Research and Development (March 2013)
Topcliffe School, which has recently become a key partner of the KEHS Teaching School Alliance and is now a member of our ‘Strategic Board’ will be leading this new research opportunity: ‘Closing the Gap’.This will provide opportunities for teachers to undertake rigorous research, so that: successful approaches to supporting the most disadvantaged children to achieve academic success are identified and spread between schools and across the teaching profession; stronger links between the teaching profession and universities are built, helping to develop the academic standing of the teaching profession overall; engagement in research is reinforced as an important principle for teachers’ professional development and individual teachers are supported and enabled to improve their own practice and that of others within their school, with a direct impact on educational outcomes for their pupils.
School-based research will be carried out during the academic years 2013-14 and 2014-15. A final report on the scheme will be published in December 2015.
Chemistry Master Classes (March 2013)
Our first Chemistry Master Classes took place in January and February this term. Over 60 students and their teachers attended a series of workshops for students studying GCSE and A level Chemistry. The sessions were aimed at stretching and challenging gifted and talented students and encouraging them to carry out wider research beyond the curriculum.
School to School Support Autumn Term 2012 (December 2012)
In the Autumn term colleagues from the Religious Studies, Classics, Biology, English and Economics Departments have supported teachers and students from a range of different secondary schools providing advice on curriculum content for KS3 and A level courses and, in the case of the Classics Department, students from Aldridge have attended Classical Civilisation lessons.
Science Support for A level Students (December 2012)
We are pleased to be working with the Physics Factory and John Booth whom we have commissioned to run a series of Science A level workshops for girls’ schools. We are in the process of designing the sessions for girls who have opted to study AS level Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Teachers will be expected to attend the sessions. These will take place from the 12th–19th July 2013.
Topcliffe School launches Visual Maths Facebook Page (November 2012)
KEHS Teaching School Alliance member Topcliffe School has just launched a Facebook page for their Visual Maths programme. Visual Maths is an extremely effective and successful approach to the teaching and learning of Mathematics. It has consistently increased pupils’ understanding, attainment and progress in maths. It also makes pupils more confident in their ability.
Take a look at their web page by clicking here: www.facebook.com/VisualMaths
Maths Challenge Workshops for Gifted and Talented Children (November 2012)
On Tuesday 20th November, we opened our doors to 100 ten and eleven year olds for our first Maths Challenge Workshop. The children spent the morning completing a variety of maths activities and competitions that were designed to stretch and challenge them. The children thoroughly enjoyed the morning. The treasure hunt was a particular favourite! Their teachers liked it too, commenting on how the change of environment had made the children more interested and aware. We expect to be holding more of these mornings next year.
Topcliffe School joins the Teaching Alliance (June 2012)
We are delighted to announce that Topcliffe School has become a partner in our Teaching School Alliance.
Head teacher Ian Lowe, himself a Local Leader of Education, and his team of staff are able to provide specialist advice on a variety of key areas including SEN, autism, speech and language support and delivery of Visual Maths. Topcliffe School has also developed their own Outdoor Education Hub.
Topcliffe School joins our current partner schools; King Edward VI Camp Hill Boys’ School, King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls’ School, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Elmhurst Dance School, Chad Vale Primary School, Blue Coat School, Bournville Junior School, and Nishkam Free School.
We very much look forward to working with Topcliffe School and all of our partners over the next academic year.
