Students First
Summer 14
Outlook
The news magazine of
Outwood Grange Family of Schools
A positive
‘Outlook’
IT gives me great pleasure to welcome you
to the summer edition of Outlook. There
have been some incredible achievements
by students at the Academy, and I hope
you find the news stories insightful.
Positive partnership: Lisa Lewis (Operations Director of OIE), Julie Slater (Chief Executive of OIE), Emma
Foster (Executive Director of OIE) and (insets) Chris Wilson (School Direct Manager) and Kathryn Brown
(Executive Assistant).
Sir Michael Wilkins, Academy Principal and
Chief Executive OGAT
WE have had a wonderful academic year,
and I cannot believe it is nearing the end.
We have said our farewells to students
in Years 11 and 13, and celebrated their
successes during their respective proms.
Our students have sat their GCSE and
A Level exams, and we look forward to
receiving the results in August.
In September, we will be welcoming our
new year 7 students and the arts cebtre
building will be opening early in the next
academic year.
I hope you enjoy reading more about
Outwood Grange Academy.
Sabiha Laher, Acting Principal
Outwood Institute of Education
Andrew Durham
(English), Rebecca Jowett (History),
Pride in our success: Alice Brown
erine Froggett (English).
Cath
and
lish)
(Eng
h
Smit
a
Jenn
hy),
(History), Emily Shaw (Geograp
Trainees step up to teaching
OUTWOOD Grange Academy and the
Outwood Institute of Education are proud
to announce that all 34 trainee teachers
completing their Postgraduate Certificate of
Education across our Family of Schools and
have successfully passed their training year
and are looking forward to taking up their
first teaching positions in September.
All of our trainees agree that the students
at Outwood Grange Academy and our
partner schools are a delight to work with,
and our students have certainly enjoyed
having them in their lessons. Well done to
our trainee teachers, and we look forward
to seeing you next year!
Meanwhile, we are recruiting the next
group of outstanding trainee teachers, with
places still available for a September start.
Anyone interested in becoming a teacher
should contact us at oie.outwood.com
Chris Wilson, School Direct Manager
and Assistant Principal
Fantastic
facilities
DO you know of, or are you part
of, a club or team that requires
sports facilities?
If so, Outwood Grange Academy
can help. We have some fantastic
facilities that suit a variety of
different activities.
Sarah Laxton, Lettings Officer
For more information, and to enquire
about facility hire, please contact:
Sports Lettings
01924 204350, ext 293
[email protected]
Or visit our webpage, www.grange.outwood.com/
facility-hire, for prices and a booking form.
THE Outwood Teaching School has
been a huge success since its inception
three years ago, delivering professional
development programmes to both
teaching and support staff across a wide
geographical area.
Because of this success, we are
delighted to announce that the Teaching
School has been rebranded and will
be known as the Outwood Institute of
Education. The Institute will increase its
delivery of programmes for staff across
the country to ensure that all students
continue to come first by receiving an
outstanding education.
In addition to continuing in her role as
Executive Principal of Outwood Grange
Academy, Julie Slater has taken on the
position of Chief Executive, and we are
confident that under her leadership the
Institute will go from strength to strength.
Sir Michael Wilkins, Academy Principal &
Chief Executive, OGAT
University partnership
OUTWOOD Grange Academy is delighted
to announce a further university partnership,
this time with the University of Huddersfield.
The College, University, School Partnership
agreement (CUSP) shares mutual interests
in providing educational opportunities, in
enhancing progression routes to Higher
Educational achievement and in widening
participation, particularly among those who
do not traditionally participate in postcompulsory education.
The CUSP Partnership Agreement, the
first between a school and the university,
was signed by Acting Principal Sabiha
Laher and the Pro Vice-Chancellor of
the University, Professor Tim Thornton,
last month.
The university will guarantee interviews/
auditions or offers to all our students who
meet the published academic and nonacademic entry requirements.
Katie Rutter, Associate Assistant Principal
On brand: Rob Pierce,
Academy Graphic Designer.
Redesigning the Academy
THE Academy is undergoing a
radical transformation.
Since May last year, I have been
working with our graphic designer,
Rob Pierce, on large-scale displays,
brochures, flyers, postcards, banners,
information panels, maps, planners,
certificates, reception redesigns, desks,
clothing and prospectuses! We’ve even
designed badges, thermal cups and
reusable shopping bags!
Feedback from visitors has been
incredible, and we are looking forward
to designing the display spaces in the
new arts block.
Alison Jackson, Innovation Leader
Sad farewell
to an outstanding
teacher
IT was with great sadness that we
had to say goodbye to a long-serving
colleague, Dawn Buckley, aged 36,
who died after suffering a long-term
illness. Mrs Buckley was an outstanding
Maths teacher, and was very well
liked and respected by staff and
students alike. She is a great loss to
the teaching profession and we
miss her dearly.
Her funeral took place at Wakefield
Crematorium, and was attended by
both students and staff who all wanted
to say their goodbyes to Dawn.
We are now in the process of raising
money in memory of Mrs Buckley.
Sabiha Laher, Acting Principal
Science roundup
YEAR 9 students completed a number
of projects on Immersion Day, earning
themselves Discovery CREST awards.
IN March, more than 50 students
attended the Big Bang Fair at the NEC
in Birmingham. As well as attending
workshops and visiting careers stalls,
students looked at projects by finalists
in the National Science and Engineering
Competition, including our own Eve
Colley in Year 9.
IN June, Outwood Grange students
competed in the regional stage
of the National Science and
Engineering Competition.
Activities during National Science and
Engineering Week included forensic
and DNA workshops, both during and
after lessons.
Enrichment workshops for Gifted and
Talented students have been running
every Wednesday across the Academy
during the summer term, ranging from
film-making to debating.
Thirty-six Year 8 students were given the
opportunity to research, design and solve
real-life engineering problems in the
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Faraday Challenge Day.
Rebecca Simmonds, Science Teacher
Insight into forensics:
Vicky Chown, Alex Horler
and Steph Shires, Year 10.
Research team: Charlotte Sampson, Brooke Tempest,
Teigan Crossley and Beth Sampson, Year 9.
PhotogRaphy masterclass
IN February, the Art Department gave A2
photographers the opportunity to learn the art
of portraiture from one of the leading exponents
in the field.
In a full-day workshop at the National Mining
Museum, Anton Want shared his experiences,
inspiration and technical know-how with the
students, who had the chance to see his work, which
is beautifully displayed in the Mining Museum gallery.
Anton challenged the students to capture
portraits and their stories around the museum, and
later offered critical feedback after projecting their
photographs onto a big screen.
Alison Jackson, Innovation Leader
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Democracy in action: Grace
Farrer, Year 12, Emma
Worthington and Saul
Armitage-Lamptey
Year 11, and Elysia
O’Neal, Year 12.
Politics in practice
BACK in March, the History Department
took 40 students for a ‘Political
Experience’ in London.
The aim was to give AS Government
& Politics students the opportunity to
see what they had been studying put
into practice, and to inspire Year 11
students who are thinking of studying
Government & Politics in the Sixth Form.
During their visit, the students toured
the Houses of Parliament and listened to
live debates in the House of Commons
and House of Lords, where Lord Sugar
was the star attraction. They also had
the chance to talk to local MP and
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Ed Balls.
Non-political highlights included a trip
on the London Eye and the Harry Potter
experience at King’s Cross.
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James Whitworth, Head of History and
Government & Politics
Field trips enhance active learning
THE phrase ‘field trip’ may bring to mind long bus rides, packed lunches
and museum tours; but in-depth enrichment, visits and participation
in other environments enhance deep, active learning. In other words,
getting students out there makes a world of difference.
Here at Outwood Grange, we know that teaching and learning
becomes spontaneous and student-centred when it is moved from the
confines of the classroom. We know this because students tell us!
Students also learn much more, for example in terms of collaboration,
problem-solving and communication. Experiences outside the
classroom early in a student’s career are often formative, and inspire
them to continue in that field for the rest of their lives.
Alison Jackson, Innovation Leader
Nina Jaworski with
Visit brings history to life:
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Will
Matthew
Jessie Bhogal, Year 8.
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History at first hand
The art of portraiture: Katie Hackett, Leah Davis, Isha
Kaur, Rosie Baker and Becky Maulkinson, Year 13.
IN February, 40 Year 8 History students had the opportunity to visit the Imperial
War Museum in Manchester.
Students were able to view a variety of historical artefacts, from weapons
used in both World Wars to intelligence equipment used in the Cold War.
They also had the chance to experience what life was like on the ‘Home
Front’ via an interactive exhibition on how people in Britain coped with issues
such as rationing and bombings.
In addition, students climbed to the top of the Air Shard viewing deck,
which boasted fantastic views of the Manchester skyline – and the
newly constructed Coronation Street set!
It was a great day for our historians to experience history
being brought to life through lots of interesting objects, and
to learn the fascinating stories behind them.
Nina Jaworski, History Teacher
Musical ights
highl
Competition
hopefuls: Hannah
and Grace Ward,
Year 12.
THE Music Department is delighted to
announce that Hannah and Grace
Ward have progressed to the next stage
of the Music for Youth competition, and
will now be representing the Academy
in Birmingham at the National Festival.
The duo are busily preparing their
ten-minute performance, and if they
impress the adjudicators the next stage
is the Royal Albert Hall for the Schools
Prom. Good luck girls, and extremely
well done so far!
In other Music news, students on
courses in Key Stages 4 and 5 and
those who attend our enrichment
groups are going on an overnight trip to
London in mid-July. The students will be
attending performances of the musicals
Thriller and War Horse, and going on a
sightseeing tour of the capital.
Congratulations also to all those
students who have passed instrumental
exams during the course of this
academic year. And good luck to those
students who have instrumental exams
in July.
Trio Adam Hidle on guitar,
saxophonist Bethan Hanks and
Lawrence Kirkley, voice, also
performed recently at an event for the
local councillor of Outwood, Charlie
Keith. Prior to this, they represented
the Academy and celebrated the
completion of the new bandstand at
Clarence Park.
ON 19th May, 32 students from Years 7 and 8 set off to
experience the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, where they
visited the Nou Camp stadium and saw some impressive
Roman ruins. In the market challenge, each group was
given an hour and ten euros to buy lunch. This enabled them
to put both the Spanish they have been learning and their
negotiating skills to good use to drive some hard bargains.
On the third evening, a Spanish school group arrived at our
hotel. Using their basic English and our basic Spanish, some
communication was possible, which enabled them to enjoy
the disco together on the last evening.
Seb Tawn, 2nd in Languages Department
Richard Nimmo, Head of Music
Final curtain call
THE hard work and dedication of our Year 13 BTEC Performing Arts
students has paid off in three fantastic productions this year: the
amazingly inventive The Curious Incident, a thought-provoking devised
piece and, finally, a stunningly professional production of DNA.
All the students have been a joy to teach, and I would like to wish
them all the luck in the world!
James Tennant, Drama Teacher
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In rehearsals: Emma
Gascoigne with Hannah
Clifford and Katie
Budenberg, Year 11.
Good, Year 11,
Caught on camera: Aimee
asko, Sam
Bern
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with Elle Maude, Elea
Lauren Elliot,
Hindmarch, Elliot Beckwith,
Barrett, Year 13.
Jack Moorby and Natasha
Geography students
branch out
Write your way to
a successful future
STUDENTS from across the Academy have been invited to
submit their work in a Science essay writing competition.
As well as the opportunity to win a big prize, essay writing is
a valuable skill for many subjects at both GCSE and A Level –
and beyond.
Rebecca Simmonds, Science Teacher
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Festiv
THE Outwood Family of Schools Festival on 11th July is creeping ever
closer, and rehearsals and publicity are starting to reach fever pitch.
Costumes are being prepared, artists from Acklam are ready to
show off their artistic talents and dancers are now fully choreographed
and working at refining their routines. Our artists in residence, Donald
and Villy have paid weekly visits to everyone involved, and have
been delighted with their hard work and positive ethos.
We are also in the process of producing an anthology of short
stories from around the Family, which will be on sale at the event,
and used by each of the Academies’ English Departments as
examples of good practice.
Tickets are available from the West Yorkshire Playhouse on
0113 213 7800; price £5.00, concessions £3.50.
Pam Bayston, Director of Performing Arts
enson, Lauren
day: Danielle Steph
Preparation for the rthington, Year 11.
Wo
Madely and Emma
YEAR 13 Geography students spent a fantastic two days at Malham
Tarn Field Studies Centre investigating the impact of different tree
species on the surrounding ecosystem.
The students demonstrated superb teamwork while they collected
data such as soil depth, vegetation cover and light intensity. Their hard
work will be invaluable for their final A2 exams.
Fran Parish, Head of Geography
Extra classes bolster revision
REVISION for the GCSE Maths
exam started before Easter.
This has entailed students
taking extra classes in school,
after school and in the school
holidays. During the Easter
holiday, a record number,
143 students, attended a
three-hour revision workshop.
Additional holiday revision
sessions have resulted in
similar attendance.
In the final two weeks
before the exam, students
also attended a Maths Camp
for three hours each day.
Fingers crossed their hard
work has paid off!
Nicola Fareham, Head of Maths
Routine performan
ce: Hannah Clifford,
Katie
Budenberg and Lea
h Miles, Year 11.
Additional support: Amy Halstead and
James Angus, Year 11, with Chris Gibson.
Team effort: The Year 10 rugby girls.
Rugby girls on
road to success
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Hockey
accolade
THE Year 10 rugby girls have continued
their success since last year, gaining
some new team members, who have
helped to strengthen the squad.
They played exceptionally well
in the Yorkshire Festival and were
undefeated in six games, setting up a
final against Castleford with outstanding
performances from Lauren Race and
Charlotte Heptinstall.
In the National Cup, the girls played
against some tough competition.
They fought hard in every game and
scored some fantastic tries, with Grace
Firth successfully denying numerous
try-scoring opportunities with her
exceptional defensive work. Although
they just missed out on the national
final, they finished an incredible third.
Kat Slater, Teacher of PE
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James goes the extra mile
YEAR 11 student James Angus has
been awarded a badge for his efforts
in cross country.
James has qualified in three races at
different schools in the region. He ran at
Pontefract where he came 14th out of
40; next was Queen Elizabeth Grammar
School where he was placed 7th out of
30 and, lastly, Silcoates where he came
6th out of 30.
In February, he was selected for
West Yorkshire Cross Country where
he competed with other runners from
Bradford, Kirklees and Huddersfield.
James trains with Wakefield Harriers,
where he runs between three to four
miles, twice a week. He also trains on
his own, running about eight miles
twice a week.
At some point, he hopes to run the
London Marathon and he would like to
attend the next Olympics.
Andrea Metcalfe, Learning Support Assistant
Outwood Grange Academy, Potovens Lane, Outwood, Wakefield WF1 2PF.
Tel: (01924) 204350 Email: [email protected]
Editorial team: Alison Jackson and Jayne Watson.
Produced by Words&Pictures. Tel. 01943 854800.
Keep on running:
James Angus,
Year 11.