News
Impetus-PEF announces support of Dixons Academies Charitable Trust Ltd
Impetus-PEF has announced it will provide Dixons Academies with strategic and operational support as well as £100,000 of funding over the next twelve months.
Dixons Academies is a Multi Academy Trust of eight schools in Bradford, made up of four secondaries, three primaries and one all-through school. These include sponsored turnaround academies and start up free schools, built around the high-performing Dixons City Academy. Impetus-PEF is a charity which brings strategic resources and funding to high-potential charities and social enterprises working to improve the educational and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It currently works with over 20 charities in the UK.
Julia Grant, Chief Executive of Impetus-PEF, commented: "37% of pupils in Bradford are from low income backgrounds, and, over the last three years, only around a third of these pupils got the critical 5 A*-C GCSEs (including English and Maths), which are key for them to be able to progress into further education, training or employment. Dixons schools focus on improving the achievement of their students and we are delighted to be supporting their leadership team to further develop the Dixons Academies approach to opening, running and turning around schools."
Nick Weller, Dixons Academies' Chief Executive, said: "I am very excited to be working with Impetus- PEF. The Trust has grown from two to eight academies over the last three years and we are keen to build on our experience to make the most of a group of highly committed schools working together to improve educational outcomes for our students."
www.impetus-pef.org.uk
MSC’s lessons on Ocean Sustainability a great catch for schools
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has taken part in a successful tour of certified primary schools. It has been using its Fish and Kids programme of educational resources for schools to deliver engaging assemblies, fun activities and lessons to pupils about sustainable seafood and protecting our oceans. The aim of the MSC’s Fish and Kids On Tour is to raise awareness about sustainable fishing and promoting he sustainable fish being served in the schools.
It is celebrating and rewarding the
MSC certified schools that are serving certified sustainable seafood by making the link between the dining hall and the classroom and educating the next generation about the importance of sustainable fishing and protecting the world’s oceans. Stefanie Siebels, Education Officer at the MSC explained, “The MSC’s mission is to make sure we have fish for future generations. As part of that work, we’re teaching the next generation to be good custodians of the planet they will inherit. By teaching them about sustainable fishing and how to protect the oceans, even when they are eating their lunch or helping their parents to choose fish fingers, we can make sure that the oceans are in good hands for the future.”
The MSC’s Fish & Kids programme has been visiting schools over the last two months to deliver assemblies, lessons and fun activities with Murdoch, the Fish and Kids mascot while a nationwide mail-out of the MSC teacher’s resource pack, certificates and pledge cards has engaged all schools in the programme.
Following the assembly and classroom lessons the children’s knowledge was then put to the test with little quizzes on sustainable fishing and some colouring activities. The results of these engaging events will be featured on the Fish and Kids website soon. Over 3,000 MSC certified primary schools across the UK will have received mail from the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC has sent out engagement packs for teachers asking them to celebrate their school’s achievement (being certified for serving MSC certified sustainable fish in their school lunches) by conducting a lesson on sustainable fishing and marine conservation.
www.msc.org
The Country Trust supports new Ofsted inspection framework
In September 2015 Ofsted implemented a new inspection framework including new reporting criteria relating to a school’s promotion of personal development, behaviour and welfare, as well as educational attainment. National education charity The Country Trust has a track record of supporting schools to achieve these, through its transformative food, farming and countryside programmes for primary schools with a higher than average number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The Country Trust offers Farm Discovery day visits, Countryside Discovery Residentials and yearlong Food Discovery programmes. Recently, children at St Andrew’s C of E Primary in Norfolk proudly showed Ofsted Inspectors their school garden, created as part of their Food Discovery year. The report said ‘pupils talk positively about the learning opportunities they have had. They enjoyed the topic on ‘food discovery’, visiting a farm and bringing that learning back into school, which
January 2016
has helped them to appreciate the importance of healthy eating. They now grow their own fruit and vegetables, and cook and eat foods they might not otherwise have experienced.’ In Northumberland, David Thompson, Assistant Director at The Country Trust and beef farmer was presented with the Waitrose Inspiration and Leadership Award. This was for his outstanding work bringing farming alive for tens of thousands of children over the last 15 years through visits to his own and other farms in the region.
David works closely with teachers to ensure visits support the curriculum and specific learning outcomes for classes and individuals. Like other Country Trust staff he also ensures that children have the chance to succeed, can take pride in their achievements and can grow in self-confidence. The working farm environment also provides a real opportunity for children to learn to manage their own feelings and behaviour.
www.countrytrust.org.uk www.education-today.co.uk 5
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