It’s been an amazing week! How did we fit so much in?
Since my last blog school has been busy with great things happening all across our school.
On Friday we learned that a bid we wrote to the 1887 Alfred Sharp Bingley Educational Trust was successful. We wrote our bid to the Trust because they are an organisation whose main objective is to advance the education of children and adults in the former Bingley Improvement District and we felt that our desire to improve the literacy of students at Beckfoot would meet their criteria. Thankfully, they felt similarly and we were awarded a substantial grant to purchase the equivalent of a reading book for every child in our school. Those books will be purchased this term based on the feedback from students about the various genres of text that they enjoy from Year 7 through to our Sixth Form. We are thrilled and so grateful to the trustees for their support for Beckfoot and we cannot wait for the books to arrive ready for launch in September. This support will add a great deal to the strategy we have in place to improve the reading ages of all our students but also to support our drive to instil in students a love of reading and a greater understanding of the educational and social benefits of reading and improved literacy levels.
On Friday of last week, 56 of our Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh students headed off on their Bronze expedition weekend under the guidance of Mr Owan and Mr Sykes. Following several after school training sessions and a mock expedition training day a few weeks ago, the group headed off on a walk to Sconce Campsite in Baildon and completed various tasks before setting up camp and feeding themselves ready for a good night’s sleep. On the Saturday they woke early and completed a variety of tasks prior to returning home in the afternoon to get some much needed rest and an early night! Each one of them performed brilliantly and supported one another throughout the weekend. I am so proud of them, their efforts and their commitment to this qualification and experience in recent months.
On Monday we took over 900 (yes, nine hundred!) students on our end of year reward trip to Flamingo Land. Eighteen coaches arrived first thing and after safeguarding checks were complete, they were loaded on to the buses to enjoy a wonderful day out together. At this time of year, the park is quiet meaning the usual queues for rides were non-existent and our students were able to experience a wonderful day out. They behaved impeccably and I am so thrilled that we can do this as a school and know our students will get it right. We should never take that for granted. It is so easy to catch young people getting it wrong in school, but our reward strategy is designed to do the opposite. We want to catch them getting it right and with over 95% of students being rewarded this year either through red carpet events or the end of year trip, I think we are managing that well. Of course, we want them all to benefit and we begin again on Monday when our June to June curriculum model kicks off. I am incredibly grateful to Mrs Wintersgill and Mrs Mullaney for undertaking the mammoth task of organising this day and also to the huge number of students and families who have expressed their thanks to us for the opportunity to attend. For me though the key is to always try to recognise the huge swathes of our students who get it right in school every day. They are here every day and on time. They do their work both in school and beyond; they are involved in the wider life of Beckfoot and they are making a positive contribution to our school and their own lives in all that they do. They are incredibly special young people and I am excited for the future because of them.
On Wednesday we had Sports Day. It was phenomenal, filled with stunning efforts and impressive individual and collective performances. The weather was kind and the organisation of the day meant that events flowed easily throughout the morning and afternoon sessions. I loved walking from event to event and lending some advice to students as I went. Days such as Sports Day remind me of my time as a teacher of PE. I miss them sometimes, but Wednesday was just another reminder that the faculty is in much better hands now and I am so grateful to each of them. A couple of things really stood out for me though and each one clearly demonstrated the culture we have established at Beckfoot.
The first one relates to the students. Over 550 students (I know. It is unbelievable!) took part. They were incredible. Some wanted to break records others just wanted to take part and do their best whatever that was. Some wanted to challenge themselves and some just needed to be part of something special. Sixth Form students helped enormously throughout and the whole thing involved over 600 students both taking part and supporting in the running of the day. We should never take that for granted. The other thing that stood out was the relationships that were so clearly evident between staff and students. It felt like one big team who were working together to make everything work and that is the thing that will stick with me most. A huge thank you to Mr Sykes and team PE for making the day so memorable and wonderful. Thank you to all the students who took part, who won medals, who broke records, who helped in any way they could. Thank you to the legions of staff who came to watch and support and thank you to the site team who made the school and our facilities ready for our students to enjoy the day.
Wednesday evening brought our annual Arts Showcase event held in the Creative Arts Block. I spent the evening in utter amazement at the talent we have in school and their ability to capture moments in time through their art. I saw A Level and GCSE Fine Art, Graphics and Photography. I got to spend time with wonderful young people who were proud of their work over the past two years, who wanted to show it off and talk me through their portfolios and final pieces. I don’t think I have ever seen such talent on display at Beckfoot in my 22 years here. The whole evening was a huge success and felt like an Open Evening at times such were the number of visitors including parents, carers, students, ex-students and wider families. It was a wonderful event and I am so grateful to our students, Team Art and everyone who supported in any way. Thank you.
Last night we held our Year 7 Beckfoot University celebration and, once again, I was humbled by the efforts and commitment made by our students to complete the various challenges set for them. Over 94% of the year group passed and graduated last night and we couldn’t be prouder of them and the start they have made to life at Beckfoot. Speaking to many of them, they have really enjoyed their year and have completely forgotten about their old schools. On Monday they go into Year 8 and they are excited about that. They are a really strong group and we are optimistic about what they can achieve in the years ahead. Thanks to everyone who attended and to the Year team for making the night memorable and special.
Finally, our exams are nearing the end and for many Year 11 students the Physics exam this afternoon marks the completion of a gruelling five weeks. For a few there are Music, Hospitality and Further Maths left next week. Many of our A level students have already finished but again, for most, they will be done by next Friday. Each day we have simply asked them to do their best and they have absolutely done that. They are ready for a rest now and we look forward to their results days in August when we will meet again to hopefully celebrate the fruits of their labour.
Thanks, as always, for your incredible support for all that we do.
Have a great weekend and take care.
Simon Wade, Headteacher
