It has been a remarkably smooth start
As you would expect, a lot has happened since my last blog but I want to begin with a thank you for your incredible support since our return a few weeks ago. Our June 2 June strategy meant that learning began from day 1, lesson 1 and that approach has continued brilliantly which I am really pleased with. That is down to our staff and students who understand better than ever, the importance of learning and ambition.
Our big annual event in the early days of term is our Open Evening. It seems to creep up on us with alarming speed and it is one of the highlights of the year for me personally. We are so fortunate that so many families are interested in what we are doing and choose to take the time to visit. Last week there were approximately 1700 visitors who came to look around, experience our buzz and find out a little more about Beckfoot. Over 300 students gave up their time to help us on the evening with such things as car parking, faculty support, tour guiding, information giving and just representing their school with pride. Many of those who returned were Year 7 students who wanted to help after only 7 days in school! Two of those were Nicola and Hadi who spoke to our prospective families, alongside me in the hall. Over the course of 3 talks they will have addressed around 1000 people and they did it so eloquently and passionately. Olivia, in Year 11, ended each talk with a powerful singing performance and I have hugely grateful to all 3 for the support they provided and the manner in which they represented Beckfoot. For me, our school came alive brilliantly on the evening and showed what we stand for, how we value education for our community and the values and culture that are part of our DNA. I am reminded each year just how fortunate we are to work here, alongside amazing young people and adults all of whom want the same thing…. a happy, bright future. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way and good luck to all those families with the decisions they will make about where to send their children in September 2025.
Since our return a few weeks ago, we have had our first of three Challenge Days as a school. Those days are led by Shirley Watson, our CEO and her Central Trust School Improvement Team. These days are designed to both and support and challenge our school and us, as leaders, to be better every day and to demonstrate progress and ambition for our students. The focus, in September, is rightly on academic performance but it is also hugely focussed on strategic planning for 2024/25, on standards across school including work we are doing around teaching quality, curriculum ambition, literacy and continuing professional development for staff. It is rightly a challenging process and one, I know, leads to reflection around our work, our priorities for continual growth and the students experience. You know my view on the fact we are not perfect at Beckfoot but I want you to know that we are doing really great things with and for our students and families and that we want to always be better if we are to really change lives for the better.
Today is Jeans 4 Genes day which has been a part of Beckfoot ever since I can remember. We support this charity because of the work they do to help fund groups that provide services, support and hope to 1 in 10 families in the UK affected by genetic conditions. Our students will arrive later this morning wearing jeans and trainers to show their support and donate £1 via parent pay for the privilege. It is our way of reminding our community of the need to put others first and think constantly about how they can stand up and make the world a better place.
Finally, as you know, I absolutely love hearing and sharing news about our students and their exploits and achievements both in and beyond Beckfoot. This week I learned that Nell, in Year 8, was selected to represent West Yorkshire in Netball for the forthcoming season. She is a very bright, talented and determined young lady but also very humble. To represent your county is incredibly special and a huge achievement. I have no doubt she will love the experiences that playing sport at this elite level will bring but also that she will shine throughout. We wish her well.
Take care
Simon Wade, Headteacher
