Education News August 2008
A Hollywood actress visited Southwold Primary School in Clapton to unveil an underwater mural designed by pupils.
Eileen Essell, whose films include Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, made her screen debut at the age of 78.
The mural is part of the ‘changing:spaces’ project run by arts charity Create.
It features words to encourage pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL) to learn and enjoy being creative in both their first and second languages.
The children came up with designs and poetry for the mural in workshops run over two weeks by Create’s artists and writers. They also put together a series of backdrops for an existing outdoor stage.
Gary Boyd, headteacher of the E5 school, said: “Our pupils will see their visions of skies, mountains and meadows come to life using art.”
Create’s Executive Director, Nicky Goulder, said: “Changing:spaces puts children’s creativity at the centre of this transformation. It means the final result is something they can feel proud of.”
Gary added: “The children are very excited at meeting a Hollywood star who has taken an interest in their work.
“They also very much look forward to watching the team transform our playground into a truly magical place.”
Challenge for the future
Pupils from Clapton Girls School took part in a Krypton Factor style challenge when they joined Minister for London Schools, Andrew Adonis, to launch a new strategy for the capital’s education.
The ‘Vision’ document aims to make London a world leader in urban education. It was unveiled at University College London, where over 100 state school pupils and university students tested their academic, problem-solving and team work skills.
Clapton pupils Amber Tenant-Fry and Tania Muhith teamed up with undergraduates, showing how London’s state secondaries will have a partnership with Higher Education institutions.
The document outlines the support London’s schools will receive until 2011, following an ?80million, three-year Government investment in the next phase of the London Challenge.
Andrew Adonis said: “London poses unique challenges. We are focused on ensuring there are more great schools, fewer underperforming schools, and that we break the link between deprivation and low achievement.”
The London Challenge was introduced in 2002 and is part of a drive to improve education in Greater Manchester, the Black Country and the capital.
More information
Download the London Challenge Vision at: www.dcsf.gov.uk/citychallenge.
Heading for the catwalk
Designers from Hackney were among 22 finalists who took part in a summer school to win the chance to show off their handiwork at London Fashion Week.
The four were chosen from 100 entrants to attend youth charity Fashion Awareness Direct’s (FAD) summer workshops at Central Saint Martins college.
They were given one week to make up their final designs, the results of which will be unveiled at a catwalk event during London Fashion Week next month.
The finalists were asked to create a contemporary garment and accessory inspired by ancient Chinese art, to be be worn in the front row at Shanghai Fashion Week.
Hackney Community College student Beauty Begum (below) said: “I had to learn to deal with pressure – but in a very friendly atmosphere. Everyone has been very supportive and we were all cheering each other on.”
The garments and overall winner will be presented at the fourth FAD junior awards in September. Before then, the finalists will get to visit the design studios of retailer Mango in Barcelona, Spain.
They will also be competing for a valuable work placement within the fashion industry.
“The summer school and catwalk show will be a really big stepping stone,” said Ken-Q Lam, from Cardinal Pole RC School. “Even if we don’t win it’s been an amazing experience.”
Emily McShane, from Our Lady’s school, added: “This has taught me to just go for it and be more experimental.”
More information
Visit: www.fad.org.uk.
Welcome to our world
Budding young photographers and filmmakers from across Hackney have proudly exhibited their work.
They were mentored by professionals on a project to document their local area in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Youngsters received expert tips on photography, film and music as part of a project to showcase Hackney’s culture to the rest of the world.
Pupils from Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls, E5; Kingsmead Primary, E9; Berger Primary, E9; Rushmore Primary, E5; and Millfields Primary, E5, began work on the Welcoming the World project in February.
They were among more than 450 children from across the five Olympic host boroughs who contributed – as part of the London 2012 Education Programme.
One Millfields pupil said:
“I loved learning to take photographs because sometimes when you want to tell someone something, it’s not that easy, but by taking photographs you can show them and explain. I found out that people see different things in a picture.”
The finished work was unveiled at a celebration event on 4 July in Greenwich.
Ballroom to bathroom
A ballroom dancing display was just one way of celebrating the success of Hackney’s youth – and the business people who support them.
Inspire! – Hackney’s Education Business Partnership – hosted a reception in the City last month to mark its fourth year.
In the past 12 months, the charity has sourced 2,154 work placements with more than 1,200 employers. It has also attracted over 400 business volunteers to support primary school children with numeracy and literacy, and delivered over 2,500 work-related sessions in secondary school and colleges.
Alhaji Jabbie, 16, a former pupil at Hackney Free & Parochial School, is a graduate of the Inspire! Ready 4 Work programme, which provides intensive support and workplace learning for students who need help and motivation.
He said: “I was in school and doing good, but after Year 8, it got boring. I did an extended work placement at Division 5 builders in Dalston, and in September I’m looking to study plumbing and have applied for apprenticeships.”
Pupils from Lauriston, Jubilee and Gayhurst primary schools were a star attraction on the night, as they showed off their fleetfooted skills.
Inspire! director, David Blagbrough, said: “We hear a lot about problems and difficulties. But we have some very talented and remarkable young people. Volunteers enable them to fulfil their potential.”
PE with predator
Over 700 pupils from Haggerston School for Girls got the opportunity to train with a Gladiator and compete in the fit4schools programme to raise money for their PE department.
Olympic medalist Du’aine Ladejo, otherwise known as Predator in the popular TV series, was on hand at the E2 secondary school to get the girls moving through a series of simple circuit exercises.
“We are thrilled to have a Gladiator come down and help raise money for a worthwhile cause,” said staff member Kiersten Donohue.
“The fit4schools programme will help motivate our girls to keep them focused, entertained and inspired to raise £5 each towards new PE facilities.”
The programme, founded by Gladiator Du’aine almost ten years ago, aims to get children involved with out-of-school activities and raise awareness of healthy eating.
“Actively participating in sports helps concentration, memory and learning,” Du’aine said. “We’re looking forward to making a difference in these children’s lives and hope the sporting skills they learn on the programme will remain with them for life.”
Page updated: 9 Sep 2008