UCEA: Academy student is Oxford bound!

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UCAT E-NewsEditi on #3:

30th March 2018

UPAK: Pupils defend the city walls with Dewa Roman Experience

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UCFS children refl ect on their exciting meeting with the Countess of Chester

UCFS children refl ect on their exciting meeting with the Countess of Chester

The current Head Girl at University Church of England Academy (UCEA) has beaten sti ff competi ti on to be off ered a place to study English at the University of Oxford, with the added bonus of a fully funded foundati on year.

Staff and students at UCEA are extremely proud of the achievements of Year 13 student, Zoe Butler.

The University of Oxford paid for Zoe to travel down and stay overnight at Lady Margaret Hall, which is the college Zoe will be learning and living in. Zoe was tasked with preparing a piece of poetry analysis to discuss during the rigorous interview process and was one of only two candidates chosen, from over 300 applicants, to receive the fully funded tutoring.

Already a positi ve role model within the Academy via her commitments to the role of Head Girl, Zoe is now a shining

example of what students at UCEA can achieve through hard work, dedicati on and the right support.

The Academy will now conti nue to support Zoe on her journey to achieve the grades required to make this life changing opportunity a reality.

Zoe said: “The Academy has been instrumental on this journey, and every ti me I’ve doubted myself they’ve believed in me and it has really paid off . I’m so grateful to be able to say ‘I’ll be att ending Oxford in September to study English’ as it has always been a subject I’ve loved and where I can always let my imaginati on fl ow.

“In the future, I hope to complete my degree and then enrol onto a four-year training programme to become a Social Researcher in the House of Commons. The Academy has given me so many opportuniti es to really develop myself and fi nd where my interests lie, and I think that the enthusiasm I had came through in my interview and was one of the reasons why I was selected.

“I’m extremely thankful that all of the staff have been behind me every step of the way, and I can defi nitely say it has paid off !”

Vicky Da Silva, Assistant Principal and Head of Sixth Form, said: “We are so pleased for Zoe and look forward to seeing her reap the benefi ts of all of her hard work and determinati on. This is an excellent experience for her on her road to a successful future career. She thoroughly deserves this opportunity and we are committ ed to ensuring she achieves her full potenti al.”

UCEA: Academy student is Oxford bound!

Children from Year 6 at the University Church Free School (UCFS) have been refl ecti ng on their ‘exciti ng’ and ‘special’ meeti ng with HRH The Countess of Chester (HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.)

The group of 10 and 11 year olds had the unique opportunity to meet her when she received her Honorary Doctorate of Lett ers from the University of Chester at Chester Cathedral.

The Countess is a champion of literacy and received the award from the Chancellor of the University, Dr Gyles Brandreth, for her inspirati onal leadership in promoti ng and encouraging literary initi ati ves and celebrati ng literature.

As she left the Cathedral, she was met by the 10 Year 6 students, who presented her with a selecti on of their creati ve writi ng, which they had prepared in honour of her visit. Each child had writt en a piece of fl ash fi cti on (very short stories, which, in this case, are no more than 75 words), using royal themes as their starti ng point (this year’s Royal Wedding and the arrival of Prince George and Princess Charlott e’s baby brother or sister).

The fl ash fi cti on had been assessed by two Senior Lecturers in the Department of English at the University of Chester – Drs Ashley Chantler and Peter Blair – who are both Editors of Flash – the world’s leading journal of quality fl ash fi cti on. Dr Chantler and Dr Blair are also Directors of the Internati onal Flash Ficti on Associati on.

The children who met HRH the Countess of Chester were: Isobel A (aged 10); Ella B (aged 10); Ruby B (aged 10); Darcy F (aged 10); Lili H (aged 11); Eve M (aged 10); Alexandra M (aged 10); Lilly P (aged 11); Lily W (aged 11); and Isaac W (aged 10).

Ruby B: “It all happened so fast, she just appeared behind us and started chatti ng to us about our stories. I was so proud we had been chosen to meet her.”

Isaac W: “She said she thought we all looked very smart. I felt very special being there.”

Isobel A: “She spoke to me about our stories – she was very pleased we had writt en them especially for her. Aft erwards I was interviewed by a radio reporter about what she had said to me – it was very exciti ng.”

Lili H: “I will always remember the day my class met and presented HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with stories we had writt en especially for her.”

Eve M: “I was a litt le bit nervous about what would happen when we met HRH but she was so kind to us and was really excited about our writi ng.”

Ella B: “She talked to me about the 500 word story competi ti on she judges for BBC Radio 2. I told her I had entered it before – she was very pleased about that.”

Darcy F: “I really really enjoyed meeti ng Her Royal Highness. She was so kind. She asked us questi ons about our writi ng and she said she hoped we hadn’t got too cold standing waiti ng for her. We had lots of photographers take our pictures.”

Lily W: “I felt so proud to present Her Royal Highness with my winning story. I think she was really pleased that I had writt en it especially for her. She said she would enjoy reading our stories on her journey back to London.”

Lilly P: “I was so proud to be the fi rst person that Her Royal Highness spoke to when I presented her with our class collecti on of Flash Ficti on stories. She said that she would read them all when she got back to London.”

Alexandra M: “She was very smiley. I think she was really pleased to see us waiti ng for her to come out of the Cathedral. She knew we had writt en her some stories because she said: “Hello, I believe you have some stories for me”

Mrs Erica Cowley, Year 6 teacher at UCFS said: “I was so proud of all of the children in my class. Not only did they write some wonderful Flash Ficti on stories for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, they also talked confi dently about their writi ng and behaved beauti fully when they met her.”

Mr Jonathan Farrington, Principal of UCFS added: “What a fabulous aft ernoon it was! Everyone at UCFS really enjoyed it. The children and the school were honoured to have had the opportunity to take part in such a special occasion.”

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UPAW: Year 3 & 6 delve deeper into the history of the Titanic

The topic for this half term, across the whole school, has been the Titanic. Pupils have been learning all about the ship, the people on board and how it came to sink.

Year 3 pupils are looking at the life and work of Thomas Andrews, the lead designer and architect of the Titanic, they then set to work on designing their very own ship.

Mrs Birch said: “The children really enjoyed designing their own ships. They created some lovely pictures, using water colours and ti ssue paper.”

James Ashley, a pupil in Year 3 commented: “I learnt a lot about Thomas Andrews this week and enjoyed designing my own boat!”Meanwhile, Year 6 performed their class assembly, focussing on the reasons behind the sinking of the Titanic, how the disaster happened and the people who survived.

Mrs Ferrari said: “I was impressed that the pupils learned the rap and didn’t need to the words... it was hard!”

Ryan, in Year 6, said: “I enjoyed being the team captain for the “Whose shoes is whose?” quiz during the assembly.”

Children from University Church Free School (UCFS) came together to showcase their musical talents last week to celebrate the story of Easter.

The excepti onal music provision at UCFS allows both staff and pupils to take pride in producing a number of spectacular musical producti ons throughout the year, including Easter and Christmas.

On Thursday, March 22, parents, grandparents and friends of UCFS packed into St John Bapti st’s Church to celebrate the story of Easter through music and performance. The school has close links with St John the Bapti st’s Church and pupils regularly visit the church for celebrati on and collecti ve worship.

Teachers, Miss Claire Mercer and Mr Rob Benson have been working with the children to learn the songs during their music curriculum lessons. Pupils have been learning songs including: It’s Jesus, Betrayed, Easter Praise, Show me the money, I won’t deny you, Come on peter! And Crucify.

Miss Mercer and Mr Benson have also been working with the school choir to learn the piece ‘Mary’s Song’ and Mrs Foulkes has been working with the children to develop their performance skills and techniques.

The music curriculum at UCFS is closely linked to the learning challenge and pupils across the school learn their music in a varied and exciti ng way. Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness including: intellectual, social and emoti onal, motor, language, and overall literacy.

Mrs Foulkes, Year 5 Teacher at UCFS said: “We held an Easter performance to enhance the children’s understanding of the Easter story. While year 5 and 6 acted the story, the rest of the school sang the story. It was a fabulous, engaging performance which both children, staff and parents enjoyed.

Jessica N, Year 2 pupil said: “I love performing and at UCFS we have the opportunity to sing on stage many ti mes. I enjoyed singing and dancing in church today and St John’s was the perfect setti ng for us to tell the story of Easter.”

UCFS: Pupils perform ‘Easter Praise’ at St John the Baptist Church

UPAK: Pupils defend the city walls with Dewa Roman Experience

Pupils from University Primary Academy Kidsgrove (UPAK) visited the Dewa Roman Experience to explore the history, life and legacy of the Romans.

Children from Year 3 and Year 4 visited the Dewa Roman Experience in city of Chester, to bring to life the work they have been doing on their learning topic – ‘Why were the Romans so powerful?’

The history of Chester extends back almost two millennia, covering all periods of Briti sh history in between then and the present day. The city of Chester was originally founded as a fort, known as Deva, by the Romans and became one of the most

important Roman sett lements in Britain.

The Dewa Roman Experience occupies a unique site at the heart of the original legionary fortress. The visit allowed pupils to experience a fully guided tour of the reconstructi ons, excavati ons, the museum and the ‘award-winning’ hands-on room. The children also learnt about the health and hygiene during the Roman era, the medicine that was available and the food they ate. Pupils also learnt about Roman pott ery, archaeology and identi fi ed a number of Roman artefacts.

Aft er visiti ng the museum, the children took part in a ‘Solider Patrol’ and discovered what it took to be a Roman solider. Pupils fi rst visited the Roman Gardens where they learnt how to ‘form a testudo’ (a type of shield wall formati on commonly used by the Roman Legions during batt le). They then visited the famous Roman amphitheatre and defended the walls before preparing for their fi nal batt le.

Miss Fabbeni, Year 3 Teacher said: “The students were amazed by some of the things they experienced. I don’t think the idea of a lunch of mice coated in honey or of using a communal toilet sponge went down too well!”

Milly Edge, Year 3 student said: “The best bit was when Miss Mayer had her head chopped off for losing the fi ght but I liked the marching too!”

KMF Engineering Group has worked closely with students at University Academy Kidsgrove (UAK) to promote the exciti ng opportuniti es available to young people if they choose to enter a career in Engineering and Technology.

On Wednesday, March 14, students visited the grounds at Newcastle Football Club where they were prepared for a challenging day of tasks and tests.

The young engineers took part in the fi rst ‘test run’ for their green car project. The project aims to enable students to develop their STEM skills through the applicati on of Design Technology and Engineering. Eleven students from Year 10 have been working on building the car since October 2017 and they regularly work during their lunch break and aft er school to complete the build.

The test run allowed students to calibrate and recti fy any potenti al issues with the vehicle before the big race day in July. The test race also gave the students an opportunity to observe their competi tor’s vehicles and the materials they have used. During the test run the students noti ced a steering malfuncti on and were able to resolve the problem before the race day.

The project has given students a chance to work together in teams, through the excitement of motorsport and STEM. Students have taken an acti ve role in team discussions and have taken the responsibility for driving, mechanics, design and marketi ng for the project.

KMF aims to capture the imaginati on of our young people and fi re their enthusiasm towards careers in a STEM-related subjects or apprenti ceships. KMF is the market leader in the supply of precision sheet metal fabricati on and engineering soluti ons. The KMF Engineering Group is committ ed to Quality, Investment and Innovati on and to providing contract metal manufacturing soluti ons across a diverse range of industry sectors.

Mr Justi n Twigg, Teacher of Technology, said: “The day went really well and it has been great for the students to work as a team together.”

Jude Green, Year 10 student said: “I had an amazing day out with the rest of the KMF team. I had never driven the car before today and getti ng to have a go was great fun.”

UAK: Students ‘gear up’ with KMF Engineering Group to manufacture their own electrical powered race car

UCAN: ‘Positively MAD’ and ‘Higher Horizons’ visit UCAN to deliver interactive learning experience

Students at University of Chester Academy Northwich (UCAN) att ended a highly-interacti ve and multi sensory learning experience on how to prepare for their exams by equipping them with a range of eff ecti ve learning tools and exam preparati on skills.

Positi vely MAD is one of the country’s leading providers of student workshops, teacher training and world-class supporti ve resources. Positi vely MAD’s inspiring and dynamic delivery provided Year 10 and 11

students with a theatrical and interacti ve experience challenging them to see learning and revision in a new light.

Students took part in a total of four workshops including Goal Mapping, Super Study Skills, Mind Mapping and Exam Busters to support and prepare them for their summer examinati ons.

Learning how to set goals is an important skill to allow students to take immediate ownership of and to develop a sense of responsibility for their own future. Goal Mapping is a practi cal and enjoyable method of organising thoughts, identi fying ambiti ons and setti ng goals. In the two-hour lesson, students learnt how to identi fy helpful targets and goals in their school environment and

beyond. Students were taught simple, creati ve techniques to break these goals into manageable, measurable, achievable steps.

Combining humour, practi cal advice and a range of interacti ve tasks, students also took part in a two-hour Super Study Skills workshop which taught students about the principles of memory and showed them how to use simple but eff ecti ve learning tools to signifi cantly boost self-confi dence and raise aspirati ons.

A Mind Mapping session aims to develop creati ve and analyti cal thinking. Students learnt how to encapsulate, branch their ideas and learn how to plan eff ecti vely.

The fi nal workshop ti tled Exam Busters aimed to deliver a refreshing learning experience to boost exam performance and provide simple but eff ecti ve techniques to bett er organise workload and improve exam preparati on and performance. During the workshop, students experienced the eff ecti veness of creati ve study techniques and were shown how to remember things more easily by using their imaginati on.

Ms Ana Roslan, Vice Principal at University of Chester Academy Northwich (UCAN) said: “The parents who att ended the aft er school sessions also found the ti ps for supporti ng learners at home really benefi cial.”

Chloe Duncalf, Year 11 student said: “I thought I would never be able to learn all that informati on, but the diff erent techniques we learnt during the workshops will really help prepare for my exams.”

The Canon Chancellor’s Award is earned for displaying innovati on in Christi an teaching and off ers primary, secondary and special needs schools from across the UK an opportunity to demonstrate their experti se in the teaching of Christi anity through art, drama and music.

Being a Church of England school, UCEA were invited by Chester Cathedral to take part in the Canon Chancellor Award ceremony.

The aim was to encourage students to explore the concept of the ‘Fall and Salvati on’ by creati ng a 3D model. The Academy were able to submit three entries and one of the entries, produced by Emily McIilhorne, was awarded fi rst prize in the Key Stage 3 category.

We were also delighted to share our success with Christ Church Primary, who won at both the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 categories.

Mr Anderson, Chaplain at University Church of England Academy, said: “It was a memorable occasion and it is an honour for our school to receive the Canon Chancellor’s Award for 2018. The entries refl ected disti ncti ve Christi an thinking on the themes of the Fall and Salvati on.”

Emily McIlhone, a Year 7 student at UCEA, said: “It was a really exciti ng and enjoyable experience because we were able to receive our awards and also take part in a falconry tour.”

Jerry Cieminski, a Year 7 student at UCEA, added: “It was incredible to win and a joy to take part in. All the eff ort put in has been worthwhile.”

UCEA: Academy presented with the Canon Chancellor Award by Chester Cathedral

Year 8 students at University Academy Warrington have recently taken part in the ‘Happy Schools’ project at Culcheth High School, in Warrington. The event involved three days of training with Andy Cope, founder of ‘the Art of brilliance’. Andy’s experti se is in the fi eld of training young people and adults on being more moti vated in their day to day lives, and being more positi ve and proacti ve when they encounter diffi cult situati ons in life.

The Year 8 team looked at two extremes of people, ‘2%ers’ and ‘mood hoovers’ and how their acti ons lead to aff ecti ng the mood

of themselves and others around them. They also looked at their ambiti ons for the future, the steps they need to take to achieve their goals and how being a ‘2%er’ would aff ect their chances of achieving those ambiti ons.

Now that their training has fi nished, the team will be planning a series of events for students and staff , including contributi ng to PSHEE days, delivering assemblies, hosti ng RAK (random acts of kindness) events and delivering training to teaching staff .

UAW: Academy students partake in ‘Happy Schools’ project

UPAK: Children learn about the ‘people who help us’

Throughout the Spring term, Nursery children at University Primary Academy Kidsgrove (UPAK) have been exploring the roles of diff erent important fi gures within the community and how they can help us.

The topic ‘People Who Help Us’ encourages children to make connecti ons between themselves and the outside world. The topic aims to make children more aware of the diff erent jobs and roles people take on in their own homes, in school and in their local community.

Pupils fi rst welcomed PCSO Damo to discuss his role as a Police Community Support Offi cer and his important role he plays in the community. Aft er a discussion, the children dressed up as police offi cers before being shown the vital controls inside the police car.

The children were then visited by Julia who discussed her role as a Midwife. The children learnt about the important role of midwives and learnt how to bath a new-born baby and how to change a baby’s nappy.

Miss Morrey, Nursery Teacher at UPAK said: ‘This topic provides opportunity for the children to explore a wide range of occupati ons and to think about how numerous people in the community contribute towards their safety, wellbeing and general health. The children are becoming increasingly aware that there are many people who help and have so far explored; emergency services

and healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, midwives and denti sts. We have also discussed the importance of the job roles of our lunch ti me supervisors, our local lollipop man and our school recepti onist. Through a range of acti viti es the children have developed and understanding and awareness of these roles and the responsibiliti es that come with them.

Ella, Nursery pupil, said: “I want to be a Doctor when I’m big so that I can help people who are poorly. I will give them some medicine to make them feel bett er.’’

and healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, midwives and denti sts. We have also discussed the importance of the job roles of our lunch ti me supervisors, our local lollipop man and our school recepti onist. Through a range of acti viti es the children have developed and understanding and awareness of these roles and the responsibiliti es that come with them.

Ella, Nursery pupil, said: “I want to be a Doctor when I’m big so that I can help people who are poorly. I will give them some medicine to make them feel bett er.’’

Have a good news story? Email your story to communicati ons@UCATrust.org

On Tuesday 6th March 2018, a group of Year 10 Art students at University Academy Warrington (UAW) were selected to att end a taster day at Liverpool Hope University. Students had the opportunity to sit in on an Art history lecture and experience a workshop based on sculpture, texti le print and fi ne art painti ng classes.

The group of students in att endance were invited due to expressing an interest in extending their arti sti c studies at college or University, and got the chance to see what a day in the life of an Art student would really be like.

Mrs Mitchell, Teacher of Art at the Academy, said “This was such a valuable experience, collaborati ng with other students and taking part in a range of workshops delivered by University staff allowed UAW students to see how indecency plays a huge role when taking on these creati ve art and design courses.”

Shanza Jengir, a Year 10 GCSE Art student at UAW, added: “I really enjoyed today and it has made me think more seriously about taking an Art and design course at University.”

UAW: Year 10 Art students get creative at Liverpool Hope University

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UCEA: Year 10 STEM students are making great strides in creating a sustainable energy race car

This is an amazing opportunity for the boys in our school to prove themselves in a nati onwide competi ti on, hosted by GreenPower Educati on Trust. The competi ti on provides a very exciti ng challenge for the team, allowing them to test their skills and talents against a number of schools across the country. The competi ti on was developed specifi cally to enable young people an opportunity to gain working experience within the engineering industry while also inspiring them to look for careers in the STEM sector.

The brief is to create a viable, fully functi oning sustainable energy powered car. Also, to be successful they will be racing the completed car against other schools in a number of trials (on a real race track) to fi nd the most economical car.

This project is being supported by the University of Chester who have very kindly supplied us with signifi cant fi nancial input, allowing us to use the best materials and components. Support has also come from David Bolam, an experienced teacher in both Technology and Engineering, as well as Ian Dykes, a Science Technician at the Academy.

David Bolam has spoken of the progress made so far: “We have been working on the project now for a number of months and will conti nue over the next 2 years. The team meets each month and has already started to put the chassis and the main components together. With access to Thornton Science Park and their extensive University standard equipment and machinery, we are able to use top of the range materials and processes which will give us the best chance to be successful.”

“This project enables the students involved the opportunity to look into real world energy problems while using cutti ng edge technology, hopefully opening related career pathways for them

in the future. A successful run in this competi ti on has the potenti al to open doors for STEM career opportuniti es in the local area and beyond.”

“The selected group of Year 10 students spent their fi rst few sessions at Thornton Science Park assembling the chassis of their car. They are now well into designing the monocoque frame (single shell) for the car body which must be as aerodynamic as possible.”

“The team comprises of Jamie Cavanagh (Group Leader) and his deputy Marcel Kucharski, together with Liam Terry, Morgan Parry, Ben Taylor, Ben Jones, Ben Walters, Albie Rossiter, William Nutt all and Aaron Owens. All ten boys have risen to the challenge and there is a real air of positi vity, creati vity and aspirati onal work taking place and the boys are thoroughly engaged.”

“This project has already given the boys a great insight into how STEM products operate in the real world situati on and has opened their eyes to a vast range of career opportuniti es available in Ellesmere Port and the wider world. It has also shown how STEM initi ati ves can help work alongside their GCSE work giving them a bett er grasp on some Mathemati c, Scienti fi c, and Technological concepts to help their school work progress.”

Jamie Cavanagh, STEM Group Leader, commented: “It’s a fantasti c opportunity to be a part of this project to build and race an electric car that we have made ourselves. I felt so proud that the team voted for me to be their team leader and I will try to show the qualiti es that they saw in me by voti ng for me. I look forward to racing in a renewable energy car and I understand we are very lucky as few schools have been given the opportunity we have been given.”

Ben Jones, Year 10 UCEA Student, added: “This project has come at just the right ti me for me and has given me the chance to do something really worthwhile. My dad works for Thornton Science Park and has seen what we have done and for the fi rst ti me in my life he says he is extremely proud of me. I don’t want to let him or my team down.”

David Bolam conti nued… “This is an exciti ng and rare opportunity for young men in this community to show their passion for engineering and have an opportunity to develop a project that will help them no end in their future STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Maths) careers. It will also be an exciti ng challenge for them to create a real working racing car and the brilliant opportunity for them to race at a real racetrack against other students from around the whole country; The project will also develop their knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing designers and engineers in the future by highlighti ng the need for alternati ve energies and sustainable designs for the future good of the planet.

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