Posted 18th September 2023
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart
Posted 8th September 2023
Headteacher Blog September 8th 2023
Here it is...
Posted 7th July 2023
Headteacher Blog July 7th 2023
Here it is...
Posted 23rd June 2023
Headteacher Blog June 23rd 2023
Here it is...
Posted 16th June 2023
Headteacher Blog 16th June
Here it is : )
Posted 9th June 2023
Headteacher Blog 9th June 2023
Welcome back - here is our Blog for the week Headteacher Blog 9th June 2023
Posted 25th May 2023
Exams season and more...
Final week of this half term, read all the news about it here
Headteacher Blog Friday 26th May 2023
Posted 19th May 2023
Talented young people and lots of information...
Please read our latest copy of the Blog here...
Headteacher Blog 19th May 2023
Posted 12th May 2023
Exam season. theatre, sport and more...
Read all our news and information in our weekly blog here.
Headteacher Blog Friday 12th May
Posted 5th May 2023
Coronation Week Blog
Welcome to the Headteacher Blog in the week of the Coronation of Kings Charles III
Headteacher Blog 5th May 2023
Posted 28th April 2023
Bumper copy with news for this week.
Welcome to the Headteacher blog this week. Lots of news and information to share.
Read all about it here Headteacher Blog Friday April 28th 2023
Posted 31st March 2023
Posted 17th March 2023
A busy and unusual week...
Great work from Year 11 and lots of achievements from our young people this week. Read all about it here.
Posted 24th February 2023
Posted 10th February 2023
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart February 10th 2023
Welcome to the last blog of this half term from Mrs Hart, Headteacher.
Headteacher Blog Friday 10th February
Posted 3rd February 2023
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart 3rd February 2023
Read all our news from the week with events coming soon, here
Headteacher Blog Friday 3rd February
Posted 27th January 2023
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart 27th January 2023
Read all our news and information here in the Blog from our Headteacher Mrs Hart.
Headteacher Blog Friday 27th January 2023
Posted 20th January 2023
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart 20th January 2023
Read all our news and information here...
Headteacher Blog from Mrs Hart Friday 20th January 2023
Posted 13th January 2023
Headteacher Blog January 13th 2023
Read all our latest news and information here...
Posted 19th December 2022
Headteacher Blog 16th December 2022
Headteacher Blog 16th December 2022 - Final one for this year. See you in 2023
Posted 9th December 2022
Headteacher Blog 9th December 2022
Read all our news and information here from Mrs Hart.
Posted 2nd December 2022
Headteacher Blog 2nd December 2022
All our news and information here...
Posted 25th November 2022
Headteacher Blog 25th November 2022
Headteacher Blog Friday 25th November - Read all our news and information here
Posted 18th November 2022
Headteacher Blog 18th November 2022
All our new and information this week from our Headteacher Mrs Hart
Headteacher Blog Friday 18th November
Posted 11th November 2022
Headteacher Blog 11th November 2022
Friday round up of all the news from our Headteacher Mrs Hart.
Headteacher Blog 11th November 2022
Posted 7th November 2022
Headteacher Blog 4th November 2022
Read all our news here Headteacher Blog Friday 4th November
Posted 26th October 2022
Headteacher Blog Friday 21st October 2022
Read all the latest news from Mrs Hart here
Headteacher Blog Friday 21st October
Posted 14th October 2022
Headteacher Blog 14th October 2022
Read all about our school community in our latest Headteacher Blog below
Posted 7th October 2022
Headteacher Blog 7th October 2022
So much to share from Beckfoot Oakbank this week in the latest blog from Mrs Hart.
Headteacher Blog Friday 7th October
Posted 30th September 2022
Headteacher Blog 30th September 2022
Read all about it here! Headteacher Blog 30th September 2022
Posted 16th September 2022
Headteacher Blog - 16th September 2022
Each week we will be sharing good news stories, key information, and details of upcoming events.
Meet The Tutor
This week’s Meet the Tutor event in school was a huge success, we were delighted to see so many families back in school. Both evenings on Wednesday and Thursday had a lovely, positive buzz. Year group handbooks will be sent home during next week to families who couldn’t attend.
Attendance for the week
Although Y9, 10 and 11 have had another week with plenty of room for improvement, it is worth noting that 1230 students attended all day every day this week – a huge and impressive number! Remember: Every day, every lesson, every minute, counts!
Highlights of the week
Seeing so many families face to face was a real positive and such a welcome return – the school was buzzing! For some staff this was the first time they have been able to see parents face to face. I’ve been really impressed with the attitude of our year 10 cohort who are just beginning their GCSE and BTEC courses – they’ve made such a positive start and seeing them grappling with new learning on lesson visits has been amazing. Y7 have been impressive in lessons and keen to share what they have been learning.
Y11 News
After the acclimatisation of the first week, it really felt that in classrooms year 11 were really getting stuck into the challenge of their final GCSE year. This week, I spent time in Year 11 technology and Computing lessons. The focus, concentration and creativity were particularly notable; the portfolios that were being produced in textiles, which are already a year in the making, will no doubt result in the year 11s achieving exceptional grades. The Y11 Team
Y7 News
- Brilliant to see over 100 students attending after school clubs
- Super smart year group! 100% uniform to end the week
- Active listening in assembly
Y8 News
Y8 Team
Year 8 have been proactive this week and have supported their Year Team Leaders with litter picking to make our school a clean, healthy and inviting space.
In other exciting news:
Ava-Mai in Year 8 is going to be on live on your television screens. She will be auditioning live on tv for The Voice Kids in October at Manchester Docks. She is also performing live at our open evening on 21st September.
Ava-Mai isn't allowed to share her song choice though! It is killing the Head of Year 8 as she's too impatient!
If she gets through this live audition the next recording is in London. City lights await!
Y9 News The Y9 Team.
A fabulous week for Year 9 who have been dissecting plants and flowers with impressive skills during science lessons. I have really enjoyed watching you work practically in lessons.
You have shown a very considerate and mature attitude during assembly where we discussed how we learn best in lessons and have been very respectful during tutor time when we marked the passing Queen Elizabeth II.
Make the most of every lesson Year 9 as we begin to think about what Option choices you might make for your GCSEs.
Y10 News
The week in numbers:
212 year 10 students in 100% of the time, making every day count! 5528 positives given to Year 10 from Monday – more than 220 given out every period during the week! 2minutes of silence observed perfectly by the year group to recognise the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. And 10 days into the GCSE course – well done on a great start Year 10!
In other news this week
I would like this opportunity to highlight that next week is National Coding week. As part of our commitment, in raising awareness of different career routes at Beckfoot Oakbank, assemblies and tutor focus, will be on pathways in Information Technology, focusing on coding. This week will allow students to explore a range of careers in IT, and other related fields of employment. Please take a minute to have a look at the following links to see what careers there are available
(56) Coding and games design | Computer Science - Coding: The Future is Creative - YouTube
Coding Traineeship – IT Career Switch
During Tutor lessons this week students have marked the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and also Y9-11 have explored an article about the longest reigning Monarch. As a whole Beckfoot Trust today, Friday, we all stood silent for two minutes to listen to Mrs Hart read a poem at 9.30am.
In Y7 and Y8 students have been enjoying the first chapter of their Right to Read reading books, read by their Tutors. We have made this positive change to support all students enjoyment of reading and both books are stunning. Y7 are reading Kick by Mitch Johnson and Y8 have delved into Ghostboys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.
Today’s Vote for Schools asked students to explore the question if there was ‘a good time’ to be a new Prime Minister – and vote on their viewpoint. Last week’s votes were counted and students were polled on Will the Lionesses' win create long-lasting change? our students results are a little more optimistic than all schools who voted nationally.
Beckfoot Oakbank results National results
Staying safe online / Sexting
Sexting involved sending, receiving or forwarding explicit messages, images, or video of a sexual nature. Although mobile phones are the most common vehicle for sexting, the term can also apply to sending sexually explicit messages through any digital media such as email, instant messaging, and/or social media sites. They can be set to or from a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone your child has met online. Sexting is often described as the new flirting for children, but it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18. Some of the main platforms it occurs on are Snapchat, Tinder, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Kik.
Posted 9th September 2022
Headteacher Blog 9th September 2022
Each week we will be sharing good news stories, key information, and details of upcoming events.
This week we were delighted to welcome back our students after the summer break. They have looked smart, come ready to learn and have been enthusiastic to return. Thank you to all the families who have supported students to arrive on time, in correct uniform, with the right equipment and ready to learn.
After the sad news yesterday, our tutor lesson today started with a session dedicated to the extraordinary life of service of Queen Elizabeth.
Attendance for the week
|
|
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
|
Year 7 |
96.2 |
95.2 |
95.2 |
92.9 |
94.7 |
|
Year 8 |
94.3 |
95.4 |
95.1 |
92.7 |
93.4 |
|
Year 9 |
92.6 |
93.1 |
92.1 |
91.3 |
91.5 |
|
Year 10 |
90.3 |
89.8 |
90.2 |
89.1 |
88.9 |
|
Year 11 |
84.7 |
86.9 |
89.6 |
86.7 |
86.1 |
|
Year 12 |
98.7 |
96.9 |
97.7 |
95.8 |
97.7 |
|
Year 13 |
93.6 |
93.5 |
91.9 |
84.9 |
63.4 |
Key
|
94+% (National Average 2019) |
|
|
92-93.9% |
|
|
<92% |
|
Well done Year 12 for a brilliant week of attendance; Year 7 and 8 were very good too.
Year 10 and 11 students need to make a real effort next week not to miss a single session. Remember: Every day, every lesson, every minute, counts!
Highlights of the week
My personal highlights this week were:
- welcoming our new Year 7 who have absolutely smashed it this week. Enjoying themselves, involving themselves in learning and determined to
- Welcoming back so many of last year’s Y11 into Post 16.
- Having the opportunity to visit so many lessons.
Good luck to the students in Y13 who after achieving great results this summer are off to universities across the country this week and next. Exciting times!
For those who left us Y11 and have started their apprenticeships: all the best as you begin your career!
Meet the Tutor evenings
Next week you have the chance to come in and meet your child’s tutor and pick up a guide to the year ahead. There will also be the opportunity to hear from the Head, our SENDCO and to meet the senior team.
- Year 7, 8 and 9 event is on Wednesday 14th September 3.30pm -6.30pm
- Year 10, 11 and sixth form is on Thursday 15th September 3.30pm -6.30pm
|
These talks will occur several times during the evening
|
These helpdesks have staff available throughout the evening:
|
If you are struggling to make an appointment using the online booking system, please call the school office who will be able to help.
Y11 News
It was fantastic to welcome back our exam year group, all looking very smart, well-equipped and ready for the challenges of their GCSEs. There was a great atmosphere in classrooms, Year 11 students were 100% focused on their studies, making every second count; around school and at social times they also recognised, being the oldest year group, that they are role models to the younger students, and they really have led by example. The Y11 Team
Y8 News
Year 8 have made a brilliant start to the year. The year group are looking smart and are already achieving many stamps in all areas of the curriculum! Students are immersing themselves in their new reading scheme in English and the reading within lessons has been fantastic!
In more news, Yvie in Year 8 is now the Tai Kwando European Champion!
Yvie started Tai Kwando 2 and a half years ago. Her passion began when her friends invited her to join a class and that was it! She was hooked. Yvie competed in her first competition 3 months after starting. As a yellow striped belt holder, she received a gold in Sparing, silver in Team Patterns and Bronze in Single Patterns.
She continued to work hard and even during covid managed to follow the covid rules and train outside at Roberts Park 3 times a week.
In April this year she was due to go with Team England to Poland but unfortunately the Team pulled out because of the war. Two days before the competition Yvie and her Mum and Dad made the decision to go on their own. They booked the flights and arrived 2 days later. Yvie received gold in Single Patterns and silver in Sparing and is now the European Champion!
She is now a black belt and is a 'First Dan'. When Yvie reaches 13 years of age, she wishes to achieve her 2nd Dan.
Watch this space Yvie has a thirst for success and the determination to succeed! Y8 Team
Y9 News A fantastic first week back for Year 9, you have looked smart and attended well. I have seen fabulous learning in Languages - with all of you contributing in Spanish with fantastic accents! You have been bubbly and polite around school and look forward to the best year ever at Beckfoot Oakbank. Your tutors have praised you on your positive attitude and discussions in tutor time. The Y9 Team.
Y10 News
The first week of GCSE study has been really productive for Year 10 students. They have been working hard with their new teachers, experiencing lots of new courses and showing they are here to learn. Behaviour has been good with very few removals from lesson, and nearly all of the students have been here and on time every day. Well done Year 10 on a great start to an important year.
In other news this week
This week’s Oracy article in the Tutor lesson has focussed on Sir Mo Farah and his extraordinary life being trafficked from Somaliland and bought into the UK illegally. Students have learned about how modern-day slavery is not a distant or remote phenomena.
Open Evening
For those of you with children currently in year 5 or 6 Wednesday 21st September is our open evening for current Year 6 and Year 5 – further details are available on our website and invites on the way to our primary schools.
Staying safe online / online safety
We all know that our children access the internet and social media. However, we need to ensure that they are staying safe online and are not accessing materials that could be promoting hate speech. Below is a guide from National Online Safety telling you “What Parents Need to Know about Free Speech vs Hate Speech”.
If you have any concerns about the content your child is accessing, please report using Submit a Report of Harmful Content (reportharmfulcontent.com) and contact school via safe@beckfootoakbank.org
Posted 15th July 2022
Headteacher's Blog - 15th July 2022
Welcome to my blog.
We’ve had a busy week!
Geographers
Monday saw our Y10 and Y12 Geographers completing fieldwork at Hornsea – they were great ambassadors for the school.
Debating Club
Our debate club held a live debate in front of an audience on Monday after school – they impressed the judges and me with their oracy skills and their ability to make an argument and put forward their point of view.
Community Link
We have recently begun a community link with the residents of Staveley Court; this week we visited the centre with a group of students of all years to put their gardening skills to use. It was so wonderful to see the students interacting and sharing stories with the residents, whilst creating a relaxing outdoor environment for them to enjoy.
Continued Professional Development
As a teaching body we recognise that we always have room to improve and develop as teachers. All year our teaching staff have been deliberately working on elements of their teaching in order to improve their teaching which all our pupils will benefit from. In our final professional development session of the year teachers had the opportunity to celebrate and share their endeavours with each other.
Back to the 80's Musical Extravaganza
Wednesday was the Back to the 80’s musical extravaganza that our talented performers have been working towards. It was a lovely event that had the audience joining in throughout. We have some incredible talent within the school.
Year 11 Prom
Thursday saw the much-anticipated Year 11 Prom. Y11 looked stunning when they arrived in the various modes of transport and had a great evening. We’ll see Year 11 again on August 25th to celebrate their GSCE results.
Sharing Experiences and Successes
Friday, I met with a group of students from across Years 7 to 10 who shared with me their learning experiences and successes from this school year. The students had been nominated by their year teams for going above and beyond. They were articulate and impressive and explained how staff had supported them to develop their skills in lessons and knowledge in a range of subjects. They gave feedback on their lessons, what had helped them learn and how much school had improved this year. I am certain they will continue to develop and thrive. They also took the time to write a thank you post card for a staff member who had either supported them or had a positive impact on them this year. Well done to Tanner and Saffa in Y7; Harrison and Keira in Y8, Alishbah and Luca in Y9; Evie and Harvey in Y10.
Uniform and Equipment Expectations
Finally, this week we met with our students and shared our uniform and equipment expectations for September. The assembly will be available on the website from next week for future reference.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Hart
Acting Headteacher
Posted 8th July 2022
Headteacher's Blog 8th July 2022
Welcome to my blog.
A big week for our new Year 7 cohort – we thoroughly enjoyed seeing them on Wednesday for transition day and were impressed by their attitude and enthusiasm throughout the day. We then got to see them again with their families on Thursday evening We are excited for September!
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing lots of great learning this week whilst visiting lessons. It’s great to catch our students getting it right which the majority do day in day out. I’ve seen Y7 fully engaged in reading in our library , year 8 problem solving in maths year 9 absolutely nailing line up this week demonstrating readiness to learn and Y10 improving their work in response to feedback from their teachers. Our sixth formers demonstrated their leadership skills whilst supporting the transition day which was fantastic
Yesterday we held another major whole-school input for Personal Development. This was delivered live online to all students. It was organised by Mr Moules and led by Yorkshire Water, West Yorkshire Fire Brigade working with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) to help educate young people about the dangers around water in the summer. We have a number of beautiful reservoirs, lakes and waterfalls which are very tempting but very dangerous places in the hot summer weather. Students engaged enthusiastically and gave brilliant feedback to the three organisations who had worked hard to deliver some really important education to keep all our students safe.
Students’ views from Tutor lessons were picked up by Votes for Schools and shared nationally on the results PowerPoint – it's brilliant for our students to see how important their views are and how widely they are shared. Well done for the thoughtful and considered comments on this controversial issue.
Also this week during Tutor time all students have been using resources from the British Army to explore this half-term’s theme of mental wellness. This week's focus on ‘Managing Worry’ has produced some excellent debates and suggestions from students.
We wanted you to know in advance of the summer for those of you looking at buying school uniform and school shoes in the holiday. We have tried to ensure that the cost for the uniform is as low as possible and that every family knows what their child needs to wear. We will insist on uniform expectations being met; this avoids students being singled out as they don’t have the latest brand of trainers or clothing. In September students who arrive at school without the correct uniform will be able to borrow clean uniform for that day and will be expected to change into it. Should you have any questions about uniform please do not hesitate to contact us before September. Students will need a school bag every day, their planner and a pencil case containing all of the necessary equipment for the day ahead.
Thank you in advance for your support with this.
Mrs Hart
Posted 1st July 2022
Headteacher's Blog - 1st July 2022
Welcome to my blog.
Myself and the new Year 7 team have visited Worth Valley Haworth, Oakworth and Ingrow primary schools this week. Lots of excited Y6 students! Next week we look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 cohort into the school for their transition day and we look forward to seeing the families at our transition evening on Thursday next week.
This week our year 10 students completed their end of year assessments to demonstrate how much they have learned over the academic year. Their attitude to this has been superb – well done Year 10! Something to build on as we approach the start of Year 11.
The Creative Arts team are fully immersed in their preparation for the Back to the 80’s extravaganza later this month. Updates and details coming soon.
This week saw the launch of our mobile devices strategy – the students have been brilliant. Each day has seen a significant reduction in the number of devices seen or heard and the feedback from students and staff has been positive. We’ve also seen more students communicating with each other face to face in their break and lunch times and an increased focus on learning in lessons! We thank families for their continued support.
Finally, we have sent families the link to the Trust family survey. The survey can be accessed via the link in the letter or by using the QR code in the letter. It will not take long to complete, and we really value all feedback as it can only help us to further improve.
Mrs Hart
Posted 24th June 2022
Headteacher's Blog - 24th June 2022
Welcome to my blog.
This week we saw the final exams for Y11 and Y13 and a culmination of all their hard work over a disrupted 2 years. I am immensely proud of what they have achieved and how they have responded to the challenging circumstances they faced. The leavers’ assemblies gave us the chance to celebrate their time in school and reflect back through the highs (and a few lows) of their journey through Beckfoot Oakbank. They have grown so much during their time with us. A few tears were shed on the day!
Our Year 13 are readying themselves for university or the world of work and I do not doubt that they will go on to achieve great things whatever their next step. Many of our Year 11 will join us in the sixth form, some have apprenticeships lined up and some go to college, but for now they are enjoying some well-earned rest after the exam series. We look forward to seeing both year groups on their respective results days in August.
Our year 10 students started their end of year exams today, they continue throughout next week and students have been working hard in class in preparation.
Monday 27th sees the launch of our mobile devices strategy and we thank parents for their continued support as we remove the distraction of mobile devices from the school day.
Finally, the transition programme for our new Year 7 cohort has continued with visits out to Ingrow and Oakworth Primary Schools by our student leaders and visits in to school by St Joseph’s and Beckfoot Nessfield. We are getting ready for the whole year group visiting on transition day next month.
Have a good weekend.
Mrs Hart
Posted 17th June 2022
Headteacher's Blog - 17th June 2022
Welcome to my blog.
This week has seen the Annual Sports Awards Presentations take place. This hasn’t happened for the last 2 years due to the Covid 19-Impact. There were awards for individuals, teams and most improved players in a range of sports as well as recognition for the coaches of the teams. The list of achievements was phenomenal, and I was so proud of everybody involved. We look forward to future celebrations of sporting success.
Myself, and the new Year 7 team Mr Gill and Miss Farrar have visited Beckfoot Nessfield, Holycroft Primary and Lees Primary schools this week. Great to meet our new Year 7s they had some cracking questions for us and are looking forward to joining us in September. We can’t wait to have them with us in September. Some of our Year 6 visitors today got to dissect a heart in science -wow.
We have had two different assemblies this week – one linked to Pride month and another assembly linked to our mobile devices strategy. In this assembly we have focused on what research tells us about the negative impact devices and screen time can have on young people and their mental health. We have shared with our students where they can get access to help and what to do if they need support. We have explained that we don’t want to see or hear mobile devices (including smart watches, headphones and earbuds) at all during the school day for the wellbeing of the entire school community.
We look forward to continued support from our families.
We are approaching the final few exams for our Year 11 and Y13 students and are looking forward to the leavers’ assemblies and celebrations next week.
Have a good weekend.
Mrs Hart
Posted 10th June 2022
Headteacher's Blog - 10th June 2022
Headteacher’s Blog 10/6/22
Welcome to my blog.
It was great to see students back in school this week after the half term break and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. We hope everybody had a fantastic break.
Our assemblies this week have focused on resetting and reminding ourselves about routines for learning and our expectations and we thank both students and families for their ongoing support.
The Year 11 and year 13 exams are in full swing, and our students are working incredibly hard. On Friday the year 11 cohort attend their last lessons and whilst many will re-join us in the sixth form for some it marked their last formal lesson at Beckfoot Oakbank. This Y11 cohort started the same year that I started at the school, so I know them well and shall miss seeing them daily. We do however have our leavers’ assemblies and prom yet to come.
The exams continue for a little while longer … keep up the revision and hard work – not long to go now!
This week I got to meet more of our upcoming Year 7 cohort and spoke with students from Beckfoot Nessfield, Ingrow and Merlin Top Primary schools. They were in for science and PE experiences which both looked great fun. Next week I’ll be visiting Beckfoot Nessfield, Holycroft and Lees Primary Schools with Mr Gill The Head of Year 7 and Miss Farrar the Assistant Head of Year 7. We can’t wait!
Mrs Hart
Posted 22nd October 2021
Headteacher Blog October 2021
It gives me great pleasure to write the first blog of our school year just before we break up for the half term holiday and I really hope that you enjoy reading about some of the great things that our students have been up to!
In September it was brilliant to see all of our students return back to school without the yellow tape, face masks and bubbles and staggered start times. We gave a huge welcome to all of our new Year 7 students and their families, we are so pleased that they are with us and hope that they have enjoyed their first half term. Mrs Askham and Miss Lockwood tell me daily about the amazing things that Y7 have been doing, well done to all of you and keep your standards high! Also welcome to some new students in Y12, I know you have settled in well.
With 1580 students in school there is always lots going on and people being involved in different things. We have had so many students involved in Y7 and 8 football that we have had to recruit more staff! Y9 and Y11 football teams have had some great success and represented our school in away fixtures. Y9s have been involved with Bradford Manufacturing week with their Technology teachers and have been out on visits and listened to business owners. Y12 have been to Leeds University and Y13 have been busy completing the UCAS process for a place at university. I feel proud when I hear about how many of you have been offered a place already. I am also proud to see so many sixth form students involved in student leadership around school from supporting in the library to wearing orange hi-vis jackets in the dining room at lunchtime helping younger students. All of Y7, 300 of them, have been to the outdoor pursuits centre at Nell Bank near Ilkley, the pictures are fantastic, but the stories and memories are even better and will last a lifetime.
To Y11; well done to those of you who have been staying after school to ‘period 6’ sessions to support your studies especially in English, Maths and Science. Your October Half Term I know will be spent revising for the mocks for the 2 weeks after the holiday. An important time for you all. Do your best and we all send you a ‘good luck’ shout. The school Eco-garden project has begun at the Captain Tom Moore Centre and we have some new planters in the school yard. We are raising money for Manorlands through a book sale and we will be supporting Children in Need after the holiday with 50p or a £1 donation to wear non uniform bottom half (PJs is the theme this year I think!)
As we start a new half term, I hope that all students come to school every single day – there is not a moment to waste – and that everyone tries their best every single day. What new thing will you get involved in? And where will you start to push yourself more? You are at secondary school once in your life – make every bit of it the best that you can. Thanks to all the staff and students for their hard work this term and also parents for their support. Have a great half term. Miss Smith.
Posted 6th July 2021
What a year it has been...
Hello to everyone in our school community and the wider community!
It gives me great pleasure to be writing, the last blog for this academic year. And what a year it has been! Certainly not a usual year with working and learning from home for a good chunk of time. I have been so impressed by the resilience of the students in school and the staff that work with them. I am grateful to our families for supporting our school throughout as we have tried to support you. Remote learning, teaching via Teams, food hampers, free laptops, support for uniform, parent support links, bubbles, isolation, face masks, exemption lanyards and cancelled exams but centre assessed grades instead. For me these are all things that we have had to cope with this year, but not the things that define us.
Y11 and Y13 must be highly commended for the hard work that they have put in, their dignity and patience at waiting to find out how their grades would be awarded and their determination to show everyone what they can do. They all have a next steps sorted and a destination to go to as we await the results on the 10th and 12th August. We loved celebrating with them on the last day 28th May. There were autograph books, BBQ vans, ice cream vans, inflatable games, shirt signing and leavers assemblies, all outside on the Astro turf. A really lovely send off to two fantastic year groups. You all set the bar high and we already miss you very much.
I saw Y12 today who are investing time in applying for University courses. They are aiming high as they complete the UCAS process and hopefully head off to Russell Group Universities and other Higher education places next year. The Tutors and year team are there to support you all the way.
The Student Leadership groups have presented to Senior Leadership Team this half term. Every year group in school has been represented. They spoke passionately and confidently to us in the school hall. I am sure some of them are after my job! They have been focussing on student voice, well being and charities. Some had represented our school at the Bradford Student Pandemic summit a few weeks ago and others across the area were highly impressed by their ideas and delivery.
I was really impressed to get an email from Bradford Bulls to tell me that 3 of our Y10 lads have played for the Bulls RLFC Academy, and excelling in it too! We wish them all luck as they compete in the U16 team.
Some Y9s have been involved in the National Lego competition. The focus was on healthy living. I have no idea how they have managed to use electronics and programming to move not just one piece of Lego but a whole gym made up of Lego. Look out on our website and twitter to see how they got on.
As a school, we continue to improve things for the environment and it is something that is important to all our staff and students. The Captain Tom Moore Centre has received a local fund to develop an Eco-Garden with, and for our students. I am looking forward to eating something that has been grown in the garden or in the greenhouse! They have planned some new seating too outside in order to support well being meetings. The main yard that we use at social time will also receive a face lift to include planters made of recyclable plastic from the oceans, new plants and flowers that our students will look after and maintain and some new seating and an outside canopy.
The magazine gives you a real flavour of what we have being doing in school. This term sees our enrichment week during the last week of term, our new Y6 transition morning and a diversity charity day to raise money for Manorlands. Our students continue to surprise and amaze me every day.
I wish you well for the summer ahead. See you in September!
Miss Smith
Headteacher
Posted 15th March 2021
Welcome back from Miss Smith
Dear Students, Families, Staff and Community.
Well done to everyone for doing so well this week as we have returned to school. It is fantastic to see school alive and vibrant again with all students in Y7-13 having returned to school by Thursday. There have been so many highlights and I feel lucky to be able to update you on life at Beckfoot Oakbank this week.
First the Testing! The school dance studio has been taken over and is now our Covid Testing centre. I have been overwhelmed by the maturity of every child in school who has been for their test. As I write Y9-13 have had their second one as well! There has been no fuss, the students have been calm, organised, supportive of one another and really respectful of the process. I could not have wished for a more fantastic group of kids this week! Just to say to parents thank you so much for your support with this. It means so much to the whole community. The Covid testing team which is made up of our Health Care Leaders, Science Technicians, other Technicians, Nurses and Library and Admin colleagues have been a slick operation. We can't thank them enough.
Attendance in school this week has been the best that it has been during this academic year. It just shows that our students love school, have missed it and can't wait to get back! Face to face lessons started again on Tuesday 9th March and it has been lovely to actually see all our young people in person instead of them being behind a screen. There are some interesting hair 'do's from both students and staff as hairdressers remain closed! With shops also closed in the main, school has been supporting families who have had access to uniform problems because as teenagers do, you have all grown during this latest lockdown! Any families needing help with uniform in anyway please get in touch.
This afternoon we have celebrated with those students who have recently won 4 star badges due to the number of positive stamps that they have. Others have won certificates and vouchers for competitions including 'My perfect University'. There were cakes and drinks to be had too! It was a privileged to be with these students today and I look forward to being able to see more of you soon - keep clocking up the stamps!
School has felt very calm and safe this week as all staff and students have followed out risk assessment and student absolutes. Everyone has felt reassured as a result. Wearing of masks in classroom was going to be quite a challenge but the students have been brilliant at doing this and through tutor time sessions they understand why. We have got the student wellbeing survey results and the Well Being Team are busy actioning what you have said and talking to those of you who need it. Anyone who needs support please let the wellbeing team know.
I am pleased to report school enrichment activities resume on Monday 15th March with a full programme advertised on our school website. Get involved! From Football to Art club to Musical Theatre there is something for everyone. Community lettings will resume from after the Easter holiday, and we will be in touch with groups who would like to use the facilities.
With 2 weeks to go before the Easter holiday I hope that every student comes for the 10 days that are available. Which year group can be the best for attendance? Y10 were in the lead yesterday! Y8 today.
Thank you to everyone for being supportive of one another. Have a good week and take care.
Tina Smith
Headteacher
Posted 19th November 2020
Headteacher's Update
Dear Students, Families, Staff and Community
I can’t believe it is mid-November already. I been the Headteacher for 2 years but have never felt prouder than now. As I write this, we are in the second national lock down, in a year that we will never forget. Attendance remains strong. Our community are supporting one another everyday and I could not wish to work with a better group of young people and staff.
Our Y11 students have sat their mock exams this half term, worked hard to revise and just got on with it! It has been the first time that they have been into the sports hall transformed as an exam hall and they have taken it in their stride. We don’t know what summer 2021 exams hold and therefore they have tried to do their very best in their mocks in case we need evidence of their abilities for the exam boards, as was the case with Y11 last year. Y13 have also got mocks next week, reviewing their work from Y12. I hope you all get the results you deserve as I know how hard you have tried.
One of the proudest moments for me was on Remembrance Sunday when 2 staff and 2 students represented the whole school in Keighley to lay a wreath for those who have lost their lives. Have a look at the photos attached to this article. The words the students wrote were so special and on behalf of the whole school we thank you. In school on Wednesday 11th November we had a two minute silence which was observed by all 1600 students and 250 staff in school. Everyone stopped what they were doing. The Last Post was played by Mrs Stansfield, maths teacher. It was very special. This linked to work that students had done in tutor time and through assembly to remember and mark this very important annual event.
On Friday 13th November we raised money for Children in Need and students wore non uniform on their bottom half and their school uniform on the top, donating to Children in Need as they came into school in the morning. We raised nearly £856.63. On the same day I presented the first 3 students of the year with their Headteacher Award for the number of positive stamps that they have gained since September – all 3 are in Y7. I am so proud of the 3 of you and I hope you enjoyed your muffins, drinks, rewards badge and lunchtime ‘jump the queue voucher!’ Who will be next? A photo is linked to this blog.
I have written some letters to individual students this term when I have heard what great things you have achieved. For one student raising money for a local charity, another some great Art work, and other student made a huge robot for his science project in his shed, and for some others, contributions to the community. Let me know who is doing amazing things so that I can write even more letters!
Thank you to the whole community for your ongoing support as we head towards the Christmas break. Keep working hard and keep smiling and looking after one another!
Tina Smith
Headteacher
Posted 23rd October 2020
Latest from the Headteacher
Dear all students, staff, families and community
I hope that this message finds you all well. Just 7 weeks after school reopened for all, it is quite remarkable just what a fantastic community Beckfoot Oakbank is. I would like to share with you some of the highlights.
The way that our students and staff have got to grips with the new way of working in school has been excellent. Life is not easy, but everyone has done their bit and more besides. Students have studied the full subject range as we have kept the curriculum broad. The Risk Assessment rules that are in place have been taken on board by everyone and both students and staff have shaped where tweaks have needed to be made. Who would have thought that a face mask would become part of our daily equipment alongside our pencil cases and calculators? This community has supported one another day in and day out with whatever has come our way.
I have loved seeing and reading about the work that our students are doing from home. The Robot made by a student in Y8 and the English folder of work by a Y11 student both really stick in my mind. It is great that we have been able to start bringing extra-curricular activities back in recent weeks lead by the PE department. The celebration assemblies during this last week of term show just how well our Year Teams and their Form Tutors know the students with lots of prizes awarded.
Our new Year 7s feel like they have always been with us and have done so well at settling in and making Beckfoot Oakbank their home. You have had a great half term. Y7, 8 and 9 have completed some assessments to ensure that we know what they do know and what they don't in order for us to catch them up quickly. Y11 are preparing for their mock exams after half term and we all wish them well.
The virtual opening evening and the Transition sessions for current Y6s have been there to allow the wider community to see a little bit of our school remotely. If you haven't already done so have a look at the website. Next half term we will have our sixth form open evening (virtual of course) and we hope that you can take some time to find out about us. Our sixth form results are, for a number of years running, some of the best in the area. The Local School Committee has had its first meeting and I am thrilled that we have a full complement of representatives from our families and the community. Next term we will be starting our Family Engagement Group and are looking forward to meeting and working with some of you, even if remotely.
And so, we look ahead to another half term. I have never felt as proud to be the Headteacher of this great school. What a community. Enjoy the half term holiday.
Best wishes,
Tina Smith, Headteacher
October 2020
Posted 4th September 2020
Welcome Back!
Hello everyone!
I am so pleased that at last we can welcome all of our students and our staff back into school. I cannot believe that on the 20th March we all saw each other for the last time and now, nearly 6 months later we are coming back together. We have really missed you all, school is not school without you. During your induction week you will have time to reflect on this period and you will have lots of support should you need it. It is also a time to now look forward, roll your sleeves up and get stuck into the term ahead! We all have a lot of catching up to do!
I would love to welcome all of our new Y7 students and new Y12 students who start with us this week as well as the new staff. You are coming to a great school and you will make lots of new friends and learn loads along the way. You will be well looked after by the great staff that we have here at Beckfoot Oakbank. If you are unsure or get lost just ask! Over the summer we have also said goodbye to our Y13 students who have left with some great results. Nearly 70 of them have got a place at University, others have secured employment. We are so proud of you all. Our Y11s also left us and secured their exam results with their hard work being recognized. Many are returning into our sixth form, others going to college or starting an apprenticeship. We wish them all well on their next steps.
And so, to the term ahead. We all have very high expectations of you. Part of our strategic vision is to ensure that 'No Child is left behind'. Work hard, come to school every day on time and looking smart, be organised, listen to what your teachers teach you, seize every opportunity in school, complete all home learning to a high standard, aim to be the next ones to get to those top Universities or be the best version of yourself that you can be. Wipe the slate clean, make no excuses and let's do this! Have a great year Beckfoot Oakbank.
Posted 1st April 2020
Latest from the Headteacher
I hope that you are all ok in these very different and difficult times that we are all faced with. The health and welfare of each and every one of you is the most important thing and if there is anything that we can do as a school please do contact us on the school email. The Year Teams and others have done a great job of contacting many of our students and are having daily or weekly ‘check ins’ with them. This will continue of course throughout this time.
I have been humbled by the many lovely emails that I have had either from our students or our families or our staff offering to volunteer. You are all amazing and your kind messages at this time mean a lot. In school too, the students have been great. When there was spare food left over at the end of our first day the staff and students in school agreed that we should give this back to our local community in times of need and so our Youth Working team have been helping to distribute this. I am sure that our students we be glad that we have done this. You will notice the picture of our students in a science lesson attached to this Blog. They are all wearing safety goggles. As a school we have now donated all of the safety goggles and masks to Bradford Royal Infirmary to help in the protection of NHS workers.
School is open over the Easter holidays for 2 weeks for our Key Worker families and those most vulnerable. I cannot tell you how many staff have agreed to support this. It says a lot about our community.
Thank you to all our students who are working from home. Thank you too to families who are encouraging them! I would like to ask something of you. Please can you select one or two pieces of work that you have done that has made you feel proud. It might be a book review that you have written, part of a history exam paper, your geography around the world guide, or you doing your PE work out each day! Some of you have done additional things too for your family like decorating or doing the garden. Whatever it is that has made you feel proud in the 2 weeks that we have been closed so far, please can you email it to us or send in a picture so that we can share them on the school website. Email office@oakbank.org.uk
Teachers and other staff are all at home looking after their families too. They are doing a fabulous job either coming into school on a rota or ‘working’ from home as best they can in the circumstances. Work is being set on Class Charts and you have all of the resources that we gave you when we closed, or posted to you if you weren’t in. Only one of you in Y7-9 has completed all of the work set so far on MyMaths – keep going! In these circumstances it is impossible for your work to get marked, but learning is so important and it must still continue. You are doing it for you and for your future. If you have done a great piece email it to us.
After the Easter holidays please look out on Class Charts for your daily work. If you can’t access it then please do email the email address above and we can help. Mrs Walsh tells me that Y10 have been on GCSEPod loads – 92% of you in fact! Keep going as what we know for sure is that your exams will take place in a year’s time. Y11 and Y13 you should still be learning. You have to be the best version of yourself for September when you are starting University, College, Sixth Form or Apprentice courses. You can’t afford to not be doing anything.
We are updating the website daily so take a look in the ‘Learning from Home’ section and see what is new.
Take care.
Tina
Headteacher
