers raise students’ aspirations Students have been inspired by talks from some remarkable guest speakers recently.

Errol Lawson (right) shared the inspiring story of his journey from being a gang member to becoming a Minister, an international speaker and a leadership coach. Local Councillors Mick Brown and Josh Jones spoke to Year 8 about citizenship, democracy and the importance of using your vote. Vinay Parmar (below right) is a renowned speaker,

businessman, published author and coach. He talked to students about raising their game, changing their thinking and behaviour to make better decisions, so they can experience better results in life. Gary Saunders is a STEM Ambassador with a background in mobile telecoms. He spoke to students about interview techniques, CV’s, and the importance of participating in extra-curricular activities or volunteering. Alex Yip (above left) is a successful businessman, magistrate and one of our school governors. He gave a very motivational presentation to Years 7 and 9 about the importance of planning their futures and visualising success.

Students were impressed with the visitors, all of whom delivered a similar message about planning for the future, being persistent and never giving up. “I won’t let anything get in the way of achieving my career” said one Year 11 student, whilst another said “It doesn’t matter where you are, keep practising and you will achieve your dream.”

We are very grateful to all the visitors who give up their time to work with our students, help raise their aspirations and open their eyes to the range of potential careers available to them. Thank You also to Miss Walters and the student Welcoming Committee who helped look after our guests so well. Mrs Rose

A trip to HMS Raleigh

On Friday 31st

January I was given permission by Ms O’Driscoll to attend the Royal Navy Sea Scout Swimming Gala in Plymouth. Although we didn’t win any medals it was a good experience, getting up at 5.30am, making a lot of good friends, building a tall tower out of paper to support an egg, and a lot of fun. At first I struggled with the strict routine but, you know what, I hope I get the chance to go again next year! A Sea Scout at Kingsbury.

Success through Challenge, Support and Partnership

World Pi Day On March 14

th students

took part in a range of

activities across all

subjects to celebrate Pi

and stimulate learning in

maths. There was a

school-wide competition

to see who could

memorise the most digits

from Pi. Anastasia

Ivanova in Year 8 won

by memorising Pi to a

massive 63 digits.

Congratulations to

Anastasia from all the staff in the Maths Faculty. Mr Shergill