Ten years as part of the Beckfoot Trust
It was before half term that I last wrote my Blog and so I very much hope that you had a great week and managed to have a break from the daily routine of school.
Since our return our staff and students have been busy mainly because it’s mock exam season for Year 11 and 13 students. Over the past couple of weeks our GCSE cohort sat mock exams in the core subjects and A Level students did similarly in their chosen areas of Post 16 study. They did so under strict exam conditions. We asked them to utilise half term to prepare and to ensure that they could give of their best. We did so because the mocks are essentially a point in time check of what our students know and where they still need to work extremely hard if they are to achieve amazing things in the summer. We asked them to show up every day and respect the rules and the experience and to learn from it every day. What I can tell you is that each one of them has been utterly brilliant in their approach. Our exams team felt a warmth from the students and a sense that what they were doing really mattered. They are right. Over the next week or so the results will come in and be shared with students. Those results will provide significantly important feedback for each students that will enable them to really understand where they are currently, what needs to happen next and the plan for the next few months until the full mock series of exams in the Spring term.
Last week we held our first Parental Engagement evening for Year 13 students and families. We have continued with the online approach because the feedback from the vast majority is that the experience is much more positive and calmer. If that ever changes, please do let us know. We had over 95% attendance on the night and it was a chance for staff to share their views and plans whilst also being able to understand any issues or concerns coming the other way. The staff really enjoy these evenings and see them as a privileged part of their role in schools. Personally, I am so grateful that we work with a community of families that care so deeply about their children and their education. Nothing is more important in my view. In the coming weeks we have our Year 9 consultation evening on Thursday 30 November and Year 11 on Thursday 7 December. We look forward to those events and would ask that you keep a look out for the messages about bookings on our website and Class Charts.
In sport I want to let you know that the interest in girl’s football continues to rise. In September I spoke about the Lionesses and the impact they have had on young people over the last few years and especially since the World Cup. In October we took a large group of our girls to the Future Lioness Talent ID festival and they were amazing. On the back of that, Sofia in Year 10 was selected to train with the Bradford City U15 squad. I am thrilled for her and our school. I am also delighted that we have so much interest amongst our students and that more opportunities like this are planned this year. It is a hugely exciting time for our young female footballers and I cannot wait to see what they can achieve in the years ahead.
On Tuesday we held our Beckfoot Trust 10 year celebration concert at St. George’s Hall in Bradford. The evening was a showcase of the talent of our students across our 10 schools. It was an amazing event with over 80 Beckfoot students involved. The place was packed with the audience made up of families, staff, directors and LSC members and a huge number of old yet familiar faces. As I sat I in the audience I was filled with pride for two reasons. 
Firstly, that we are a part of an organisation that cares deeply about young people and this city but also because of our staff and students who lit up the entire venue each time they performed. I am indebted to Mr. Lee without whom this event could not have happened but also to Mr. Stimpson, Mr. Jackson, James in our Sixth Form and so many others who gave their time to make this event special for all. I cannot believe it has been 10 years and I am excited for what lies ahead of us.
Take care.
Simon Wade, Headteacher
