CEO Blog

• Local democracy

  Mon 17 Oct 2022

  Our family of schools received a visit from a local MP who used to attend one of our schools. Mark Eastwood the Member of Parliament for Dewsbury used to be a pupil at Upper Batley High School and he was elected as the MP for Dewsbury in the 2019 elections. Mark visited to tour the school and see how much the site has been transformed over recent years. He met with the School Council who interviewed him about his education, his background, his family and how he feels MPs can help to improve their local community, as well as have a positive impact on national politics and law making in the UK. The questions were astute, challenging and insightful and the learners were keen to know what Mark could do on a national level to help those less fortunate than himself, and what they could do as young leaders on a local level during these challenging times where some families face the difficult decision of heat or eat in their homes this winter. The school is hugely proud of its highly successful careers programme which has regular visits from Alumni to see where successful learners are now, and find out about their career and life story. 

   

  The older members of the School Council are part of an election themselves next week as they go through hustings to elect the next Head Boy. The Head Boy post is a very privileged position and will support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver their development priorities this year. Democracy is a key humanitarian value respected across all of our schools and we wish all of the candidates the very best of luck!

  

• Let's all be aware

  Sun 09 Oct 2022

  World Mental Health Day 2022 is all about raising awareness of mental health issues across the world, and finding ways to enhance mental health support.

   

  You can find out further details via the World Health Organisation’s website. Each and every day, across our family of schools, we continually focus on mental health and wellbeing and how to look after each other through difficult times. The pandemic continues to take its toll on our ability to reconnect, and today gives us a focused opportunity to protect and improve mental health.

   

  We need to remove the stigma from mental health and strive to find ways to support each other and provide help to those who need it. If you had a broken bone, you would go to A&E for support and treatment. Mental health also needs support and it is our duty to ensure people don't feel embarrassed or unable to ask for the support they need. We can all play a part in helping others if we see signs of them struggling and also we should ask for help if we need it ourselves. Remember, it is ok not to be ok.

   

  Every year our family of schools takes part in the Great Get Together campaign that takes place in both summer and winter. Its purpose is to tackle loneliness and to bring people together. We also focus on connection and wellbeing each and every day. We asked some of our staff and young people how they look after their own wellbeing and here is a summary of their top ten tips:

  1. Call or visit a friend to talk
  2. Go for a walk
  3. Read a book
  4. Listen to music
  5. Play a team sport (football was the most popular answer!)
  6. Go for a bike ride
  7. Paint or draw
  8. Visit an elderly relative
  9. Make (or ask someone to make) their favourite meal
  10. Do something kind for someone else

   

  Maybe this week all of us could think about number 10 and do something kind to help a friend, a neighbour, a colleague or a school friend. After all, no act of kindness can ever be underestimated.

  

• Showcasing Success

  Mon 03 Oct 2022

  Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School were delighted to be featured as a successful case study with Ruth Miskin Training recently.

   

  The Headteacher, Luisa Lang has instilled a love of learning and a passion for reading across the whole school since the first day she arrived. Upon your arrival at the school, one of the first things that greets you are the lovely displays about the current books being read in school, and the well stocked library. Each week parents/carers have the opportunity to come in with their children and borrow books to read at home with the whole family.

   

  Luisa Lang introduced the Read Write Inc phonics programme and huge success has been evidenced. Children are motivated and engaged with the lessons and the resources as they like the routine and structure. Parents are impressed by the progress children are making in school. The stories are engaging and fun, and children enjoy re-reading the stories to build their fluency. Reading is a key life skill, and is so fundamental to wellbeing. Reading is also a great way to develop your vocabulary, your imagination, and to relax. After all, you are never alone when you have a good book. 

   

  You can read the full case study here.