Latest News
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CEO's Blog - 27th November 2020
Fri 27 Nov 2020Learning for all!
This week, we are celebrating the well-earned success of two of our staff leaders who have been awarded a National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL). I am amazed and awed that, during these challenging circumstances, staff are managing to continue their own learning, whilst prioritising that of our pupils. Having such role models in our staff team benefits everyone by creating an inclusive learning environment that celebrates the excitement and benefits of learning for all.
The resilience, perseverance and commitment shown by our staff in their own learning is mirrored daily by the resilience, perseverance and commitment shown by our pupils in the classroom. Similarly, heads are working hard to share innovative ways of using government COVID-19 catch-up funding in order to close the gap and ensure that pupils across the trust do well. Our school improvement team continues to support all schools to keep the best outcomes for pupils at the forefront of everything we do.
So, this week, let’s reflect on the value of learning and celebrate the learning that is taking place across the whole of our trust family, from the young to the not so young!
Have a good weekend,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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Heronswood Reading Challenge 2020
Thu 26 Nov 2020Pupils at Heronswood Primary School have been hard at work during a sponsored reading event which challenged them to read for as many minutes as possible over a two-week period. Reading could be in any form and this resulted in an increase in the number of books that the pupils were exposed to. The pupils' positive attitudes to reading was evident from the second the event started, many rushing to grab their books and read at break and lunch times.
Pupils read a range of literature; from newspaper articles, poems and reports to magazines, scripts and fictional texts. Pupils responded to the challenge admirably, some reading over 13 hours each, and most increased their reading beyond expectations both in school and at home.
“One of our pupils took a book out at play when he never does normally.” Year 5 teacher
“My son chose not to go on his Xbox and was extremely excited to read instead.” Year 4 parent
A grand total of over £1400 was raised during the event which, in these current difficult times, is a commendable achievement. The money that has been raised will be put towards reading sheds within the school grounds. The sheds will be purpose built and stocked with brand-new books purchased from Usborne Books, who have kindly offered to give an additional 60 percent of the money raised in the form of new books.
This is a fantastic achievement for all the children involved and staff and children alike would like to thank all of those who gave any amount that they could in such unprecedented times.
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CEO's Blog - 20th November 2020
Fri 20 Nov 2020Anti-Bullying Week and CEO’s Live Briefing
This week has been anti-bullying week. On Monday, pupils wore odd socks to school as a fun way of encouraging them to express and celebrate their individuality. We have spent time discussing and thinking about the fact that we are all unique and should be free to be ourselves without fear of being bullied. Across the trust, pupils have engaged in numerous activities including poster competitions, assemblies, class worship sessions, visits from community police officers and our KS2 pupils have been writing poems, which will soon become a Rivers video poem – watch this space!
On Thursday evening, we held another of our successful live briefings for all staff across the trust. I was able to update everyone on the support that we have put in place for staff, ranging from providing PPE and access to free and confidential counselling services to regular weekly meetings with heads and a staff wellbeing questionnaire.
I cannot praise staff highly enough for the amazing job that they are doing in these very challenging circumstances. My message to them, and to you all, is to work together, be kind to one another and to yourself and look for the little positives in every day.
Have a good weekend,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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Y4's 'Plastic Pollution in the Ocean' topic at St Clement's CofE Primary School
Wed 18 Nov 2020Our topic began with obtaining an idea of the pupils’ knowledge and the usual completion of a KWL table (what you Know, what you Want to know and what you have Learnt). We watched Blue Planet II and everyone was hooked from the outset. The topic is emotive but seeing animals at risk from plastic pollution instantly increased the pupils’ awareness of, and interest in, the topic. The familiar and soothing voice of David Attenborough explaining the extent of plastic in the ocean, and the problems this is posing, helped to motivate the pupils and complemented my planning. From this, we explored why the oceans matter and this captured new learning as we considered the number of livelihoods dependant on the ocean and the role the ocean plays in the water cycle and as a provider of our oxygen.
We then examined how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world and completed a timeline of the evolution of plastic, which gave pupils an insight as to where events happen in history. We discovered when the plastic bag was created and when the mandatory charge was imposed due to unsustainability.
The pupils had an increased awareness of Greta Thunberg and enjoyed exploring her views on environmental issues and those of other influencers such as David Attenborough. They then began to develop their own ideas. We unpicked Greta's Instagram posts and discussed the reasons she has such a huge following.
Following a visit to Sidmouth, Devon, in July, Year 4 pupils were introduced to a group of volunteers who conduct regular beach cleans. We looked at the measures Sidmouth Plastic Warriors take to protect their beach and water from plastic pollution and suggested ways that a locality could be changed and improved. From this, we had a Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lesson on why there is strength in a group. Following this, we created our own warning signs for the beach to increase plastic awareness and encourage people to take their litter home.
One particular highlight of this sequence of learning was having Emily Hobson-Martin, author of children’s books about pollution in the ocean, join us via Zoom to give a virtual reading of her book and to answer our many questions. It was so lovely to see the children light up when Emily explained about life at the seaside and this brought home to me how important it is to expose them to life outside their city.
Our topic drew to a close with the making of a sustainable bag in Art. Meeting the objectives of environmental issues, the children made recycled bags from old t-shirts. Some plans had to be adapted due to COVID-19 restrictions, but to see every child take part in a fashion parade proudly carrying their own bag was wonderful and, at the end of the day, they used their bags to carry their belongings home.
This relevant topic introduced the dangers of not being able to recycle certain products and allowed children to explore the opinions of others and their own ideas in detail.
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North Worcester Primary Academy Cooking Class
Mon 16 Nov 2020Last week, a number of pupils at North Worcester Primary Academy took part in a very special cooking class delivered by Steph Harrison from 'How to Cook'. The Year 1 pupils learnt what it means to be a chef and the importance of wearing an apron and hat.
The budding chefs started off by preparing a variety of vegetables for their seven vegetable curry. This included learning how to wash, chop and follow step by step instructions. During the class, Steph talked about safety and demonstrated different chopping techniques to the pupils, such as the bridge hold and the claw grip. The class then went on to measure the ingredients in order to make the flat bread and learnt how to knead the dough. Finally, they all worked collaboratively to cook their healthy and delicious meal to taste and take home for their families
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and were extremely proud of their accomplishments. Alexis in Year 1 said, "I loved being the big chef!". Staff highlighted that the class was highly beneifical and a multitude of lifelong skills were learnt.
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CEO's Blog - 13th November 2020
Sun 15 Nov 2020Thinking of others
This week, we have spent time thinking of others. On Wednesday, our schools joined the nation in a two-minute silence at 11.00am on Armistice Day. Poignantly, our Director of Operations made a surprise appearance at NWPA wearing his own and his great-grandfather’s medals. Other schools made poppy wreaths and displays and even a poppy garden.
Today, our schools have had fun wearing something spotty and fundraising for Children in Need. But, of course, there is a serious side to all the fun and we have all spent time thinking about the disadvantaged children and young people across the UK whose lives will be made a bit easier by our fundraising efforts. As always, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, particularly during this challenging time for us all.
Thinking of others is definitely the positive side of this pandemic and the numerous thoughtful acts of kindness going on in our schools and local communities are something we can all be proud of.
Have a lovely weekend,
Kate Brunt
CEO
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First Days at St Clement's Pre-school
Fri 13 Nov 2020St Clement’s Pre-School opened its doors to twelve children on the first day of the autumn term. Obviously, this is well below our usual number of new children but this reflects our new strategy to comply with COVID regulations. Under normal circumstances, we integrate our new starters over the course of a couple of weeks so that each child is able to spend one-to-one time with their key worker in relative calm to put aside fears and trepidation. However, this year, our newbies all started together in two sessions just for them and, as we are all finding in these unprecedented times, some new things really work!
We have had a fantastic first half term and our new children haven’t looked back once! We now have lots of happy children enjoying being together, having fun and making memories – just as small children should be doing, irrespective of any pandemic outside!
As usual, life in pre-school has been extremely busy. The children have created a fabulous family tree display and there has been some great autumn planting in the garden involving worms and good times as well as shrubs! If we add in children washing their hands numerous times a day, exciting story-time sessions, counting and mark-making opportunities together with socialising during snack and lunch times, it’s no wonder our children go home beaming and ready for a good night’s sleep!
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Harvest Festival and Super Scarecrows at Cranham Primary School
Thu 12 Nov 2020Each year, the pupils of Cranham Primary School look forward to Harvest Festival. This year, despite the challenges we all face, we were determined to find a way for us all to celebrate safely so we introduced our first ever virtual assembly. Each bubble learnt and performed their own Harvest song, including favourites such as ‘Conkers’ and ‘Thank your lucky stars’. There was also some wonderful poetry recitals.
Pupils and their families showed incredible generosity by donating an enormous amount of food which will go to local charities that help those most in need.
Our PTA organised a scarecrow competition for pupils to complete over half term and we were amazed with the number of fantastic entries received. Some scarecrows had scary pumpkin faces, some were dressed in farming gear and there was even one celebrating our NHS heroes! The quality was so fantastic that the PTA decided to increase the number of prizes awarded. A huge well done to all of the entries, and a massive thank you to all parents and carers who helped to make these fabulous creations.
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Starting a teaching career during Covid times
Wed 11 Nov 2020Across our family of schools we have eight newly qualified teachers (NQTs) this year. Some of these teachers have trained through the Rivers Teaching School and all are part of our NQT programme, which we run in collaboration with the University of Worcester.
Pictured below holding up three words to describe her training year is Chloe, one of our NQTs who teaches at St Clement’s CofE Primary School in Year 2. Chloe has recently been featured in our NQT newsletter and here are her thoughts on the first half term of her teaching career.
How has your first half term as an NQT been?
First half term has been good, but tiring! It’s been quite a whirlwind in the present circumstances. I’m lucky to have a supportive team who have answered so many of my questions. Despite working throughout the summer, I felt very unprepared and apprehensive to start the year since it had been so long since we were in the classroom properly. But I think we often surprise ourselves in new situations – we just have to keep adapting and finding new ways of working so I’ve done my best to stay flexible and positive throughout.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far?
Covid measures have created a lot more work for us all – from seating arrangements and praise strategies to breaktimes and singing restrictions. It has affected so much of our everyday, and many of my once-planned “first class-of-my-own” ideas have gone out of the window! Therefore planning has taken up a lot more of my time to adapt teaching and learning to this new way of working, which has increased the teacher tiredness.
The diverse range of needs in my class has made differentiation more challenging than anything I experienced in my trainee year. This, along with the Covid adaptations, has meant that I have spent a lot more of my time planning various activities and it has often been challenging as a new teacher to get to grips with everything at once.
What would be your top tip for other NQTs?
Keep asking questions! I have had many conversations where I didn’t understand what was going on. Don’t panic! It is sometimes easy for experienced teachers to forget the little things that they have always known and got used to, eg timings in the school day, conventions for reading diaries, particular playground rules or what certain education acronyms mean! Don’t be afraid to stop someone and ask for more guidance to ensure consistency and best practice across your school.
What have been your best resources?
Dienes have been instrumental in maths to reiterate place value to children who need to develop their understanding of place value.
Communicating effectively with colleagues to utilise the resources already in school so that I’m not wasting time making new ones.
Whiteboards and pens – I gave all of my class their own “welcome back pack” of equipment for Covid reasons, but also to encourage a sense of responsibility for one’s own resources and learning. Whiteboards are then used during any part of the day as required (morning starter/phonics/maths), without children having to move around the classroom and it also allows all children to take part. Win win!
Top tip for wellbeing:
Get enough sleep! I haven’t been very good at this with how busy it has been starting back. But it’s something I’m going to work on from half term!
I have been allowing myself to have Saturday away from any school work. Taking Saturday off means I have to pack everything into Sunday and then I always get at least one full day of downtime at the weekend. I would just work all weekend otherwise, so it’s a good strategy for me! That day to recharge is so important to start the new week feeling refreshed and on top.
Click here to find out more about our NQT programme, or contact nlea@riverscofe.co.uk for further details.
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Heronswood Arts Week
Tue 10 Nov 2020To celebrate Black History Month, Heronswood Primary School spent a week exploring artists from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. The BAME artists studied were:
Preschool/ Reception – Romero Britto - Brazilian artist/printer
Year 1 – Jacob Armstead - painter
Year 2 – Bisa Butler - collage
Year 3 - Jack Whitten – American painter and sculptor
Year 5 - Anish Kapoor - Mubai born sculptor
Year 6 - Kehinde Wiley - portrait painter
As a school, we thought it especially important to celebrate the journeys of BAME artists and pupils thoroughly enjoyed learning why we celebrate Black History month, the origins of which begin in 1915, half a century after the abolition of slavery.
Pupils in Year 3 at Heronswood learnt the importance of significant black people in history for example, Rosa Parkes and the Montgomery Protests, which coincided with Martin Luther Kings’ ‘I have a Dream’ inspirational speech.
The art work produced, not only developed the children’s understanding of cultural diversity but also specific art skills. Alfie in Year 3, who was studying the work of Jack Whitten said, "Black History Month/Arts Week has inspired me to do work at home and learn more about how Rosa Parkes action influenced Jack Whitten". Alfie's mum, dad, sister and gran also enjoyed learning more about Jack Whitten.
Lauren Clay, Art Lead at Heronswood said, "Art Week at Heronswood has been very successful. Children have enjoyed celebrating Black History Month and learning new skills through printing, sculpting, drawing and collage. We have learnt about a variety of artists from different cultures and countries. The children have produced some fantastic artwork inspired by these artists, which have been displayed throughout the school".