Issuu

BETTERTIMES Bohunt Education Trust Termly Events Review ISSUE 12 – SUMMER 2022 – ENJOY

E D U C AT I O N T RU S T

PAUL COLLIN APPOINTED HEADTEACHER AT BOHUNT SCHOOL WORTHING

BET AWARDS 2022 CELEBRATE STAFF AT GLITTERING CEREMONY

2022

HORSHAM HITS THE SLOPES! Read more inside

BET ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSES SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | ADAM WHITEHEAD SHARES VISION FOR SGS | PRIORY ART STUDENTS REPRESENT UK IN ERASMUS PRIZE PROGRAMME | SCHOOLS CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE DAY | WORLD HOLOCAUST DAY REMEMBERED | BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW AND MORE…

CONTENTS Chair and Trust Leader Welcomes

Trust News

SCHOOL NEWS

BET AWARDS 2022 CELEBRATE STAFF AT GLITTERING CEREMONY On Friday 1 April, Bohunt Education Trust (BET) hosted its second BET Staff Awards at The Studio at The Petersfield School.

City Academy Norwich

The BET Awards

The Costello School

Bohunt Horsham

Bohunt School, Liphook

Priory School

Steyning Grammar School

The Petersfield School

Bohunt Wokingham

Bohunt School Worthing

Chinese New Year Enrichment Day - page 12

Meet Deborah Mansfield - page 25

The BET Awards were created in 2020 to celebrate staff across the Trust who have made phenomenal contributions to their schools. More than 250 nominations were made for staff across BET’s high-performing family of eight schools and finalists from Liphook, Portsmouth, Worthing, Petersfield, Steyning, Wokingham, Basingstoke and Horsham were invited to a glittering evening of celebrations. Hosted by Georgette Ayling, Headteacher at Bohunt Horsham and Stewart Vaughan, Headteacher at Priory School, guests were treated to a two-course dinner at The Studio, The Petersfield School - with a chance to catch up and honour colleagues across the Trust. Ray Morton, BET Chair of Trustees said: “It was an honour to attend the BET Awards and a privilege to present the Chair’s Award. Teams across the Trust have worked tirelessly, particularly over the past two years, ensuring that students continued to receive the best quality learning. It is a credit to all the schools, teachers and support stuff. Congratulations to all.” Find out who this year’s winners are and photos from the night on page 20.

Worthing celebrates CREST award - page 39

FUTURE ISSUES OF BETTER TIMES

SGS Game Changing brothers - page 33

BET TERTIMES Bohunt Education

We want to ensure you enjoy BETTER Times and find it a useful and engaging platform. If you have any suggestions for future content, please email the Comms team at: comms@bohunttrust.com Many thanks to all this issue’s contributors.

BET TERTIMES Bohunt Education

Trust Termly Even

ts Review ISSUE 7 – AUTU MN 2020 – THE ACHIE VE ISSUE !

E D U C AT I ON TRUS T

BOHUNT EDU CATION TRUS ACHIEVEMENTS T CELEBRATES

STUDENTS’ GCSE

BET TERTIMES Bohunt Education

Trust Termly Even

ts Review ISSUE 6 – SUMM ER 2020 – THE GAME -CHA NGER ISSUE !

E D U C AT I ON TRUS T

BOHUNT SCHO NATIONAL COROLS PROUDLY SUPPORT ONAVIRUS RESP ONSE

On Thursday 20 August, students across Bohunt Trust (BET) collected their Education Ray Morton, Chair GCSE examinat before embarkin of Trustees said, ion results g on the next Schools across stage of their Bohunt Educatio “Students, staff, education. In what has been n Trust (BET) supported the governors and an extraordinary national response proudly the whole Bohunt Trust communi year, with students sit examinations, The initiatives to combat the crisis by providing ty have pulled Education taking place across unable yet demonstr ating COVID-19 together with personal protectiv efforts during BET schools complem hard work, successes enormous dedication to game-changing awe-inspiring to frontline NHS the last few months. e equipment initiative launched ent the across BET schools and workers and (PPE) their response I am immensel by the Trust at March, calling on included: getting food and • Bohunt School to those who y proud of to such a challengin the end of local communi need it most. resources in g set which has been ties to donate unused devices to help achieved ten gradeLiphook, whose student Mary of courage, resilience of circumstances - one computer students from Staff at Bohunt Skuodas 9s and one (top) and positivity.” Maths less advantage School in Liphook access to home grade A in Additiona Neil Strowger, d families gain learning. helped ensure and The Costello Trust Leader l • Bohunt School that the most said, “We are School celebrating the The scheme, which vulnerable children in delighted to be to food through hard work of achieved ten gradeWorthing, whose student Tom had access has so far received food drops and our students today as they Sellens 9s from across the Trust deliveries, and numerous donations Worthing staff individuals and collect their examinati • The Petersfield Bohunt School local businesse delivered iPads on results – results will help them School (TPS), s, is helping children online so that they to elderly people care homes to to embark on whose students which and Charlie Offen can continue to to get help them stay in isolated the next stage Lucy We secured Powell are access engaged of inordinately proud their education a jaw-dropping education. Horsham opened each and connected Neil Strowger, . eleven grade 9s of our 2020 cohort . Bohunt its car park to Trust Leader of the very best Horsham Hospital and wish them of TPS’ science Bohunt Education with their next • The Costello teachers, who and one steps, whether School in Basingsto “Our schools are Trust said: with us at Bohunt is lab qualified, that be studying Holland achieved deeply rooted expertise for vital ke, whose student Sixth Form – which volunteered his within their local nine grade 9s work being undertake We see it as our Sam A*/A for A level achieved a record communities. duty to do what n at the local hospital. entries this year Since the start Press interest we can to protect at this time and of lockdown, BET – colleges or embarkin 50% apprenticeships.” was high, given our NHS so it is apposite schools to provide the the game-changing g on PPE and communi for us to do our the heroes on very best in education have worked tirelessly provision of ty support across bit to help the frontline, as See pages 14 and including an appeal and care to students, all of our schools, Radio 4, ITV Meridian well as those 15 for a fantastic vulnerable.” to ensure all the with BBC who are more and local press double page celebratio results across Trust’s young people access to home covering schools’ the Trust! learning devices, n of have efforts. a food bank, and of PPE to the staff the provision and local NHS providers .

IN THIS I SSUE...

IN THIS I SSUE... GAME-C

Trust Termly Even

ts Review ISSUE 5 – SPRING 2 020 – THE RESPECT I SSUE

E D U C AT I ON TRUS T

GIRL POWER: BET STUDENTS MAKE UP 50% OF MARITIME ROAD ATTENDEES AT SHOW FOR GIRLS !

Last October , students from three BET schools the annual Maritime attended Trust at the home Roadshow for Girls, run by the 1851 of Britain’s America INEOS, in Old ’s Cup Team, Portsmouth. Team Of the 180 girls, from BET (Priory half were School, TPS Liphook). and Bohunt School in Students took part in a rotation of inspiring activities, growth mind-set workshops, which such as demonstr ated positive thinking. the power of Networking was also a strong feature event, with several of the ambassadors from to students about local businesse s talking leadership skills and how to improve strengths. It was also a superb their opportunity for women who work girls to talk to in STEM (Science, and Maths) careers Technolog y, Engineerin and discover how g paths. they forged their career In the afternoon , students moved down to the Tech try hands-on exhibits, Deck to such as writing making sails to code to steer test in the wind boats and tunnel. They also tried temporar y

IN THIS I SSUE...

challenges

provided by as coding the spherical the Royal Navy STEM ambassad ors such rolling robots to and identifying land on aircraft how STEM skills carriers, are used in the across a variety armed forces of jobs.

The trip was an overwhelming success. An increasing of women are pursuing careers number opportunities in STEM industries such as the and break down misconcep Maritime Roadshow for Girls help to tions that girls may Student comment have about the s included: “I’ve sector. learned my only myself,” and “I limitation is really enjoyed the day – it showed so many career me there are choices within STEM.” We look forward to taking more brilliant BET girls roadshow in March. to the next

E D U C AT I O N T RU S T

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Despite the continuing roll-out of the national vaccination programme, we remain in the grip of the Covid pandemic. Obviously, this has impacted both staff and students, creating further strain on colleagues and leadership teams. As ever, you have responded magnificently to this continuing disruption, and again on behalf of the Trustees I extend a huge THANK YOU. The past term has been overshadowed by the humanitarian crisis arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the dislocation of millions of people. Our students will be seeking guidance from their teachers to help them to understand what is happening and I know that you have the compassion and fortitude to help them through this difficult period. We live in uncertain, unsettling, and dangerous times! This term, we are welcoming new Heads for two of our schools. At Steyning, Adam Whitehead takes on the leadership role, moving from Worthing where he was appointed as founding headteacher in 2014, with the remit to set up and build a brandnew school. This has been a major success, and the school has been fully-subscribed every year since. I know that Adam is looking forward to the additional challenges of running one of the largest state schools in England, with the complexities of an established sixth form and a substantial boarding operation, coupled with nearly 400 years of history and tradition. We have every confidence that Adam will take SGS to even greater heights within the BET and Church of England families. At Worthing, Adam is being replaced by Paul Collin, who has been Head of City Academy Norwich for the past four years. In his time at CAN, Paul has brought about a significant improvement in behaviour and attitudes to learning, thereby improving the life opportunities for CAN’s pupils.

understand and challenge government thinking on the importance of Citizenship Education in all schools. Hopefully, their contribution will have had a real influence on future education policy. In February, a group of Year 12 and Year 8 Liphook students were interviewed in the Sixth Form by ITV News about BETs trailblazing approach to teaching of black history. Helping students to understand the past provides a sound basis from which to understand the future! For many students, the relevance of many subjects they must learn to their future lives can be murky at best. Director of Education Phil Avery and Head of Horsham School Georgette Ayling featured in an article in the Times Education Supplement about how our teachers of science are making their subject both relevant and relatable to students. Instead of just teaching the curriculum content, focusing also on how that content is applied in the real world is both eye-opening and inspirational. It was a real delight to join many staff for the BET Awards at the beginning of April. Held in The Studio at TPS, we were able to celebrate the effort, dedication and professionalism of both teachers and support staff. Space prevents mention of all these awards, but notable are Ann Kelly (Costello) and Emma Weeks (Priory), both of whom have completed 30 years of service at their schools, the often-unsung BET HR team, and (further to my previous paragraph) the Science Faculty at SGS. Congratulations to all award winners – I look forward to another enjoyable evening with as many staff as possible at the next Awards.

As I write the seasons have changed and a glorious Easter has been a joy to behold. Joy has perhaps been in rather shorter supply than usual in these times chastened and diminished by the pandemic. Nature, however, continues undiminished and undaunted by viruses; the trees are blossoming and our green spaces filling with colour – in true ‘Disney’ fashion, the birds are chirping merrily as they busy themselves with nest building and preparing for the birth of their kin. Easter is a transformative time, whatever our faith or indeed if we have none. Over the recent break I was reading about the life of Mother Teresa, a truly inspirational figure who was finally canonised by the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace.” She chose not to attend the ceremonial banquet but asked that the $192,000 fund be given to the poor. In later years, she was more active in western developed countries. She commented that though the West was materially prosperous, there was often a spiritual poverty.

Your actions will be remembered rather than recognised. The pandemic is not over, we are all bearing the scars of a hard fought campaign be it covering absent colleagues’ classes or striving to re-engage our children whose horizons have narrowed and who have been disconnected from our culture and our values for too long. There remains considerable challenges ahead but I fervently believe that we go forward with new opportunity before us and the sun on our faces. With best wishes for the summer term ahead.

NEIL STROWGER

Trust Leader of BET

It is perhaps obvious to draw comparisons between our emerging from the pandemic with spring, rebirth and renewal but I do urge you to reflect on the following words of Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

DR RAY MORTON

Both these appointments were made following strong competition, both external and from within BET. Priory School continued its strong focus on citizenship with two Year 10 students, Headteacher Stewart Vaughan, and Mrs Blachford, BET Subject Coordinator for Citizenship participating in a national round-table discussion with Schools Minister Robin Walker. It was an excellent opportunity for our students to

MESSAGE FROM THE TRUST LEADER

Your efforts to make a difference to support our communities may have been small in the context of a global pandemic but the difference we have made to the students in our care and the kindness and support we have shown our colleagues is unquantifiable but miraculous all the same. “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind”. Isaiah 65:17

Chair of the Trust Board

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

PAUL COLLIN APPOINTED HEADTEACHER AT BOHUNT SCHOOL WORTHING

ADAM WHITEHEAD SHARES HIS VISION FOR STEYNING GRAMMAR SCHOOL

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF PAUL COLLIN AS THE NEW HEADTEACHER AT BOHUNT SCHOOL WORTHING (BSW) IN WEST SUSSEX, FOLLOWING ADAM WHITEHEAD’S MOVE TO STEYNING GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WEST SUSSEX.

STEYNING GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S NEW HEADTEACHER, ADAM WHITEHEAD HAS WRITTEN AN OPEN LETTER OUTLINING HIS VISION FOR THE SCHOOL. Steyning Grammar School’s new headteacher, Adam Whitehead has written an open letter outlining his vision for the school.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Collin as the new Headteacher at Bohunt School Worthing (BSW) in West Sussex, following Adam Whitehead’s move to Steyning Grammar School, West Sussex.

Mr Whitehead was revealed as the new Headteacher in March and joined the four-site, state boarding school in April. He is a highly experienced education leader, having worked in Sussex schools for 25 years.

Mr Collin, who joined the school after the Easter break, is a highly experienced educational leader, having worked as Headteacher at City Academy Norwich school in Norfolk for over four years, and as an experienced educational consultant and executive coach, recently gaining his NPQEL qualification.

He writes: “As I take over the headship of Steyning I want to act as a catalyst for change in both the school and the community so that SGS can build on its considerable strengths, learn from what is best in the Bohunt Education Trust (BET) and reach new heights of achievement across all aspects of its educational offer.”

As Headteacher at BSW, Mr Collin will work alongside the school’s senior leadership team and Board of Governors, as well as with senior leaders at BET and its Trustees. The appointment of Mr Collin comes as the school celebrates its seventh anniversary, having opened in 2015 as BET’s first new school.

You can read his open letter in full here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/education/steyning-grammar-schoolsussex-dynamic-future-awaits-3632672

Jen Comber will be assuming the role of Interim Headteacher at City Academy Norwich. Ms Comber possesses a wealth of experience, which will continue the high standards set by the Academy. Paul Collin said: “It is an honour to be joining the brilliant team at Bohunt School Worthing. The post represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for me, given the school’s excellent reputation and energy. I have every intention to continue and build on the current high expectations for the school, and I am looking forward to working closely with staff, students, parents and carers and the whole Worthing community, to ensure that BSW continues to provide the best possible education for every student, working as part of Bohunt Education Trust.” Neil Strowger, Trust Leader, commented: “Central to BET’s ethos of ‘enjoy respect achieve’ is the commitment to provide all students with every opportunity to succeed in life, regardless of their background and we have been delighted to see Paul’s commitment, experience and passion in action at CAN over the last five years. I would like to thank and pay tribute to Paul for his indefatigable commitment to the local community. “Whilst the [BSW] community will be sad to see Adam go, Paul, will have the full support of an active and supportive Board of Governors, a talented senior leadership team and a dedicated staff body.”

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

THE COSTELLO SCHOOL ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF HEADTEACHER THE GOVERNING BOARD AT THE COSTELLO SCHOOL HAS CONFIRMED THE FORTHCOMING DEPARTURE OF CURRENT HEADTEACHER MR RANDALL JULL.

BROAD AREA OF NEED: SEMH JANINE BLOOMFIELD, BROAD AREA OF NEED SEMH CO-ORDINATOR, BOHUNT SCHOOL WOKINGHAM According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is a “state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community”. It refers to cognitive, behavioural, and emotional wellbeing and is about how people think, feel and behave. SEMH refers to a student’s mental health as well as their social and emotional wellbeing. The most common causes of SEMH are believed to include the following: attachment and/or trauma history, current and past family dynamics and other ‘systems’ around the student (school, community, society). Statistics show that the most recognised SEMH issues within schools are anxiety and self-harm.

Randall Jull, said: “It has been a pleasure and a great privilege to be part of the Costello family for the last few years. My time at Costello has been exceptionally fulfilling and I would personally like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the entire school community for its support. The Trust will shortly be starting a recruitment process to appoint the new Headteacher for the start of the new academic year in September. Given the strength of the school and its excellent reputation, I am sure it will be an extraordinarily strong field.” Neil Strowger, Trust Leader, commented: “Central to BET’s ethos of ‘enjoy respect achieve’ is the commitment to provide all students with every opportunity to succeed in life, regardless of their background and we have been delighted to see Randall’s commitment, experience and passion in action at Costello.

Hilary Todd, Costello’s Chair of Governors said: “We fully understand and support Mr Jull’s decision to move on from The Costello School and thank him for his unwavering commitment over the last three and a half years. He leaves The Costello School in a strong position and, following his departure, the Governors will work with the supporting trust, staff, and school community to ensure that the school’s leadership builds on his achievements and continues to offer a high level of support and education for every child.”

BETTER TIMES

How to support a disclosure Discovering that a student is self-harming can be very upsetting and stressful. Think of their actions as an expression of deep emotions they can’t handle any other way. It would have taken great strength for them to disclose and your non-judgemental and calm reaction is vital. Validate and understand their pain, listen and give them time.

•

Let them know they are not alone and you are there for them.

Anxiety

•

Help them identify triggers or situations which are unmanageable

Anxiety is defined as persistent and excessive worries that don’t go away even in the absence of a stressor. It is the most common psychological issue that people experience. At one time or another, we will all experience anxiety, we need to remember that a small amount of anxiety can be helpful in certain situations because it helps us to be alert and prepared for a perceived threat.

•

Support their thinking of alternative strategies, letting them be in control of their decisions.

•

Don’t tell them to stop, threaten to take away their control or insult them (tell them they are attention seeking).

How to support anxiety

I would like to thank and pay tribute to Randall for his indefatigable commitment to the local community. Randall is an exceptional leader, has led Costello to Ofsted Good with Outstanding features and has been instrumental in making exceptionally positive changes for his students. I wish him continued success for the future.”

Anybody can self-harm, but teenagers are particularly prone to do so. It is estimated that there are about 25,000 hospital admissions of teenagers who harm themselves, every year in the UK. At least 10% of teenagers report having self-harmed.

•

It is not an event however, that creates anxiety, but our perception of, or how we interpret that event. Anxiety is the result of our brain making thinking errors in an attempt to keep us safe. We may either overthink the likelihood of something happening, or we may underestimate our coping strategies of this event. When this happens, our brain goes ‘offline’ and all we can think about is becoming ready to fight for survival.

Mr Jull has led The Costello School for what will be four years upon his departure, achieving significant improvements, increases in results, and an Ofsted rating of Good with Outstanding features. He will leave Costello at the end of the summer term.

Who self harms?

Validate their feelings. This helps to rationalise and normalise their experience. To them, anxiety is significant and real. Talk calmly, your tone and calm body language subconsciously tells their brain that you are not scared, you are not fighting for survival and maybe they don’t need to fight for survival also.

Useful organisations www.youngminds.org.uk www.nhs.uk/mental-health/nhs-voluntarycharity-services/nhs-services www.annafreud.org www.charliewaller.org

Take control of their breathing. When the body is faced with immediate danger, it triggers physiological changes e.g accelerated heart rate and breathing. This rapid breathing stops the body inhaling enough oxygen and consequently results in dizziness, feelings of dying or fainting. Encouraging them to breathe slowly increases their oxygen intake and regulates the physical effects on the body. Distracting away from the perceived threat also triggers a regulation in breathing (e.g. 5,4,3,2,1 sensory technique). Avoid words that focus their attention on their symptoms. When the brain is in a hyperarousal state, they don’t hear negative words, so ‘don’t panic’ becomes panic, ‘don’t worry’ becomes worry etc. Selecting certain words can also reduce fear; choose ‘uncertain’, ‘different’ or ‘unknown times’ rather than anxious or scary for example. Self-harm Self-harm is where a person deliberately causes harm to themselves. It is often used as a way of managing difficult emotions, an expression of distress and a way to release tension or replace emotional pain. It is usually a way to feel ‘alive’ and not often associated with suicide ideation. The most common way to self-harm is to make cuts to limbs, hitting, burning, biting, scratching or self-sabotage acts such as risk taking, substance abuse or controlling food intake.

I S S U E 12

BET ROUNDTABLE EXPLORES HOW GREEN EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS COULD BE KEY TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BOHUNT EDUCATION TRUST HOSTED A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE FOR EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR SCHOOLS TO FOCUS ON THE RURAL AND GREEN ECONOMY. Calls are growing for an improvement in the way that education is offered to the next generation, as significant skills gaps develop, the wellbeing of our young people declines and our country, environment, climate, economy, and communities all experience change. The meeting, which included several experts, explored how place-based curriculum within schools focused on the rural and green economy could be part of the solution. Chair Neil Carmichael, Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham and UCL (IoE), was joined by dignitaries within the field of education and green and rural economies including The RT Hon Lord Baker of Dorking, who is spearheading University Technical Colleges. Also on the panel were two students from Bohunt Sixth Form, who shared their views and recent experiences in the classroom. The discussion raised points including innovative ideas on how to embed education for a sustainable future, close the necessary green skills gaps, strive for social inclusion and address eco anxiety among young people. Lord Baker voiced his wants for the education system to replace GCSEs and Progress 8 with the “revival of the old SATs at 14 years old”, so students can go on to decide to study more of where their interests lie. He also highlighted the need to bring back more skills-specific subjects into schools such as computer science and green subjects by adopting a Progress 5 system. Lord Baker said: “Green is a multidisciplinary subject, which makes it difficult to handle in a school. The lessons from UTCs is that you have to change the basic curriculum to allow what we want to see – more skills training. That has been supported by the report by the select committee on Youth Unemployment. It has only been set up for a year and has some very radical proposals on the curriculum and skills.” Panellists agreed on the need for greater clarity around what the green and rural economy is and noted that rural skills can include green finance, environmental science, ecology, spatial science and environmental law – which go beyond land management, farming and working within the local rural areas. The importance of food providence was also discussed.

Richard Goring said: “Understanding the potential that farming can bring both to biodiversity and our plates is a key part of our education.” Alice Barnard said: “We are in an amazing position in the UK to sustain ourselves, but we need to put more thought into how we are going to create our own labour market that will be able to lead to that food security, which is going to be critical in the next 20 years.”

“There is a lot of agreement emerging from this group about direction of travel, there is an understanding of what a rural economy is, there is an appetite to generate a new approach for education in schools encouraging schools to become more outward facing in the rural communities. There is a recognition in more involvement in the catchment to the communities in which people learn, live and work in.” The panel agreed on future actions and the need to push these ideas forward. Director of Education at BET, Phil Avery, said: “This was an exciting discussion by creative, passionate people whose organisations are already showing what is possible. It is that clear place-based curricula can strengthen the academic core, motivate students and support the local community, economy and environment. The enthusiasm of the group to take-on actions and meet again to further refine our approach gives me great hope that we will move from ideation to implementation.” Bohunt Sixth Form student Mary Skuodas said: “What we have heard is really encouraging; especially to hear all the panel have the same opinions and are supporting an agenda like this.” The group will meet again in March, to review actions from the meeting and discuss specific proposals for educational models and how they might be implemented.

Another popular idea amongst the group was to adopt a more thematic, project-based approach to learning, for example trips to a farm not just to learn farming or animal welfare, but taking art outdoors so students can engage with nature.

The panel •

The RT Hon Lord Baker of Dorking CH (Kenneth)

•

Neil Carmichael, Honorary Nottingham, and UCL (IoE)

•

Phil Avery, Director of Education, Bohunt Education Trust

•

Georgette Ayling, Headteacher at Bohunt Horsham

•

Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Edge Foundation

•

Robert Barratt, Eden Project North Chair of Education and Engagement

•

Steve Brace is Head of Education and Outdoor Learning at the Royal Geographical Society

•

Evie Chapman, Year 13 student, Bohunt Sixth Form

•

Richard Dunne, Director of Education for The Harmony Project

•

Amanda Elmes, Learning, Outreach & Volunteer Strategy Lead, South Downs National Park

•

Richard Goring, Wiston Estate

•

Patrick Holden, Founding Director and Chief Executive of the Sustainable Food Trust

•

Olly Newton, Executive Director of the Edge Foundation

•

Luke Rake is CEO and Principal of Kingston Maurward College and Estate

•

Stuart Roberts, farmer and NFU Deputy President

•

Mary Skuodas, Year 13 student, Bohunt Sixth Form

Professor,

University

Luke Rake, Principal of Kingston Maurward College and Estate, said: “We get a different engagement that challenges different students regardless of their academic ability [is a positive]. It has to be inclusive. Project-based learning really works.” Bohunt Sixth Form student Evie Chapman said: “The thematic learning way of the blending of subjects inspired us. We participated in a project with the University of Bristol looking at air pollution’s health implications. So we took our chemistry, biology and geography and put them together. We still had access to the subject expert but used collaboratively to get to our outcome. We have seen first-hand how project learning works and feel much more motivated.” Another key point made was the need for better partnerships between all school settings both at a local and national level right through to the employers. Robert Barratt, Eden Project North Chair of Education and Engagement said: “Partnership is key. Bringing together our early years practitioners, primary, secondary schools regularly together to start having conversations and building relations has been really significant as the driver for establishing the understanding for how our education system works in our local area.” Neil Carmichael agreed: “This is a complex structure, but everything is linked. We need to recognise that a rural economy is evolving all the time, but its component parts all relate to each other.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

STUDENTS EMBRACE CHINESE CULTURE FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR ENRICHMENT DAY ON TUESDAY 8 MARCH, BOHUNT SCHOOL LIPHOOK ORGANISED AND HOSTED A CHINESE NEW YEAR DAY FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE TRUST. The day consisted of a variety of workshops that were organised by talented Mandarin teachers and external specialists. This included sessions on kung fu, fan dance, calligraphy, tea ceremony, bookmark and porcelain painting, as well as Chinese chess. Year 7 & 8 CLIL students from Bohunt School Liphook were joined by Year 7 & 8 MEP students from Bohunt Worthing and The Petersfield School. Students had the opportunity to experience and learn about various aspects of Chinese cultures and languages. In addition, they had the opportunity to collaborate and compete with their peers to create amazing art works, and win the well-known Chinese red envelopes, which signifies good luck and fortune. Student from all schools enjoyed the day, commenting:

“It is a very educational insight into Chinese culture. It helps me understand Chinese culture better and appreciate it and it’s fun,” said a Bohunt Liphook student. “My favourite activity was the fan dancing because it’s something new that is very different from sitting down and writing. The whole trip has been really beneficial for knowing more about Mandarin,” added a student from Bohunt Worthing. “I really liked today, especially the calligraphy and Kungfu. I loved calligraphy because it was very artistic and very fun. I learnt that there are four different characters in kung fu and I found that really cultural,” added another student. One TPS student said: “I think today was fun. I particularly liked the calligraphy because we don’t get to use real brushes in class. I also liked the tea ceremony because I didn’t know how Chinese people made tea before today.”

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

STUDENTS DISCUSS CITIZENSHIP WITH SCHOOLS MINISTER

BOHUNT HORSHAM WOWS TRAINEE TEACHERS

PRIORY SCHOOL CITIZENSHIP STUDENTS TOOK PART IN A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION LAST WEEK WITH SCHOOLS MINISTER ROBIN WALKER.

BOHUNT HORSHAM HOSTED SIX TRAINEE TEACHERS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AROUND THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND, WHO SPENT THE DAY AT THE SCHOOL’S BRAND NEW SITE, MEETING STAFF, STUDENTS AND OBSERVING LESSONS AND LEARNING.

The Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) contacted Mrs Blachford, Head of Faculty, Humanities and Trust Subject Coordinator for Citizenship to ask whether Priory School Citizenship students would like the opportunity to meet with the Schools Minister. The aim of the roundtable was to give students, teachers and headteachers an opportunity to talk to the Minister about the content and value of Citizenship and the GCSE in Citizenship Education. This was an opportunity that Headteacher, Mr Vaughan, Mrs Blachford and students were very keen to take part in!

The teachers observed students’ behaviour, school culture and staff/student relationships. Their comments included:

Headteacher, Georgette Ayling said of the visit:

“I have never encountered a panel where students were so eloquent,” and that, “students cared about their learning and were motivated by it,” and were clearly, “so confident and proud of their school.”

“Seeing our school through trainee teachers’ eyes was such a pleasure, and has reminded us that we are all doing a great job. I want to thank all the staff at Bohunt Horsham for all their continued hard work. Even when it can feel tough, I feel privileged to work with a team that makes it look effortless.”

“The whole school feels so calm and purposeful. Even the corridors.”

*Bohunt Horsham has also recently opened its new bridge enabling students to safely get to school on foot and by bike.

“The staff all know the students; they check in with them and are so glad to see them,” and, “One of the most amazing lessons I have ever experienced, students didn’t get any rewards – they didn’t even want them, they just wanted to do well.”

Six schools from around England were invited to take part in the Round Table discussion – each school had two students and the teacher who was responsible for Citizenship Education. Three schools, including Priory School, also had their headteacher present for the meeting. The Minister spoke about the importance of Citizenship Education as being one vehicle for young people to develop their knowledge and skills to become active and engaged citizens. Students from each school were then invited to question the Minister on issues they felt passionate about relating to Citizenship education. The topics ranged from Media literacy/disinformation/ conspiracy theories to sustainable citizenship and climate education/climate crisis, to social justice, human rights and lowering the voting age to 16. When Priory’s turn came, Stewart Vaughan spoke first to set the context of the school and why, for Priory, Citizenship is, and always has been, a fundamental entitlement for all our students and something the school is proud of. Nao P, a Year 10 GCSE Citizenship Student spoke eloquently about how Priory School and Bohunt Education Trust have ‘Game-changers’ at the heart of our ethos – so all students have access to Core Citizenship lessons and at Priory they can opt to do a GCSE in Citizenship too. Nao said they know that is not the case in all schools and they think this should be! Tilly-Mae Bennett, a Year 10 Citizenship student was then invited to ask her question: ‘Does the Minister believe in and support the teaching of Citizenship for every pupil in the country regardless of what type of school they attend?’. The Minister was very clear in his support for Citizenship education, regardless of the educational setting. The students were excited to be able to put their questions to the Minister and potentially have an influence on education policy for other young people.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

ITV’S NEWS AT TEN VISITS BOHUNT SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM

TES ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS HOW BET IS MAKING SCIENCE MORE RELEVANT

ON FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY, ITV’S NEWS TEAM PAID A VISIT TO BOHUNT SIXTH FORM, IN LIPHOOK.

PHIL AVERY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND GEORGETTE AYLING, HEADTEACHER AT BOHUNT SCHOOL HORSHAM FEATURED IN A TES ARTICLE THIS SPRING, ADDRESSING HOW TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS ARE MAKING THEIR SCIENCE CURRICULUM MORE RELEVANT AND RELATABLE FOR STUDENTS.

Aware of BET’s trailblazing approach to reforming the history curriculum, ITV News reporter Chloe Keedy spoke with Year 12 students Ela Sidhu, Lauriane Payne and Year 8 students Alexander Zhang and Adam Wray about the impact and importance of teaching black history in schools and how at Bohunt Education Trust, with the help of students, teachers have led the way in rewriting the history curriculum. The piece aired on ITV News at Ten, following an exclusive interview with Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Tukwini Mandela, who has expressed concern about the lack of black representation across the UK’s school curriculum. Trust Director for History, Rowena Hammal, said: “Our team of history teachers wanted to embed black history throughout our curriculum. We have always taught topics such as civil rights, slavery, and the British Empire, but we wanted to cover a broader range of representative history across all

time periods, and go into greater depth. Our students want to understand the past, so they can truly understand the present. It was a collaborative effort between the school, our students and experts in the field, including academics from the University of Portsmouth.” Year 12 student Lauriane Payne said: “It was great that we had the opportunity to contribute to help shape the curriculum. Our history includes black and ethic minorities history, so why should we whitewash our curriculum?” “People of colour have contributed to our history in a big way,” added Year 8 student Alexander Smith. Watch the interview in full here: www.itv.com/news/2022-0211/nelson-mandela-would-tell-us-to-educate-ourselves-aboutblack-history

Phil talked about how to motivate students when teachers are focusing on delivering the curriculum and achieving good assessment outcomes. “We spend a lot of time thinking about what we’re teaching, which is the curriculum, and how we’re teaching it, which is pedagogy, but we forget about the motivation,” Phil told TES. A great example of linking STEM to real-world activities has been work seen at Bohunt School Horsham. Working with 1851 Trust – a charity formed by Sir Ben Ainslie in 2014 – and its Stem Crew initiative, students looked at the sub-

two-hour marathon project otherwise known has the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, students had the opportunity to interview top sports scientists to gain a better understanding of the science concepts they were studying. Georgette told TES: “The combination of practical, hands-on and creative activities with meeting real-world scientists gave the students a taste of how exciting and fulfilling a life of science can be.” Read the article in full here: www.tes.com/magazine/teachinglearning/secondary/best-way-teach-stem

Read BET’s Black Lives Matter Statement here: www.bohunttrust. co.uk/news/black-lives-matter-statement/

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

LILY COOKS UP A STORM AT ROTARY CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND YOUNG CHEF COMPETITION

CAN DINOSAURS FEATURING IN SUMMER SCULPTURE TRAIL Year 10 DofE students at City Academy Norwich have been flexing their creativity muscles working on a fantastic community sculpture project - GoGo Discover, which takes place in Norwich, and across the region this summer.

CAN hosted the initial round of the Rotary Club of Great Britain & Ireland Young Chef Competition at the end of 2021. Along with students from CAN, students from five secondary schools across Norwich took part. Their task was to prepare a three-course healthy meal comprising starter, main course and dessert for two people costing less than £20 in just two hours.

GoGo Discover is a fundraising initiative started in 2013 by Break, a charity which supports children and young people across East Anglia. Running through the summer holidays, a sculpture trail of giant animals/mammals designed by local artists, and local schools has become an annual event on the Norwich calendar, and It’s a great way for locals and visitors to discover their city.

The three judges, all professional chefs, scrutinised choice of dishes, correct use of equipment, working area, and range of skills used and, of course, taste. We were all proud when CAN student Lily Bailey was announced the winner and was through to the next round.

In the past there have been giant Dragons, Gorillas and Hares; this year’s trail will see 55 large T-rex in Norwich, 25 Steppe Mammoths in the county along with 100 Breakasaurus sculptures.

Lily then travelled to Peterborough with her mum to represent CAN in the district finals, competing against students from across the region. This time the stakes were higher. Students had to produce a three-course meal for two in just 90 minutes with a £20 budget. Her first course was a quinoa salad, followed by chicken supreme, and finally, a layered fruit dessert. Once again, our Lily smashed it, and won.

Our students worked together on three Breakasaurus sculptures, painting them in the CAN House colours of Griffins, Phoenix and Titans. As yet, we don’t know where the sculptures will be on the trail, but we’ll all have GoGo Discovering their locations this summer!

“For the competition at CAN, I had some practice in the CAN food tech room, with support from Mr Vann, our hospitality teacher, but this time I practised at home a lot! I don’t think I’ll be eating chicken again anytime soon! I chose a different menu than the previous one, and a lot of contestants did the same menu as before. I can’t believe I won, my mum was shocked too, as she didn’t know I could cook!” said Lily. Mr Vann, Hospitality Teacher said: “I am incredibly proud of Lily for winning the district heat of the young chef competition. This is the first time a student from City Academy has won the first two heats of this tough competition and this shows how our students embody our core values: Enjoy, Respect and Achieve. I am incredibly excited to see what the future holds for Lily, as if she is able to show this level of maturity and talent in Year 10, the world really is her oyster! Good luck in the regionals, Lily!”

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

BET AWARDS 2022 THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 BET AWARDS ARE: English or MFL – Priory English Maths or Economics – Sam London, Bohunt Wokingham Humanities – Jenna Duffy, Bohunt School STEM – SGS Science Faculty Arts or Expressive Arts – TPS Performing Arts PE/Voc-Ed/Other – Andrew Page, The Costello School New Teacher – Charlotte Begley-Rees, Bohunt School Worthing Support Staff – BET HR Innovation – Tamsin Clendon, Bohunt School Long Service (30+ years of service) – Emma Weeks, Priory

Ann Kelly, Costello;

Outstanding Leadership – Clare Hodgson, Bohunt Sixth Form Enjoy Respect Achieve – Brooke Harvey, BET Game-Changer - Kassie Sharkey, Bohunt Horsham COVID Hero – Andrea Phillips, TPS Trust First – Natalie Williams, The Costello School Chair’s Award – BET HR Green Chicken School of the Year – The Costello School

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT… THE COSTELLO SCHOOL COMMEMORATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY A selection of our students participated in the Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January which was hosted by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane 2021/22, Cllr Onnalee Cubitt.

Poem by Paige, LGBTQ Club writing Hiding Knock, knock.

The students shared their own work in the form of a poem, a reflection, as well as artwork for the event banner.

Who’s there?

Our Year 9 drama students shared a very moving piece entitled ‘Arbeit Mach Frei’ with stage direction by themselves. We are incredibly proud of these students who represented themselves and the school perfectly.

hiding in the closet and in your nightmares.

Artwork [right] by Stanley, Year 11 as part of his GCSE portfolio

Hiding in the basement, hiding in the stairs, Why are you scared of me? For I am the truth, I am the truth. You cannot shun me away forever. You cannot hide the truth. You want to hide me.

“One day,

I am not that scary once you see me in true light.

One day,

Yet, you shun me away.

We were found to be okay.

Let me be free.

As I thought, the light from my eyes,

Why would you hide yourself?

Soon went away.

Why are you scared of you?

We lay there tired, watching the sky.

Let me out and you’ll find a world full of light and acceptance.

How we cry, with tears.

Some people will want you to hide, but be proud of me.

One day,

So don’t follow the crowd. Stand up. Be different.

One day.”

Be a rainbow in a world without sunshine.

Saara, Year 9

You don’t need to hide anymore.

“One day. One day at a time was what the countless victims of brutal genocide victims thought. Stripped of their individuality, stereotyped to one thing, Jewish, Muslim Bosnian, Rohingya Muslims and so many more, all taking their life one day at a time. I want you to picture what a victim of a genocide would thing. Picture you hiding, knowing that you may not live to see one more day. Turn to the left, you see your friend, family or significant other slowly losing themselves to the trauma genocide causes. Wanting to step outside your house knowing that you are safe, saying goodbye to your family and knowing they will return. This was not the case. One day was what they thought one day I can be free, one day I will be happy, one day I will run and be free. One day we will all be free.” – Emily, Year 9

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

E D U C AT I O N T RU S T

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

HOW UKRAINE IS BEING DISCUSSED IN BET SCHOOLS

DEBORAH MANSFIELD, RECEPTIONIST, BOHUNT HORSHAM

The conflict in Ukraine and its humanitarian effects has affected the whole UK community and schools across BET have been addressing this by including discussions of the issues within lessons, assemblies, and tutor time as well as fundraising and donations

Deborah Mansfield, Receptionist, Bohunt Horsham

Tell us about something you’ve done that scared you?

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I was once on a training course with about 15 other people. Unfortunately, the trainer had some very racist views and was using language with which I was very uncomfortable. I challenged her on this in front of the rest of the group. It was very scary, but I hope it made her think about what she was saying and that her views were not shared with everyone.

The daily Wordle, Nerdle and Quordle. How would you describe your job to a child?

Bohunt Horsham had a history lesson on the evolution of Russia/Ukraine/Crimea as well an assembly on understanding the current conflict and the impact of being displaced and besieged looking also at Syrians and Afghans. It also coincided with the school’s non-uniform day for Comic Relief with raising funds supporting Ukrainian people. The school raised £1,000.

I help anyone that needs help, either in person, on the phone or by email. My favourite part is helping the children so that they can get on with their day.

What three words would you use to describe your job? Varied, busy, rewarding.

Priory School also held a fundraising day, where students made blue and yellow ribbons to sell alongside sunflower kits. It ran lessons in the Food tech department making traditional Ukrainian food and it also held a Day for Ukraine and Year 7 and Year 8 English students wrote letters of support and compassion for Ukrainian refugees.

What two things would you take to a desert island? A library and my wool stash. I could probably whittle some crochet hooks out of driftwood.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? I’ll still be here, I hope. However, in 15 years’ time I’d like to be running a campsite in Cornwall with some alpacas, selling my crochet and cakes.

What’s your favourite song lyric or line from a film?

Steyning Grammar School collected items including sanitary products for local relief funds as well as raising funds for NSPCC and the British Red Cross.

Can it be from a book instead? I like “Reader, I married him” from Jane Eyre because I’m a hopeless romantic, but also: “‘Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.’” from Charlotte’s Web because you can learn a lot about acceptance and friendship from that little spider.

The Petersfield School used BBC Newsround videos to explain the situation to the students during tutor time. TPS also split its fundraising efforts between medical supplies for Ukraine and Sports Relief. Students also made homemade cakes to sell to raise money for Medics to Medics, providing essential paediatric and maternity supplies.

What’s the best thing about working at BET?

Wokingham focussed their support on Bohunt Stands for Peace and Victims of War. It put up posters including the white peace dove as a symbol.

The people and the fact that they live the BET values and ethos. I feel respected, valued and supported. And of course, the children - I cherish each and every one of them.

Worthing managed the subject by discussing factual information surrounding the conflict, raising the issue of fake news and the importance of evaluating where information comes from and the humanitarian angle and an explanation for the refugee situation.

If you were an animal, what would you be? My name means ‘bee’ in Hebrew and my family calls me Busy Bee because I always seem to have some busy craft project on the go and never seem to sit down.

What famous person inspires you most? I feel inspired by people around me who I meet in real life. Some have the most incredible struggles, are going through loss and despair, and do battle with poor mental health. I admire everyone who just keeps going. I also admire anyone who fights for equality and I am proud that Bohunt is a gamechanger in this field.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT… HORSHAM STUDENTS HIT THE SLOPES FOR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP On 19 February, 50 Year 8 and Year 9 students went on Bohunt Horsham’s first ever international school trip to Radstadt, Austria, where they went skiing for a week - if you include the two, long and tiring 20-hour journeys. The skiing consisted of many achievements and, of course, many falls and crashes. However, every single person, teachers included, had a great time. Our day It was an early start, so if you aren’t a morning person it was a challenge. But, It was worth it though, because it meant that we got to spend as much time as possible skiing.

Students weren’t the only ones though. Whilst the teachers went up the slopes to ski together during lunch, one skied straight down a red run at a crazy speed, making no turns at all. The other teachers described them as ‘just being a dot in the distance’. Despite the two broken arms and one concussion, the ski trip was an absolute success. The trip almost didn’t go ahead at one point, because we had to change countries from Italy to Austria due to Covid restrictions and storm Eunice. The teachers worked extremely hard to make the ski trip possible and we know we can speak for everyone when we say that we are very grateful. Freya Thompson, Issy Scott and Issy Martin. (Year 9)

We skied three hours in the morning, stopping for lunch where we could buy chips and hot chocolates (yum) on the mountain, or have the great lunch that the hotel provided for us. In the afternoon we skied for two hours before heading back to the hotel. We did lots of activities after skiing, including: a snowman building competition, games night, movie night, trash fashion challenge and a snowball fight - with protection of goggles! Awards and… embarrassments At the end of the day, we would have an award ceremony to recognise the people that did well, improved on the slopes or showed respect. These people were recognised by being a game changer, and one person would receive the award each day. There were other awards too, but these weren’t in recognition for the amazing skiing or showing kindness, these were awarded for the less proud moments! For example, crashing into the other people in the groups or constantly forgetting mandatory equipment. Prizes included a one direction bag and a ski hazard high-visibility jacket. If you got the one direction bag, it meant that someone noticed that you managed to ski in just one direction. For example, on the second day, someone skied in one direction into their group, knocking everyone over, resulting in a big crash! If you were given the ski hazard jacket, it meant that you have done something that has been a danger to other people on the slopes. One person got this award because they got their ski pole stuck in the snow, causing them to split from their group and going down a red run. Funniest moments There were lots of funny moments, but the funniest moments included a student who skied backwards and off-piste into a tree (they were in the advanced group too), someone forgot all of the ski stuff they needed for the day and another person in the advanced group skied through a fence on a fun slope.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY

FABIEN MASSONNET, BOHUNT SIXTH FORM. LIPHOOK

Every year, Year 9 Business students from Bohunt School, Liphook take part in a national enterprise competition called MicroTyco, the aim of which is to turn their ‘seed capital’ of £1 into as much money as they can in 30 days.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Run by a charity called WildHearts, the MicroTyco competition encourages students across the country to “become an entrepreneur to fund an entrepreneur”. The money raised by Bohunt students helps aspiring entrepreneurs in developing countries get their own businesses off the ground through startup micro-loans, 90% of which are to female entrepreneurs.

I try and help students be the best version of themselves

Coffee, coffee and more coffee

How would you describe your job to a child? What is your biggest game-changing achievement to date, personal or professional? Becoming an Apple Distinguished Educator, the acknowledgement of the work I have done over the years on iPads use in and out of the classroom.

Students organise themselves into small groups, come up with an idea and start trading. The competitors take many different approaches to the contest, from buying and selling sweets and chocolates to creating their own Christmas-based products to sell to their friends and family, neighbours, and staff at Bohunt School.

What three words would you use to describe your job? Busy, enjoyable, solution-focused

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

The students are motivated by the knowledge that their profits are used by somebody on the other side of the world to start their own business (hopefully improving both their own and their family’s lives). This money is repaid and gets used repeatedly in another community.

At the allotment, enjoying early retirement. It is however more likely that I will be in a classroom doing my best to show students who they could become.

What’s the best thing about working at BET?

One of Bohunt’s most successful entrepreneurs this year was Poppy R. She created a wonderful gardening product, which she sold at the Camelsdale Primary School Christmas market. Poppy raised £75.50 from her £1 seed capital.

The people. Over the last six years, I have come to meet so many amazing colleagues. The team spirit is a real strength.

This year Bohunt School’s 40 teams generated a combined profit of £868, beating last year’s £800 record. The competition has been running now for five years and in that time Bohunt students have raised a combined total of £3,290.

What’s your favourite line from a film/book/song?

Jake King, Head of Faculty: Computing, Business & Technology, who organised the competition at Bohunt, said: “I am incredibly proud of the effort put in by our Year 9 students this year. With Covid restrictions in place, it was a tougher ask than normal, but they showed fantastic ingenuity and perseverance, and in doing so ended up raising more money than we ever have for this worthy cause. Well done to everyone who took part!”

If you were an animal, what would you be?

Neil Pittaway, Head of School, said: “Our Year 9 students have worked exceptionally hard to raise this money. The effort and commitment that they put into their projects was inspiring, and it is great that students from Bohunt School were able to take part in something that makes a difference in the wider world.”

Tell us something that you’ve done that scared you?

Huge congratulations to not only Poppy but to all the budding entrepreneurs who took part in this year’s competition at Bohunt School.

What two things would you take to a desert island?

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.” Oh the places you’ll go by Dr Seuss

A cat, so I can spend my day sleeping by the fire

Who inspires you? My grandparents. They have always pushed me to be who I wanted to be.

I went up a climbing wall in Wokingham, to show students that we can all get out of our comfort zone.

A pen and a notebook, so many things you can do with those.

What’s your personal mantra? It’s going to be alright

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

PRIORY ART STUDENTS SELECTED TO REPRESENT UK IN ERASMUS PRIZE PROGRAMME

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY: STUDENTS LEARN AND REMEMBER

Eight schools across the Netherlands and UK participated in a British Council and Erasmus Prize programme. The aim of the programme was for students to engage with the work of artist Grayson Perry, while creating a working relationship between UK and Netherlands-based schools. Priory School was selected to be one of the four UK based schools. A class of 27, Year 10 students were chosen from our Art classes, to engage with the programme. Grayson Perry is known for his ceramic vases, tapestries and cross-dressing as well as his observations of the contemporary arts scene. Perry talks openly about the difficult times of his childhood and how these experiences have fed into his work, which therefore often addresses identity, social class and imagination.

At the end of the project the students were invited to a zoom with Grayson Perry, which was a really exciting opportunity for all involved. One student from every school was selected to speak to Grayson and talk about their work inspired by identity and social class - at Priory Safiyah Perrott represented us and spoke well about the inspiration behind her work. It was a privilege to meet the artist himself, and to see a range of work from each of the UK and Netherland schools. The programme gave our Year 10 students a unique opportunity to meet this world renown artist, but most importantly it provided them with a chance to consider their own identities in much further depth, and to respond to this understanding through Art. #Proudtobepriory

Recognising Holocaust Memorial Day has always been a big part of Priory’s commitment to educating our students about this terrible time in history, and also drawing from it lessons that can be applied to the world we live in today. The Holocaust provides a warning from history about what can happen when this respect and tolerance is lost. The Holocaust is never an easy subject to teach or to learn but we are always so impressed with the way our students engage with it and once again, on these recent trips, staff were very proud of the quality of the questions that were asked, and the high level of thinking that was put into the activities. As part of Holocaust Memorial Day, many of our students took part in different events to commemorate the day. Students were able to take part in a live webcast with Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke BEM.

The project was kick started by a short personalised welcome video from Grayson Perry, which asked them: “Who are you? How do you represent that? It is a multi-layered thing.”

Eva, was born on 29 April 1945, and spoke not only about her birth at Mauthausen Concentration Camp, but her mother’s story of survival and the sad loss of her father and many family members. Eva talked about combating modern day racism and prejudice.

Students really felt incredibly special to have received this, created especially for the eight schools. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YKx5w7xxcWjG_0jNHGQyHmGtqtf8ctU/view?usp=sharing

History and RE pupils were also given the chance to attend a Holocaust workshop in Chichester.

The British Council also arranged for students to be given a lecture by the Art Historian Krzysztof Dobrowolski to ensure a deeper understanding of the artist’s work.

At the workshop, students were challenged to make connections between the events of the Second World War and the subsequent creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C48aTwpfpLyx1gBJnandi8AWL paBQY-k/view?usp=sharing

Our students considered why respecting differences is critical to building happy communities, such as the one we have at Priory.

Students over a period of two weeks considered the themes of identity and social class through a series of British Council-led lessons. The lessons provided students with many opportunities to reflect upon their own identity, and how this is established.

After viewing Sir Michael Morpurgo’s film, Waiting for Anya, pupils met the screenwriter Toby Latham for a Q&A. A Human Rights workshop then followed where pupils explored modern day examples of where Human Rights are not met.

They also considered the social class system and it was fantastic to hear such insightful debate and consideration in their conversations and group tasks. The students used Grayson Perry’s work as a stimulus during these lessons.

Libby and Sophie reflect on their experiences. “Watching the film by Sir Michael Morpurgo really made us reflect on such a significant time in history. The film is based on a true- life rescue of Jewish children smuggled across the Spanish border to safety. They were disguised as shepherds and, under the noses of high-ranking Nazi officers, they escaped to a small rural village in the Pyrenees.

The students’ work was shared with the British Council and Erasmus Prize. It was then placed into a brochure with work from the other eight schools. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QDysafnTmWGp1fsrM5rWNk_ dGX53xLUA/view?usp=sharing

“During our workshop with the scriptwriter, we discussed the importance of why we should be studying the Holocaust and our role as students in informing others of our experience. We talked about modern examples whereby resentment and hatred can lead to persecution.”

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

A LEVEL STUDENTS GET A TASTE OF UNIVERSITY LIFE

GAME-CHANGING SELBY BROTHERS WIN TOP RESTAURANT AWARD

On Wednesday 12 January, all A Level Chemistry students at SGS spent a day at the University of Sussex Chemistry Department working on their required practicals - an essential part of the A Level course.

After a chance to explore the leafy Sussex campus and lunch, the students had lectures on medicinal chemistry from Prof John Spencer and former SGS student Dr Barny Greenland who explained his research on self-healing polymers.

The students had the chance to experience the life of a University student for the day with practical tasks in the undergraduate laboratories - the Year 12 students synthesised ethanal and the Year 13 students synthesised ethyl ethanoate - the flavouring in pear drop sweets! The students then analysed the purity of their products and their results were particularly impressive.

All of the students really enjoyed the trip and were congratulated on their conduct and results in the laboratory by the lab supervisor, Dr James Stubbing.

Former SGS students, Luke, Nathaniel, Theo and Reuben Selby are “game-changing” brothers who are making waves in their respective industries. The brothers are all successful in their own right. Luke, Nathaniel and Theo are successful chefs and are becoming well-known names within the hospitality industry. Luke has picked up a number of awards including National Chef of the Year and the prestigious Roux Scholarship in 2017. This year the brothers’ restaurant in London’s Soho, Evelyn’s Table, won a coveted Michelin star and for the first time all three chefs picked up the Michelin Young Chef of the Year award. The guide commented on “the infectious enthusiasm for their craft”.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

Luke told BETTER Times: “It was amazing to receive the young chef award from Michelin, not just for me but to be able to share it as a joint award with my brothers is incredibly special. It’s recognition for all the hard work that we’ve all put into Evelyn’s Table and our journey so far.” “I’m a naturally competitive person. I push myself to be the best I can and compete against myself not looking to others but inwards to realise the potential that I have in me. If you never try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.” Not to be outdone, younger brother Reuben is carving out a successful career in the fashion industry and has most recently showcased his line of clothing at London Fashion Week in February 2022.

STUDENT/TEACHER INTERVIEW

RESPECT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

YEAR 8 STUDENT, ARTIE SPEAKS WITH MR LEWIS CORNWELL, SCIENCE TEACHER/HEAD OF YEAR 9

WE ARE IN A CLIMATE CRISIS. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.

What inspired you to be a teacher?

Tell me about the teacher who inspired you the most?

An enjoyment of helping others and the sense of reward I felt seeing those I’d worked with succeeding on their own.

My Physics teacher Mr Parsons, and Deputy Head of Year Mr Peters. Aside from writing a song about us and playing it on his banjo, Mr Parsons was such a caring and supportive person. Mr Peters provided us all with a safe and welcoming environment and helped me to grow in confidence.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be? Before, and even during my time teaching, I worked in microbiology laboratories working on medical devices, so I would be in that line of work still. Either that or a postal worker, although that would be a later in life type of thing!

Who are your heroes? Not hero so much, but someone who inspires me is Michael Perry. I’ve enjoyed Warhammer since I was twelve, and he was one of the lead sculptors for them. He lost most of his right arm in an explosion at a battle re-enactment. This could have ended his career but didn’t – he went on to learn to sculpt and paint left-handed. A true show of resilience and determination, reminding me that there are always worse situations, and you can always push through.

What is the best part of your job? The “light bulb” moment. When you’ve been working with students on a tricky concept and you see the change in their face, or the: “oohh, is that all it is?” which shows you’ve got through to them.

Why did you choose to teach at TPS? I was lucky enough to complete the first stage of my teacher training here, and was in awe of the atmosphere, students and the amazingly supportive Science department.

What are your strengths? I’m good at working in a team and organising things. But I also still like to have my independence.

What are your weaknesses? I am a bit of a perfectionist when making things, and so it usually takes a few attempts.

What is the one exciting teaching method you use?

Can you give me one example of Enjoy, Respect and Achieve?

Being a science teacher, modelling and demonstrations are a key part of many lessons, allowing students to see what is happening as well as using practical aspects that wouldn’t be suitable for students to do themselves.

I did a video recording for the Year 6 Transition Day last year to help welcome the pupils and make secondary school seem less daunting.

What are your thoughts on education today? Tricky. The actual teaching, course structure and academic demands are all par for the course; “new” ideas cycle in the same way as they always have. What has and is changing are the students and the pressures they experience – everincreasing connectivity and exposure all competing for attention and energy that take a toll on wellbeing. The pace and visibility of change and the uncertainty it brings make the role of teacher so much more complex.

MR CORNWELL FINDS OUT MORE ABOUT ARTIE C Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds?

What or who inspires you? My friends inspire me to push myself and try things outside my comfort zone.

What plans do you have? I would love to be an actor and travel the world and see things like exotic animals.

What is your favourite saying from a song or book? “How you doin’?” - I love Friends the TV show and have a laugh with my family.

What one thing would you change about school life? Some homework platforms could be better, as I find using them takes a lot of time and so I am not doing as much revision as I would like.

It’s been projected that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Everybody should know that. Humans are mostly to blame for it. Everybody knows that, but still there is not enough action to prevent it, writes Year 11 TPS student, Maja. However, at TPS we are aware of the climate crisis. We’re proud to be part of the Let’s Go Zero Campaign and have an active Eco Club which works effectively to spread awareness and solutions around the school. Last year, we replaced all our light bulbs with LED lights, which now use 10% of the original energy usage. We are currently focused on raising £50,000 for solar panels by holding non-school uniform days, fundraising pages and grant applications. These will save approximately twelve tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. We have many other student-led priorities for 2022 such as reviewing land use and supporting greener transport. However, one eco group cannot save the planet alone, we must come together and unite, therefore, we’re proud to be one of the founding schools of the Hampshire School’s Sustainability Network (HSSN). This allows us to share projects and motivation with local schools, and TPS has recently become a representative on a national scale and has been involved in many initiatives. For example, podcasts, where the student body has spoken about our school’s efforts towards climate change. We have also given feedback on Government papers which will help to formulate future policies regarding a green curriculum and eco-friendly school buildings. Together we will be the ones who carry our country forward into the uncertain future of our climate. What could you do to protect the environment? And remember Greta Thunberg’s quote – “No-one is too small to make a difference;” this should always be there in the forefront of our minds. You can contribute to our solar panel funding here: https://localgiving.org/appeal/TPSSolar/

I’m in Year 8 and am involved in the school musical – “TPS@TheWest End”. I enjoy gaming online with my two best friends, and I like to create things and make things based on TV or films.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

Teacher Questions

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

Mr Read, how did you first get involved in the LGBTQ+ Community both inside and outside of school?

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON BEING PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY What does being a part of the LGBTQ+ Community mean to you? It’s a support system of people (whether I know them personally or not) who have had similar experiences to me. It also allows me to feel accepted regardless of what happens to me during my everyday life. – Emma/Caelum Wells, Year 10 Standing up for what’s important and people living their lives as the person they were born to be. Everyone deserves rights and transphobia and homophobia have no place in human society. – Chris Bennett, Year 8 It means being myself around other people and feeling confident about me and makes me feel like it is my home. – Lily Murray, Year 7

*To out someone means to tell others about their LGBTQ+ identity without their permission. This is disrespectful and could potentially put them in an unsafe situation.

It means being proud of who you are. – Freya Clark, Year 7

What further promotion do you feel the group needs to ensure respect is shown towards the community members?

What does being a part of this community mean to you? Belonging. It’s a community where I can find people with shared lived experiences that understand and accept me for me. It’s being free from the pressures of societal expectations on who you should be and you can just do what makes you happy.

This needs to be a key part of the curriculum in all schools. Five different people have all come up to me and asked me why I chose to be trans. Let me stress this: it is not a choice. – Anonymous I think schools need to educate the pupils about the effect of homophobic language or anything homophobic and more education on the whole community. – Chloe Dale, Year 8

Have you noticed any changes in the levels of respect for this community within the past 12 months?

Please get rid of stereotypes. They are dangerous and damaging and based on prejudice. – Chris Bennett, Year 8

The biggest difference I have noticed is the pride these students have in themselves and their school. When I first started running the LGBTQ+ club after school, I was surprised by how differently some of the students were behaving to how I had seen them around school and lessons but over time they have become more and more confident to be themselves all around school. It’s so heartening to see.

I really want to put a message out that basically says it’s ok to be you, so don’t ever be ashamed of who you are, and that message goes beyond the LGBTQ+ community. – Lydia Henley, Year 7

What is your proudest moment since being a part of the LGBTQ+ Community?

What is really wonderful, is that in the past 12 months there have been so many wonderful staff and students in the school that have started stepping up to be amazing allies for the LGBTQ+ community here. I’ve had staff approach me to ask what more they could be doing to support their students and be willing to amplify the voices of the LGBTQ+ community within school. I’ve also had students be inquisitive and keen to learn more and to educate themselves on what it means to be LGBTQ+.

Helping one of my friends gather the courage to come out to their parents. – Emma/Caelum Wells, Year 10 Being able to be myself without having to hide even if people who may not agree get in the way. – Issy Rayfield, Year 7 Walking out of school wearing a gay flag, it really shows that I’m proud of who I am, and no one can change that. I do it because I want others to express themselves and not be ashamed of themselves. – Lydia Henley, Year 7

When I was in secondary school, someone had outed* me to my head of year and I had to have a very awkward meeting with him where he asked me to hide the fact I was gay because he didn’t want me to be bullied. So, when I left school and started college, I joined the LGBTQ+ group and volunteered on the Stonewall Diversity Champions scheme and went back to my secondary school to work with the senior leadership team to help improve the school. Since then, I have run the LGBTQ+ society at my college and university and now at Bohunt Wokingham. This is one of the big reasons I wanted to go into teaching, I wanted to work to make sure LGBTQ+ students had a much better school experience than I did. Once I found my feet after joining Bohunt, I went to an annual LGBTQ+ educators conference in Blackpool. It was an inspirational experience to meet other teachers doing great work in their school and to pick up some great tips and tools. This is what got me involved more at Bohunt.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

Thursday 27 January marked Holocaust Memorial Day around the globe, and this year’s theme was ‘One Day.’ At Bohunt School Worthing we encouraged students to think about what we could do to help create a world in which one day there is no genocide, hatred or persecution. After an assembly delivered by Mr Withington and Ms Palmer, students were asked to make a commitment or pledge to do one thing to help create a more tolerant and accepting community, either in school or the wider world. Lennon and Eadie in Year 10 and Nancy in Year 7 shared their thoughts. Lennon Branson, 10TFM said: ‘Bohunt School Worthing contributes to Holocaust Memorial Day by giving all students a piece of paper in tutor time to write about how to make the world a better place and stop discrimination that shouldn’t exist in the first place. This is given back to the tutor. “Another way Bohunt School Worthing contributes to Holocaust Memorial Day is for students to actually meet with remaining Holocaust survivors. The Holocaust survivors talk about their experience in such a deadly period, while also being asked questions from students about their time throughout the Holocaust. “In Year 9 we had the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivor Dorit Oliver-Wolf and hear her story. She talked about how as a young Jewish girl she survived the Holocaust, how the Kindertransport operation saved her life and brought her to England. It was amazing to hear her story first hand and it was very moving.” Eadie McCarthy, 10HPM said: ‘Holocaust Memorial Day is a day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust under Hitler and the Nazi regime as well as the genocides which followed in countries such as Cambodia, Rwanda and others. This year’s theme is ‘One day”, in hope that one day in the future there will be no genocide through educating people on the past and taking action for the future. Students at Bohunt School Worthing have all written their own pledges on how they will personally make a difference to how they treat other people for Holocaust Remembrance Day so that we may be one step closer to achieving that one day. These pledges have been placed into a time capsule and buried on school grounds for future generations to find – perhaps by then we will have had our one day without any genocide. I thought about how I wanted to improve myself and the way I relate to others, so my pledge was to change my attitude and be more considerate towards other people.’’

Nancy Horn, 7SSM said: “We were discussing discrimination and persecution in class and how no one should be treated badly for their beliefs, so my pledge was to stand up for what is right and not let anyone be persecuted because of their religion, race or sexuality.”

GOT NEWS? GOT NEWS?

Share school news, achievements, Share school news, achievements, initiatives and more with your marketing Share and school news, achievements, initiatives more with your marketing contact or the BET Comms team for initiatives more with your contact or theand BET Comms teammarketing for inclusion in BETTER Times contact or the BET Comms team for inclusion in BETTER Times inclusion in BETTER Times

GET IN TOUCH! GET IN TOUCH! Email: comms@bohunttrust.com GET IN TOUCH! Email: comms@bohunttrust.com

GOT NEWS? GOT NEWS?

BOHUNT STUDENTS MAKE A PLEDGE FOR A MORE TOLERANT WORLD AS PART OF HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Share school news, achievements, Share school news, achievements, initiatives and more with your initiatives marketing and more with your marketing contact or the BET Comms contact team foror the BET Comms team for inclusion in BETTER Times inclusion in BETTER Times

GOT NEWS? GOT NEWS?

Share school news, achievements, Share school news, achievements, GET IN TOUCH! GET IN TOUCH! initiatives and more with your initiatives marketing and more with yourcomms@bohunttrust.com marketing Email: comms@bohunttrust.com Email: contact or the BET Comms contact team foror the BET Comms team for inclusion in BETTER Times inclusion in BETTER Times

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

Email: comms@bohunttrust.com

BETTER TIMES

GOT NEWS?

I S S U E 12

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE DAY AT BOHUNT SCHOOL WORTHING

187 BSW STUDENTS AWARDED CREST SCIENCE AWARDS AS PART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

At Bohunt School Worthing we are keen to support gender equality and are proactive in encouraging girls to take part in STEM activities to reduce the gender gap. One of the main events which helps contribute towards this mission is the celebration of International Women and Girls in Science Day on 11 February 2022. For this day we asked all girls in science to celebrate their achievements and what they enjoyed about science by completing an achievement card. The cards were designed by Blythe Hall in Year 8 especially for girls at Bohunt School Worthing. During their lessons, girls completed the cards and were displayed in the main hall for everyone to engage with.

They met together to discuss the project and what they needed to cover to ensure it was relevant and eye-catching. On Friday 4 February Ron Tulley and Luciana Damascena (Minister) came to collect the poster. The science leaders presented the poster to the Minister explaining how they worked together to achieve their goal and make it as relevant as possible. These students have now been put forward for their leadership award and the poster is on display for the public.

“I chose and developed this project to focus on Rampion as it is part of our community in Worthing. Being aware of renewable energy is such an important part of future technologies and starting on our doorstep makes it accessible to all that live in the area,” said Miss Willard.

We were also contacted by West Worthing Baptist Church who asked us if we could create a poster for their display. The brief given was that it needed to be about climate change. Our science leaders took on this challenge and spent two weeks collating information about climate change.

In October, Year 9 students at Bohunt School Worthing took part in a renewable energy project for ERA Day, a day that allows for extracurricular foci. Students were encouraged to research renewable energy with a specific focus on the Rampion Wind Farm. The day was developed by Miss Willard to utilise the iPad status of the school and using apps, interactives and group working opportunities students were able to research, question and build a prototype for wind turbines.

Following a very successful day in-house, students who completed their projects were then nominated for a CREST award through the British Science Association. We have been undertaking this project in Year 9 for three years now and more than 500 students have benefited by receiving an award. CREST is a scheme that inspires young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers. It leads to a nationally recognised award for student-led project work in the STEM subjects and can be a useful accreditation for students looking to pursue science at college. Following a successful application, 187 students will be receiving a Discovery CREST award during tutor time.

The students were split into groups and completed several sessions throughout the day focussing on Rampion as a case study and building to an end project of designing and developing their own working wind turbine.

BETTER TIMES

I S S U E 12

ENJOY RESPEC T ACHIE VE w w w.bohunt tr us t .com Longmoor Road, Liphook , Hampshire GU30 7NY t: 01428 724324 e: comms @ bohunt tr us t .com @ Bohunt _Tr us t @ bohunt _tr us t

E D U C AT I O N T RU S T

BETTER TIMES