Education News
Bringing a sense of justice to schools
A DVD for schools aimed at inspiring youngsters to consider global development and poverty issues will be launched during Fairtrade Fortnight (23 February to 8 March).
‘Are You A Fairtrade School – All You Need To Know’ provides ideas and inspiration for pupils and teachers seeking to support farmers and workers in the developing world.
It also gives handy tips on how schools can achieve Fairtrade status by meeting certain criteria, including setting up a steering group, and committing to use Fairtrade products. So far, more than 2,500 UK schools are registered.
Lynette Aitken, schools co-ordinator for the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the initiative.
“Children have a very clear sense of justice so Fairtrade seems to resonate with them.”
Hundreds of schools will take part in activities during the fortnight, ranging from fashion shows to film screenings. Farmers from Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and St Lucia will be visiting schools across the UK to talk to students about the potential of Fairtrade to make a difference to global poverty.
Maintaining top scores
Stormont House secondary school for children with special educational needs has been declared ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for the second time.
Government inspectors praised the school in Downs Park Road, Clapton, for its teaching and caring ethos and described its curriculum as ‘outstandingly effective’.
Headteacher Kevin McDonnell and his team were recognised for their excellent leadership, and the governors for their ‘exemplary’ support.
The school was rated as outstanding in all five categories: overall effectiveness; achievement and standards; personal development and wellbeing; and the quality of provision, leadership and management.
The report states that the school has continued to improve on its performance since a previous inspection in 2005 when it was also judged to be outstanding and adds: “The quality of the teaching is excellent.
“The students enjoy their lessons and respond by trying their best.”
Mr McDonnell said: “The pupils are pleased to see their personal efforts and outstanding achievements acknowledged; and the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment being recognised.
“We will continue to focus on our vision of ‘Achievement For All’ through outstanding teaching and learning.”
Back to college
Hackney Community College currently features in a national television ad campaign starring local boy made good, Sir Alan Sugar.
The businessman and star of BBC hit show, The Apprentice, is the spokesperson for the Learning and Skills Council’s new campaign to promote apprenticeships and the contribution they make to business. The ad was filmed last November on the main campus in Falkirk Street, Hoxton, after it was selected from over 400 possible colleges. The main locations used for the advert were the college’s new training kitchens and motor vehicle workshop.
Real students, including young people from HCC, are featured as well as a group of media students who played extras. The film’s director Stephanie Cleak from the Government’s Central Office of Information said: “It was a joy to work with Hackney Community College.
“The staff and students we worked with were patient and coped very well with our disruption. Everyone was absolutely lovely and recognised the pressure we were under to meet the needs of the crew.”
The advert will be shown on national TV in February and March.
Blazing a trail for the future
Nearly 200 Hackney students were recognised for their achievements in education, creative arts, music and sport.
An event at the Hackney Empire celebrated the borough's ‘trailblazers’, children and young people who have broken barriers to achieve excellence in education.
Hackney Trailblazers Countdown, an annual prize-giving event organised by The Learning Trust, honoured students from 12 schools. They were nominated by teachers in a variety of categories, including ‘achieving against all odds’ and ‘turning your life around’.
Winners included Jason Eden, of the UK Paralympic squad and regional high jump champion, and Shantel Williams, who arrived in the UK with English as a second language four years ago, and through hard work gained great results at Key Stages Three and Four.
MTV presenter and Choice FM DJ, Kat B, hosted the show and provided the laughs for the packed audience while Alex Amosu, the millionaire founder of RnB Ringtones, gave an inspirational speech about the secret of his success.
Entertainment was provided by Turkish band Anatolia, Hackney Gospel Choir, Hackney Schools Training Orchestra and Sabrina Chantelle Garner, Hackney’s newly appointed Poet Laureate. Francesca Danmole, a former award winner, also spoke about her experience as a Trailblazer.
Kat B said: “I’m in awe of the young people I have met tonight. In my job, I meet the rich and famous day in and day out, but today, I met real stars. These students should be an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride to their teachers, parents and carers, and Hackney.”
BSix league table success
The publication of national league tables for A-level results saw jubilation among staff and students at BSix.
The Kenninghall Road sixth form’s points score per student has climbed from 583.5 in 2007 to 632.8 in 2008, outperforming all further education colleges in London. The points per examination entry has also risen from 190.5 to 204.1 – the best of all schools and colleges in Hackney.
Principal Ken Warman said: “This is a fine reward for two years of hard work by staff and students. However, this is just the start, it is not a flash in the pan.”
BSix and Hackney Community College were also in the top five per cent in the country for value-added performance – when A-level results are compared to the GCSE qualification students achieved.
Honour for A-level star
A high achieving student from Hackney Community College (HCC) has been honoured by the Bangladeshi High Commissioner for his A-level performance.
Mohammed Abdul Hakim was chosen from numerous students across Britain and Northern Ireland who were nominated for the British Bangladeshi Students Awards.
He achieved straight As in maths and sciences.
Mohammed was presented with his award by Jean Lambert MEP and Acting High Commissioner for Bangladesh to UK H.E. Mr. Allama Siddiki at a ceremony in Baden Powell House in West London.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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