Improving Education Together.

2017 - The Trust’s best ever results

News from our academies

Exciting benefits for staff

Autumn 2017

academytransformationtrust.co.uk

In this Issue:

YouTube stars inspire pupilswith excitement-fuelled visit!

Photo: Courtesy of the Express & Star

2 | Transforming Lives Transforming Lives | 3

YouTube stars inspirepupils with excitementfuelled visit!

remember for a long time.” Principal Dan Watts added: “We received an email asking schools if they would like a visit from these two YouTube stars and I just responded, not thinking that they would choose us.

“They were so good with the pupils, how they spoke to them in a way that they could relate to and some of the things they were saying were fantastic. It was a great opportunity for us to be able to offer such a wonderful experience for our pupils.”

Speaking about his time with the Bristnall Hall Academy pupils, Caspar told local newspaper the Express and Star that his intention was to motivate them to pursue any career they wanted. He added: “It’s been incredible to chat to some pupils in the area and hopefully motivate them in anything they want to go into in life by saying that it’s important to do well in school, but it’s also important to start working on their future as well while they’re there.”

It is absolutely fantastic to start off our first edition of the year by saying a massive

congratulations to all our academies for producing The Trust’s best ever results. This is a real cause for celebration.

The Trust’s averages in all areas of performance, from early years to Post 16, are now in line with national performance, from a very challenging starting point. This proves that The Trust has provided significant value, added over the five years since 2012. It was particularly gratifying to find The Trust placed in the overall first position among multi academy trusts, surveyed by The Sutton Trust as part of its “closing the gap” research. This was based on data up to 2016 and we have seen continued improvement in the current years’ results. Well done to our primary academies who have seen their most disadvantaged pupils performing better than their peers in both attainment and progress.

Following a request from an MP, in whose constituency we have five academies, I was delighted to provide some extremely

positive information about our impact in that area. All the academies, some of which were in special measures, have improved their Ofsted grades and received extremely positive reports, recognising The Trust’s impact and improvements made.

The Trust’s impact on the quality of learning environments and academy buildings was also very clear in the investment of £2.5m capital maintenance and £3m in new build. I also provided details of the additional

financial support that enabled two of these academies to manage the challenges created initially by falling rolls and then a growth that followed their success.

I would particularly like to congratulate those academies who have

topped the Progress8 figures in their area and moved up their LA league tables.

We all have something to celebrate and I look forward to the Pupil Awards in December when the success of our pupils can be celebrated in this wider context of success.

A message from

Ian ClelandCEO of Academy Transformation Trust

Welcome academytransformationtrust.co.ukoffice@academytransformation.co.uk

Call: 0121 794 7275@AcademyTrust

The level of excitement reached fever-pitch at two academies when popular YouTube stars Caspar Lee and Oli White visited pupils to promote their upcoming tour.

selection of lucky pupils at Queen Elizabeth and Bristnall

Hall academies were treated to an appearance from the YouTube personalities, who both have millions of viewers on YouTube, to tell them how they achieved online success.

Fond farewell to Principal

Hathaway Academy Principal James Howarth has taken a leave of absence following a battle with cancer. Vice Principal Fatima Rodrigues will be Acting Principal until the end of the academic year in July. Ian Cleland, Chief Executive Officer at Academy Transformation Trust, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that the Principal of the Hathaway Academy, James Howarth is leaving the academy with immediate effect. “Despite his ongoing fight with this terrible disease and the incredible support from The Trust over the past three years, sadly the disease has once more returned and in Mr Howarth’s own words, he is unable to give the job his full and ongoing attention. “In Mr Howarth’s absence, Fatima Rodrigues, the Acting Principal, will continue to do the brilliant job she has been doing and offer fantastic stability at this time.”

Pupil Awards 2017ATT will once again be holding its popular Pupil Awards this year, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our outstanding pupils as they strive to achieve the very best results. Nominated by their Principals, pupils from ATT’s 22 primary and secondary academies and further education. will be rewarded for their achievement, successes and creativity, with categories including academic excellence, sport, innovation and community and overcoming adversity and leadership. See page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN

In Brief...

Cover: YouTube stars Oli White and Caspar Lee at Queen Elizabeth Academy

Academy news

Caspar and Oli were also quick to share the excitement of their visit to the academies on social media, with Caspar posting on Twitter: “What an incredible day. Thanks for the amazing welcome. I definitely want to start doing this a lot more often.”

“Huge thank you to brilliant @Caspar_Lee & @OliWhiteTV for visiting to inspire our pupils who had an incredible time #BHAmazing #HelloWorld.”

After their visit, Bristnall Hall Academy tweeted:

A

The pair were promoting their Hello World Tour at the Genting Arena when they stopped off to visit the schools.

Pupil Lucy Taylor, of Queen Elizabeth Academy, said: “Caspar and Oli took time out of their busy schedule to come and talk to us about their time at school, becoming YouTube stars and following your dreams, which really inspired everyone. “It was a very exciting time for the pupils as many of us watch their channels, so to actually meet them in person was amazing. They are both genuinely lovely and were really nervous about coming to talk to us. “During the session they invited pupils to ask questions and even climbed up on to the seats for a group Snapchat photo. Overall it was a really great experience and one the pupils will

Warm welcome: Bristnall Hall Principal Vince Green, centre, welcomes Caspar Lee, left, and Oli White to the academy.

Starstruck: Pupils at Bristnall Hall Academy listening to Caspar Lee and Oli White.

Exciting time: Lucy Taylor with

Caspar Lee, left and Oli White

Congratulations all our academies

for producing The Trust’s best

ever results.

4 | Transforming Lives

2017 Results

Transforming Lives | 5

The Trust celebrates with its academies their continued excellent progress in the achievement

of pupils. Congratulations to all the pupils and staff at our academies in gaining reward and recognition for their hard work and commitment over the year. This year’s results have shown an even greater improvement and I am incredibly proud of each of our pupils, teaching staff, senior staff, governors and support staff, who who have made a critical contribution to improving their academy.

Ian Cleland Chief Executive Officer at Academy Transformation Trust

At Academy Transformation Trust our ethos has always been about motivation and engagement as we strive towards our mission to provide the very best education for pupils ensuring they leave our academies with everything they need to reach their full potential.

We have continued to make excellent progress and The Trust celebrates with its academies their continued excellent progress in the achievement of pupils.

Post 16

ImprovementContinued improvement for average A-Level grade to C minus

DistinctionImproved average applied general courses grade to Distinction +

100%100% of inspected academies with Post 16 provision

100

Primary

ImprovementThird year of improvements in Early Years and we are now in line with national average

100%100% of inspected primary academies are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

ks2Progress in line with National Average

ProgressPupils make good progress from Early Years 100

91%91% of inspected secondary Academies are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

91

secondary

ImprovementYear on Year improvement of pupils passing both English and maths

Progress 8Progress 8 is above national average

Pupils at academies across Academy

Transformation Trust are celebrating their

achievements!

The Trust’s best ever results!

2017

6 | Transforming Lives Transforming Lives | 7

Eight pupils represented Mildenhall College Academy in Stage Six of the

Ovo Energy Tour of Britain Cycle Race.

The pupils had the honour of leading the community ride-out, alongside other pupils from Newmarket Academy and members of Newmarket Cycling Club. It was the first time Stage Six of the road cycling race took place entirely within Suffolk – starting in Newmarket and travelling via Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, en route to the finish in Aldeburgh. The pupils pedalled off from High Street, before cycling past hundreds of spectators and dismounting at Newmarket Academy. George Murrow, of year 9, said: “The whole morning was awesome.” Starstruck sixth form pupils and staff also managed to get a glimpse of Olympic cycling legend Mark Cavendish and Bernie Eisel as they joined the crowds in Mildenhall to watch the riders and cheer them on as they passed through the town. Carol Cooper, pastoral leader, said: “It was thrilling – from the first police motorbike to the last support van. We

cheered all the cyclists as they whizzed past and then waved and cheered the support teams, getting many toots of horns and waves back.” Meanwhile, year 7 Mildenhall College Academy pupil Kara Quinn is

celebrating success after taking part in a national motocross contest. She took part in two rounds of the contest – the first in Scotland and the second in Wroxton, Oxfordshire. After the two rounds Kara finished third overall in the Sw85 class (85cc Motocross bike). Her brother Kian, who is in year 9, also took part in a support race for boys at the same event. After the two rounds he came first on a Bw85.

Academy newsAcademy news

Selfless pupils from Bristnall Hall Academy raised hundreds of pounds

to have a new defibrillator installed at their school.

Children from the academy in Oldbury raised almost £500 by packing bags at Asda, as well as organising cake sales and collections around the school.

As a result of their efforts the school was able to install the new piece of life-saving equipment for use by the whole community.

Senior prefect Sharni Tompkins, who was involved in the project, said: "I'm really proud we managed to raise the money to have the defibrillator. We wanted to do something that would benefit the local community." Vince Green, Principal, said: “We are extremely proud that the young people of Bristnall Hall not only chose this as their cause but worked together to raise all of the funds required.

"Their hard work, effort and commitment to this worthy cause speaks volumes about them as exemplary citizens.”

Budding poets have write stuff

supermarkets prove every little does help Breakfast club members at Queen Elizabeth Academy have been tucking into free food thanks to two generous supermarkets donating unwanted items. The academy has been receiving the goods from online supermarket Ocado and discount chain Aldi, after signing up to the Edible Links scheme run by North Warwickshire Borough Council. They are given items which are either close to their sell-by date, excess stock or items ordered in error. The academy uses the items to run a “free-to-all breakfast club”, catering to about 50 children every morning. Dan Watts, Principal, said: “I believe that this project is a great example of what can be achieved – people working together for a common goal.” The items are also used to support pupils in food and nutrition lessons and to help the council pack and deliver Christmas food hampers to less fortunate pupils. The school was also able to run a stall making fruit kebabs during its mini fete, which raises funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Community spirit: Mayor of Sandwell, cllr Ahmadul Haque, with pupils from left, Berez Lawrence, Georgia Tooth, Sharni Tomkins and Parminder Kaur, at the new defibrillator.

Pupils raise money to install life-saving defibrillator

The write stuff: From left, Bailey Devereux, Samuel Bell, Freddie King and Taylor Bullard.

Five budding poets at Westbourne Academy showed they have the write stuff after impressing judges in a national contest to have their poems published.

Taylor Bullard, Bailey Devereux, Freddie King, Samuel Bell and Demi Hart, entered their poems into the Young Writers’

Busta Rhymes national poetry competition, and their poems have now been featured in the Busta Rhyme – a publication showcasing young writers’ work.

The poems included a joint piece about a school production and a poem about the “beautiful game” of football.

Community-spirited children joined forces with elderly residents as part of a new gardening club. Pupils from Bristnall Hall Academy and the Prince’s Trust rolled up their sleeves to tackle overgrown land around Barlow Homes in Pound Road, Oldbury. The club was launched by volunteers from the local community, Sandwell councillors and local police in a bid to spruce up land around 39 Barlow Trust bungalows for the elderly residents. Members meet every Wednesday morning and volunteers will cut back overgrown bushes and tidy the gardens ready for residents to start putting in bulbs and plants. Vince Green, Principal at Bristnall Hall Academy, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to work hard alongside local residents and volunteers to really make a difference in our community. I am extremely proud of all of the pupils, staff and volunteers who are involved in this worthwhile initiative.”

Gardening club brings together young and old

Hathaway Academy is celebrating the sporting achievements of two of its pupils.

Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker, 15, and Ruby Bridger, 14, have both shown dedication, talent and drive for their athletics. Emmanuel , who was born with one arm due to a rare birth defect, competed in time trials for the 100 and 200-metre races at an introduction day for British para athletes, at Loughborough University. He ran his best time of 11.67 seconds in the 100 metres and 24.30 seconds in the 200-metre sprint.

Meanwhile, Ruby developed a love for the sport in year 4, and was placed fourth at the Indoor Nationals Competition for 60-metre hurdles. She also represented Hathaway Academy at Essex Schools regional competition, winning gold in the 75-metre hurdles and from there, was selected to compete at the England Schools competition.

Young cyclists lead Tour of Britain

Ex-pupil moves from Ollerton to Orlando to pursue dream An 18-year-old girl’s ambitious move from Ollerton, Nottinghamshire to Orlando to continue her cross country running dream has certainly not slowed down the starlet. For Beth Williams, who left Duckeries Academy this year after receiving her A-level results, has made a superb start to her athletics career in the USA after winning a scholarship to the University of Central Florida. Competing for the university, Beth opened her cross-country season by leading her team to third place at Florida Atlantic University Invitational event. In the individual placings, she finished ninth. She also raced at the Mountain Dew Invitational at Gainesville in Florida, recording a time of 18.42 minutes in the 5k. It earned her 21st position individually and helped her team to finish sixth of the 32 competing.

Judo star: Tom Davis with Pool Hayes Academy pupils.

Cross country runner: Beth Williams.

Commonwealth judo star visits academyFormer judo champion Tom Davis spent an afternoon with a group of pupils at Pool Hayes Academy. The former commonwealth and British judo champion inspired the boys when he spoke to them about how sport changed his life and gave him a purpose. The group of boys undertook team building challenges and shared their dream jobs. They planned how to reach their goals and took on difficult problem-solving tasks. Tom, who competed in the 81kg category, won the Commonwealth and British championships in 2005 and trained hard for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He now works with Sky Sports as an athlete mentor, inspiring pupils across the UK.

Hathaway Academy celebrates pupils’ athletic achievements

Rising stars: Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker and Ruby Bridger.

Pedal power: The Tour of Britain cycle race.

Healthy treats:Fruit tasting using items from Ocado and Aldi.

Green fingers: Bristnall Hall Academy pupils helping the community with gardening work

8 | Transforming Lives Transforming Lives | 9

Energetic pupils at Caldmore Academy swapped their uniform

for sportswear when they took part in a national exercise challenge.

The children took a short break from the classroom to get their hearts racing for National Fitness Day.They were encouraged to move around the school energetically while doing exercises such as hopping and star jumps.

Walsall FC coaches also led football activities on the field using the school's new play equipment. National Fitness Day encourages the nation to celebrate the fun of fitness and physical activity across the UK. It is also a chance to highlight the

role physical activity plays across the UK, helping raise awareness of its importance in helping to lead healthier and active lifestyles.

Amy Bills, Principal, said: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with a very important message; raising the profile of physical and emotional well-being. Our expert safeguarding team has devised an annual overview with key safeguarding themes throughout the year, which teachers will weave into their planning.

"We are determined not only to educate our children, but also to empower them in order to ensure that they are resilient, able to overcome barriers to learning and fulfil their potential."

Academy newsAcademy news

Jubilee Academy pupils rock it for project Pupils from Jubilee Academy enjoyed musical-themed lessons when they took part in the Rock It Music Project. Children from years 1 – 6 worked towards the London College of Music exams and have achieved passes, distinctions and merits in level 1,2,3 ensemble. They perform at assemblies and more recently as part of a steelpan band event at the summer fayre.

Academy scoops silver schools Games Mark Award Staff and pupils at Westbourne Academy have been awarded a prestigious silver Schools Games Mark Award in recognition of their commitment to developing competition across the school. The academy worked hard to secure silver for the 2016/2017 year, including celebrating the achievements of individuals and teams who represent the academy in athletics, trampolining, rugby, table tennis, football, netball, rounders and cricket. The government-led awards scheme was set up in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. Mr Garry Trott, Principal at Westbourne Academy, said: “We are extremely proud of our pupils and their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who make our competitions possible.”

Tuneful: Jubilee Academy pupils taking part in a music project.

A choir and dance club celebrated diversity in the community when they performed at a culture festival.

Caldmore Primary Academy pupils showed off their talent when they took to the stage at the Cultures of Walsall event. The day was a celebration of diversity throughout the community. Amy Bills, Principal, said: “I am immensely proud to lead the academy and to serve the community of Caldmore.

striking new look greets pupils and staff A fresh new look awaited pupils and staff as the new term began at The Nicholas Hamond Academy. A team of painters worked tirelessly throughout the summer to give the inside of the building a facelift. They created a striking blue wall on the foyer adorned with the academy’s moto “determined to be the best that we can be”. The corridors have also been repainted in vibrant academy colours of green, red, blue and purple denoting each area.

Great outdoors: Sutton Community Academy pupils enjoying their camp trip.

New look: A striking blue wall has been painted in the foyer of Nicholas Hamond Academy.

Campers unleash inner Bear GryllsOutdoor enthusiasts unleashed their inner Bear Grylls when they spent three days on a camp adventure. The year 7 Sutton Community Academy pupils swapped their creature comforts to take part in a scavenger hunt, orienteering, den building and a forest walk, during their stay at YHA Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe. Tim Croft, Principal, said: “The event is an invaluable experience for all who attend and it is often the first time that some of them have been away from their parents. “It allows pupils to bond with each other and their tutor outside of the normal school environment. pupils in Year 11 often write about their camp experiences in the leaver’s book.”

Caldmore Academy celebrates National Fitness Day

Pupils at Star Academy have been enjoying new equipment in their

playground.

Pupil voice suggested installing the new equipment in order to keep the children busy and engaged, but with the huge cost they thought it would be unfeasible.

However, after spotting an article on Facebook about getting play equipment for free via a Lottery bid, the school applied and were successful.

The whole process took about 10 months from initial meeting to the equipment being fitted.The school now has large climbing equipment and playground markings to ensure that teachers are able to maximise the use of the outdoor learning space. The markings will allow outdoor learning in both maths and English.

Caroline Lewis, assistant Principal, said: “The excitement has been clear to see - and hear - when the children are using the new equipment. I am so pleased that they like it and I’m hoping that I will see more outdoor learning taking place.”

Lottery bid secures play equipment

It was lift-off for four Westbourne Academy pupils when they

constructed and launched a rocket carrying an egg during a week-long course with National Grid.

Harriet Andrews, Melissa Dakin, Ashleigh Goddard and Jensen Larkin spent a week at the energy network operator’s primary training centre near Newark, Nottinghamshire, to learn about gas and electricity transmission through class-based and practical training. During the week the pupils saw first-hand the size and scale of the hardware used in the energy supply industry and discovered what it takes to keep the lights on and the gas flowing. They also had a chance to explore the challenges involved in ensuring that our energy supply is affordable,

reliable and sustainable in the future. Jensen excelled in the cyber security simulation and took the lead to provide a timely solution to a terrorist threat.

All of the pupils worked ceaselessly to construct gas and electricity networks, which involved planning and constructing high and low-pressure gas pipelines and high and low voltage electrical cabling. The pupils were then introduced to the health and safety requirements of working with high-pressure gas lines and high-voltage electrical cabling, which involved lots of explosions and noise. The course also included an insight into the selection procedure and encouraged pupils to consider how their personality type could affect the way they work in and construct teams. The course left the pupils inspired to consider the opportunities available in the energy sector.

Choir and dance club perform at cultural event

Year 10 pupils become National Grid engineers

“Our children thoroughly enjoyed performing on stage and it was wonderful to see so many parents there to support them. “Huge thanks to Mrs Metcalfe and Mrs Tolley who continuously dedicate their time and expertise for the good of the children.”

Lift off: Jensen Larkin constructs a rocket launcher.

Budding engineer: Ashleigh Goddard looks pleased as her electrofusion joints are passed as safe.

Team work: The team after completing the gas network.

Celebrating diversity: Caldmore Primary Academy pupils performing at the Cultures of Walsall event.

Keeping fit: Caldmore Academy pupils taking part in National Fitness Day.

Performer of the year: Chloe Pearce and Conner Bilner.

10 | Transforming Lives Transforming Lives | 11

Bookworms raised more than £500 for charities helping seriously ill

children when they took part in a readathon.

Year 7 pupils from Mildenhall College Academy took part in the event, organised by national charity Read for Good, which promotes reading through sponsored readathons. The pupils set themselves a reading challenge before asking for sponsorship per book or per minute of reading. The money raised will go towards providing

Academy newsAcademy news

Six pupils from Iceni Academy are celebrating after being successful in a

demanding selection process to form the new pupil leadership team.

The pupils, who had already been through the prefect selection process, had to deliver a presentation, answer interview questions and were also assessed on their interactions with parents at open evening.

Stephen Plume, Principal, said: “We had record attendance at our open evening. Lots of our pupils were helping out, they are our best ambassadors after all, but the hopeful leadership candidates knew we would be asking for feedback from parents on them.

“They rose to the challenge as Iceni Academy pupils always do and we were delighted with the feedback from parents about all of the candidates. This year, the decision has been tougher than ever before but I am very pleased with our new pupil leadership team.”For the first time in its history, Iceni Academy was rated good by Ofsted last year and pupil leadership and pupil voice have been crucial in securing the improvements made in the academy. Pupils can now use the “Big-Brother style” diary room to give feedback, and Mr Plume wants to make the pupil voice louder than ever this year.

Josh Peacock, the new head boy, said: “Our teachers have worked incredibly hard over the past three years to improve all aspects of the academy. Our results are now something to be very proud of and all pupils will play a key role in future improvements.”

Young historians at Mildenhall College Academy had a special visit from a documentary maker and retired university lecturer to help bring their studies to life.John Sutton visited year 13 historians in a bid to develop their knowledge on Matthew Hopkins – the 17th Century Witchfinder General. As part of their history course the pupils were required to study the witch craze across Europe and the Americas during the 17th Century. John, who lectured at the Cambridge College of Art and Technology, used clips from his documentary, A War in the Kingdom, as well as primary documents to challenge the pupils’ understanding of Hopkins and the witch craze. Pupils also attended a lecture in Bury St Edmunds to learn more about Hopkins. Pupil Freya Sumner, said: “John really brought the lesson to life and helped me to put what I have learned into context.”

Richard Kerridge, lead practitioner for history, added: “Having John visit MCA6 was a particularly special visit for me as not only did John teach me during my university days but he has now also taught my son, who is in the history class. “John’s influence has never left me and during my career I have tried to mirror his style. His passion and knowledge are what drove him and I try to do the same.”

Top team: From left Chris Bailey, deputy head, Josh Peacock, Luke Johnson,Jess Webb, Jess Smith and Olivia Rodwell.

Iceni Academy unveils new top team

Career path workshops at Jubilee AcademyInnovative children took part in a Dragon’s Den-style exercise when they pitched their creative ideas to a judging panel. As part of career path workshops held at Jubilee Academy, pupils in years 5 and 6 shared and delivered their ideas in the form of a presentation to a panel of judges.The workshops were led by Lorenzo Cosco from Education Business Services – a local business that has experience of supporting schools with career advice and guidance. They included raising the children’s awareness of aspirations and career paths, with guest speakers from a variety of industries including the Department for Work and Pensions and local businesses. The pupils were shown the importance of effective CV writing, filling in application forms, listening/interview techniques and personal presentation.

Theatre company takes pupils on a magical journey A theatre company delighted pupils when they took to the stage at two academies to perform their play, A Little Princess. M&M Theatrical Productions visited Caldmore Primary Academy and North Walsall Primary Academy to entertain pupils. The play had an anti-bullying/friendship theme.

Career-minded: Pupils enjoying the workshop.

Magical journey: M&M productions performing their play at North Walsall Primary Academy

Documentary-maker visits young historians

Special visit: John Sutton with Mildenhall College Academy history pupils.

It was “A Stars” all around for pupils at Jubilee Academy who will be acting as

road safety sheriffs for the school in a bid to raise awareness and keep kids safe.

Children from years 4 and 5 nominated two of their fellow classmates to take up the role. The “sheriffs”, called A Star coordinators, will deliver road safety activities in and around school as well as deliver assemblies to help raise awareness of road safety. They will also ensure the school’s A Star website and noticeboard is updated and will design and launch road safety competitions for their fellow pupils.

The co-ordinators have put together a plan for the year with the help of Walsall Council, which involves checking signs and roads outside the school to ensure suitable and adequate signs are displayed. They have also reviewed the way the children come in and out of school to ensure maximum safety. A Star stands for Active, sustainable, travel and road safety.

Murder mystery maths Year 6 pupils at Kingsmoor Academy enjoyed a maths class with a difference when they dressed up as detectives and solved a murder mystery. In true murder mystery style, the children were given a file of evidence about the murder, which they used to find out who the killer was. The file included the number of people in the house, noise level, outdoor temperature, electricity use and the suspects’ pulse rates over the course of the day.

Make Your Mark: The ballot at Nicholas Hamond Academy.

Pupils make their markWhat are the issues the youth of today want to see addressed by politicians? Pupils at the Nicholas Hamond Academy spoke out recently when they took part in national Ballot, Make Your Mark. The ballot will decide what members of the UK Youth Parliament should debate and vote on to be their campaign. The results of the academy’s survey will be added to the votes of young people across the country and the final tally will help the government identify areas of concern. The event generated thoughtful discussion between pupils and youth workers from the Iceni Partnership, in Swaffham, who ran the booth. The three top issues identified by pupils were mental health, protecting LGBT and the right to vote at aged 16.

Bookworms raise cash for charity

Road safety: A Star co-ordinators.

stop Look Listen

new books and storyteller visits to children in hospital. Joe Mottershead, English teacher who organised the event, said: "We had our best ever year for sponsorship and raised more than double the previous year for the second time running. "Thanks to everyone who contributed to that amazing total and special thanks to Bradley Chapman, Aimee McAllister and Reece Stannard who all received book tokens for being MCA’s top readathon fundraisers." As well as raising money for the charities, the academy also received a voucher for new books for the library. Pat Morley, library manager, said: "The pupils who took part in the readathon certainly had a great adventure. Spellbound in their books, the readers sat in the library like statues surrounded by the latest novels and much-loved great classics.”

Dan Mortiboys

an joined ATT as Chief Finance Officer at the start of September

2017 and is responsible for The Trust’s finances. Academies and schools across the country are facing financial challenges and Dan will be working with key staff to meet those challenges and make the best use of resources to support pupils across The Trust. His career began in the private sector where he spent 10 years, before working for a FTSE 100 company. Dan went on to work for his local council, and was involved with schools in different capacities for five years. He then spent the last two-and-a-half years working as assistant director of financial services and procurement for the NHS. In his new role, Dan is most looking forward to spending time in schools. “It is great to see all the activities that take place and the great ideas in action,” he explained. “It reinforces the importance of managing and using our finance and resources well.” As a married father of two young girls – Abigail, 8 and Lucy, 4 – Dan spends most of his spare time ferrying his family around to the various activities they are involved in. In April, he ran the London Marathon and raised £3,500 for Tommy’s – the UK’s leading baby charity – which is close to his heart.

Julie Bloor

ulie joined ATT as Chief Education Officer in September 2017.

Her new role will involve overviewing all school improvement across The Trust and reporting to the Executive and Board on the team’s progress.

With a career in education spanning more than 26 years, Julie’s previous experience includes leading two schools to outstanding as a headteacher, while as a national leader of education, she also set up and ran a teaching school.

Julie has two years’ experience working for another large Multi Academy Trust, running school improvement across a large area in the Midlands.

In her new role, she is looking forward to learning about each of the schools and the leaders, as well as supporting schools to work together and share good practice across The Trust.

Outside of work, Julie’s hobbies include reading and tending to her vegetable garden. She also enjoys house restoration, and is currently renovating a house in rural France that she brought with her husband 15 years ago. “So not only can I help improve your school,” said Julie. “I can also act as labourer for any renovation work, and I mix a mean bucket of cement.”

kirsty Woolls

irsty joined ATT as HR Director in August 2017. She will be

responsible for all HR-based activity within ATT, from both an operational and strategic perspective.

It is Kirsty’s role to ensure that HR activity is aligned to the core purpose of The Trust and to provide expert guidance on a variety of HR matters, including recruitment, discipline, redundancy, TUPE, maternity, paternity and sickness.

Kirsty will direct HR staff to ensure the delivery of an effective, efficient and economic HR service across The Trust. Previously, Kirsty worked as HR director for a general further education college in Warwickshire. Prior to that she held the role of HR manager at a large general multi-campus further education college in Worcestershire. She has held various HR roles within the education sector for 14 years, including HR adviser at the University of Birmingham.

In her new role, she is most looking forward to visiting all of ATT’s academies and getting to know everyone there. “I am excited about observing the success of our pupils and very much look forward to sharing my passion for education with like-minded colleagues,” Kirsty explained.

In her spare time, Kirsty, who has a passion for fitness, assists her husband in the running of his CrossFit gym. “In our spare time we attend numerous CrossFit competitions,” she said. “My husband competes, I spectate!”

12 | Transforming Lives

ATT News ATT News

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to staff who have recently joined ATT.

Welcome new staff

KJ D

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With the average family spending thousands of pounds a year on childcare, there is no doubt that signing up to a voucher scheme is a great way to help you keep the rising costs down, not only that but you can use them for all types of registered childcare – from holiday schemes to breakfast and after-school clubs, nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies, creches, au pairs, and more.

And with potential savings of up to £933 a year, the scheme can take the pressure off huge childcare costs. What’s more your partner can join their employer’s scheme too – doubling the savings potential.

You don’t have to use your childcare voucher straight away. You can save them to use when you need them most, such as childcare cover over the school holidays, or for an activity holiday.

Signing up to the scheme couldn’t be easier, just visit the childcare vouchers information page via the Together platform – together.attrust.org.uk. And with the smartphone enabled platform, you

can access your account on the move by adding it to your bookmark or favourites on your smartphone or tablet.

The Together platform has plenty of other benefits for employees to take advantage of including discounts on shopping and the Cycle-To-Work Scheme, which Sarah Souter, Regional HR Officer –East 1, has taken advantage of.

She said: “I decided to join the Cycle-to-Work scheme for a number of reasons, firstly, I live in a busy town and traffic really is a problem, being able to cycle enables me to get around quickly and efficiently, often being able to cycle quicker than I could drive. I am relatively new to the area and it has enabled me to get out and about and see some of the local sights that I wouldn’t have driven by. Lastly, I am really keen on looking after my health

and improving my fitness, being able to cycle fits in perfectly with this.” “I looked at the bike range in Halford’s in May and signed up to the scheme after I had picked the right one, by June I was able to go and pick the bike up and take it home. Halford’s were great at making sure the bike was adjusted correctly and arranged for me to come back after 6 weeks for a check-up and service to make sure everything was going well. “I would absolutely recommend the scheme.”

“I use childcare vouchers to pay my nursery and wasn’t aware of all the other types of childcare I could use them for. When my daughter gets older I’ll definitely continue using them wherever I can.”Kristal, Mum to her one-year-old daughter

1 Visit the Together platform

2 Begin registering by visiting the childcare vouchers page, you will need the scheme I.D which is 0021607135

3 Tell us how much salary you wish to sacrifice each month

4 Provide us with some brief information about your children

5 Use the online search tool to find your carer’s scheme registration number

6 Complete. You can now use your online account to pay your carer and manage your e-vouchers

Childcare VouchersHOW TO APPLY

“My childminder costs each month are less than the voucher value I receive, this allows me to save up over the year and pay for my daughter’s PGL school trip during the summer.”Jill, Mum to her 11-year-old daughter

Transforming Lives | 13

Did you know?Both parents can claim for childcare vouchers and they don’t have to be used right away. You can save them up and use them when you need them most. Terms and conditions apply.

For further information, please visit the childcare vouchers information page via the Together platform: together.attrust.org.uk

Transforming Lives | 1514 | Transforming Lives

Why it’s time we stopped calling children ‘average’

n the 1950s the US Air Force realised that its planes’ cockpits were too small for its pilots, who

had tended to put on pounds and inches in the 30 years since they were first designed for the average airman, so it commissioned a survey of 4,000 pilots to figure out what the new average was on a range of ten dimensions.

When the results were in, the air force was surprised to discover that not a single pilot was average across all ten fields. Even when the dimensions were reduced to three, only 3.5% of pilots registered as average in all of them. A pilot who was short in the leg could be long in the arm and vice versa. Varying chest circumferences, torso lengths and head sizes made any concept of average redundant. And so, with the miracle of adjustable seats, headrests and belts, cockpits were redesigned to accommodate the extremes – the tallest, shortest, fattest and thinnest – rather than any ‘average’.

Harvard academic Todd Rose recounts this anecdote in his book The End of Average, in which he argues that school systems often do what the USAF had tried to do: they prize standardisation and ignore variability and individuality. “Human beings don’t line up perfectly,” he says. “There is no average learner. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Even geniuses do.”

How the new GCsEs are stretching the concept of ‘average’

If you were asked what an average grade was in the new GCSEs, what would the answer be? Is it a standard pass, a 4, or a good pass, a 5? Or is it potentially any score from a 3, a near miss, to a 7, an approximate grade B in old money?

The answer I guess depends on expectations and on context. But there is no doubt that thanks to the overhaul of GCSEs, and the addition of more granular grading, our understanding of average has been officially stretched.

We’d like to go further. While ‘average’ is useful when looking at MAT and school-wide trends, when it comes to an individual child, we’d like to stretch ‘average’ so far that we only use it sparingly. The term doesn’t do justice to these children’s abilities, talents and problems.

What CAT4 tells us about the ‘average’ child

Consider the following: the vast majority of pupils – 80% according to our new study based on Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) data of over 24,000 children – exhibit some type of verbal, quantitative or spatial ability bias. Even if the quarter of children at the top and the quarter at the bottom of the ability range are excluded, the remaining 50% who lie in the ‘broad middle’ show distinct differences.

Three-fifths of these ‘broad middle’ children have a measurable propensity for or deficit in verbal, quantitative or spatial abilities (spatially able children think in pictures first before converting them into words). This means that although they might be regarded as solidly average, they have very different learning strengths and areas for development.

This has a significant impact on outcomes at GCSE. Among the half of pupils in the middle of the ability range, the chances of getting a B or above in English at GCSE ranged from one in ten to seven in ten in 2016, depending on their verbal ability bias. This is because, according to our analysis, only 2% of pupils who were weaker verbally gained an A or A* at English GCSE compared to 33% who were more verbally able.

Not accepting ‘average’ on face value, using more than one data set and delving into data from CAT4 can act as an early alert system so we can identify pupil potential and problems sooner rather than later. As Educational psychologist Poppy Ionides rightly says in our report: “The notion of average doesn’t elicit the awe and wonder of high scores or the concern often associated with low ones, but scores falling in the middle of the range deserve equal examination to those at the extremes. After all, each average score is part of a unique life story for which the future is all to play.”

ATT News

By shane Rae, head of publishing, GL Assessment

I

Download your free copy of GL Assessment’s report, ‘The Lost Middle: how the term ‘average’ can obscure student problems and potential’, at: www.gl-assessment.co.uk/lostmiddle All ATT schools are provided with CAT4 from Year 4 as part of the Complete Digital Solution. If you would like any support with any aspect of CAT4, please contact your Key Account Support Executive Shazia Ahmad on 020 8996 3616 or via email: Shazia.Ahmad@gl-assessment.co.uk.

Mildenhall College AcademyOur PSBP2 submission for Mildenhall College Academy secured the heavy refurbishment of the main academy block. Since the announcement of the successful block, the Estates department has worked extensively with both the cabinet office and the ESFA to transfer the successful funding and procure a new 1,350-place academy located at Mildenhall’s current sixth-form site. This project will form part of the Mildenhall Hub, an exemplar project locating all public services in Mildenhall within a single site solution. This has enabled ATT to utilise the feasibility to secure the requisite funding to move forward as part of the scheme.

Plans for the site to be developed are detailed here.

Nicholas Hammond Academy Following a successful bid to the Education Skills and Funding Agency, we have been able to secure self-delivery of refurbishment at Nicholas Hammond Academy. This is significant as it brings the delivery of the project forward by 18 months and has allowed Norfolk County Council to invest in the project to provide high-quality community facilities.

Currently, the sports centre, owned by Norfolk County Council, sits outside the academy’s boundary. This is muted to change once the building has been refurbished and the new build elements are complete, after which time the academy will assume ownership. In Phase 1 of the potential build project, the EFA money will pay for the refurbishment of the sports hall, girls/boys changing rooms, the academy equipment cupboard and a teacher’s office. The funding contribution from Norfolk County Council will pay for the reorganisation of the internal space to provide a larger gym and more spacious public changing facilities. Phase 2 of the proposal will be funded by Norfolk County Council. This may include an extension to the current building to accommodate a café/meeting area with kitchen facilities and an activity studio for use by the public during the day.

ATT, Norfolk County Council and Breckland District Council have held discussions and agreements are in place to ensure the sports centre remains open for use by the school and general public until the construction work starts, which is anticipated to be summer/autumn 2018.

This project will be procured via the Norfolk County Council framework, further stimulating the local economy with a further £2 million investment in the region that not only benefits the pupils and staff of the academy but the wider community as well. The above diagram outlines the initial design.

Ground floor

First Floor

Second Floor

ProjectsNew Build

Academy Transformation Trust believes that all children deserve a first class education, with pupil achievement,

in all its forms, at the heart of everything we do. Our estates strategy is focused on addressing the highest priority health and safety, condition issues and shortcomings in suitability to provide an outstanding learning environment for our pupils and staff.

Alongside our Schools Condition Allocation funding, we have four academies included in the second Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) which are currently completing the feasibility stage, and we have been able to secure self-delivery for 50% of these schemes.

Estates

Academy Transformation Trust, Suite 413, Jewellery Business Centre, 95 Spencer Street, Birmingham, B18 6DATel: 0121 794 7275 Email: office@academytransformation.co.uk Web: academytransformationtrust.co.uk Twitter: @AcademyTrust

Do you want to be part of a Trust that transforms the lives and aspirations of pupils?For more information on vacancies, Governor roles or becoming an ATT academy, get in touch.

academytransformationtrust.co.uk @AcademyTrust office@academytransformation.co.uk

Hosted by Diversity’s Perri and Jordan, the event showcases the hard work and dedication of our outstanding pupils at ATT’s 22 academies.

When? Where?7th December 2017 Birmingham City Council House