
Posted 2nd April 2021
Easter
Easter is here and it is hard to believe that we have only been back in the school building for three weeks. The mass asymptomatic testing of students followed by a staggered return to face-to-face teaching (with live lessons still being taught for those students still at home) was certainly a challenge, but one that the whole staff body rose to meet. It is a privilege to lead a staff team so completely committed to ensuring the best outcomes for all our students. Thanks to all our families for their fantastic support and patience through this difficult time; feedback from you is always welcomed.
Unfortunately, we have had needed to partially close bubbles and continue to deliver blended learning to those students sent home to isolate. This may continue for some time until the virus is under control. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask families to support school in keeping our whole community as safe as possible from the spread of Covid-19 by encouraging your child wear a face mask in school.
I would also be grateful for your support to ensure that your child comes to school on Monday 12th April in full and correct uniform. We understand that it has been difficult for families to get hold of new items of school uniform, so we have tried to be very accommodating over the last few weeks in this regard.
We now have a clothing bank in school and parents have been donating blazers, trousers and shirts that their children have grown out of. These are washed and ready to hand out to others and we encourage you to please get in touch and make use of these items.
Finally, with regard to uniform, now that spring has arrived and the weather is less cold, the wearing of coats in school will no longer be permitted.
I am delighted to share the news that, after Easter we welcome our new Personal Development Leaders, Natalie Whittaker (Year 8) and Waz Khalid (Year 11). Riffat Rabab becomes our new PDL for Year 7 whilst Christine Wilber and Chris Hogan remain PDLs for Years 9 and 10 respectively. We also look forward to our new Premises Manager, Jake Large and HR Officer Sabba Hussain joining us immediately after the Easter holiday.
We will be recruiting next term for a brand-new role of Healthcare Assistant. This person will be in school full time to deliver the best possible healthcare to all of our students.
Our students have been busy getting back into school life. Our school was represented at the Schools Pandemic Recover Summit by students from across Beckfoot Trust which included Year 10 Beckfoot Upper Heaton students. The virtual summit discussed the impact of the pandemic upon the young people of Bradford, and what steps need to be taken to support them.
I'd like to share with you some exciting news that seven of our Year 10 students - Ahlam, Awais, Hamza, Imaan, Shanawaz, Sulaiman and Syed entered a national writing competition over lockdown entitled 'Unsolved' run by Young Writers, and all seven of them have had their work selected for publication. We are so proud of them!
The Forest School continues weekly and our students have been planting saplings in the school grounds. We look forward to watching them grow, improving our environment and well-being.
Mariyah, Sophie, Sumayyah and Iqra in Year 11 took part in a Women in Public Life event run by Tracy Brabin MP.
Finally, I am delighted to share the news that Mr Hudson in the Design & Technology Department has managed to secure a £500 bursary through The Big Bang Competition to support our students in their pursuit of a career in engineering.
So, as you can see, the kids are back with a vengeance and throwing themselves into school life! Becoming resilient, confident, successful young people.
You can catch up on everything else that’s been happening on our website Beckfoot Upper Heaton, on our Twitter, and our Facebook.
I wish you all a safe and restful Easter.
Graeme