A shorter Blog this week
Ofsted
On Monday morning I was sat in a meeting with my Business Manager when a number of my team came to the door to tell me the Ofsted call had finally come. It was surreal to be honest though I was acutely aware it was imminent. Having said that I have been thinking that for over 5 years now!
The pre inspection phone call with the Lead Inspector lasted 3 hours and it was then down to business to prepare for 6 inspectors to be across all aspects of our provision for 2 full days, Tuesday and Wednesday. Inspections are always intense and this one was no different. I asked every member of our school community to be themselves with our visitors and to shine brightly as they always do. I want to thank every student and every member of staff for the efforts they made to support me and each other. I could not have asked for more. I also want to thank the many parents who sent messages of support and completed the online Parent View survey. It was good of you to take the time. We will know our judgements in a couple of weeks at which time I will share with you all.
Year 11 and 13 mock results
Despite inspections, school life goes on. On Friday last we held our mock results assembly with our Year 11 students in the main hall. It is always astonishing how they react to getting their results in a sealed envelope and presented as the real thing will be in August. It matters to them and that is so important. At this stage they have performed very well and have the potential as individuals and as a cohort to achieve amazing things this summer. Hard work, 100% attendance and lashings of determination will help them through I have no doubt. They are a wonderful bunch and I very much want them to succeed.
Our Year 13 students have also been performing well in their mock exams and although we do things differently for them, we know that they want success and are matching that desire with an attitude that will enable them to achieve. Modular exam results this week indicate that they are working really well and are clear about the link between hard work and success. I am excited for them if they continue with their current approach in and beyond lessons.
Women’s Champions league
On Wednesday Ms. Holmes and her team brought over 50 students to the Etihad Stadium to watch the Women’s Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Chelsea. Ms. Holmes is a huge Chelsea fan and did little to hide that support in Manchester on Wednesday evening much to the amusement of our students. The game finished 2-0 to City but our students loved having the opportunity to watch top class female athletes play live and show what is possible when hard work is combined with huge talent. They returned late to school but were far richer and energised for the experience. I love that we do so many of these trips and I am more than happy to continue to support our students to have these vital experiences whilst at Beckfoot. They are the things that they will always remember and that is what makes them special.
Singing talent
This week I found out that Isla in Year 8 has been working with BBC radio doing some recording with them. She is a huge talent and so humble. She has totally immersed herself into our creative arts faculty and is a regular in our various music and singling groups as well as being involved in all our school productions. I cannot wait to find our more and am hopefully going to hear some of the vocal singing recordings she has been doing which will be a real treat. We are enormously proud of her and all she is doing for our school and beyond.
Year 8 parent’s evening
I want to say thank you to our Year 8 parents who attended parents evening last night. Just over 98.5% attended and the messages from staff that I was privy to were incredibly positive. Year 8 are another incredibly special cohort who are doing wonderful things academically and socially. It is a year group like all others that is full of the most wonderful young people who will have very bright futures ahead of them if they continue as they have been doing since arriving at Beckfoot.
Finally, if this week has taught me anything it is that I am truly fortunate to work at Beckfoot alongside incredibly special people. For that I am grateful. Today we will be involved in our second ever Data Day examining ways we can further support and enhance the lives of our students by looking at how they are doing and what else we need to plan for to ensure that none of them will be left behind. That is exciting and if our first Data Day in November is anything to go by, will make a huge difference this year and well into the future.
Take care
Simon Wade, Headteacher
