TRUST EDUCATIONTHE MAGAZINE FOR BROOKE WESTON TRUST STAFF

www.brookewestontrust.orgSummer 2014

L A T E S T N E W S F R O M O U R S C H O O L S

PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT CASE STUDIES

PRINCIPAL OF BROOKE WESTON ACADEMY INVITED TO DOWNING STREET TO CELEBRATE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

CORBY TECHNICAL SCHOOL GIVEN AN OUTSTANDING OFSTED

FOURTH EDITION

At the time of writing the end of the Summer term is rapidly approaching - though not rapidly enough for most I imagine! Since Easter there has been a great deal of activity in all our schools as students and staff have worked hard to be ready for external examinations and in other cases internal end of year assessments. I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you for the immense efforts that have gone into helping our young people continue to develop and meet their potential. I am especially mindful of how difficult it has been for schools to clearly explain to students and parents the ever-changing picture with regard to curriculum,

assessment and examination system changes.I would like to wish all those staff who are leaving the Trust this year the very best of luck in the future. For some that is well-deserved retirement, for others a promotion or new teaching post, or even a challenge in a different walk of life altogether. I am sure you will join me in wishing Richard Bernard (Vice Principal at Brooke Weston Academy) well as he takes up the prestigious post as Headmaster at Northampton School for Boys and likewise Mike Deane-Hall (Headteacher at Oakley Vale Primary Academy) in his new headship in Northumbria.Finally, at the end of its first year, I would

like to ask for your feedback on the content of the magazine this year. Some teaching staff have commented they would prefer it to have more of a professional ‘update’ feel in the future, but before making any decisions it would be very helpful to hear from different colleagues from across the Trust.Do have a well-deserved summer holiday and I look forward to working with you again next year.

DR ANDREW CAMPBELLCEO, BROOKE WESTON TRUST

WELCOME TO THIS LATEST ISSUE OF TRUST EDUCATION.

“ “

I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you for the immense efforts that have gone into helping our young people continue to develop and meet their potential.

WELCOME

TRUST EDUCATION | Summer 2014

02 | 03

BWT NEWS

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE BWT CENTRAL TEAMThe BWT Trust Central Team has recently welcomed two new members of staff.

Tricia Davies has taken on the role of Director of Primary Provision and Anna Trott is the new PA to CEO Dr Andrew Campbell.Mrs Davies has a proven track record in leading and managing schools, having worked in schools in both primary and secondary phases.During her career she has worked as an Executive Interim Headteacher in three schools in Milton Keynes and Birmingham, as well as having been involved in school assessment and Section 5 assessments, working in partnership with LAs and designing and delivering training.Anna takes up her role having worked for Northamptonshire County Council in the School Admissions and Strategic Planning teams.

PRINCIPAL ATTENDS EDUCATION RECEPTION AT NO 10Principal of Brooke Weston Academy, Trish Stringer, was invited to a reception at No 10 Downing Street celebrating excellence in secondary education. She joined education leaders from around the country at the reception, hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron and attended by dignitaries including Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove and Charlie Taylor Chief Executive of NCTL. Miss Stringer said: “The invitation was intended to acknowledge the enormous effort that all staff at Brooke Weston Academy make on a daily basis to ensure that our young people receive the very best possible education. I was naturally delighted to represent the academy at this memorable event. It was an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister at such an iconic venue and to be assured that the efforts we make daily to secure academic success and excellence are recognised and celebrated at the highest level.”

OUR FREE SCHOOL IS OUTSTANDINGA BWT school has gained a regional first by becoming the only free school in the midlands to be rated as Outstanding by Ofsted.Corby Technical School is only the second free school in the country to have been awarded the classification.It comes less than two years after opening.Read more on p9.

Tricia Davies Anna Trott

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE

BEANFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL www.beanfieldprimary.org NEWS IN BRIEF

• On Friday, 20th June, all the children at Beanfield dressed up to dance and raise money for Macmillan cancer support. Everyone had a fantastic day and raised a total of £443.93.

• Vice Principal, Emma Goodwin took part in a 10k run at Pitsford Reservoir and kick started the fundraising efforts for the school’s chosen charity the Special Baby Care Unit at Kettering General Hospital.

TRUST EDUCATION | Spring 2014

NEWS IN BRIEF• Year 2 pupils won gold earlier in the term at an inter-Trust

sports event. • The outside space is to receive investment to provide

special matting for around the trim trails to make them accessible for the children for more of the year.

• Mrs Sanders who has been at the school since its opening in 2008 is leaving and is being wished well for her new role as Deputy Head Teacher at Gretton Primary School from September.

PUPILS ARE SET TO BENEFIT FROM ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CHANGES BEING MADE AT OAKLEY VALE. The school is looking at ways to make itself more eco friendly and will be upgrading to a bio-mass system over the next couple of months. As well as having more efficient technology, the change means the school can gain access to the government renewable heat incentive which will generate income for the next 20 years.Other changes will include many of the light fittings being changed to LEDs to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Oakley Vale has also been approached

to become part of a local initiative called Electric Corby. This will involve working with groups and organisations across the town to develop energy efficient buildings and systems. Pupils were treated to a visit from a leading Wheelchair Fencing Paralympian, Gemma Collis at the beginning of term and she helped out with a sponsored circuit training session. The event saw the children being set various fitness challenges to complete within one minute. More than £600 was raised with a proportion of money going to the school for more PE equipment for its Change4Life club and the rest going to Gemma Collis to aid her in the 2016 Paralympics.

www.oakleyvaleprimary.org.uk

OAKLEY VALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

PECKOVER

PRIMARY SCHOOLwww.peckoverprimary.org

Chess champion

BEANFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL HELD A SUCCESSFUL SCIENCE WEEK IN JUNE. During the week various visitors came into the school including teachers and staff from Kingswood School (demonstrating how to

make and use a universal indicator) and ‘Mad Science’ representative Jupiter Jules led an exciting assembly.All classes used the main theme of ‘changes’ to link their curriculum topics to make their science week accessible by all the children of Beanfield.

THE ENTIRE SCHOOL AT PECKOVER PRIMARY ARE BEING TRAINED IN MAKATON BY A QUALIFIED HLTA.As part of the training two new symbols are being taught a week, with children and staff greeting each other with a Makaton signs and even ordering their food choices.

This term Years 3, 4 and 5 took part in a World War One day in which they dressed up as soldiers and nurses and had an interesting day finding out about what life was like in 1914 to 1918. The children were shown by RAF personnel, the equipment that soldiers needed when they were in battle and got to try out armour, helmets and test out a sleeping area in the dirt.

The day also involved a march to the local World War One memorial where pupils recited poems and prayers and took part in a minute’s silence. Also Year 5 children entered a film titled ‘Walking in the woods’ into The Cambridgeshire Young People’s Film Festival, run by the ICT service.

• Peckover’s rounders team went to Thomas Clarkson Academy on Friday 13th June and came back with first place gold certificates.

• A group of 15 Year 5 pupils gained their Bikeability accreditation after taking part in four days of bike safety training. The training included learning about road signals and markings and arm signalling.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE

04 | 05

KETTERING SCIENCE ACADEMYwww.ketteringscienceacademy.org

NEWS IN BRIEF• Year 4 teacher, Chris Woolhouse took part in the first

Triathlon event at Wicksteed Park and came 8th place in his age group.

• Reception pupil Owen Ingram and Teaching Assistant Stella Brandon were awarded with a Police Community Award for handing in a purse after finding it in the street.

• Students have benefited from more enrichment activities after school with Intersales Music providing extra music tutoring after school on Tuesdays including guitar lessons with Ed Armonas, an accomplished jazz/funk guitar player and guitar teacher.

The Reception area at the primary phase has been renovated as part of an exciting project to improve the outside provision. As part of the project there will be an adventure play area, a story circle area, digging pits and mud kitchens. Lead EYFS Teacher on the project, Nicola McDonald said: “We are creating all these new areas to capture the children’s imagination as well as giving the children real opportunities to use

tools safely. “We have developed a planting area so children can choose to consolidate their learning about what plants need to grow as well as be able to use appropriate tools for planting.”She added: “We are encouraging insects and other animals into our garden by making log piles, we will also be making a bug hotel and putting up the children’s hand painted bird boxes.”

PRIMARY PHASE

CHANGES ARE TO BE MADE TO THE WAY STUDENTS AT KETTERING SCIENCE ACADEMY ARE TUTORED FROM THIS SEPTEMBER. The Academy is to move away from the vertical tutoring system and will change to a horizontal tutoring system. The tutor groups will be changed to a more traditional year

group system with tutor groups made up of students from the same year group.KSA Principal Paul Davies said: “I believe these changes will improve our provision to our students. It will also allow for a greater focus on progress in lessons as current Heads of House will become Progress Leaders for a particular Year group.” He added: “Having students

together in the same tutor groups will strengthen the Progress Leaders’ ownership of their year group and will allow them to focus more on that Year’s needs.” The House System at KSA is to remain in place for competitions and fundraising and the opportunity to work with students from other year groups will be presented to students still during CAPS Time.

Science Teacher, Megan Kedie this term arranged for a group of students to report back to her on good practices or highlights observed within a lesson. A board for sharing the students’ positive observations of activities within the classrooms has been positioned near the Main Theatre. The students have been reporting on the week’s ‘Golden Nuggets’.

SECONDARY PHASE

Brooke Weston has been reaccredited with the Gold Investors In People Award. More than 30 senior leaders, teachers and support staff were interviewed as part of the process. Brooke Weston has held the Investors In People award for nearly 15 years, but it was only at the last reaccreditation in 2011 that companies could strive to achieve the Bronze, Silver or Gold standards.Principal Trish Stringer said: “We are delighted to have retained the gold award. It is a renowned benchmark that demonstrates Brooke Weston is committed to staff development and training. This leads to a motivated team of professionals that are committed to providing the best for our students.”

The former Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP had a fact-finding tour of Brooke Weston recently when he visited the MFL and Science departments to see learning in action. After the visit Principal Trish Stringer said: “We were immensely delighted to welcome Mr Gove along to Brooke Weston, to give him a real taste of the day-to-day teaching and learning that goes on here. He was incredibly interested, not only in the subjects the students were being taught, but also in the students’ opinions of their studies. He took the time to speak to many of them individually which they really appreciated.”

BROOKE WESTONwww.brookeweston.org

NEWS IN BRIEF• Three Brooke Weston students were among

a group of girls who formed a peloton in front of the elite riders competing in the UK’s first Women’s Tour. The Grand Depart of the Friends Life Women’s Tour took place in Oundle. Erin Miller, Megan Piper and Linda Krasniqi from Year 7 were part of the group that led the opening lap and the girls were pictured in television coverage.

Skills hub

Megan Kedie

Owen Igram and Stella Brandon

Nursery Teacher for the Primary Phase at KSA, Rebecca Walker is set to assist at the Commonwealth Games.Rebecca was a Games Maker at London 2012 and is now off to Glasgow to play her part at the Commonwealth Games 2014. She said: “It was an amazing experience at London 2012, one that I will never forget and I have definitely got the volunteering bug! “When the applications opened for the Commonwealth Games I just had to apply. More than 50,000 applied for just 15,000 places and I was lucky enough to get a volunteer role.”She added: “My role in Glasgow will be a little different to the Olympics. I will be working as a CGA assistant within the Commonwealth Arena and they’ve told us to expect the unexpected. I’m working for a specific country and will be dealing with the athletes and team officials.”The Commonwealth Games runs in Glasgow from 23rd July until 3rd August.

REBECCA TO BE A COMMONWEALTH GAMES

STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TRUST EDUCATION | Summer 2014

Congratulations to Brooke Weston sports teacher Miss Barber who has qualified for the Masters World swimming championships in Canada. Her fast freestyle in recent competitions has meant that she is eligible to take part at Montreal this summer. She has been in the sport for around 15 years and trains with Northampton swimming club alongside many who have won titles in previous world championships.

BROOKE WESTON SPORTS TEACHER QUALIFIES FOR WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WALKING CHALLENGEAdministrator for KSA, Tansy Curtis and her walking team look set to have raised more than £2,600 for Marie Curie Cancer Care after challenging themselves to walk from London to Brighton. Mrs Curtis undertook the 62 miles (100k) challenge from Richmond, West London on Saturday, 24th May with the aim to reach the finish in Brighton within 24 hours. Foot injuries meant the team had to retire after 60k. They aim to do another challenge to make up the remaining 40k.Mrs Curtis said: “It was extremely hard going and it was a real challenge. The walk was very testing with the wet weather conditions making under foot very muddy through the fields and made the challenge physically more tiring and demanding on our bodies.”

06 | 07

FIVE MINUTES WITH:

“Throughout my teaching career I have taught post 16 students GCE mathematics and further mathematics. In addition I have had significant involvement with this age group both as a form tutor and UCAS reference writer, which was an interesting challenge as a mathematics teacher where we are rarely required to string more than a couple of sentences together. More recently at Corby Business Academy I have acted as a mentor for the more able in both Year 12 and 13. This has been a very rewarding part of my career progression where I have been able to draw on my previous experience working as a scientist/engineer for Rolls Royce.For me it seemed a natural development, when the opportunity arose, to apply for and accept the role of Head of Sixth Form bringing together many years of varied experience working with and supporting the students in their final years at school. My aims include raising the aspirations for all individuals who choose to stay with us and for the increasing numbers joining us from other establishments, to create a varied, challenging and exciting experience and to equip them with the skills required for the next stage of their lives.It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I now prepare for this new phase in my career.”

SAMANTHA ANDERSON HEAD OF SIXTH FORM AT CORBY BUSINESS ACADEMY FROM SEPTEMBER 2014

SALLY WILCHERASSISTANT LEADER OF STUDENT LEARNING AT THOMAS CLARKSON ACADEMY

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE BWTThe Trust prides itself on offering opportunities for professional development to all members of staff. Here we speak to two members of staff who have progressed within the Trust.

“I attended Newman College, the teaching faculty for the University of Birmingham where I took a B.Ed Hon Biological sciences. This was a very intensive five days a week, four year course with teaching practices taking place every term from the first 10 weeks onwards. I remember the day the “new” national curriculum was released the day before we graduated. We were rounded up and taken out to the car park where we were met by a curtain sided lorry loaded with boxes. Each one of us was given a box and told that it contained the “new” national curriculum and that we needed to read it well before we started our new jobs in the September. I initially trained to teach across KS2 and KS3, although as soon as I got into the big wide world of teaching I was given a reception class – that was certainly an eye opener, but I stayed teaching in primary schools for many years, rising to senior leadership level. I was then approached to join the team at Thomas Clarkson Community College, now Thomas Clarkson Academy, where I worked with the students who faced difficulties in accessing mainstream education. We were then lucky enough to become part of the Brooke Weston Trust and I have never looked back. I have worked hard, but the rewards have been equal to this. I was accepted onto the first cohort for the NPQSL, have had the opportunity to gain masters level coaching in education which has enabled me to work with a variety of colleagues across TCA and the Trust. Last year I interviewed for a position on the SLT at TCA and was chosen to work in the Teaching and Learning team leading coaching and NQT across the academy. I also have the privilege of leading the student voice at TCA and helping our students in the Junior Leadership Team to represent the voice of the student body.”

THOMAS CLARKSON ACADEMY HAS CREATED A NEW AND EXCITING RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AS PART OF ITS NEW SESSION 6 ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME. The Session 6 enrichment activities will take place at the end of each student’s day with the aim that it will put them in a strong position for future education and employment.Students can choose from more than 100 activities per week, including Japanese, archery, jewellery making, horticulture, rugby, parkour, film club, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and creative writing, to name but a few. There is a huge range of sport on offer, as well as academic subjects and creative activities. Vice Principal Lisa Ling said: “We want to really open up the hearts and minds of our young people so that they develop a lifelong

love of learning. Young people thrive on having opportunities to learn and develop different sorts of skills.”

A summer school will be held at TCA for Year 6 students and will be run entirely by the Academy’s Year 11 Heroes for the first time.45 students volunteered to be trained by Human Utopia and will run workshops based on their own interests, including dodgeball, art and cooking.While the younger students benefit from the experiences and expertise of the Year 11s, the older students have the opportunity to become role models and improve their problem solving and communication skills.Teacher Sarah Loosemore said: “As an Academy we are really proud of the efforts they have made and we look forward to developing them further and bringing up more students from other year groups to become heroes.”

THOMAS CLARKSON ACADEMY

www.thomasclarksonacademy.org

NEWS IN BRIEF• Business is booming for our Careers Education

Information and Guidance hub which has had an incredibly busy first year. Since it was set up in September 2013 the department has arranged a non-stop series of trips and events, developed partnerships with businesses and Higher Education Institutes and appointed student Mini-Ambassadors who support other students and the CEIAG team.

• Talented writers at TCA have had their work published after taking part in the Young Writers Association competition Poetry Games.

• A Saturday music school will be held at TCA from September giving local musicians the opportunity to extend and develop their talent. Students from its feeder schools will have the chance to participate in a children’s community choir.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE

CORBY BUSINESS ACADEMY HAS RECEIVED A NATIONAL AWARD FOR HELPING ITS STUDENTS TO MAKE PROGRESS. Latest figures from the Department of Education for state-funded schools in England show the Academy is in the top 20 per cent of schools for the progress made by pupils between the Key Stage 2 results they arrive at secondary school with and their GCSE results at age 16.As a result the Academy has received an Educational Outcomes Award from SSAT – the national schools’ membership organisation for improvement and collaboration.Principal John Henrys added: “We are very pleased to be recognised by the SSAT as an academy that has made outstanding progress in our educational outcomes.“Last year’s students made great efforts with their

work, supported by a dedicated team of staff in order to achieve this award.”

The Academy also held its first Enrichment Day this term.The event encouraged its students to develop an interest in a wide range of subjects outside the classroom.Many of the students went on trips to places such as the London Eye and the Tower of London.Teachers also ran a variety of sessions in school, including Computer Programming with Raspberry Pi’s, Mathematical Challenge, Basketball Academy, Dance Camp, Exploring Creative Media, Learning about Record Breakers, Jewellery Making with a Twist and Kitchen Science.Vice Principal Lorraine Smith said: “Enterprise Day was a huge success. It gave students the chance to try new things and work with different students and teachers.”

CORBY BUSINESS ACADEMYwww.corbybusinessacademy.org

NEWS IN BRIEF• Corby Business Academy’s Senior

Concert Band performed at a national festival in one of the world’s best concert halls. They were invited to perform at Music for Youth’s National Festival in Birmingham after they impressed judges during a regional competition.

• Top sportswomen Fran Williamson and Henny Gunn visited the academy. The British Paralympian swimmer and cricketer both worked with our students in sports workshops.

GRETTON PRIMARY SCHOOLwww.grettonprimary.org

TEACHERS AND PUPILS AT GRETTON PRIMARY ACADEMY HAVE BEEN BUSY FUNDRAISING THIS TERM AND RAISING HUNDREDS OF POUNDS FOR A NUMBER OF CHARITIES. Gretton Primary School’s Bursar, Donna Gillies took part in Stamford’s Race for Life at Burghley House on 1st June, and it was a real family affair as Mrs Gillies ran with her two daughters, Georgia, 13 and Nicole 8. This was Mrs Gillies’ 9th year of taking part in the race, and the 7th time for Georgia and 4th time for Nicole. Mrs Gillies said: “We do the race because we feel it is a lovely way to raise essential funds for such a great cause and at the same time we can

do it as a family.” This year they raised £200 between them for Cancer Research. Learning Support Assistant, Lucy Parkin also took part in Northampton’s Race for Life at Abington Park on 8th June and raised just under £300.Parents were treated to a Big Breakfast served by Year 4 pupils in aid of the Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity and raised a total of £135.29. The charity raises money to help improve the quality of life of sick children and their families in hospitals and hospices across the country.The school also hosted a successful Get up and Dance day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Charity. The pupil’s energetic dance routines as well as a cake sale at the event raised £150.

NEWS IN BRIEF• Gretton’s Year 5 pupils won the Brooke Weston Trust’s Big Book Quiz

held at Kettering Science Academy on 11th June.• The school also took part in a sponsored Welly Walk which saw pupils

walking in their Wellington Boots from Gretton to Rockingham on Friday, 18th July to raise money for special boots that RNLI lifeboat crew members wear for safety.

• A plant sale held by Oak Class as part of an enterprise project at the school was well supported and saw the children make a profit of £89. The children took on various job roles for the project and almost sold out of everything on their stall.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE

08 | 09

TechnicalCORBY

Schoolinfinite paths to choose from...

TechnicalCORBY

Schoolinfinite paths to choose from...

CORBY TECHNICAL SCHOOL HAS BEEN DECLARED OUTSTANDING BY GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS.IT IS ONLY THE SECOND FREE SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE THE GRADING AND COMES LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER OPENING.It was graded Outstanding in all four areas of pupil achievement, quality of teaching, behaviour of pupils and leadership.Every aspect of the school was highly praised in the Ofsted report including; students’ progress and their attitude to learning, teachers’ abilities, lesson planning and their expectations of students.Ofsted praised Principal Angela Reynolds, who has led the school since it opened, for her diligence and determination.She said: “We are thrilled that the excellent work that is going on within our school by

students and staff has been recognised by the inspectors.“When we opened the ethos was that our students were pioneers of a school determined to provide first class learning and this is proving to be the case.“Our parents have also played a huge part in the school’s success and support us every step of the way.”

Corby Technical School also held its first ever Industry Breakfast this term.Representatives from about a dozen different organisations attended the event which gave businesses, community organisations and education providers the chance to learn more about the school and also network.The visitors saw an exhibition of students’ work in the library, toured the school’s new building, were given a short presentation about the school and enjoyed breakfast alongside staff and students.

CORBY TECHNICAL SCHOOLwww.corbytechnicalschool.org

NEWS IN BRIEF• A group of students made it to the final of a

competition to tackle drink-related crime.• Mathematicians took part in two master

classes with students from a Specialist Technology academy.

Principal Angela Reynolds

The winning book quiz team Donna Gillies

Industry Breakfast

TIM LAWS Business Manager at Kettering Science Academy

Describe what a typical working day is like for you: Most School Business Managers will tell you there is no such thing as a typical day! My days are always varied and generally involve seeing lots of people from the service areas that I manage as well as teaching colleagues. I tend to arrive just after 8am and check my emails for anything urgent. The rest of the day is a mixture of planned and reactive work. For example I can be planning the school budget one minute and then chasing up missing coaches for a trip the next! The variety really does keep the role interesting. This week for example I have arranged several interviews, prepared a business case for community lettings at another school in the Trust, reviewed the 2014/15 budget, attended training on a new purchase ordering system and even met with a football club chairman!

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? I enjoy helping people, and more importantly helping the school to achieve new things. For example we are currently launching a new Football Academy programme at KSA as part of our sixth form offer. This is being delivered in partnership with Kettering Town Football Club and I have been working to put in place service level agreements between both parties. It will be exciting to see this new initiative up and running in September.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I love to travel and see new places so don’t often go somewhere twice. Having said that, I do want to return to Australia when my two girls are old enough as I hope they will enjoy exploring the country as much as I did. Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island is probably the most idyllic spot I have ever seen!

If you could invite 4 famous people to a dinner party, who would you invite and why? David Beckham – I’m a United fan but also admire all his personal achievements. I think he is an underrated role model to young people.

Chris Evans – I’m a fan in general and he has led a colourful life so would be good for some stories! His autobiographies were a great read and a fascinating insight into success and failure in business.

Kylie Minogue – Childhood infatuation.

Bill Bryson – Who better for travel tips?

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings? Travelling with my family. The world in an amazing place and I want to see as much of it as possible.

What is your greatest accomplishment? Maybe surviving the first half of 2014. New job, new baby, moved house and studied for my first accounting exam – all in the space of six weeks!

What word describes you best? I’ll avoid the clichés and say pragmatic.

PAUL WILSON Senior Assistant Principal at Corby Business Academy

Describe what a typical working day is like for you: There is no one single day that is the same as the other as each has its own individual challenges. Getting into my classroom provides a period of structure where events are predictable and within my control. When lessons are finished, finding those that need to be seen or delivering a Session 4 concludes the day. The drive home gives time for reflection of the day past and the one to come.

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? I enjoy results day the most. I get to see the achievement of the pupils and that the work we have both put in has paid off.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I want to go to Disneyland again. I first went as a child a long time ago and want to go next as a parent.

If you could invite 4 famous people to a dinner party, who would you invite and why? I may not invite them for dinner, but I would like to play a round of golf with Tiger Woods. It would be nice to see how good he really is and how I measure up. I would like to meet Galileo and find out from him how he dealt with knowing the truth about the earth revolving around the sun and being punished for challenging the establishment. I always wanted to be an architect and would like to meet Frank Lloyd Wright. I would want to know where he got his inspiration and creativity. Moreover, I would want to know where he got his courage from to try and develop new techniques. I would like to meet my class of Year 11’s that just finished in 20 years time and see where the start they have has taken them.

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings? If I won the lottery I would make a few extravagant purchases. First I would buy a golf course, not fussy where it is, but I enjoy playing and would want a course that I could run my way. I also like to spend some time renovating houses and would invest in another. It is nice to see projects come together and complete.

What is your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is achieving something that I was told I would not achieve. I became an Ontario Scholar, for gaining an 80% average in six or more Year 13 subjects. I knew what I was capable of and enjoyed proving my sceptics wrong.

What word describes you best? Strong-willed.

TRUST EDUCATION | Summer 2014

FIVE MINUTES WITH

QUICK QUESTIONS

10 | 11

NEWS FROM BROOKE WESTON TEACHING SCHOOL

The Brooke Weston Teaching School has had a successful year, developing an additional learning hub at Thomas Clarkson Academy, recruiting and training new teachers under the School Direct programme and offering professional development opportunities to hundreds of teachers from the Alliance and beyond.Facilitators from Brooke Weston and Thomas Clarkson delivered the Improving and Outstanding Teacher programme in Wisbech and there are plans to expand the courses offered at the hub in the future. We have recruited primary and secondary trainees for next year’s School Direct programme, while the first cohort have just completed their training and all 18 of them have secured jobs within Trust and Teaching School Alliance schools. Lauren Culbert, who had a placement and has been subsequently employed at Little Stanion Primary said: ‘If anyone else is thinking of applying for this route I would say go for it. You learn on the job which, for me, is better than doing it in a lecture room. My highlight has been working at this school as my class is really lovely. Another highlight was being offered a job so I am with the same class next

year as their full time teacher. I just love being able to get up in the morning and wanting to go to work. It is very fulfilling.’Madeline Willis and Hannah Tibbs are going to be employed at KSA Primary. Madeline said: ‘‘Primary phase is the foundation of all learning, it is nice to get them interested in their learning, doing the groundwork for everything that comes later. I was so used to working that it was attractive to have that routine of being in a workplace pretty much all day every day, with one day a week out at university.’Hannah added: ‘I love teaching all the different subjects and in primary you get to be so creative with the lessons so I think it is better for me. I am glad I took the School Direct route. It has taught me how to be super organised for when I start teaching full time next academic year.’Finally we are currently scheduling next year’s programme. With separate cohorts of Improving and Outstanding Teacher programmes for primary and secondary practitioners, coaching programmes, training for Middle Leaders and day courses for teaching and support staff, we are confident that 2014/15 is going to be even busier than this year.

VICKY GARMENT Leader of IT and Business at TCA“I think the most important thing is to believe every single student can achieve. If you start off believing that, the rest is straightforward. Students need to know you believe in them, it’s catching, so they know I’ll try and encourage them however tough a day they’re having.”

LOUISE FEELEY PE Teacher at CTS“I give them encouragement and I make sure my lessons are full of variety. The students do tasks which allow them to be successful but also challenge them.”

QUICK START QUESTIONS:What methods do you use to motivate students?

ANNIE MORRIS One to One maths coordinator at CBA“I encourage my students to believe in themselves and their own ability in order to build their confidence. Mutual trust is vital as then they are not afraid to attempt anything - only then can we learn from our mistakes.”

Lauren Culbert

www.brookewestontrust.orgTrustBrooke Weston Trust, London Road, Priors Hall,

Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5EU t: 01536 397000

OTHER NEWS

Content by Fouracrepr • Design by Paperbridge

A team of talented students from Corby Business Academy have been crowned the first ever winners of the Great Brooke Weston Trust Bake Off.After many months of competition within all the BWT secondary schools, the best bakers from each school battled it out at the grand final on July 17th.As well as CBA; Corby Technical School, Brooke Weston Academy, Kettering Science Academy and Thomas Clarkson Academy all fielded teams as they went head to head against each other.All the finalists were picked following 12 weeks of tough competition involving six baking masterclasses and six baking challenges to find the very best bakers in each school.During the grand final each team had

to produce an afternoon tea for six people in five hours.CBA Restaurant Manager Chris Lapsley launched the trust-wide competition following last year’s highly successful CBA Bake Off and he ran the masterclasses for our students.He said: “It was also a pleasure to spend time with the students from all the different schools during the final.“All the finalists worked really hard and the standard of every afternoon tea was exceptionally high.“Each school came up with a different menu so there was a lot of variety.”The final was judged by four external judges, including two catering lecturers from Tresham College, a professional butcher and professional baker.

CBA WINS FIRST EVER BWT BAKE OFF

BIG BOOK QUIZYear 5 pupils from all of the BWT primary schools took part in the second annual Big Book Quiz hosted by Kettering Science Academy’s Primary Phase in June.The pupils had to battle it out in a general knowledge test as well as answering questions about the books of the popular author Michael Morpurgo.After a fiercely fought contest, the team from Gretton Primary School lifted the trophy. Beanfield Primary School were second in the contest with Peckover Primary School placed third.This is the second time the event has been held.Deputy Head of the Primary Phase at KSA, Mrs Ann Walker said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for the Brooke Weston Trust primary schools to get together under friendly competitive circumstances. “The pupils from all the schools relished the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge gleaned from the set books. “Everyone who participated had a wonderful time.”

CBA Principal John Henrys with the winning team

All the Bakers