College celebrates another year of outstanding GCSE results
Students at Brampton College, Hendon – London’s top performing sixth form college since 2001 and third highest-achieving sixth form nationally– are celebrating another year of outstanding GCSE results, with 59.4% 9-7 / A*-A grades (compared to 20.3% nationally in 2018) and 37% 9-8 / A* grades (compared to 10.8% nationally in 2018). As well as A level courses, Brampton offers an intensive one year GCSE programme of study for young people who are transferring from other schools after year 10 to complete their GCSEs or retaking their exams, as well as overseas students planning to integrate into the English education system. Particularly high performing candidates include Shani Boyd and Alex Milchev. Shani is a gifted student who has suffered from chronic fatigue and other health issues which affected her on a daily basis. She missed nearly two years of her previous school and although her family were concerned she would not be able to complete her GCSEs, she has passed with flying colours, receiving an exceptional six grade 9s. Alex transferred from Bulgaria in the summer of 2018 to the English system. Despite difficulties in adjusting to the new curriculum and language, Alex is a maths genius, achieving a 9 in Mathematics and a further two 9s and two 8s. Both of them are looking forward to starting their A levels at Brampton College in September. Brampton’s outstanding results are testament to the college’s comprehensive pastoral support programme as staff recognise that top-quality education must be underpinned by commitment to student wellbeing. The college places an emphasis on understanding each individual student’s academic and emotional needs, delivering programmes that respond to these individual requirements. Before joining Brampton, GCSE students have often faced significant challenges, including high teacher turnover, lack of individual attention or feeling undervalued in a large school. Brampton supports young people who may have found it difficult to achieve in other environments, finding they flourish in a supportive atmosphere with one-to-one support, where they are encouraged to work hard and do their best. The success of Brampton’s approach is evident in this year’s excellent results, with 20.3 of all GCSE grades this year the top mark of 9 (worth more than the previous A* grade) – compared to the national average of 4.3% in 2018. Commenting on the 2019 results, Bernard Canetti, Principal of Brampton College, said, “We are delighted to see that our GCSE students have once again achieved fantastic results. Their success is hugely well-deserved, and it is brilliant to see that all of their hard work has paid off. We are thrilled that most students have decided to stay at the college for their A levels, and we look forward to supporting them over the next two years.” To apply to study GCSEs or A-levels at Brampton College, request further information or arrange an interview, please contact Pam Glenville, Admissions Secretary on 020 8203 5025 or email pam@bramptoncollege.com.
CLOSED – Poio reading app and phonics book!
The new phonics-based app, designed to teach children to read through play With September now upon us, both parents and teachers alike are on the lookout for new and innovative learning tools. Once which has recently caught our eye, and is designed to help children learn to read in a fun and engaging way, is Norwegian app, Poio. As such, QA Education is giving away an access code (worth £18.99) and the accompanying physical storybook to one lucky winner! Poio is an app that provides a compelling, gamified alternative to traditional learning methods, helping children learn to read through play. Created by teacher and father, Daniel Senn, and his four-year-old son, Leon, the Poio app (and accompanying physical storybook), provides an immersive learning experience for children aged between 3 and 8. You can read about our own experiences with Poio here: Phonics app review Whether your child is just learning to read, or struggled with reading in their first year at school, the Poio app will help them immerse themselves in the activity, and transform them into life-long readers. The app allows children to learn at their own pace, without the need for adult supervision, which makes the learning experience much more relaxing and enjoyable. Reading is made even more fun with the reward of a physical storybook, given to the child upon completion of the game, and is included in QA Education’s competition! To be in with a chance of winning the Poio reading app and accompanying phonics book, worth a total of £27.99, click on the Rafflecpter link below: a Rafflecopter giveaway ***The administrator of this competition is QA Education Magazine (“administrator”). By participating in the competition, each Entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Administrator, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Administrator is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the competition. Entrants should look solely to Administrator with any questions, comments or problems related to the Competition. Administrator may be reached by email at socialmedia@euromediaal.com during the Promotion Period. * This giveaway will close at 12.00am, 12th November 2019. * The prize is the Poio reading app and phonics book!. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable. There is no cash alternative. * Open to UK residents aged 18 or over, excluding employees of the Administrator, the sponsor, their families and anyone else professionally connected with this promotion. * There is one compulsory entry which requests that to enter the competition you answer a question based on Poio reading app and phonics book. Additional entries are available. * The prize winner will be asked to provide their email address so that contact can be made to arrange prize delivery, and their name and county be published in the next issue of the magazine * By entering the competition, you grant the Administrator permission to add your details to the mailing list, share your email address and any other personally identifiable information with the other competition Entities for the purpose of administration and prize fulfillment, including use in a publicly available Winners list. * Entries will only be accepted as instructed and any entrant that does not complete the qualifying requirements will be disqualified * The winners will be chosen using the random entry selector built into the widget. * The winners will be informed by email within 5 days of the closing date, and must respond within 5 days to claim their prize. If there is no response within the 5 days and new winner will be drawn at random. *This prize draw is governed by English law and the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with it. For further T&C and our privacy policy please see here Euromedia Associates Ltd: Privacy Policy https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/66331438/legal**
Based in the heart of Pembrokeshire, it’s an outdoor pursuits paradise!
Exciting outdoor pursuits have been organised at Sealyham Activity Centre since 1986 and offer exhilarating and stimulating experiences for children and adults alike. Our team of qualified and experienced instructors will work with individuals or small groups to guarantee full personal attention. We have set ourselves high standards of outdoor objectives that we strive to meet with all individuals and groups. Outdoor Education is concerned with the personal, social and academic development of young people via the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes, concepts and values. In the area of personal development Outdoor Education should: Enable pupils to develop self-confidence, self-reliance, self-control and self- sufficiency. Foster the development of physical skills and of physical resilience. Encourage pupils to exercise initiative and judgement in unfamiliar and challenging situations. Allow pupils to develop an awareness and respect for potential dangers in the natural environment and to act appropriately. Encourage pupils to assess their own capabilities, strengths and limitations and to appreciate those of others. Broaden the range of pupil’s experiences and to develop their ability to work as a member of a team. Encourage pupils to develop planning and organisational skills and provide opportunities for pupils to exercise leadership abilities. Provide opportunities for pupils to experience success. In the area of social development Outdoor Education should: Encourage pupils to communicate and co-operate effectively and to participate in learning as members of a group. Enhance the quality of relationships between pupils, and between staff and pupils. Encourage pupils to share decision making and a sense of collective responsibility for their actions and behaviour. Encourage pupils to have due regard for the feelings, welfare and safety of fellow pupils. Develop an awareness of the need to act with due regard for the interests of other users and of local residents in areas where activities are undertaken. Encourage pupils to be aware of the need for care, conservation and management of the environment. Here, at Sealyham Activity Centre we strive to meet these objectives with all!
Spellbinding, seafaring learning voyages
Ahoy there! Masters, Midshipmen and Mini Cabin Crew! It’s all aboard The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool this school year for an exciting range of Discovery Visits and curriculum-linked workshops, designed to engage and immerse students in our seafaring past and in the lives of people who have sailed our ships through the centuries. Discovery Visits are teacher-led visits including all the great activities and exhibitions here. They can be combined with workshops or booked separately. They offer pupils the chance to explore the mighty HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in Europe, along with the busy, recreated 18th century quayside. Groups can discover what life was really like for sailors in the Fighting Ships exhibit and enjoy wonderful fun and games on the Pirate Play Ship. A range of highly engaging, interactive workshops are offered for KS1 and KS2 (35 pupils per workshop maximum). Each covers Mmany different topics are covered within these workshops, and large groups can do multiple workshops throughout their visitand multiple classes can visit at once. Three new workshops have been introduced this year and bespoke sessions can be created for older students. Citizen sailors of World War II the Second World War – KS2 Why did ordinary people choose to join the Royal Navy and what was it like fighting on a ship in the Second World War? Pupils experience the extraordinary, everyday life of a sailor during this time. Exploration and Navigation across the ages – KS2 From the sun navigation of Viking explorers to modern GPS systems, children learn how navigation of the vast oceans of the world has changed through time. Young Nelsons to Star Captains – KS1 & KS2 Pupils are recruited as ship’s boys on board a warship. Can they work their way up to become Ship’s Captain? Or will they be scrubbing decks for ever? A fun, immersive experience. Pirates v The Navy! – KS1 & KS2 How did the Royal Navy handle pirates? Discover their tactics, hear the tall-ish tales of real pirates and learn how to handle a cutlass and flintlock pistol. All Hands on Deck – KS1 & KS2 Live a day in the life of a sailor in this action-packed experience, mixing fun activities with role play on the atmospheric lower deck of HMS Trincomalee. Ship Shape and a Square Meal! KS1 & KS2 Did sailors really eat maggots? What about their five a day? Discover grim details of sailors’ health and wellbeing on board Trincomalee. Discovery Visits are £4.50 per pupil, Workshops are an additional £50 (based on 35) More information at http://nmrn.org.uk/hartlepool
The Red House, Aldeburgh
Engaging and inspiring education sessions for all The Red House is the former home of the world famous composer, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) and his partner, the singer Peter Pears (1910-1986). Located in the beautiful Suffolk town of Aldeburgh, The Red House is a unique resource for schools and provides an inspiring educational experience for all children. It has won awards for its work with families, children and young people. Benjamin Britten wanted to engage young people with classical music, as shown by his works such as Noye’s Fludde and A Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. The Red House continues to engage young people through its range of exciting educational activities. All schools are welcome to enjoy and explore this site of local and national artistic importance. School Sessions Suffolk schools can enjoy free musical assemblies and there are a selection of sessions at The Red House for Reception, Key Stage 1 & 2 which link to all areas of the National Curriculum. All sessions are led by skilled education staff and are designed to allow children to engage with the site and its collections while working together as a team. As part of our offer: All teaching staff are welcome to a free pre-visit to The Red House All Suffolk schools are entitled to a free session given by our team at your school All our educational experiences are adaptable We also offer sessions for Key Stage 3 & 4 and are happy to work with High Schools and Academies to develop a unique visit, tailored just for you. Explore our variety of taught, onsite school sessions online at brittenpears.org. In school Sessions As well as exciting education visits to The Red House, we also offer half-day sessions at your school. Whether you want to explore the history, artefacts and music of Stone Age or Anglo-Saxon Britain or wish to enhance your Science sessions with a range of hands-on experiments, The Red House team is happy to bring the learning to you. Arts Award We are a registered Arts Award Centre and offer Arts Award Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silverand Goldto young people. Please contact us for further information on how we can help your children achieve an Arts Award qualification. We are also proud to be an Artsmark Partner Organisation. Contact Joe Carr, Collections & Learning Curator j.carr@brittenpears.org, 01728 451700 https://brittenpears.org
Berkshire pupils urged to raise school funds in fun run
An opportunity to boost school funds and get fit in the process has arisen for pupils in the Berkshire area. Since 2016, Greenham Trust’s annual 10k and family fun runs event, Step Up 4 Good has encouraged more than 1,800 people to get active. Having donated £58m, it has helped fund projects for many schools and charitable organisations across West Berkshire and North Hampshire, including The Rosemary Appeal, Brighter Futures, Parenting Special Children, Parkinson’s, MS Therapy and many more. Step Up 4 Good 2019 will take place this October at one of the UK’s most prestigious racing venues, Newbury Racecourse. Priding itself as one of the most unique running events in West Berkshire, Step Up 4 Good accommodates runners of all ages and abilities and educates the next generation for a healthier future. Organiser Chris Sumner of Racesolutions, who has already hosted the Royal Berkshire 10k and Endure24 events this year, said: “We are passionate about producing exceptional running races that inspire people to run, our aim is to offer every runner, no matter their age, speed or goal, a sense of achievement, and lots of fun.” Activating pupils’ community spirit Inspiring children to feel the benefits of leading a more active lifestyle, Greenham Trust is inviting primary and secondary schools to ‘step up’ and take part in this year’s runs. Pupils are also being encouraged to get involved and use the race as a fundraising opportunity, where they can raise money for their own school projects or select one from The Good Exchange platform. Teachers, governors, group leaders and parents can simply download the Step Up 4 Good ‘Schools Toolkit’ online. It includes all the essential information and a step-by-step planning guide to help make the organisation process really easy. As well as working in partnership with West Berkshire Council, to support the West Berkshire’s Let’s Get Active Fund, Greenham Trust is offering local state schools the chance to win £500 for a school project of their choice. Schools who register ten or more runners in any race will automatically be entered into a prize draw, when referencing their school name upon entry. Kate Flowerdew, Headteacher at Spurcroft Primary School in Thatcham and winner of the 2018 schools prize draw explains how the £500 has made a difference: “The money given to us was used to purchase thermoplastic footprints for the school playground to complete the active walk around the perimeter of the school. We like to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage all children to get involved with sports at school and within the local community, so the money has given pupils more opportunities for physical and personal development.” Libby Bucknell, Headteacher at Robert Sandilands Primary School in Newbury also winner of the school’s prize draw explains how delighted her school were to receive the cheque at Step Up 4 Good 2017: “The whole community can now benefit from the fact that the pupils will get more opportunities for physical and personal development. We could never afford to complete this project without the help of Greenham Trust.” In 2018, pupils from St Nicolas C of E Junior School, Willows Primary School, Speenhamland Primary School, Curridge Primary School, St John the Evangelist Infant and Nursery, John Rankin School and Horris Hill School all raised funds for their own school projects via The Good Exchange. New for 2019, Step Up 4 Good have introduced The Para-Mile. It is open to children under 15 with a disability or impairment, and gives children the opportunity to run, jog or walk the course for free. Take part and get involved Set to be bigger and better, Step Up 4 Good 2019 promises to provide fantastic indoor facilities, licensed bar and plenty of entertainment for both runners and spectators to enjoy as it relocates to Newbury Racecourse. Chris Boulton, chief executive of Greenham Trust encourages everyone to step up: “We would like to see a lot more children from Newbury and beyond getting more active and involved in what is to be West Berkshire’s most popular event on the running calendar.” Come along to an exciting family day packed with entertainment, competitions, delicious food outlets and a buzzing race village with lots to see and do. One lucky member of the public will have the opportunity to win a Golden Ticket and allocate a total of £5,000 funding from Greenham Trust to one local charitable project or split the total across a number of charitable projects on The Good Exchange. Seasoned professional, complete beginner, old or young, it really doesn’t matter. Step Up 4 Good is about more than just running, it’s about challenging ourselves, celebrating our community and raising money for the many worthy local community projects. If running really isn’t your thing, Step Up 4 Good offers a number of volunteering opportunities for anyone who wants to join in without putting on their trainers. Register today for Step Up 4 Good 2019 on Sunday 13 October at Newbury Racecourse and boost your school funds! To sign up, enquire about volunteering and for event details, visit www.stepup4good.co.uk/activate
How To Create & Increase Space In Classrooms
How To Create & Increase Space In Classrooms Primary School Classroom Lofts – 25% off (September offer) Are you a primary school looking to increase your interior classroom space for learning & play? Educational Play are offering a ‘Back to School’ Promotion –25% off our Classroom Lofts for orders taken in September, pricing includes delivery and installation! * Classroom Lofts’ add a new and exciting dimension to your classroom. As well as providing additional Classroom space, our Lofts provide a wonderful structure for a range of role play opportunities. Amongst other things our Lofts have been dressed up as Shops, as Caves and as Ships! They have also been used as quiet reading areas and numeracy corners. Children love to look at the world from a new perspective and teachers appreciate the additional flexible space. Check out our standard range of Lofts at https://www.educationalplay.co.uk/offers/25-our-core-range-classroom-lofts. Bespoke Classroom Lofts: Why are we different? As well as offering the standard range we can also help you design a Loft to meet your own specific needs. Check out some of our bespoke lofts on our website. https://www.educationalplay.co.uk/classroom-lofts/bespoke To find out more call our friendly team on 01544 387103 *Pricing is valid for most UK mainland schools. Additional charges may apply for addresses above Glasgow and off-shore.
Children are becoming more vulnerable to cybercriminals
As children head back – or off – to school, parents will naturally focus on making sure they have all the equipment they need to begin their studies. However, guardians often forget about the devices their kids take to school – the increasing number of which is making more children vulnerable to cybercriminals The number of devices children have access to continues to increase. Research shows that 42% of five to seven year-olds now own a tablet, up seven per sent from the previous year. In addition, more than nine in ten (92%) children aged between five and 15 go online using any type of device, which increases to 99% of 12-15s. Around six in ten five to 15 year-old use a tablet or a laptop or to go online, while half use a mobile phone. In addition to tablets, smartphones and desktop computers, children also have access to a plethora of connected devices – toys, smartwatches, fit-bits and more – and most bring them through the school gates. This is posing a worrying trend – as the more devices young people use to connect to the internet, the more the threat vector grows. From Momo challenges to Fortnite scams, the younger internet users potentially face countless threats from cybercriminals: but worryingly, most parents don’t realise how much time their children are spending online. Kaspersky research shows that the average child spends 40 minutes per day watching online video content on a mobile device, whilst 87% of parents don’t restrict how much time their young children spend online. Compounding this is the lack of security on these devices: 49% of guardians have never reviewed the default settings on a device to prevent their child viewing inappropriate material, whilst only 13% install online security solutions onto their youngers’ smartphone, laptop or tablet. This growing number of devices also increases the chances of school and home networks being compromised, too, as in most cases, these devices will be connected to domestic networks. “While younger children are becoming more tech-savvy, they are not protection-savvy by nature and lack the understanding to know about the dangers that being online can present. With reports of even toys being used to spy on children, and children as young as three-years-old owning social media accounts, it is clear the dangers are real – for homes and schools as well as children,” said David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky. Whilst the government and schools are increasingly teaching children how to spot potential dangers online, there remains a lack of awareness around basic device protection from cybercriminals. This means parents need to take greater responsibility to ensure their children are cyber-secure for the start of the academic year. “This year’s back to school period will probably see an increase in connected devices in classrooms, and adults need to play their role in ensuring children’s safety is maintained,” adds Emm. Kaspersky recommends the following tips for parents to help ensure that their children are kept safe from cyberthreats: 1. Supervise – This may seem obvious, but monitor your child’s internet use. Encourage them to visit, and stay on, websites you’re familiar with. Be sure to know about any password-protected sites they may be accessing, and ask them to share their login details with you. 2. Be open – Encourage your child to be open about what they are doing online and who they are socialising with. Promote a culture of safety within the home and talk about the possible dangers which exist. 3. Protect your family – Use parental controls to block access to sites you don’t want your child looking at as part of your online security product – it’s an easy way to avoid disaster. Review the default settings on each app that your child uses to ensure that the camera or microphone, for example, aren’t needlessly turned on as these can pose a threat. About Kaspersky Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
The Importance of a Thorough Mental Health Policy in Schools
Article by Ellie Collier, High Speed Training It is truly shocking that three-in-four mental health issues start in childhood. It can affect an individual’s emotional wellbeing and their educational attainment if they are struggling to cope. As exam season commences, it is fundamental that those within education take extra precautions to ensure students feel capable of thriving during this defining time of their lives. The exam period can be a catalyst for mental health problems and a school should, ideally, have an effective mental health policy already implemented prior to the end of the academic year. It is a stressful time for pupils and schools have a responsibility to make sure their students are able to cope with the pressure. The main aim of a mental health policy is to demonstrate to both students and parents that the wellbeing of individuals, including students, staff and parents, is a top priority. Additionally, it should highlight the school’s ongoing commitment to understanding the severity of mental health issues within education and ensure that teachers feel equipped to encourage students to come forward and discuss any difficulties they might be facing. It’s important that the policy showcases the school’s commitment to supporting any individuals that may be struggling – whether at school or home – all year round. It is essential that a school mental health policy is thorough, insightful and accessible to all. Included should be procedures that will support individuals suffering with mental health issues, and procedures that stress the importance of positive mental wellbeing and resilience. The policy should be written in clear, direct language and follow a logical structure. It is also imperative that school-specific details are included in the policy – including relevant staff names and any bespoke policies and procedures – so that the information is tailored to the school. The school’s approach to creating a mental health policy should be an extensive and thoughtful process. The stigma around mental health is starting to shift, and it’s important that schools continue to support pupils beyond their academic development. High Speed Training, which provides professional safeguarding training courses for the education sector, has created a template to help schools create their own mental health policy. For more information, visit www.highspeedtraining.co.uk.