Posted 18th November 2022
So much to tell you...
It’s 5.30am on Friday morning and I am sat at my desk trying very hard to remember everything I want to share with you all this week. There is a lot so please bear with me.
I want to begin by thanking our Year 11 and 13 students and their families for the manner in which they have approached the Autumn series of mock exams. They have been magnificent in their approach to the things that matter. They have been at school, on time, and ready to do their best. Most, though not all, have had the right equipment with them for each exam and all have respected the rules of the exam venues. They demonstrated over the past couple of weeks that success matters to them though many still have to remember that a desire to succeed must be matched by a willingness to work hard in school, in every lesson; by a desire to work beyond lessons through home learning and revision. Those are the things that will allow our students to be the best version of themselves possible and to achieve the results that will allow them to do amazing things with their lives. I guess the biggest thing for me is the learning that will follow over the coming weeks as exam papers are handed back to students, dissected forensically to maximise learning and understanding of how and where to be better and the process of building confidence in our students really begins to take shape. The November mock exams provide incredible learning opportunities but they also provide a reality check for many that being in school every day, contributing to lessons and hard work beyond the classroom is the thing that will allow them to achieve their dreams and ambitions at GCSE and A Level.
Continuing the theme of exams, I had the very great pleasure of seeing our Year 11 performing arts students deliver the most amazing performances as part of their exam on Wednesday. The students were "buzzing" (their words) after their performances. I know they have worked really hard at applying lots of different performance skills to their pieces but also on their confidence in delivering the most spectacular acting and dancing pieces I have seen for years. It was a real privilege to be there and to get to share in their success and happiness.
I'm very proud of them and can't wait to see what they come up with as a performance piece for component 3 later this year.
As a follow-up to my last Blog, we welcomed Rugby League Physical Disability World Cup winner, Harvey Redmonds, into school on Monday. He arrived in his England kit and wearing his medal around his neck. After I managed to control my excitement at holding the medal, it was a privilege to talk to him about his life, interests and work since leaving Beckfoot. He was so interesting to talk to and such a humble young man. He spoke to our disability sports teams, our Year 11 students in assembly and managed to control the vast numbers of staff and students who wanted to see and speak to him. As I stepped away from him I couldn’t help but be struck by how he shines and stands out in a crowd. He is a wonderful example of what we are trying to develop for and with our students at Beckfoot and it was an honour to have him with us once again. Link to Mr Barnes' interview with Harvey.
This week began on Sunday actually and the opportunity for me to represent Beckfoot School as part of the Bingley Remembrance Sunday celebrations. It is my first opportunity as headteacher to attend this event and I am so very glad I did. The first thing I noticed was the sheer numbers of people that were there. It had the most incredible community feel as it was lively to be a part of it. I also noticed the incredible numbers of our students that are part of that community through their involvement in local clubs and groups. Everywhere I looked I saw a friendly face and it gave me another insight into why our students are so special. All last week we did our best to remember those who have given their lives over many years to protect our freedom and allow us to live as we do.
Our own celebration in school last Friday was so special too. Our students gathered in the atrium and all around our balconies to listen to the Last Post, to hear the words of The Fallen poem and to reflect, in silence. Over 1800 staff and students did so with such poise and respect. That is Beckfoot School at its finest and that will never change.
The week continued with our student’s involvement with the Bradford Citizens group and twenty-our other schools across the city. Our group is comprised of fourteen students across Years 8 to 13 all of whom have had listening training from Bradford Citizens, a civic action group which aims to empower young people to harness the power of voices to make positive change in the local area. This training is the same as all the headteachers have received across the district and is designed to help them hear the voices of young people and represent them to adults in positions of power. They have listened to over 100 of our students and gathered information about the issues that concern our students most about their city.
On Wednesday they took part in the Bradford Citizens' Listening summit, which included students from the other Bradford schools putting the views of their student body forward. They led a workshop, where they listened to student representatives from three other schools and decided on what views to put forward as part of the on the three biggest issues which Bradford's young people feel affect them the most. Those issues were Racism, Mental Health, and the Cost of Living crises.
Over the next year, they will campaign for changes in these areas, and will be working with adults in our city who have the power to do something about these problems in order to improve life for young people in Bradford. Last year's cohort worked with Trust CEOs, the Mayor Of West Yorkshire, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, and the CEO of Morrisons, among others. This is not only very exciting, but vitally important stuff.
On Wednesday we had yet another first for our school. Last year’s GCSE (Year 11) class of 2022 have wanted to leave their mark on Beckfoot and decided to raise money to plant some trees in memory of their time at school. This week Mrs. Powell, who was their Head of Year, alongsi
de 15 students planted 26 trees just behind the ATP. They also installed a wooden plaque that the students made by hand to commemorate their time at Beckfoot. It was so special.
There is one more tree to be planted. The most special and largest of all the trees. It is the one to remember Raees who passed away almost three years ago now. He will never be forgotten because once a Beckfooter, always a Beckfooter, and we miss him.
Today is a busy one for lots of reasons but mainly because it’s Children in Need day combined with our students drive to raise money for the Pakistan Flood victims. We have a non-uniform day which will also see lots wearing odd socks in support of anti-bullying and we have lots of food to sell to remember those who have lost everything including loved ones in those floods. Lauren, Ruby and Duah in Year 13 are leading the way along with our DT staff and it promises to be a great day where the selflessness of our students shines through once again.
The last piece of student related news I have to tell you is all about our student leaders, specifically our elected Beckfoot Student Leadership group, BSL. Over the couple of years, they have been in office, they have achieved the most incredible things. They have helped shape our Teaching and Learning policy, our PLS and rewards strategy, our food menus, our enrichment provision and secured a third re-designation of our World Class status. That is just to mention a few of their achievements. Post pandemic, we
needed a courageous and determined group of young people to pick student leadership up by the scruff of the neck and drive it forward to ensure our young people have a voice and a genuine part to play in the direction of travel of their school. I could not have wished for a more self-determined group of pleaders and yesterday we came together to acknowledge their work but also to share a very special moment with them.
Each of them was presented with a certificate to recognise their work as part of the World Class group of schools nationally but mainly for the bid the wrote to host the next World Class symposium at Beckfoot. Amy led that bid and it was incredible. So much so that the World Class organisation wanted to recognise them as being unique and special and honoured them with an award that demonstrated their quality and the quality of their work and bid. Only thirteen such certificates have been awarded this year across the country and all thirteen to our Beckfoot students. We couldn’t be prouder and it was really lovely for our CEO, Shirley Watson, to present the awards to our students yesterday. Well done to each of them and especially to Amy for her leadership.
Finally, I wanted to provide you with some important information about the work of our Local School Committee (LSC). Our LSC is a vital part of the Trust governance structure and is a group made up of parents, trustees and staff mainly. As you know, the LSC sent a survey to families in the summer term to glean their views on how Beckfoot is doing in terms of staff and student welfare, well-being, systems and opportunities. The responses were really interesting and has allowed the group to provide the necessary challenge to myself and our school about our work here day to day. The launch of Class Charts was in direct response to the work of the LSC as a means of supporting and improving communication with families. It is working. They have listened to families in relation to Parents Evenings, the result of which is to maintain our use of online meetings with more focus from staff on what students are doing well and where they need to concentrate their efforts in order to achieve at least what they are capable of, if not more. They have asked us to ensure we keep that provision constantly under review. The LSC has also helped shaped our future parental engagement strategy which will see a change to the Family Forum provision and an increased focus on wellbeing and communication. More information will follow on what that will look like. As part of their remit they have asked me to ensure that you are aware of the mental health information on our website which can be found here.
The LSC is very important to me as Headteacher and is a group that is constantly evolving and getting stronger. To that end we are currently seeking new members to join the group and have recently asked, via Class Charts, for interested parties to get in touch. It is a wonderful opportunity to get more involved in the life of the school, spend time in the building and provide the support, challenge, support that will help to keep Beckfoot moving forward and doing great things for all.
Take care
Simon
week. These range from netball to hockey, football and rugby, from gymnastics to trampolining, cheerleading and fitness, from badminton to basketball, table tennis and so much more. Last night as I returned from my daily place at the school crossing, I passed what seemed like hundreds of students, all in PE kit, busying themselves and excited about the practice or games that lay ahead for the evening. It reminded me of my own school experience and I have to admit to being just a little envious. I am so grateful to the staff who provide their time, energy and enthusiasm to facilitate such opportunities for Beckfoot students and that very much includes all the other extra-curricular provisions available through the Creative Arts, Debating, Chess and Games clubs and everything else that happens here weekly.
took part in the Yorkshire Senior restricted in both ladies and mixed doubles badminton. Her outstanding performances over half term means she has been selected for the Yorkshire senior county squad and will be playing for them in addition to being selected for the U19 1st team this season. She should be rightly proud of what she has achieved which also includes using her Level 1 coaching badge to help coaching the junior section at the Bradford Performance Centre and being involved with the Badminton England Youth Forum. Sian is an incredible young lady and a shining example of what is possible if you are willing to work hard enough both in terms of her academic and sporting ambitions.
World Champions having beaten New Zealand 42-10 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. It is an incredible achievement for Harvey but also a huge honour for Beckfoot given that one of our own is now a world champion. We are really proud of him and again he is a wonderful example of our belief in limitless possibilities for all if you are willing to work hard enough, aim high and be resilient in all you do.
Each student has spent months working with their mentor to prepare for yesterday. They each assembled their presentations onto display boards in the hall and invited their mentor to question them at length about their project ranging from questions about the project itself to the process involved and the impact on their learning and future readiness for either university, an apprenticeship or the world of work. Following that, the entire sixth form visited to view the projects and talk to the students about their work and findings. Other year groups were invited to attend and do similarly during their breaks. It was an amazing event and, on a personal level, I was in awe of each student, their work, passion, energy and enthusiasm. They were simply brilliant in their delivery and warmth. I was hugely proud of them all and I hope they achieve the tops marks they deserve for the work they have put in.
I will start by telling you about Matilda the Musical that has been performed here each of the past three evenings. I went to the final performance last night and for ninety minutes was transported to someplace magical where I completely forgot I was watching a school production in Beckfoot. I know we have a school bursting with very special young people but last night was a totally different level of proud for me personally. The cast, crew, directors, supporters and so many more, came together over the past months to create something that was really wonderful, incredibly professional and a complete showcase for the talent we have in this school. I loved that we had so many students involved and it was perhaps the most inclusive and diverse production Beckfoot has ever known. At one point, when the students were performing a number call, ‘When I grow up’, I looked around the audience and there were more than a few tears in evidence. At that point I was really struck by the job we do here at Beckfoot and the limitless opportunities we must provide for our young people as they progress through our school. I want them to be happy, successful and ready to take on the world when they leave us. For those involved this week, they are capable of doing amazing things in their lives. Of that I have little doubt. A huge thank you to the Creative team led by Ms. Kyle, Ms. Bannon and Ms. Hammond and to everyone who made the show come alive.
We had our Careers Fair this week which was held in the Creative Arts block. It involved over 50 organisations coming in to school to share with our students the opportunities that they can aspire to in years to come. We had guests and stalls from local businesses, universities and colleges, the police, the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army. We had lots of information about apprenticeships and careers in the NHS, the beauty industry and so much more. It was, as always, an amazing event with students coming throughout the day in the year groups. 
For me, what I loved most about the event, is seeing how our students engage with the staff who come in to talk to them. They are polite, engaged, curious and determined to be informed of what’s out there for them. For so many it is yet another opportunity to consider their futures and their readiness to go and fulfil their dreams and ambitions. It’s a highlight of the term for me and I am very grateful to Ms. Wilson, Ms. McLean and Ms. Money for their organisation of such opportunities for our students.
Continuing the theme of post 16, our Geography students spent four days on residential in the Lake District this week as part of their A Level course. They have spent time getting ready to choose their independent coursework focus by practicing a variety of fieldwork methods in different locations. After deciding on their hypotheses, they have spent a day at the beach collecting data. Last night focussed on how to effectively present their data and analyse their data using statistical analysis methods. Every single student has been absolutely superb, collecting their data efficiently, displaying excellent teamworking skills and all whilst working in the rain! Apparently, we are not to feel too sorry for them as the weather all week has been beautiful. They return today and will be ready for some home comforts this evening I’m sure. I am hugely grateful to Ms. Carter and Ms. Roberts for their time and commitment.
I guess the main reason for this recent thinking is because of a visit I received a couple of weeks ago from some of our Year 13 students. Duah, Ruby and Lauren came in to see me, sat down in my office and asked me what I was doing about the flooding in Pakistan. I remember looking at them and thinking wow! I simply replied, ‘What are you doing about it?’. They looked at each other, and right there and then they hatched a plan. That plan resulted in those three students leading every assembly in school this week and speaking to every student and staff member about how we, as a school community can help. 
They spoke with warmth and passion about helping others and the variety of ways that can we could help. They spoke about the links between our school community and what is happening in that part of the world. They were well researched, well informed and the delivery was absolutely spot on. In short, they were brilliant and a wonderful example of self-actualised young people who did not sit back and leave this to someone else. They did it and stepped out of their comfort zone every day this week to make a difference. I want more of this and I know our student leaders do too. We truly have a special group of young people at Beckfoot doing amazing things to help keep our school moving forward and being better every day.
Yesterday we took seventy Year 11 and Year 13 students to an 
I want to also remind you that you can follow our school on 
Finally, we believe that Ofsted will visit our school at some point this year. It has been eight years since they were last with us and that resulted in a grading of Outstanding. I will never forget that day! The new inspection framework is very different but it is very important to us that we do all we can to retain our Outstanding status as I hope you agree. To do so, we need your help. Please visit and fill in the 
The past week was also full of opportunities for our students to reflect on the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II. They asked lots of questions and thought a great deal about civic values. They considered her length of service and her dedication to such things as her country, her faith and her family. Seeing the events of the past few weeks has provided a great deal of comfort and hope to many. We were able to remember her as a school community last Friday as we came together to observe a two minute silence. Every member of our community conducted themselves brilliantly and I am grateful that we able to do something as a mark of respect. These things are important.
Last week I wrote my blog not knowing if we would be re-accredited as a World Class School once again but I have to admit to being quietly confident. That confidence did not stem from anything other than knowing the quality of our bid and the students that were going to present on our behalf. They were amazing and I am so proud of them and the wider student leadership group who have made this one of their goals since last September – well done!
This week I have taken the opportunity to reflect on the past year and to consider what we have achieved as a school over that time. Highlights include a full return to our enrichment provision including sport, the creative arts, debating and so much more. We have been able to celebrate our students through events like Senior Concert, Young Musician, Summer Serenade, Sports Day, Sports Awards, Creativity Fortnight, University Visits and a Careers Programme from Year 7, MFL, English, Maths, Science and PE Super Learning Days, Prison Me No Way, Guest Speakers and so much more. We have won a Careers Mark Award for Outstanding Practice, a Principled Curriculum Award from the SSAT, a Research Led Practice Award, again from the SSAT, for our commitment to research informed practice in our approach to teaching and learning and now World Class Schools. Beckfoot is not a perfect school but we are doing so much to make it a very special place to learn and work, and we are determined to be even better as we continue to move forward together.
On Tuesday, I attended the Summer Serenade concert and it was breath-taking. The talent at Beckfoot never ceases to amaze me but it is the culture of the school and more especially the creative arts faculty that is the thing that stands out the most. There was a huge range of musical genres on show and the numbers of students involved were as high as they have ever been. I guess what I really love is the enthusiasm and bravery of our students to stand up in front of a packed house and deliver performances that are so special. I love these events and I am thrilled that 2021-22 has allowed to get back to normality and allow students to showcase their talent so brilliantly.
Next week is also very special because our Year 11 students are going on Work Experience. I love the idea of our students spending a week in employment (so to speak) and to gain an invaluable insight into what life may be like for them in the years ahead. Work Experience will help them focus their efforts for Year 11 as they approach GCSE exams and it will also help with the decisions they need to make about what it will take to achieve the dreams and ambitions they have for themselves. I wish them well and look forward to visiting some of them in the workplace throughout the week.
I am always amazed when it comes to the determination of our students to get involved in the life of their school with the aim of making it better for both themselves and those to follow. A few months ago, Lucas and Sarah, alongside a few other students, wrote a paper to me outlining their concerns around food provision in school. The paper was utterly brilliant. In it they provided a very balanced view of the current situation with menus and options for all students at Beckfoot. 
They were worried about many of our young people feeling that they mattered and belonged because of this. Indeed, they provided exceptional balance to their argument suggesting much of what is already on offer is very good and needs to be kept. We sent that paper to our provider whom we have a very good relationship with. They read it and decided that they wanted to work with our students to do something about their concerns and help them make a difference. Last week that happened when over thirty of our students were joined by our catering providers and head chef to look at and taste some suggestions for additions to our menus. It was incredible. Our students tasted a whole range of food options and fedback, honestly, their thoughts. They were overwhelmed with the results and are very excited to see their choices become part of our food offer from the Autumn. I am so proud of Lucas, Sarah and the others for their leadership of this across school. They are making a difference and providing a valuable voice for our students.
On Tuesday this week our Beckfoot student leaders, Adam, Poppy, Amy, Jasroop, Eden and Mia went to London, accompanied by Ms. Ratahi and Ms. Khaliq, as part of the final stage of our 
Finally, on the theme of student leadership, we are almost half way through our Creativity fortnight. Mr Lee, the creativity team and our students have planned an incredible array of activities for this week and next. Earlier this week our students were treated to a live Bollywood style music performance outside during break times. They loved it with dancing, chanting and lots of joy and laughter on show. 
As part of the planned activities we held our Creativity Awards and Showcase Event last night which is a special event that celebrates the talent and work of our students in such areas as art, music, dance, food, painting, photography, illustration, animation, modelling, sculpture, tapestry and much more. It is an event that celebrates the arts and recognises the contributions of our students some of whom have now left us. It was very special and I am so proud that we are a school that continues to champion the Arts and seeks to provide an astonishing number of opportunities for our young people to get involved both through our curriculum provision and beyond. The fortnight, and all that it involves, has brought our school to life in a very unique and uplifting way this week and I cannot wait to see what is planned for Monday onwards. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the leadership of this and got involved in any way to make it special.
Last week, Tracey Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, was in school as part of our students leading the Bradford wide 
It was a celebration of new opportunities and an excitement about what these young people will bring to our school in the years ahead. That was followed by the transition day on Wednesday where the students spent the day with us to experience life at Beckfoot first hand. They attended an assembly, spent time with their tutors, went to Science, PE and Design & Technology lessons, had break and lunch with us and then went home. As is always the case many arrived in the morning a little anxious and nervous but they left us feeling excited about their futures at Beckfoot and the next stage of their educational journey. We cannot wait to see them in September.
I want to thank you for your unbelievable support for 
On Tuesday, we held our first Sports Awards celebration for three years. It was amazing. No, it was more than that. It was incredible, special, emotional and so much more. I sat and watched and listened to the various members of my PE staff talk with oodles of care and passion about young people who live and breathe sport and leadership, who take opportunities and want their school experience to be incredible and full of enrichment and excitement. It was amazing.
I sat with three ex students who were our VIP guests for the evening. Evie, Adam and Max came back to school having left us in the last two years themselves. They were given awards for their various contributions to PE and Sport in their time at Beckfoot and they then spent the evening handing out awards to our worthy winners. That, too, was special and it was just great to see them again.
Finally, many of you will be aware that the Beckfoot Trust lost a very special person yesterday. Jeremy Richardson, who was the headteacher of Beckfoot Thornton, died following an accident as he cycled to work on Wednesday morning. We are devastated. He was, in my words, a really great bloke. He loved his family and he loved his school. He has done the most incredible job at that school in recent years and he will be hugely missed by that community of staff, students and families. He leaves behind his wife and three children and we are so sorry for their loss. I will miss him. I will miss the pressure I would feel because he was so dapper. I will miss that he felt I could never get way with wearing brown shoes and I will miss his counsel and support. He was one of the good ones and our light shines a little less brightly because he is gone. Please remember him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Today our Year 11 and 13 students leave us. Today they will attend their last lessons of the year and, for many, the final time they will step into a classroom at Beckfoot.
For our year 11 students, I know they are going to do amazing things. I could not have wished for a better group as we emerged from lockdown and faced the reality of a return to GCSE examinations. Many are returning to us in September and we are very excited about their potential. They will, alongside our plans for Post 16 next year, ensure that our Sixth Form will not only thrive but go from strength to strength because they have chosen to be a part of it.
They are the ones that we said goodbye to on the 20th March 2020 with just a couple of days notice. I will never forget that assembly on that Friday afternoon. Some things will never leave you and that is one of those for me.
Our GCSE and A Level students are now fully immersed in their exams and it has been a huge relief to most to have started. The anticipation is often difficult but especially so this year given everything these young people have faced in recent years.
We will break up for half term today and whilst it will be an opportunity to recharge for most, for our exam students it is an opportunity to get a great deal of work done. At this stage, with the end in sight, students should be committing at least four to six hours per day to their revision. I have always believed that you get out what you put in and hard work not only makes a difference but it always pays off. I would urge each of them to give these last few weeks everything they have got and a little more. Rest will come and when it does it will be well earned. I am proud of each of them. They are amazing young people who deserve great things in their lives.
Our Year 10 students have not been immune to the learning that exam season brings either. On Wednesday, they gathered in the hall and were spoken to about their futures and the importance of hard work, resilience and ambition. Our sixth form team and careers staff spoke to them about the opportunities and challenges of the next twelve months. They listened. We then handed them their mock results in the same format that GCSE results will take next summer. This was an opportunity to reflect on their current progress and attainment. It was a chance to think clearly about next steps and whether or not they were on track for success. It was a reality check with the caveat that now was the time to change what they are thinking and change what they are doing to guarantee success in their GCSE exams next year. What I do know is that we will be with them every step of their journey and will be doing everything we can to support them, challenge them and look after them. That is our job and our privilege.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been doing a number of 
Yesterday, our Year 8 had their 
For the past few weeks there has been a steady increase in the levels of excitem
Last night was simply incredible. It was my first Prom since I left in 
Our students came with families, in Limos, supercars of all varieties, 
Throughout the evening our student
I am also very fortunate because many students and families are keen for me to know about exploits beyond Beckfoot and I love that. Sian is mentioned regularly in my blog because she is hugely involved in her sport outside of school. Over Easter she took part in the Inter Counties Tournament, the pinnacle of junior county badminton nationally. I am reliably informed that it's been 10 years since Yorkshire Badminton won that particular competition. Sian was part of a very strong Yorkshire team and after three days they made it to the final three which included Yorkshire, Leinster and Cheshire. Yorkshire, including Sian were triumphant winning all their matches and lifting the trophy. It is an immense achievement and we are thrilled for her. She has given years of her young life to achieving this success and it is hugely deserved.
Continuing with the sporting theme, two of our students travelled to Florida over the Easter break to represent Team England in the International Cheer Union World Championships. Georgia and Scarlett represented team England against many other nations, competing against the world’s most elite cheerleaders such as USA, Mexico and China. The team placed 7th in the world which is incredible. I am in awe of such talent. To be good enough to be picked to represent your country in amazing in itself but to rank 7th in the world is incredible. Again, both girls have committed huge amounts of time to their sport. They have made sacrifices along the way to do what they have done, and we are hugely proud of them both. You can watch Team England in action below!
Music and the Arts have always been a big part of what we do here every day, but I cannot remember a week which has involved so much activity as this one. Last Saturday a combination of dance students from years 10, 11 and 12 performed at Fresh 22 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. It has been a really exciting and challenging few months for the girls who not only had to choreograph a dance routine but then had to perform it a number of times in order to qualify for the event. Not only did they qualify but they did so for the main event in the evening on centre stage. They worked so hard every day in the lead up and were incredibly self-critical and determined to perfect their routine in advance of the performance. They danced as Footfall Dance company and were brilliant on the night. Special memories for a special group of students led superbly by Darcie and Laila.
Also, this week, two other major events took place involving Beckfoot’s Creative Arts staff and students. On Wednesday evening our students were involved in a National Theatre Connections performance at the Theatre Royal in York. Following a competitive bid to be part of this project, our students were given the opportunity to work with a professional playwright and perform a new one-hour play that the playwright had written especially for this project. For anyone who has ever had to memorise a speech, lead an assembly, or similar, I think it is fair to say that it is not easy and takes incredible courage. It was wonderful to see another group of our students involved in a project on this scale. What stood out on the evening was the focus, determination, professionalism, teamwork and all round Beckfoot magic that was oozed from our students - both on stage and backstage afterwards. Most have never performed before and the memories and experiences this kind of project provides is just phenomenal. I want to thank Ms. Kyle and her team, the students of course and those staff and families that were there to support.
Each tutor group had representatives that spoke about their chosen charity, why it was important to them and why they exist. They each chose a different one to support in the hope of winning the £1000 prize for their chosen focus. I stood and watched each tutor group talk about the work of their charity and why it was important to them. The students spoke about work in our city aimed at supporting those with mental health issues, homelessness, employment, and animal welfare to name a few. It was humbling and I can only imagine how proud their tutors were of them.
Wednesday was proving to be a busy day and Mr Lee was determined not be outdone. He, alongside Mr Stimpson, took a group of forty-five students to perform in the Bradford Proms at St Georges Hall. Our Senior band opened the show with a bang, leading the way for a brilliant evening of performances from schools across Bradford. Our Juno singing group then performed as part of the Bradford Blast Choir with and sang with confidence and maturity. Indeed, our students shone brightly throughout the evening and were all absolutely brilliantly brilliant as both performers and young people. To perform on such a big stage in front of a packed-out audience is not easy, but our students loved it and represented themselves, their families and our school wonderfully, leading the Bradford district with two stand out performances. Again, I want to thank the staff, the students and those staff and families that were there to support.
I would like to start by sharing the news that we were informed this week that we have been successfully accredited by the SSAT (Schools Students and Teachers Network) for two key areas of our work around the quality of education provided at Beckfoot. These awards recognise that our practice is amongst the most exceptional nationally under the SSAT's Framework for Exceptional Education. The two areas we have been awarded transforming practice in are: 
A few months ago, we shared the decision to make changes to our curriculum in order to ensure every child had access to a breadth of study that would allow them to stand alongside any student in the country and compete for the best jobs and university places. In doing so we will ensure every child will study the core subjects, a humanities subject and a modern foreign language. We are excited by this decision and very much want to ensure our students get the very best teaching and experiences possible as we seek to develop them as young people with a deeper knowledge of such things as cultural capital. Last week we held a modern foreign languages Wider Learning Day for Year 8. Despite the fact that we teach French and German here, we did not allow them to utilise those languages throughout the day. Instead we asked them to communicate in so many different ways ranging from sign language to a whole host of other languages including Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish and Ukrainian. There was also a little bit of Gaelic (Irish language) thrown in by me for good measure. It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful to the MFL team and all those visiting staff who supported the day including colleagues from Hazelbeck. 
In sporting matters most of you will know the amazing things our PE staff do here each week. There are so many opportunities to get involved in a huge range of activities before, during and after school. This year we have added to those opportunities in the form of a Hockey club run by two members of our English department, Ms. Senyk and Ms. Ratahi. This week they played their first competitive fixture as a mixed sex and mixed age group. They were brilliant and won the game 4-0. They were thrilled but not as much as the staff. I love seeing new things happen at the school and continuing to provide those moments that students will never forget even when they reach my age! 
To finish I want to highlight a few students who are doing amazing things at Beckfoot. Firstly, Lois in Year 12. Lois was employed as a Youth Peer Researcher for a report commissioned by the 
Sian, also in Year 12, is no stranger to my Blog. She continues to excel in the sport of Badminton. She has recently been selected to represent Yorkshire U18 at the Inter Counties Tournament over the Easter Holidays to be held at Nottingham University. In junior badminton this is seen as the pinnacle for any young player at county level. There are only 5 girls & 5 boys in the team and selection was based on performance during this season. Her selection is an incredible achievement in itself. Sian is also on the Badminton England National Youth Forum. She put forward a video with ideas and thoughts on what she believes Badminton England should do to improve the sport at junior level throughout the country. They were impressed & invited her on to the forum as an ambassador for junior badminton nationally. She has already been invited down to Milton Keynes later this year to discuss ideas and how to implement them. I have little doubt she will make a difference to the work that will follow in the sport for years to come and we are proud of her because of all she does and will do well into the future.
On Friday last, we asked our students to really think about others and, in doing so, try to better understand what it is like to live in the shoes of someone less fortunate, even if just for a few minutes. 
I listened to the KS3 and KS4+ finalists and then to the various ensembles with some Groove Tubes and Soul Band thrown in for good measure. It was amazing, and I loved every minute of it. I guess what really struck were three things. Firstly, the talent we have at Beckfoot and this was only just a small representation of that talent. Secondly, the commitment of staff and students to the arts and the hours that go in to being able to play, sing and perform. And thirdly, the relationships that were so clearly evident on the night between staff and students. I felt very proud of that especially. That is culture and doesn’t just happen. It takes years to build that trust and care and we have it at Beckfoot in abundance.
This week was also very special because this was the week that we delivered our STOP assemblies. Those assemblies were about Safeguarding our students and ensuring they understand their right to a happy and safe childhood, their right to be free from abuse of any kind but also their duty to help us to do that work well and look after each other. The assembly talked about those things but also about the '
When I wrote my last Blog on 18 February we were breaking up for half term and the world was a very different place. When we returned last week, things had changed because of the humanitarian crises in Ukraine. We have all watched with unenviable sadness the situation unfolding and the impact it is having on the country. We have staff and families with links over there and we all very much wanted to do something as a community. We liaised with several local charities and communities to find out the best way to offer support. We began to collect essential items that will make a difference to those families and children displaced from their homes. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity that has been shown over the past week from all of you. It has been humbling, not only because of the amount of support that has been shown, but because it matters so much to our staff and students. Thank you.
Since our return our Year 11 and 13 students have been incredibly busy taking mock exams. They have been amazing. It has been a challenging fortnight, but their energy, resilience and ambition has continued to shine throughout. The experience will also help them to learn a great deal about what they know and what still needs to be learned. I believe strongly that mocks are not something to be feared. Indeed, the opposite. They are designed to build confidence, support learning and next steps, providing a reality check of where a young person is with their knowledge and understanding. The staff are devoting hours at this time to mark these exams and provide the highest quality feedback that will support learning and revision over the coming weeks. It will make a difference without doubt. I want to thank those staff and students for everything they have given since our return and I very much hope they use the experience to motivate themselves to give everything they have in the final push over the few remaining weeks we have left.
Finally, I wanted to tell you about 
Last week we were reminded of our role as a community school when we received a letter of thanks from 
Reading is a gift and such an important skill to nurture and develop. A love of reading is something that I want to develop in all our students for lots of reasons but mainly because it has the power to provide a wealth of experiences, feelings and emotions that can often not be found in any other way. For some it has the power to transport you to another world, for others it is about the emotion of the text and for the likes of me it facilitates a complete break from everything else and allows me to learn, to feel and to be taken on a journey that is so completely different. I love to read sporting autobiographies and I am currently reading Siya Kolisi’s book 'Rise'. He was the captain 
of the South African Springboks rugby team that won the world cup in 2019. His is a fascinating story of hardship, resilience and self-belief. He very much reminds me of our belief in ‘Limitless Possibilities for All’ because he represents the view that you can achieve most things in life if you are willing to work hard enough, have someone believe in you and, most importantly, believe in yourself. There are lots of things planned for World Book Day and the staff get a little giddy too! More to follow.
We had a very special and thought provoking curriculum collapse day on Monday for Year 9 students. It was based on the work of the 
Firstly, Lara and Logan in Year 9 have been selected to represent West Yorkshire in the upcoming English Schools Cross-Country championships in Kent. They have been selected from hundreds of young people across the county and it is an incredible honour and achievement for both of them.
In other news I want to thank Poppy in Year 9 for her leadership of the Time to Talk week that has been taking place in school since Monday. Poppy and her team of students have talked in staff briefings, organised health professionals to be available and visible all week, planned a whole host of activities to raise awareness of mental health and created badges and stickers so that almost two thousand staff and students could show their support for anyone that doesn’t feel ok. Indeed, she has driven home the message that it’s Ok to not be OK. Thank you to Poppy and everyone who made this week special.
they support students to make decisions about their life after school. It is given to schools who are continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all its students. Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard demonstrates, clearly, how we all embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of our school and students. Because we offer a high-quality programme to all students from Year 7 to Year 13, we were graded as Outstanding, the highest possible judgment that can be awarded. Our ambition is to continue to provide world class careers opportunities for our students, continue to introduce them to the world of work and support them fully to make decisions about life after school whatever they may be. I am hugely grateful to Holly McLean and Sarah Wilson for leading on this work and for all they do every day to make a difference to the lives of our young people.
We have had two parents’ evenings since I last wrote. Both were held virtually, and both had attendance of over 97%. Lockdown forced us to think about events such as parents’ evenings differently and the feedback from lockdown gave us the confidence to know that the system is preferred by the vast majority (not all of course). The feedback has been hugely positive, and it is, for me, a real indicator of the strength of our community. I have worked in many schools over the years and the support and challenge we receive from our parents is very rare and hugely appreciated. Thank you.
blessed with here is truly staggering and I am so fortunate to have Mr. Lee, Mr, Stimpson and an amazing, dedicated group of peripatetic staff who give time to share their love of the Creative Arts and performing. What we saw over two evenings was emotion, passion, dedication and joy. We had so many involved from Year 7 to Year 13 and the future for the Arts in school looks exciting. As I said last night, areas such as these are what gives a school it’s ‘soul’ and I could not have been happier or 
amaze you with their selflessness and a determination to put others first. They were adamant that we would make this year’s Children in Need day one to remember and they didn’t disappoint. We had raffles, bake sales (the best ever cakes in my view!), sports activities, staff activities and so much more. We also had our traditional non-uniform day and the students raised over £1500 for the charity. We even got a response to our Tweet from the director of the event that evening! For me the day has always been about putting others first and our students have always understood that. Despite all that is going on in the school, they know they need to get it right in lessons and maintain the highest standards of themselves. They stand up for
what they believe in and put so much work into making the day special. CIN day is about our students working together as community contributors and making a difference. They certainly did that last Friday and I am very proud of them. Special thanks go to Mrs. Dobson and her team of student leaders.
Last Friday also saw Beckfoot students contribute to the follow up Pandemic Recovery Summit which involved schools from across Bradford focussing on the key themes of Anti-Racism, Mental Health, Poverty and Disadvantage, LGBTQ+ and Student Voice. Beckfoot was asked to lead on an area of focus for both our school and the city in helping to determine next steps to support young people to recover from all things Covid-19 related. It also focussed on lost opportunities as a result of the pandemic and ways to better provide support to address 
those going forward.
It has also been a challenging few weeks in terms of dealing with the on-going pandemic. A relatively small number of students have had to isolate due to Covid and others remain anxious about how the nation is addressing the problems that are still present every day. That is understandable. What I would say, however, is that school is where students should be because it is a safe space where learning is our priority. Teaching face to face is what makes the biggest difference to young people and they need to be in school in order to make progress. I cannot stress that enough. Indeed, our GCSE and A Level students understand more than most the additional stress that school absence can bring. So, if it is a decision between being at school and not, choose school every time!
We had our Year 11 Aspirations day last week also. We had some very cool young people with us for the day having travelled up from South London the night before. They are called Revolution Hive and they spent the day with our Year 11 students talking to them about their aspirations, hopes and dreams. More importantly, they worked with them to think about their attitude, their mindset and strategies to be successful not only in their GCSEs but also in life. It was a fantastic day and our students got a great deal from it.
discern who was the sporting cheat from Ms. Denham, Mr. Cooley, Mr. Darling and myself. They analysed a variety of samples and looked closely at other forms of evidence as they strived to reach a conclusion. In the end, most identified Mr. Darling as the cheat and they were right! That evening, our Year 7 parents and carers were invited into school to hear about the day from staff and students. They also got to see some of the school and visit a science lab which is where students did most of their work earlier in the day. Again, it was a very special event and it was really lovely to welcome families into our school once again.
maturity of our young people and their determination to learn well. They have been engaged and happy to contribute fully to lessons which is exactly what we expect of them. Beckfoot has a special ‘soul’ and I have seen this at every turn.
Our Open Evening last night was an overwhelming success. We had our busiest ever evening with huge numbers of prospective students and their families coming to visit. Our building fizzed with excitement because we are proud of our school and we love to show it off. We had over 200 students who attended as volunteers to help throughout the evening. They were so happy to be with us and the feedback already has highlighted the role and impact they had on our guests. Our faculty areas came to life with all sorts of interactive activities and the whole event had a warmth about it that we are proud of.
Over 1100 students were rewarded for their outstanding behaviour and attitude to learning They get it right every day and are doing amazing things at school. We were thrilled with the weather and each student got a 99-ice cream with a drink. They were then able to relax on the field in the sunshine with friends. Their appreciation and manners were humbling, and they very much deserved the treat.
Over 100 students initially signed up to complete the challenges as part of the programme and, last weekend, they completed the Bronze expedition by walking to Blackhills campsite. On the Friday, the students spent the day on our front field learning how to pitch tents and cook for themselves. When I first learned of the activities, I was a little concerned that few of them would manage to eat given they were in charge! How wrong I was.
As I visited each group I was staggered to find that they had cooked, washed up and cleaned the area around their tents ready for the next challenge. They were cooking pasta mainly, but some groups were stirring in all kinds of wonderful sauces and some were even adding things like chorizo! However, one group left me staggered. As I approached them, I could see punnets of strawberries. They had finished their meal by melting large bars of chocolate and then dipping their fruit into the chocolate to eat. Amazing. I want to thank all the staff that supported both days especially Ms. Roberts, Mr. Owan, Mr. Hines, Ms. Osborne. I also want to congratulate our students and their families for their enthusiasm, good spirits and care for one another. I am thrilled that we have been able to continue to deliver this Award in school and I know many of them will now go on to achieve their Silver Awards and possibly even Gold in the years ahead.
Finally, I want to let you all know that we have taken delivery of and installed a memorial bench for Emma Taylor who sadly died last summer. The bench is at the front of school and it has already been a joy to see it being used by our students. Emma was an amazing young lady and her family have worked with us to ensure she is never forgotten as a most wonderful and special person and student.
Over 100 students have signed up to complete the challenges as part of the programme. Last weekend, joined by Ms Roberts, Mr Owan, Mr Hines, Ms Osborne and several other staff, the students set off walking from school at 9am and finished at 3pm. This was their first experience and will be followed after half term with 2 days of challenges culminating in a walk to Blackhills Camp. It promises to be an eventful and exciting few days and I hope they enjoy the challenge and all the Award has to offer over the coming months.
On a similar theme, our Duke of Edinburgh award scheme is back. Last week over 100 Year 9 students signed up for the Bronze Award and many other in older years are continuing with their efforts to secure Silver and Gold awards. Ms. Roberts and her team do an incredible job and their efforts have never dwindled throughout lockdown with so many students completing a variety of tasks and challenges and gaining much coveted awards that will always demonstrate their commitment to leadership, consideration of others and care for their local area. I’m excited to see what our new cohort get up to on their journey with the scheme. Watch this space!
inches off her hair in aid of the Little Princess Trust and the premature baby unit in the NHS. She has a close connection with both and decided to do something to help. Eva initially wanted to raise £150 but has, to date, already exceed that target with over £1000. She is a shining example of what we are trying to create at Beckfoot. She is selfless, caring, driven and totally determined in all she does. She is also very persuasive and has managed to get a good number of staff to donate. That in itself is impressive! Well done Eva.
I cannot quite believe it’s October.
I am sure many of you will be wondering how we intend to communicate with you when it comes to parents’ evenings and I am happy to say we have a plan. After conversations with several of you, we have decided to carry out virtual face to face meetings with teachers. Each meeting will last 5 minutes to maximise the number of parents/carers a member of staff can see. The technology we will use will end the meeting on exactly 5 minutes and move the member of staff on to the next appointment automatically. Appointments will be made on a first come first served basis and, although not everyone will get every appointment they require, it is a much more personal way to operate these evenings. As always, we will ask for your feedback after the first evening to see how we can further improve. This will be a first for us, so your patience and support will be greatly appreciated.
You are aware that we, like most schools across the UK, have had a few confirmed cases of Covid 19. We have followed the guidance as set out by the DfE and PHE. We are immediately asked to identify ‘Close’ contacts and ‘Social’ contacts and we use our classroom seating plans software to support that process. Once we are clear which students are potentially at risk, and therefore need to self-isolate, we ensure all families affected are spoken to personally about the situation, how to access work from home and when they can return. The support we have had from families of those affected and more widely has been phenomenal. For those that have ongoing concerns I have tried to ring each individually to provide reassurance. These are the times we are living and working in and I hope the communications are helpful. I know it can be frustrating that the exact details cannot always be shared.
I cannot pass on the opportunity to remind you of our Health and Safety obligations. We require all staff and students to wear a face covering in communal areas. We ask that hand sanitiser is applied on entry to school and each lesson and we also ask that the 2-metre rule is observed wherever possible. We ask students not to mingle in groups of more than six at social times and when walking to and from school. We ask students to wear face coverings on school and public transport too. All these measures help to minimise risk, so I feel they are reasonable requests. Your support in reinforcing this message is appreciated.
Finally, I was delighted to welcome to school on Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, parents of Emma Taylor who sadly passed away over the summer. We had a lovely chat about lots of things but mainly about Emma. They very generously presented me with a cheque for £5000 in her memory. We have agreed to spend the money in several ways. We intend to purchase a bench to be placed at the front of school so staff, students and visitors can remember her every day. We will purchase an award, to be presented annually to a deserving Post 16 student who contributes so much to our school. 
