NEWSLETTERISSUE 5

OCTOBER 2015

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A visit from Sir Chris Hoy - page 5

£100k Investment - page 4

Academy goes to the Polls - page 3

September saw us throw open our doors for people to experience real lessons during the school day. The initiative was aimed at prospective new pupils, their parents and interested members of the public to give them a taste of what life at the school is really like.

Principal Wendy Hamilton said: “We held a number of tours throughout the mornings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The open mornings are a chance to see the

school in action rather than at a set piece event. This year we welcomed over twenty sets of parents.”

This was followed by an open evening with the opportunity to tour the school, take part in subject-led activities and hear short speeches from the principal and student leaders.

Wendy added: “We welcomed potential future students and their families. We are very proud of our academy and are keen to show everyone our facilities and give them an idea of what our school can offer. I am pleased that the formal presentations in the Main Hall were heard by a full house of visitors.”

One happy parent emailed in after the event to say “I would be ever so grateful if you would extend my thanks to all your staff and governors for a fantastic Open Evening this week at The Skipton Academy. I brought my son round last year and he was keen to come round again this year - and I want you to know that he is so excited about the new adventure that awaits in Year 7.... and I am so grateful to you all for taking the anxiety and apprehension away and for all your subject teachers enthusiasm and the warm welcome we felt in each and every classroom. I can now enjoy my son’s last year at primary school and I very much look forward to meeting you again next September. You’re all brill!”

For parents of students in Year 10 and below, it will be all change in the grading system for exams. For Y10 students, their qualifications will be graded with: - numbers [1-9] for English

and Maths - letters [A*-G] for all other

GCSEs- Pass, Merit, Distinction* for

BTECs

For students in Year 9 and below, they will see a total move to numbered outcomes for GCSEs.

There are also changes to the content of GCSEs. Head of English, Bernadette Butterfield, said “The exam for Year 10 students and all other students in the

future is no longer tiered as Foundation and Higher, so students of all abilities get the same opportunity to achieve. Students now in Y10 will receive grades 1-9 with 9 as the highest and a 5 being roughly equivalent to a high C and considered a ‘good’ pass. All other subjects will continue to be graded A*-G in 2017, changing to 1-9 the year after.

There is no longer any coursework for English and English Literature, it is 100% examined at the end of the course and there will be greater emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar skills. Students are expected to have a wider vocabulary with more diverse language and will

be set more challenging writing skills. There is much more emphasis on a skills based approach to learning which will equip students for life way beyond GCSE. Our students will recognise that we have much higher standards and will respond accordingly. The changes will be reflected in the demands of the lessons and it is something here at The Skipton Academy, we are very much looking forward to implementing.”

In Maths, Y10 will have three final examinations instead of the current two, with two of these exams being non-calculator. There will still be the option of Foundation and Higher papers, with

a greater focus on problem solving and broader and deeper mathematical content.

The majority of other GCSE subjects will have new specifications which will affect students starting their GCSEs in September 2016 [our current Y9].

NEW REPORTING AND GRADING SYSTEMS

OPEN MORNINGS HAILED A SUCCESS

Bolton Abbey Exhibition - page 2

BOLTON ABBEY EXHIBITIONFollowing a successful photography workshop last year, seven students saw their work on display as part of a photography exhibition at the Priory Church, Bolton Abbey.

Jude Kershaw, Katie Skelton, Courtney Brewster, Adam Armstrong, Angus Bentley, Thomas Mackechnie and Iqra Sajid all had pieces in the exhibition, which opened on 2 November. Once the exhibition finishes, the students’ work will return to us to go on permanent show.

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ACADEMY GOES TO THE POLLSThe Skipton Academy went to the polls to choose student leaders with Rob Harker and Shelby Lawson elected head boy and head girl.

This term the academy introduced a new look, democratic, pupil hierarchy structure including digital leaders, site leaders and sports leaders. The top jobs of head boy and head girl were chosen by secret ballot of staff and key stage four students.

Said principal Wendy Hamilton: “The six candidates had to submit rigorous applications to make it onto the ballot paper. They then had a week to campaign, including hustings which were videoed for the benefit of members of staff unable to attend the actual event.”

Both Shelby and Rob were delighted to be elected.

Said Shelby: “The role of head girl is something I have always seen as significant and important. I look forward to the opportunities the role will give to me. I want the class of 2016 to be one that achieves great things.”

Rob commented: “Being Head Boy is a great honour. I feel that I am a natural leader, particularly in sport, and that I am able to promote the school in a positive and confident way.”

Year 11 students were encouraged to become leaders in an area in which they felt comfortable – digital, site or sports.

Said Wendy: “The students identified areas where they could offer leadership. The aim is to get the year 11s involved in leadership as much as possible. I’d like to offer my congratulations to Rob and Shelby, deputies Eliot-Paul

Rudden and Grace Lindsley and the senior prefects Charles Glover and Megan Waterworth. I am delighted with the way the election process was embraced by the students and very proud of all the candidates and student leaders who show great promise for the future.”

Picture shows left to right, back row, Robert Harker, Shelby Lawson, Charles Glover, Eliot-Paul Rudden. Front row Grace Lindsley, Megan Waterworth.

October saw talented children have their art work displayed at a pop-up exhibition in the Skipton Town Hall gallery.

Year 6 pupils from Greatwood Primary School, most of whom now attend The Skipton Academy, worked for over a month on the illustration project entitled ‘Champions’ with professional freelance illustrators Vanessa Card and Jo Paylor, as part of their transition to secondary school this September.

The transition project is the result of a creative collaboration between Craven Museum, Skipton Library and charity SELFA which, with funding from the Arts Council, has helped to unlock and develop the artistic talents of more than thirty 11 to 12 year olds.

Rachel Casper, special projects co-ordinator at SELFA, said: “This has been a unique opportunity for the children to unlock their creative and artistic talents with the support from published professional illustrators.”

After a private preview night, attended by the young artists’ family and friends, the colourful art work is on display at the pop up exhibition from Saturday to Monday.

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm and admission is free with art activities available for visitors to make their own masterpieces.

Vanessa Card, a published illustrator of children’s books and one of the artists involved on the project, said: “It has been a great experience working with potential artists of the future. They have inspired everyone with their enthusiasm and energy and it has been a wonderful process watching their creative ideas unfold and come to life.”

SKIPTON PUPILS PUT ARTWORK ON DISPLAY

STUDENTS CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY DAYOn 8 October, as part of the TSA’s dedication to literacy, Key Stage 3 students celebrated National Poetry Day. Students were inspired to write an ode – a poem that addresses and often celebrates a person, place, thing, or idea. They were encouraged to ‘think like a poet, dream like a poet and act like a poet’, and rose to the occasion with an eclectic mix of dedications. Inspiration was found in everything

from grandparents and pets, to BMX bikes, diamonds and scootering. The event was part of TSA Wordwise, the whole-school literacy programme, which supports the drive for developing literacy across the curriculum.

Also, on Open Evening, the department ran a story writing competition for Y5/6 children. Congratulations go to the winning stories, which were from Rhianna Burgin from Christchurch and Andrew Robinson from Greatwood. They will each be receiving a new book to read and a stationery pack.

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MAGNA CARTA ARRIVES AT TSAOctober saw a facsimile of the Magna Carta arrive on our doorstep. The facsimile is touring local schools to commemorate the 800th anniversary of its signing. Students were able to view the facsimile and accompanying information boards in the LRC. The tour has been arranged by Craven District Council.

The Magna Carta, Latin for Great Charter, was signed by King John at Runnymede on 15 June 1215 to make peace with a group of rebel barons.

ACADEMY GOES BACK TO SCHOOL WITH £100K INVESTMENTWe opened for the new school year by unveiling £100K of investment in safety and IT resources. Students returned to a completely refurbished computer suite and new projectors for whiteboards in a dozen classrooms.

Principal Wendy Hamilton said: “The computer suite and whiteboards represent significant improvements to our resources.”

We also announced more investment in improving safety with the extension of a path linking the school with Aireville Pool. This work started in October. This will enable students to access the school from the pool rather than via the main road. Part of the work involves two new pedestrian crossings at the school entrance and two in front of the pool.

Wendy said: “This will make it safer for all. This work complements the recently completed £240k project to upgrade school security and safety on our site.”

STAFF MEMORIALWe were pleased this month to rename our Science Block the White Block in memory of our ex-Head of Science Catherine White who died in May 2015. Students and staff all agreed that this was a fitting memorial and a permanent reminder of our colleague and friend.

October saw two Year 7 students – Ella-Louise Purvis and Sasha Dickinson - compete in The Big Talent Show. The students travelled to Suffolk for the national semi finals having qualified through a heat in the summer.

TALENTED YR 7S SHINE

CONGRATULATIONS TO A FELL RUNNING STARCongratulations go to Joe Hudson, in Year 10, who in late September won the Year 10/11 race at the English Schools Fell Championships. This marks the pinnacle of another successful year for Joe and bodes well for continuing success in the future.

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RUGBY

The Year 7 White Rose Schools Rugby Series Festival in October saw the team win against South Craven and lose to Upper Wharfedale. The Year 10 Festival saw us draw with Settle College, win against South Craven and lose to Upper Wharfedale.

At the Year 8 Festival the team beat Ermysted’s Grammar School, Upper Wharfedale and Settle College, and draw with Ilkley Grammar. This led to overall victory at the Festival for the team.

Star performers this term have been Jake Tipling, Max Smith, Louis Barker, Lucas Turvill, James Stapleton, Toby Garbutt, Philip Sabin and Lewis Reynoldson, Harry Calvert, and James Sabin.

FOOTBALL

Twenty one students attended the Year 7 football trial matches in October, with strong performances from many students and encouragingly the potential for a well balanced team to be formed going forward into the year.

October saw us beat Upper Wharfedale 6-5 after extra time, with goals from Rob Harker (hat trick), James Stapleton, Elliot Briggs, and one own goal.

A disappointing defeat to South Craven for the Year 8’s was offset by an outstanding performance by Cole Cooke as goalkeeper, pulling off a string of saves which would otherwise have resulted in a much higher scoreline.

Star performers this term have been Rob Harker, Lucas Turvill and James Stapleton.

Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy thrilled students with a visit to The Skipton Academy.

The multiple gold medallist, one of the greatest track cyclists of all time, held a question and answer session with sports-mad students. The school hosted the HOY One Hundred sportive event for Evans Cycles. The event itself is a ride around the local lanes and hills of the Dales. Sir Chris himself takes part giving riders the chance to pedal with a legend.

The heart pounding route takes riders over some of the toughest climbs in the area, including Malham

Cove and the highest road in Yorkshire, Fleet Moss. It covers 11,000ft of climbing on the long route, but there is a half route available for those who want to see the breath-taking views without travelling 100 miles.

Said principal Wendy Hamilton: “It was very exciting for the students, all keen cyclists, to meet Sir Chris Hoy and have the chance to ask him questions about his career and the Olympics.”

Picture shows Sir Chris Hoy with The Skipton Academy students, left to right James Robbins, Laurence Solloway and Thomas Booth.

Don’t forget that there is a Year 7 French Conversation Club that runs Tuesday lunchtimes 12.50-1.30 in room D4 with Y10 and Skipton Girls High School French Leaders.FRENCH CLUB

SPORTS UPDATE - BOYS PE CYCLING LEGEND SIR CHRIS HOY VISITS SCHOOL

LORD BEST VISITS ACADEMY

October saw The Skipton Academy host a talk from a member of the House of Lords to encourage students to become more engaged with the political and parliamentary process.

Lord Best, a social housing expert, met with students for an hour to talk about the work and role of the House of Lords. This was followed by a question and answer session on various aspects of the parliamentary process and life at Westminster generally.

Principal Wendy Hamilton said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to interact with someone who knows the parliamentary system inside out, as it can sometimes seem far removed from their daily lives.”

The visit was arranged through the Lord Speaker’s “Peers in Schools” programme, which sends members of the House of Lords into schools/academies and colleges across the country to give talks in support of the citizenship curriculum.