Education News November 2009
Bridging history
Pupils from Sebright Primary have helped build a float for this year’s Lord Mayor’s show.
As part of the project, Year Six students from the E2 school created a scale model bridge that could span the Thames.
The work, led by the Building Exploratory, celebrates the 800th anniversary of the first stone bridge over the Thames river. In addition to creating the model, pupils were set to perform a routine during the procession on 14 November, choreographed by contemporary dance company Candoco Dance Company, N1.
Students also took part in various other activities, including building their own mini models.
One said: “I learned that there are different types of bridges that can move in different ways – and that the impossible can be possible.”
The bridge is made from laser-cut aluminium and timber and consists of 40 moving segments, designed to roll and unroll during the parade.
Thomas Heatherwick, who designed the bridge, added: “We had an incredible response from the children and it has been exciting to see this large mechanical bridge taking shape in our workshop.”
16 November 2009
Singing in its official opening
Homerton's new City Academy has been officially opened by Ian Luder, Lord Mayor of the City of London.
More than 180 guests attended the celebration on 4 November and heard the first public performance of the Academy’s song, composed by its pupils.
The Lord Mayor grew up in the area and his father was a teacher at a previous school on the same site.
The academy, which is Hackney’s fourth, opened to pupils on 3 September. It specialises in business and finance and is due to offer over 1,100 places for 11 to 18-year-old students by 2013. A fifth, Skinners’ Academy, is scheduled to open in 2010.
16 November 2009
On the run towards the Games
Olympic sprint hopeful Ryan Scott took on an altogether different challenge from his usual 100m training last month.
Marking 1,000 days to the Olympics (31 October), Ryan – along with students and staff from Hackney Community College (HCC) – ran, cycled or rowed at least 1,000m over a week in the College’s gym for charity.
Their aim was a grand total of one million metres. After running, Ryan, who has recently moved to the Capital to train full time for London 2012, spoke to BTEC sports students about his training schedule and hopes for the Games. Students also asked questions about diet and the financial side of an athlete’s career.
HCC Principal, Ian Ashman, said: “We're really grateful that Ryan has taken time out of his training schedule to meet our students and take part in our own 2012 challenge.”
16 November 2009
Brain food at breakfast
Pupils from three primary schools in Hackney can enjoy food and fun every school day, thanks to a breakfast club.
The club is held at St John of Jerusalem Primary School, but also opens its doors to pupils from Orchard and Lauriston primary schools. The club is supported by Sanctuary Housing, The Learning Trust and Let’s Get Fit for Sport, a Hackney-based sports education company.
From 8am every school day, between 20 and 30 children are given a healthy breakfast, plus the chance to take part in supervised sports and games before their lessons begin.
Stephanie Killer, Sanctuary’s regional director, said: “We wanted to support this breakfast club as it gives parents more options and greater flexibility.
“Not only do they have the reassurance of a safe place for their children, but also the youngsters get the chance to socialise with friends and share a nutritional breakfast in a fun environment.”
2 November 2009
Follow your Olympic dreams
Olympic medallists inspired Year 9 students at The Bridge Academy to follow their dreams.
David Hemery, gold medallist in the 1968 Mexico Olympics in the 400m hurdles, and Guin Batten, silver medallist in rowing at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, explained how they found a way to overcome obstacles.
During a workshop called ‘Be the Best You Can Be’ students were taught to focus on the values and qualities that would most help achieve their dreams.
One student said:
“Even if people put you down, you can achieve. Guin was told she couldn’t row because she was too small, but she did it anyway.”
Common themes discussed were selfawareness, persistence and self-belief. The students later put this into practice as they aimed to improve their times on a circuit of sporting activities including rowing, standing jumps and sprints.
The half-day workshop last month was a joint initiative with East London Business Alliance and 21st Century Legacy, the charity set up by David Hemery.
Anne Barton, Interim Principal at The Academy, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to inspire our students and to get them to think and talk about their dreams.”
2 November 2009
Top-class GCSE results
Schools in the borough can take pride in achieving some of the most improved GCSE results nationwide.
Data from the Department of Children, Schools and Families found Hackney to have the highest increase in students achieving at least five A* to C grades, including English and Maths, in the country. As students celebrated their results as individuals, the schools saw GCSE results improve 8.8 percentage points compared to 2008.
In addition the borough has also improved by 34.5 percentage points since 1998, one of the largest jumps nationwide and second only to Kensington and Chelsea.
2 November 2009
Passing education back
Schools secretary Ed Balls has announced his intention to end his department's formal intervention in the running of education services in Hackney.
He said he was pleased with improvements in Hackney's schools and would end intervention as soon as he was convinced the necessary support to continue the good progress was in place.
Central Government intervened in 2002, when The Learning Trust was set up to improve educational standards in the borough. The Council signed a 10-year contract with the Trust, making it responsible for running all schools, nurseries and play centres.
Key improvements include higher GCSE pass rates, and 90 per cent of the borough's secondary schools graded as good or outstanding by schools inspector Ofsted.
2 November 2009
Going strong at 50
Hitting 50 may mean time to slow down for some; but for Cardinal Pole Catholic School it signifies a bumper year of celebrations.
Since its Golden Jubilee festivities began in September, the school has had barbecues, a charity walk and a visit to the burial ground of the school’s namesake Cardinal Reginald Pole (1500-1558) at Canterbury Cathedral.
Katherine Hartigan, Cardinal Pole’s headteacher, said:
“The real strength of the school is its welcoming and warm atmosphere where individuals feel valued and have the opportunity to develop spirituality as well as academically”.
Cardinal Pole is looking for former pupils and staff to get in touch for upcoming events. For info call: 0208 985 5150 or email: christinethompson@cardinalpole.co.uk.
2 November 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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