Two local primary schools are celebrating being awarded the ‘Bristol Standard’, a programme designed to help schools develop and improve the quality and effectiveness of their provision.

Involvement in the Bristol Standard demonstrates commitment to reflective practice, self-evaluation and continuous quality improvement. The philosophy of the programme is that we can all ‘improve on our previous best’.

Achieving the award involves discussion and planning around a range of areas; for example, reflecting on curriculum provision, play and learning experiences, partnerships with parents and the quality of the physical learning environment.

Sharon Clark, Head of the Primary Phase at BSCS commented:

“Our pupils are already benefiting from our involvement in the programme, for example, as part of our self-evaluation we identified a need to build stronger relationships with local pre-schools. This led us to set up an early years network of several local schools and pre-schools which now meets termly – our first successful project being the production of a ‘Road to School’ handout which will be given to around 400 children in the local area who are making the transition from pre-school to primary school in September 2017.”

Lauren Burt, Reception teacher at Meadowbrook, said:

“This work reinforces our commitment to excellence; thanks to our Early Years team who have worked so hard to achieve it. Last year, Meadowbrook Reception pupils exceeded the national average percentage of children who achieve a ‘Good Level of Development (GLD is defined as children working at, or exceeding, the expected standard in the key areas of English, maths, physical development, communication & language and personal, social & emotional development) and we hope to achieve better this year whilst having record levels of fun in Reception year!”

Photos (from left): 1 Miss Rogers, BSCS Year 1 teacher, with children from Catkins class learning in the forest school area. 2 Reception Class at Meadowbrook Primary with class teacher Mr Petrucco.

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on page 40). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) and The Castle School Education Trust (CSET) have been awarded national ‘teaching school’ status as part of an innovative new partnership, recognised for their excellence as separate organisations and now working together on key aspects of local education provision.

BSCS is named as the ‘lead’ school, basing operations at its site in Bradley Stoke, although CSET is an equal partner and staff will work alongside each other on a day-to-day basis to deliver the provision, alongside all seven Olympus Academy Trust schools.

Teaching schools take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession. They identify and develop leadership potential, provide support for other schools to bring about school improvement, and work with schools across their teaching school alliance to raise standards of teaching.

The collaboration is one of over 65 organisations in England to be granted teaching school status in the latest recruitment round.

Steve Moir, headteacher at BSCS, said:

“In partnership with our colleagues at CSET, we now have a key role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession, leading peer-to-peer professional and leadership development and delivering research and development activity.”

More: "Teaching schools are at the heart of school improvement" »

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As part of their careers advice programme, a group of students at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) recently enjoyed a visit from former student Katy Wardle, now studying at Norland College and training to be a Norland Nanny. Katy studied at BSCS between 2010 and 2016 and was delighted to return to speak with current students.

Students commented:

“It was amazing to talk with someone from such a prestigious organisation as Norland. They have a reputation for quality and professionalism.”

“It’s motivated me to continue to get the best qualifications I can so that I can pursue the career I want.”

“It’s brilliant to hear how an ex-BSCS student is doing and that she’s doing the job she always dreamed of. I’m inspired now to work for the company that is the best in their field for what they do. Why not aim for the best?”

Students were joined by Ewan Clark who leads the careers advice programme at the school. Ewan explained that Year 10/11/12 students all benefit from opportunities to attend careers fairs, university conventions and mock interview days, as well as participating in a range of university events such as summer schools. In Year 12, the Core Programme gives students the opportunity to build up a toolkit of skills which universities and employers will find desirable. Academic mentors also provide one-to-one support to all students when exploring career options and applying for university, apprenticeships and jobs.

Ewan commented:

“Our focus is to ensure that every young person leaving BSCS has been offered world class advice and support to allow them to fulfil their potential. This involves routes ranging from university and other further education, employment, gap years, apprenticeships and training. Vocational routes enjoy the same focus as further education and we are proud to offer students personalised support as they make these life-changing decisions.”

More: About Norland College »

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Wheatfield Primary School is celebrating the success of a recent Ofsted inspection which categorises the school as ‘good’ across all measures. Under the leadership of acting headteacher Lois Haydon, who took over the reins following the retirement of long-serving head Christine Dursley in December 2016, the hard work of the staff, pupils, parents and governors has been recognised.

The inspectors commented:

• Pupils are well cared for throughout the school and parents comment positively about how confident they are in leaving their children in a “safe, happy, supportive and stimulating environment”.
• Leaders and managers at all levels are driven in their actions. As a result, standards have improved in all aspects of the school’s work.
• Teachers plan interesting and exciting lessons across a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their learning, while teachers check pupils’ work carefully and ensure that any pupils who need to catch up are given the help they need.

In a letter to parents, Mrs Haydon said:

“We are extremely pleased with the outcomes and the positive comments made by the inspection team, and that we are now recognised as being ‘good’ in all areas.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all of the members of our community – from teachers to governors, support staff, parents and especially the children. It was an incredible team effort over the course of the two days of the inspection and we were able to really show the school off in the best light possible – gaining the ‘good’ status that we believe we deserve.”

More: Inspectors expressed concern over attendance levels at the school »

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