Thackley Primary School’s ‘Save a Heart Day’ campaign welcomes installation of lifesaving Defibrillator

Thackley Primary School has welcomed the arrival of a new life-saving piece of equipment.

Staff at the school received training to use the automated external defibrillator from Yorkshire Ambulance Service last week.

Head of School, Annette Patterson said:

“We are delighted to launch our school and local community defibrillator. This was paid for through our ‘Save a Heart Day’ fundraising event organised and led by the school.

“We recognised the importance of having a defibrillator in school and were driven to succeed in raising enough money to make it happen. We are thrilled and incredibly proud of our achievements.”

The school was also assisted by donations from the local community and businesses and was keen to get a defibrillator on their premises as they understand how important it is to provide early defibrillation when a person suffers a cardiac arrest.

The defibrillator works to restore the heart rhythm if a person goes into cardiac arrest and the earlier a defibrillator is used the better the chance of survival.

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director for Children’s Services said:

“Congratulations to both the staff and pupils and parents and carers at Thackley Primary School who helped to organise and raise funds for this wonderful, life-saving Defibrillator.”

“Not only will the school benefit from having a defibrillator, but also people in the local community and we hope it will save lives.”

Using Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) alone provides a five per cent chance of survival but early use of the defibrillator as well increases the chance of survival to over 50 per cent.

The machine could provide lifesaving care for people throughout Thackley and Idle.

Pictured: Headteacher, Trevor Patterson, Head of School, Annette Patterson, Teacher, Kate Bainbridge and Linda Milsom from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Follow Thackley Primary School on Twitter: @ThackleyPrimary

Congratulations to the winners of the Foster Carer Awards 2017

Bradford foster carers have been recognised and awarded for the selfless work they do looking after some of the city’s most vulnerable children, at a special awards ceremony organised by Bradford Council.

The awards are the Fostering Service’s opportunity to thank its carers and celebrate their achievements in supporting Bradford’s most vulnerable children. The ceremony was held on Monday 10 July 2017 in City Hall and celebrated the long service, commitment and dedication of Bradford’s foster carers.

Three inspirational fostering families in Bradford were also celebrated as exceptional carers at the Awards ceremony, alongside recognition and commendation of all the fostering families who have achieved long service milestones of between 10 and 35 years.

Cllr Val Smith said:

“Bradford’s foster carers dedication and commitment to the most vulnerable children in our city is amazing. It has been humbling and very moving to hear all their wonderful stories of love and care. It was fantastic to see them receive their awards from the Lord Mayor and to share this special moment with them.”

Michael Jameson, Strategic Director Children’s Services opened the ceremony with a speech about the importance of the work that carers do in keeping making a fantastic difference to  our children’s lives.

Jim Hopkinson, Deputy Director Children’s Services, announced each carer receiving a long service award. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Abid Hussain, presented each carer with a certificate of appreciation. Carers who had reached 15 years or more also received a bouquet of flowers and those carers who had achieved 20, 25, 30 and 35 years also received an engraved crystal award in recognition of their long service.

For the new Exceptional Carer Award, social workers in the fostering service were asked to nominate carers who had shown exceptional service over the past year – 21 carers were put forward, which reflects the scale of the number of Bradford’s foster carers who will go above and beyond what is required of them to support and care for a child in need.

The winners and runners up of the Exceptional Carer of the Year Award were selected by a panel made up of the fostering team managers.

Gareth Flemyng, Fostering Service Manager for Bradford Council, invited the three nominees’ champions to explain to the audience of foster carers, social workers, and senior Children’s Services staff, why their carers had been nominated. All three nominees were presented with awards and certificates in recognition of the service they had provided.

The winning foster carers for Exceptional Carer Award of 2017 were:

Evelyn and Raymond Harrison – Mainstream Foster Carers

Evelyn and Raymond’s commitment and dedication to Natty throughout his short life was exceptional. Natty came to them when he was 9 weeks old and he was 12 years old when he passed away. From the very beginning of his life with them, Evelyn and Raymond fully embraced his complexities and loved him like he was their own son. Their whole family life orbited around Natty and his needs.

Natty was born with drugs in his bloodstream and he struggled with a wide range of disabilities and complex health needs due to his mother’s drug addictions during her pregnancy and his difficult birth. These had profound effects on Natty for his whole life – he had significant global developmental delay, severe irritability, microcephaly, severe birth asphyxia and neonatal abstinence syndrome. He was gastrostomy fed and had an ileostomy.

Little Natty was always uncomfortable laying down and would have frequent epileptic fits, which would twist his little body in to painful shapes, so Evelyn spent a lot of his life holding him and carrying him in her arms to give him the comfort and support he needed.

Caring for Natty on a day-to-day basis would have been a huge challenge for any carer, yet throughout the 12 years of his life, Evelyn and Raymond were constant in their commitment and love for him and are slowly coming to terms with his death. They are sensitive and compassionate people who gave Natty an exceptionally good life.

The runners up were:

Mark Smith – Support Care

Mark was nominated because of the support and dedication he has shown since 2015 to a teenage boy. The young man has been through several massive upheavals in his personal life but Mark has remained steadfast providing a trusting, supportive relationship and a safe space for the teenager to be himself and have time away from his stressful home environment and the uncertainties surrounding his future.

As a support carer, Mark provides planned short respite breaks for children after school and a couple of overnight stays over the weekends twice a month, but during this young man’s most stressful period of life when he had nowhere to stay, Mark offered for him to come and stay full time until a permanent home could be found. Mark continues to provide a respite placement for the child and remains the only consistent male role model in his life.

Mary Thompson Lister – Connected Person (Family & Friends Carer)

Mary was nominated for her devotion and commitment to providing a loving and stable family home for her grandchildren. Mary currently looks after her two youngest grandchildren, but she also cared for their older brother and sister, who are now adults. The two younger children have complex needs including ADHD and FASD, along with autistic traits so, through no fault of their own, can be a handful to care for and are constantly on the go from the moment they wake until they fall asleep at night.

Mary has attended lots of training over the years to help her better understand and meet the children’s needs. She is also an outstanding advocate for the children at their school, working with the school to make sure their individual needs are met. She has engaged the children in their wider community and has helped them become involved in the local Royal Legion. Mary has helped the children experience the wider world by taking them on holidays both home and abroad – they are regular visitors at Butlins and have their own red coats.

Young swimmers qualify for World Masters Championships

Two Bradford City swimmers have qualified for the World Masters Championships.

Brendan Watson and Omar Hussain represented the City Of Bradford Swimming Club at the British Masters Championship Aberdeen meet held at the sports village in Aberdeen.

The cities swimmers competed against top clubs including Guilford City, Barnet Coptall, Carlisle, Crawley, Coventry, Oxford, Luton, Birmingham, Norwich and Kilkenny (Ireland).
Both swimmers excelled. Watson won a gold medal in the 25-29 years age group and third place for the 200 metres backstroke.

Hussain also had a great competition in the 30-34 years age group. Hussain made top seven finishes in the 50 metres freestyle, 50 metres butterfly and the 200 and 100 metres freestyle.

City’s swimmers were chasing qualifying times for the World masters championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary in August 2017.

Both swimmers train with Bradford Aquatics Competition Programme under the guidance of Senior Coach Andy Pearce and Development Coach Sarah Fisher.

The City of Bradford Swimming Club works alongside Bradford Council’s Sport and Culture Competitive Scheme for Swimming and Diving which delivers training session’s from Grassroots to Elite swimmers.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: “I’m pleased all the hard work has paid off for Omar and Brendan, and qualification for the World Masters in Budapest is a tremendous result.”
For further information please contact Bradford Aquatics on 01274 438791.

 

School celebrates consistent record of Ofsted success

Newby Primary School is celebrating its latest Ofsted inspection report which praises it for creating a friendly and caring environment in which children enjoy their education.

The school in West Bowling, Bradford, has been rated as good in its latest short inspection by Ofsted inspectors.

This means the school has consistently been recognised as being good or better in all its inspections since Ofsted first visited back in 2001. Before this Newby Primary had been recognised as a Beacon School, a status given to the strongest performing schools in the country by the Department for Education in the 1990s.

The new report praises the school and its leadership team for maintaining a good quality of education since its last inspection in 2013.

Inspectors found that children are happy and enthusiastic about their lessons and that staff enjoy working at the school.

It adds that the teachers “particularly value the way in which families are at the heart of everything” the school does.

Inspectors also said staff at Newby Primary School speak with pride and enthusiasm about their work. It adds: “One member of staff stated : ‘Staff go the extra mile for children at this school and I feel it is a strength that together we make a difference to pupils and families.’”

Ofsted praise the way in which the school effectively monitors the progress of pupils and for its work with other schools in the area to provide support in developing leadership skills.

Headteacher Janice Stephenson said: “The whole school is very pleased with this report which recognises how happy and well supported our pupils are. I think it shows the strength of the entire school community here that Newby Primary School has always been a good school but as the report makes clear we are still striving to improve.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said:  “Congratulations to everyone involved in this latest Ofsted success. It is pleasing to see Ofsted praises Newby Primary School not only for the quality of its education but also for putting families at the heart of everything they do. As our Education Covenant makes clear education is everyone’s business and schools can only be successful with the support of their community.”

Newby Primary’s Chair of Governors Jackie Walters paid tribute to “the dedication of school staff, governors and parents in achieving these great results and especially the amazing pupils who are an inspiration to us all.”

The Ofsted report marks the end of a very successful academic year for the school as Mrs Walters was awarded the Governor of the Year Award at the 2017 Bradford and District Teaching Awards in March, having given more than 25 years service to Newby Primary School.

Haworth Primary School’s Tour de Yorkshire Land Art project shortlisted

 

To celebrate a month since the Tour de Yorkshire reached its sensational conclusion, voting is now open to crown the best piece of land art from this year’s race.

Stage Three of the Tour de Yorkshire 2017 started in Bradford city centre and passed through large parts of the Bradford district on Sunday 30 April 2017.

Hundreds of amazing installations animated this year’s route and two from the Bradford district have made the shortlist and our very own Haworth Primary School is one of them with their ‘Branwell Bronte riding a bicycle’.

The artwork featuring Branwell Bronte riding a bicycle was part of a project celebrating the Tour de Yorkshire at Haworth Primary School. The artwork celebrates 200 years from the birth of painter and writer Branwell Bronte in 1817 the brother to writers Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte who lived in and wrote about Haworth.

Pupils and teachers at the school worked with Andrew Wood from Manorlands, Sue Ryder Hospice to create the giant land art in conjunction with Worth Valley Young Farmers Club. The land art is made out of recycled plant pots, carpet and tarpaulin.

The public vote is now open for people to decide their favourite land art from this year’s Tour de Yorkshire and they can do so at letouryorkshire.com/landart

Voting is open until midnight on Tuesday 13 June and the winner will be announced shortly after.

@HaworthPrimary

Fagley Primary flying high with outstanding Ofsted success

Staff and pupils at Fagley Primary School are celebrating being rated as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.

In a glowing report the Bradford school was given the top inspection rating for the effectiveness of its leadership and management; the quality of its teaching and learning; pupils’ results; the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the children and for its early year years provision.

The report has been welcomed by the whole school community.

Head teacher Chris Parfitt said: “The report reflects the school ‘just as it is’ with sound statements reflecting the dedication and commitment of school staff and governors who are absolutely marvellous in their exceptional practice to enable every child to succeed and do their very best at school, at home and in the community, now and in the future”.

A group of Year 6 children read the report with a school governor and made the following comments:

“The report is fantastic – full of lovely comments about our school. The headteacher Mrs Parfitt, is a determined headteacher and she won’t stop until all children have achieved their standards. In her vision all pupils are stars in their own way”.

Inspectors said the headteacher’s vision that every pupil will make outstanding progress and aspire to be the best has helped to secure rapid improvements in the teaching and learning at Fagley Primary School.

The progress pupils make in reading, writing and maths by the end of their time in primary school is significantly above the national average.

Ofsted highlighted the exceptional curriculum which they say engages pupils very effectively. As a result, pupils at Fagley Primary thoroughly enjoy their education. The report also praises senior leaders for their work and governors who are said to be passionate in both their support for the school and their challenge of its leaders.
Inspectors say new staff are well supported in their roles and the quality of teaching is continuously improving.

Pupils and their families are cared for exceptionally well. Parents speak highly of the school and the support they receive from staff.

Ofsted said there are excellent relationships throughout school and behaviour is impeccable. Pupils are praised for respecting each other’s differences and work and play together harmoniously.

Judith Kirk, Bradford Council’s deputy director for education employment and skills said: “This Ofsted report is extremely positive about all aspects of school life at Fagley Primary School. Inspectors not only rate the education the school provides as outstanding but are also full of praise for the support and input of governors and parents and of the work and attitude of the pupils themselves. Everyone connected to the school deserves great credit.”

Head teacher Chris Parfitt said: “The report reflects the school ‘just as it is’ with sound statements reflecting the dedication and commitment of school staff and governors who are absolutely marvellous in their exceptional practice to enable every child to succeed and do their very best at school, at home and in the community, now and in the future”.

Bowling Park Primary celebrates Ofsted success

Staff and pupils at Bowling Park Primary School are delighted to receive their second good Ofsted result following an inspection in March this year.

The result reflects the continued and sustained improvements that the school have undergone in the last few years.

In 2008, two schools, one based at Usher Street, and one based at New Cross Street were merged to create the new Bowling Park Primary.

Before this, both schools were struggling to achieve and Usher Street Primary had been in special measures for a number of years.

Since the merger, and the appointment of their new principal, Stuart Herrington, the school has come on in leaps and bounds.

This most recent inspection highlights how far the school has travelled to become a caring, hard-working and fun place to learn.

The Ofsted team noted that the school’s principal, leadership team and governors are “unwavering in their determination to ensure that every child is nurtured, cared for and inspired to learn”.

Inspectors were particularly impressed with children’s knowledge and ambitions for later life, adding: “Together, you have all been successful in enabling pupils to overcome barriers to learning. You have raised their aspirations and improved their life chances”.

The school was also pleased with the response from parents, who have always been very supportive. One parent described Bowling Park as, “a caring, stimulating environment”. They went on to say: “The team consistently challenge my children to progress and achieve their potential.”

In their inspection in 2008, Bowling Park Primary were advised to develop maths and the quality of teaching. In their most recent inspection Ofsted notes that “significant improvements” have been made.

Principal Stuart Herrington said: “Everyone at Bowling Park Primary is delighted with this report which we feel captures the strengths of our school. The school, staff, children and families are now looking forward to a very bright future, filled with lots more exciting learning and continued improvements.”

@BowlingParkPS

St Matthew’s CE Primary School wins praise for its work engaging with parents of pupils

St Matthew’s CE Primary School was recently presented the prestigious Leading Parent Partnership Award.

The school has worked hard over the last two years to gain the award which, among other things, will be used by St Matthew’s to show to Ofsted inspectors that the school has “an outstanding and sustainable programme for parental engagement.”

In 2015 the school gained the Engaging Families Award and has built on that to achieve LPP accreditation last year. They say engaging with parents is a “top priority for the school.

Kay Remmer, Acting Headteacher, said: “In the last few years we have increased and improved parental engagement with all parents and also with Eastern European families who are new to English.

“Parents play a vital role in supporting their children at school and so it is important they are embraced as part of the whole school community.”

Diane Lock, the school’s Parent Liaison Co-ordinator, and Afsheen Kauser, a Parent Governor, have played a key role, alongside Mrs Remmer, in organising the parental engagement programme and developing the detailed portfolio which was part of the accreditation process.

The school has provided training courses for parents in ICT, English and maths and holds awards ceremonies at which the pupils applaud their parents for gaining qualifications. This has led to many more parents being able to help their children with homework and improve their own life chances.

Some parents have used the school courses as a stepping stone to further education or to acquire training leading to work.

During the school year, there are various events which involve parents such as the Dads in School Days, an annual communal lunch and a number of fundraising events. A popular event is held in November near Remembrance Day when families plant bulbs in the school grounds and remember deceased family members.

Twitter: @stmatthewsce

Dixons Kings Academy named as Enterprise Challenge Winners

A team of young entrepreneurs from Dixons Kings Academy has won the regional final of an enterprise contest.

The pupils won the Yorkshire Final of the 2017 Enterprise Challenge competition for the second year in a row.

It is run by Mosaic, The Prince of Wales’ mentoring charity, and part of The Prince’s Trust.

Team ‘ElektroFit’ beat competition from other school teams across West Yorkshire with their idea for a sustainable business that promotes student fitness, and converting that energy into electricity.

The competing teams pitched their ideas in a Dragons’ Den-style event to a prestigious panel of judges including Martin Richardson, Director of Operations at Leeds Building Society.

ElektroFit will now progress to the Grand Final in London on May 17 where they will compete against winning schools from the North West, South East, London, West Midlands and Scotland for the chance to become national champions.

The winning team will win a prize of £2,500 for their school and a further £500 to invest in developing their business idea and making it a commercial reality.

Twitter: @DixonsKings

School pupils learn about the importance of Fairtrade Fortnight

Pupils from Baildon Church of England Primary School have been helping spread the word about Fairtrade and encouraging the community to get involved.

Year 5 pupils at the school, hosted a Fairtrade stall at Baildon Co-op to support Fairtrade Fortnight.

As part of their RE programme the Year 5 pupils undertook ‘The Young Leaders Award’ which is organised by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust.  The award aims to equip pupils with key leadership skills and give them practical opportunities to change their communities for the better as they ‘be the change they want to see’.

In the course of their studies, the children in Year 5 undertook a study of the Fairtrade organisation.