Grow it, hack it, make it happen

~ Joan Walley MP impressed by Birches Head Academy visit ~

Stoke-on-Trent MP, Joan Walley, has officially opened Birches Head Academy’s new polytunnel. The unique structure was built by the school to teach students about healthy eating and encourage them to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs. After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Joan Walley went on a tour of the school, during which she met the engineering team and the students. 

The MP had a chance to share her passion for horticulture with some of the school’s gardening group members, including pupils, staff and parents. The school’s gardening project has grown exponentially over the last two years and now includes a polytunnel that houses fruit and vegetables. There are also several cultivated plots of land that pupils individually care for, a bug hotel and even a small allotment with flowers from the Rod Wood Coronation Meadow.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opened the polytunnel, Walley offered to help the school arrange visits from relevant high profile speakers, in the hope of encouraging more students, parents and grandparents to get involved.

The polytunnel project started two years ago and is currently growing its second batch of fruit, vegetables and herbs. Last year, some of the harvest was used in the school cafeteria and the surplus was taken home and enjoyed by the members of the Grow It gardening group. Birches Head Academy is currently working with the local fire brigade to implement a water irrigation system in the polytunnel.

The next stop on the MP’s itinerary was the school’s engineering team, currently working hard on the final modifications to a race car, donated by local firm KMF, which they want to make faster and more eco-friendly. The Birches Head team is set to race its car in July at Darley Moor race track, in the Greenpower national competition. The young engineers discussed why their car should win, emphasising they had done all the work as a team and spent countless hours improving its design and testing it.

The visit ended in the Birches Head Academy’s hacklab, where Joan Walley met some of the school’s most talented IT students. The pupils were keen to explain why coding and creativity go well together and showed the MP how they use technology in innovative ways. Several students also mentioned they were hoping to pursue an IT career and thought the hacklab was an excellent place to get useful skills.

“There are many positive initiatives at Birches Head Academy,” commented Walley.  “Pupils and staff are obviously passionate about what they do and the range of activities available caters to a variety of students. I hope to see these initiatives grow in the years ahead. Every project I’ve seen today empowers and equips students with useful skills for the future.”

Pupils build and race eco-friendly car

Stoke-on-Trent school Birches Head Academy has started its preparations for KMF’s Young Engineer of the Year (YEOTY) Race Day. The race will take place on July 9, 2014, at Darley Moor race track near Ashbourne. The Birches Head Academy team has been working hard over the last few months to build the fastest eco-friendly car this year. 

The team has a chance to win a number of prizes on the day, including Best Designed Car, Fastest Lap or KMF’s Young Engineer of the Year award. In addition, the Birches Head Academy students will meet Channel 5’s Jason Bradbury, the official host and one of the judges on the day.

The race car was donated by precision sheet metal manufacturer KMF as part of the company’s YEOTY campaign. KMF is working with 18 local high schools to engage and inspire the next generation of young engineers. The purpose of the project is to address the skills gap in engineering and equip young people with the competences they will need once they leave school.

Birches Head Academy was also allocated a local sponsor. IFB Logistics has provided the racing team with much-needed tools, equipment and overalls.

The Birches Head Academy team has already tested its car in the trial runs at a Greenpower event held at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire last month.

The Greenpower Educational Trust encourages participants to build green, battery-powered cars. Its mission is to inspire, develop and promote students’ understanding of design and engineering. Greenpower holds events up and down the country for secondary schools to attend and was the obvious partner for KMF to work with on this year’s project.

Birches Head performed particularly well at Rockingham. Out of a class of 46 cars, they were nominated for the best engineered car. Following their success, the students have continued working on the car ahead of the big event in July. “I have really enjoyed the task of making changes to our car,” explained the team captain, Morgan Degg. “I’ve always been really passionate about cars and racing, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to open up an actual race car, understand how it works and even make my own improvements to it. These last months have definitely taken my interest to another level. I’m seriously considering automotive engineering as a career option.”

“The initiative has been very successful among our students and the support we’ve had from our partners has been indispensable,” commented Karen Healey, head teacher of Birches Head Academy. “Being able to take engineering out of the classroom and into the practical and exciting environment of a race course has definitely inspired and motivated our students to do their best.  Birches Head Academy is always open to innovative learning initiatives and takes pride in offering students extracurricular activities that reflect their hobbies, while also equipping them with future-proof skills.”

The race organiser, KMF encourages participants to build green, battery-powered cars. Their mission is to inspire, develop and promote students’ understanding of design and engineering.

Skills to pay the bills

~ Birches Head Academy equips pupils with life skills ~

The latest personal, social, cooperative, health and economic education (PSCHE) day at Stoke-on-Trent school Birches Head Academy focussed on equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills to live healthy, happy and safe lives. Pupils from each year discussed a specific topic and participated in practical activities to help them manage their lives now and in the future.

The range of activities and topics transformed the school into a buzzing discussion hub for a day. Students had a chance to increase their knowledge of personal finances, career opportunities, health and safety, sexual health, citizenship and human rights. They also participated in practical activities designed to build confidence and self-esteem and help them make better personal and professional decisions.

Intrigued by the prospect of managing their own finances, year eleven students were particularly interested in the financial capability activities organised on the day. They discussed the economics of leaving home and managing their first income, as well as the risks of gambling and debt.

“The issue of financial capability is particularly important for students in their last year,” explained Sarah Wright, director of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). “Some students have never had the chance to manage money, so we want them to be ready for it when they leave school, whether they decide to go into further education or enter the professional world.”

Year ten students were divided in two groups. The first group focussed on preparing for their upcoming work experience. Activities included health and safety training and a test. Successful pupils received a certificate confirming their knowledge of basic health and safety procedures. The second group discussed issues concerning sexual health and staying safe in relationships.

Year nine focussed on gaining a better understanding of the concepts of citizenship, cultural difference and human rights, while year eight worked with Simon Smallman, the careers adviser based in Birches Head Academy.

“Equipping students with future-proof skills is very important to Birches Head Academy,” commented Smallman. “We want to make sure that by the time they leave school our pupils are confident, ambitious and prepared for the current, very tough, job market. Each and every one of our students has something they feel passionate about; our job is to help them discover what that is and how to build a profession from it.”

Birches Head Academy organises five PSCHE days every school year and dedicates six days to similar topics of discussion during Out and about week, which takes place every summer. The next PSCHE day is set for the last week of term, on July 16.

Stoke-on-Trent students full of beans

~ Local schools collaborate to promote a more active lifestyle ~

Birches Head Academy sports leaders from year nine have been running a weekly Fitzy Fox fitness club for the Carmountside Primary School reception pupils. With the guidance of support officers, the sports leaders plan and lead the activities, ensuring they are both fun and suitable for the needs of younger students. 

The aim of the club is to improve the collaboration between local schools and to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for children of all ages.

The Fitzy Fox fitness club takes place every Thursday after school hours at Carmountside Primary School. The four Birches Head Academy student sports leaders currently involved in the scheme are Antonia Dean, Louise Whitby, Megan Still and Damiloa Olorunshola.

In addition to the weekly gatherings, the Fitzy Fox fitness club also organises special events every half term. On May 22, the club will host a World Cup event, which consists of football skill sessions and a mini football tournament. On the day, each team will represent a different country and will compete in a simplified and local mock-up of the World Cup.

In July, the Birches Head Academy sports leaders are planning to organise an athletics event in which they will hold running, long jump and throwing competitions.

“The weekly after-school Fitzy Fox fitness club and its half term events have been incredibly successful,” enthused Tracey Matthias, sports coordinator at Birches Head Academy. “Apart from promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among younger pupils, the initiative has been extremely beneficial for our sports leaders. It has taught them responsibility and offered them valuable professional experience, while also developing their communication skills in a variety of situations.”

Birches Head Academy is hoping to involve more of its pupils in the activity. The school sees the Fitzy Fox fitness club as an opportunity to increase students’ confidence, help them gain useful qualifications and improve life skills like teamwork, flexibility and assertiveness.

Stoke students roll with the punches

Birches Head Academy teams up with local police for Boxing Awards 

Students at Birches Head Academy have begun a six week boxing programme to increase levels of discipline in the classroom. Boxing Awards began at the end of 2013 and is a new initiative introduced to the school in partnership with Staffordshire police.

Boxing Awards started its Staffordshire journey in Cannock. After its success in the area; Staffordshire Police suggested the six week programme to other schools in the county. The project is a fully backed scheme open to schools all over the UK.

The scheme allows students to learn about boxing, self defence and discipline in a safe, non competitive environment, with every participant that completes the course receiving a diploma.

Male and female students at Birches Head participated in the Boxing Awards scheme in the school’s drama hall at the beginning of the 2013 autumn term and the project will continue on an ongoing basis.

Nicola Humphries, Safety Schools Officer and Samantha Lacey, Behavior Support Worker at Birches Head Academy worked with Andy Whitehall from Birches Head’s local policing team to coordinate the project aimed at year seven, eight and nine students.

“The students were very fond of the scheme and the staff really reaped the benefits of the activity,” commented Katie Dixon, Vice Principal of Student Services at Birches Head Academy. “We had some really strong contenders this year and we’re already forward planning for next year’s effort. We want to train another member of staff here so that we have more flexibility and so that we can deliver the programme on an annual basis.

“Birches Head students Tyler Forrest, Amy Austin, Lewis Rawlingson, Adrian Attwood, Leah Dunkley and Tia Dunkley all took part in the scheme. The project has enabled us to tie in fitness, fun and discipline in a really simple and effective way. Boxing Awards is something that students and staff both look forward to seeing in their timetables,” explained Dixon.

“Birches Head Academy appreciates that not all young adults choose to take conventional career routes. It’s important to lead these students in the right direction. The boxing course teaches skills directly linked to behavior in the classroom and it’s been an extremely positive scheme,” commented Karen Healey, Birches Head Academy’s head teacher.

Thinking about becoming a teacher?

~ Schools Direct initiative trains Stoke teachers using local expertise ~

The Trust for Innovative Learning and Training (TILT), an educational co-operative that unites schools and colleges based in Stoke-on-Trent, has locally introduced the Schools Direct programme. 

The Government scheme offers a unique training route to obtain qualified teacher status (QTS). Along with other TILT members, Birches Head Academy will play an active part in the teacher training, sharing the school’s knowledge and expertise with the trainees.

Applications for TILT’s Schools Direct scheme, starting in September 2014, opened on November 21, 2013. The process is currently administered by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). Applications for a Schools Direct place within TILT can be made on the Department of Education website.

The novelty of the Schools Direct scheme comes from the fact that, for the first time, schools can partner up and use their expertise and experience to train outstanding teachers for their community.

The Schools Direct programme uses existing knowledge from local schools in order to develop the teaching skills of candidates who wish to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS).

To be eligible, candidates must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification, a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths, and a GCSE grade C or above in science, in the case of candidates wanting to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7-14).

“Each student has different needs and aspirations; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for education. Offering each and every pupil the type of support and encouragement they need is one of the main challenges teachers face,” explains Karen Healey, head teacher at Birches Head Academy.

“The Schools Direct initiative brings a change to traditional teacher training. It allows local schools to bring their expertise together and train outstanding teachers for the local community.

“The initiative particularly benefits co-operative trusts like the TILT, because each member brings unique skills to the mix. For example, the Abbey Hill Special School and Performing Arts College provides specialised insight on training for inclusion. The ultimate purpose of the Schools Direct programme is to give a new generation of teachers the tools, knowledge and personal skills to respond to the complex needs of their pupils.”

TILT is a Stoke-on-Trent co-operative of schools, who actively work together for their community, and are committed to offering the highest educational standards to their pupils. TILT offers staff, trainees and associated teachers the ability to access training and support programs with Chester University, the strategic partner of the group, and other continual professional development providers.

Currently, the Trust for Innovative Learning and Training (TILT) consists of the following primary and infant schools: Abbey Hulton Primary School, Carmountside Primary Academy, Etruscan Primary School, Forest Park Primary School, Grove Junior School, Hamilton Infant School, Northwood Broom Community School, St Marks CofE Primary School and Waterside Primary School.

Abbey Hill Special School and Performing Arts College is also a member, along with the secondary and post 16 providers Birches Head Academy and Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. The higher education provider is the University of Chester.

One World, One City, One Birches Head

Earlier this summer, year seven, eight and nine students from Birches Head Academy took part in its annual Out and About Week. Starting on July 8, the school participated in a number of activities across Europe. Students who took part, christened the week of activities One World, One City, One Birches Head. 

During Out and About Week the timetable is suspended and the students take part in various cultural activities. The school was divided into its house teams; air, fire and water and the students cooperated with each other to develop their extra-curricular skills.

As part of the project young people from Birches Head visited Paris, Belgium and Liverpool. Other trips included Waterworld, West Midlands Safari Park, Tamworth Snowdome, Bolton Gates Riding School and Rudyard Lake.

To mark the end of the week, teachers, parents and partners of the school were invited to attend a Caribbean carnival organised by the students in partnership with Stoke Caribbean Centre.

The students also made costumes and masks for an All Around the World Parade. Patricia Ball, who deals with inclusion support at Birches Head Academy, introduced students to Caribbean dance routines.

Fourteen year old Ryan Minton and twelve year old Aphena Thompson showcased their newly developed Caribbean dance skills to the audience at the carnival.

“All the staff at Birches Head worked as hard as possible with the pupils to make the week memorable,” commented Karen Healey, head teacher at Birches Head Academy. “The objective of Out and About Week is to give the students the opportunity to experience things they wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to do.

“Last year’s theme was the Olympics, so this year we had to match its success. We chose to embrace a cultural theme,” explained Healey. “We invited in year six students from local schools to take part in the week and taught them, along with our own students, to cook Italian, Hungarian and Thai food.

“We believe that there are certain aspects of a child’s learning that must be developed through creative and physical activities, Out and About Week helps to achieve this,” concluded Healey.

ICE Radio’s star turn at Birches Head High School

Students at Birches Head High School have created their own radio station with the help of local technology pioneers Bitjam. The Stoke-on-Trent school launched the station at a recent Brazilian themed open day, with the long term aim of broadcasting beyond the school to the wider local community. A sample of Ice Radio can be heard at www.spreaker.com/user/iceradiobhhs. 

As a result of the open day’s Brazilian theme, the magazine-style radio show, featured South American singing, dancing and drumming, as well as live animation projected onto a screen to create an environment for the music.

Bitjam helps schools, businesses and public sector organisations to deliver technology in innovative ways. The company teamed up with Birches Head’s students and staff to form a working team and get ICE Radio under way.

With 12 magazine style broadcasts already under its belt, Birches Head High School has now begun reaching out to other educational establishments in the community. Using TILT, a Co-operative Trust made up of five member groups of stakeholders, students at Birches Head plan to encourage institutions ranging from local primary schools to Staffordshire University to join ICE Radio’s listeners.

On the open day, Bitjam hosted an iPad DJ workshop and helped students run the radio station at the front of one of the classrooms. Birches Head’s young presenters took it in turns to co-host the show. Bitjam’s origins as a digital music collective, bringing together people at venues in the local Stoke area for iPad and laptop jam sessions, was put to good effect.

Founded by creative directors Ben McManus and Carl Plant, Bitjam helped Birches Head students run the open day and produced the broadcast, which was heard outside of the school by about 80 people in some 30 countries around the world.

ICE Radio is currently applying for a further round of funding to turn it into a regularly broadcasting station for the local community. To this end Birches Head High School’s ambition is to partner with other organisations in the region, having been emboldened by an OFSTED report which gave the school an ‘outstanding’ ranking for its ability to create partnerships with the community.

Bitjam and Birches Head High School have also recently worked together to open a hack lab at the school to improve its student’s computer skills and nurture their creativity. The lab aims to teach pupils how to hack into everyday technology, such as gaming equipment, and give the devices a new purpose.

In one project, students used a Nintendo Wii remote to emulate an interactive electronic white board. A future project is based on the idea of integrating an iPad into a reception table, so its touch screen functionality can be used to flip through documents while in a waiting room.

Birches Head Hack Lab helps students get STEM

Stoke-on-Trent's Birches Head High School has opened a hack lab to improve its student’s computer skills and nurture their creativity. The lab aims to teach pupils how to hack into everyday technology, such as gaming equipment, and give the devices a new purpose.

Part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) curriculum, the first project from the hack lab involves students using a Nintendo Wii remote to emulate an electronic white board.

The new classes have been getting the pupils creative juices flowing and the results have been truly astounding. A future project is based on the idea of integrating an iPad into a reception table, so its touch screen functionality can be used to flip through documents while in a waiting room.

"These kinds of activities give pupils the chance to learn on their own and question things around them," explained Sarah Williams, Assistant Vice Principal for Teaching at Birches Head High School and the initiator of the programme. "As students encounter problems it enables them to find creative technology solutions.

“In the case of the iPad coffee table, finding the right type of glass that would enable the touch screen functionality is proving to be quite a challenge," recalls Williams. “This is a genuine materials science question and a long way from the tradition of teaching STEM using egg boxes and straws!

“The pupils have taken to the hacking lab brilliantly,” enthused Karen Healey, Birches Head’s head teacher. “We want children to question technology and think deeply about the future of ICT. We want them to recognize that the pace of technological change is incredible and that they can be part of that," she explained.

The project has been launched in partnership with Stoke based creative technologies firm BitJam and has a three year vision of teaching STEM skills to the pupils at Birches Head. Given the interest and innovative results it has achieved, the school expects the Hacklab project to be extended.

There has even been talk of investing in a mobile hacking lab, which would give pupils at other schools in the local community the opportunity to experience the hacking lessons.

The sessions take place at lunch time and after school and the turnout is always high, which testifies to the children's interest in technology and questioning the traditional use of common devices.

Scalextric4schools puts students on track for engineering

A team of budding engineers from Birches Head High School are celebrating success in the 2013 Scalextric4schools competition. Year nine pupils Ryan Carter and Kris Starkey, both 14, fought off fierce competition from 13 rival teams to take the chequered flag in the prestigious competition. 

With entries from England, Scotland and as far afield as Russia, the event had a truly international flavour and saw the Stoke-on-Trent students emerge victorious.

Working in conjunction with teacher Simon Hooker, the technically minded student duo designed and manufactured their own race worthy Scalextric car, before presenting their project to a judging panel. 

Initially, a team of year nine pupils, all with an interest in engineering, began working on the project in September 2012 during an after-school club. 

Under the guidance of Mr Hooker, subject leader for technology, Ryan and Kris saw the project to fruition, culminating in the final event at RAF Cosford.

The competition was run in partnership with Scalextric manufacturer Hornby and software company PTC, who provided its CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, Creo, free of charge. 

The boys used the Creo software to create a concept car; they were then able to manufacture a foam prototype which was tested in a wind tunnel to assess the effect of environmental change on the car’s performance.

Once happy with their prototype, the Birches Head team called upon the services of Aston University. The team there helped move the project forward by allowing the pupils to use the University’s 3D printer to manufacture the parts required to build the car. With the build complete, the car underwent a track test that enabled the students to enhance their slot car driving skills.

The final of the Scalextrix4schools competition took place on Sunday June 16 at the RAF Cosford Museum, giving the young engineers an opportunity to showcase their designs. The Birches Head A-Team was the overall winner of the event, taking the podium for fastest lap.

“This competition has provided students with a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable extra-curricular skills,” commented teacher Simon Hooker after the event. “Ryan and Kris have demonstrated enthusiasm throughout the whole process and thoroughly deserve their win.”

The talented pupils are now hoping to build on their success by pursuing careers in engineering.