Meet The Principal 2013

7th October 2013admin

[half]

How long have you been principal at Bosworth Academy?
It will be five years in January and I’ve loved every minute of it, apart from when it has snowed!

Can you tell us about your team?
One of Bosworth’s outstanding characteristics is that we know the success of every child is one big team effort.
We have more than 90 teachers and 60 support staff who are all incredibly committed, enthusiastic, passionate and professional about what we do.
Additionally, our students and parents understand that they are just as vital to the team’s success and, with us, create a really powerful force for good in our community.

Of what are you particularly proud?
Most of all our students. It’s a real privilafe to be able to work with young people – they continually surprise me and inspire me to equal measure. Since working at Bosworth, I’ve seen so many achieve remarkable things, often against the odds.
Whether it’s the sixth-formers who have gone off to Cambridge, the young man about to become a doctor coming back to mentor others, our young sports leaders who go out and coach in the community or our A-level students who are helping children in primary schools to read, it all makes being at Bosworth exhilarating.

Can you tell us something about Bosworth Academy’s journey over the past five years?
What a journey! We have set out to create a school that is outstanding in all areas and makes an invaluable contribution to our community. It’s probably an endless journey but we’ve come a long, long way in a national context, where it’s harder and harder to secure great exam results.
This year, two-out-of-three of our students achieved the magical 5A*-C including English and Mathematics – that’s well above the national average.
Since 2008, on average, every student now gets one grade higher in every one of their top eight subjects and over a third of our students get 3A*/A grades.
In the sixth form, we have the best A-level results ever, with more students going to the top Russell Group universities.[/half][half]Is it just about exam results?
No, absolutely not, but no matter what else you are working on you have to remember that it’s the doors that we can open for our young people that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. The keys to these doors are the exam certificates we give them and schools should never forget this.
After saying that, our students would not be successful in exams if we did not instil strong values around respect for others, hard work, resilience and moral responsibility. Most importantly, though, young people should see learning as fun, relevant and engaging. Our teachers understand this and love to make learning enjoyable.

We know the school is admitting year 7 students, as well as year 10 and 12 from August 2014. Tell us about your vision:
We have taken the opportunity, while establishing a key stage three school from scratch, to learn from the best practice around the UK and internationally, rather than just recreate what already exists.
We are going to set up a “school within a school” called The Laureates.
The name means to reward for high endeavour and this tells you something about what we want for our students.

What makes Bosworth Academy special?
Our values, I’ve mentioned many already but, most importantly, the mantra “no student should under-achieve” drives us daily.
Though this is quite an ambition for any school, we do not believe it to be acceptable that any child, at any level, achieves less than is possible.
We know though, that this is not just ensuring that every child achieves their potential – we are instrumental in defining that potential.
It’s our mission to get all our young people to truly believe that they can be better than they ever believed they could be.

To find out more about us, please take a look at the other sections of our website and if you want to find even more or how to enroll please do not hesitate to contact us on:

Tel: 01455 822 841
Email: [email protected][/half]

Bosworth Academy students bank Catt’s top tips

30th September 2013admin

Mike Catt in his role as Yorkshire Bank Ambassador visited Bosworth Academy on Tuesday 24th September to cast his eye over thirty five students involved in the U16 and U18 rugby teams. Taking time out from his role as attacking skills coach for England; world cup winner Mike joined in with a session being led by ex-student Harry Yorke displaying his prowess alongside the students. Being alongside such an elite performer who was prepared to join in as one of the lads was a real bonus for the students and every player left inspired to play the game for enjoyment but also with some top tips that they can put into their own game to improve their performance. The question and answer session that followed the coaching session enabled students to take the opportunity to find out more about the life of an elite professional; the current England set up and the behind the scenes information on their favourite players. Mike gave a great insight into all of these areas and was able to share some of his own personal experiences and views on rugby. This was a fantastic opportunity created by Yorkshire Bank and one that will have great benefit on the students, the Academy and the local clubs that the players and coaches who attended represent.

Chris Garnett, Assistant Principal said of the visit, “It was a great opportunity for our students to work alongside a highly respected rugby player and to take some great messages that will serve them well in their own rugby careers”.

Science Goes With A Bang At Bosworth!

23rd September 2013admin

Bosworth Academy hosted three ‘Big Bang’ days in June and July 2013 – an opportunity for Year 5s from local primary schools (including; Barlestone, Desford, Congerstone, Witherley, Ravenhurst, Millfield, Kingsway, Thornton, Dovelands, Dovebank, St Peters CofE and Sheepy Magna) to experience the excitement and enjoy some of the elements that make science both fascinating and fun.

Over the three days 420 pupils had taken part in the Big Bank experience. Each day pupils were divided into eight groups named after influential scientists: Charles Darwin, Robert Winston, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, Rosalind, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein. As a group, pupils discovered how fireworks were made and why they can be lots of different colours. After doing some tests of their own on different chemicals, pupils met an order at the ‘Bosworth Fireworks Factory’! They used microscopes to look at plant and animal cells magnified to 100 times their actual size. They learnt the experimental skills to reverse a reaction (like melting or dissolving) and after finding out how sound waves worked, they made and tested a speaker of their own.

The days were a great success with pupils describing them as ‘awesome’. Pupils each received a Certificate of Participation, a sheet remaining them of what they had done during the day and some information about each scientist the group had been named after. You never know – in years to come one of these young people may have a group named after them!

Excellence Awards

11th September 2013admin

Our second Awards Evening took place in the last week of term when the Academy celebrated the excellence of over 100 students across 30 subjects and categories. An even mix of young men and young ladies received a certificate and glass trophy to acknowledge their efforts throughout their last two or four years at the Academy.

The evening was a great success, attended by parents, staff, Governors also students from past years in their capacity as Alumni for a given subject. Pre drinks, a buffet, together with musical intervals provided by staff, students and ex-students all ensured a great evening was had by all.

The Bosworth Olympic Games

5th September 2013admin

During the month of June Bosworth Academy hosted their second annual mini Olympics. Approximately 70 primary school pupils from several schools in the area including Barlestone, Huncote and Sheepy Magna, joined Bosworth staff and leaders to take part in an activity of their choice. Pupils were guided through an opening ceremony by Bosworth leaders before breaking away to their activity. Many pupils gained the opportunity to step on the podium during the closing ceremony and take in the atmosphere and applause. Pupils left Bosworth having had a successful and enjoyable day. Congratulations to all involved.

Sports Day

5th September 2013admin

10SML & 12AWO are the proud winners of their second Bosworth Games. All Year 10 and 12 students represented their tutor groups in either a traditional activity or an alternative activity. Each tutor group was given the name of a GB medalist from the London Games to continue celebrating our country’s success last summer. Students experienced success and enjoyment with a wide range of activities available including egg and spoon races, penalty shoot outs, shot put and 100m sprints.

As well as taking their event very seriously, students were very supportive of peers, particularly around the tug-of-war area! Students also enjoyed photographs and journalistic roles with the opportunity to produce an article about the games. Well done to all Year 10 and 12 students.

Short Videos on:

5th September 2013admin

Money Management from Yorkshire Bank, Maximising Home Learning, Selecting and applying to Univeristy, Supporting students with Dyslexia, preparing for a change of school and e-safety…

Help and advice on money management from Tim Richardson, manager of the local Yorkshire Bank.
Help and advice on creating the best environment and getting the most out of home learning for students and parents from Ben White, Head of KS4 Maximising Learning Team.
Help and advice on selecting the right University for you. Which course and why? Delivered by Elliot Newstead, University of Leicester School and College Outreach Services for Post 16 students and parents.
Help and advice on the application process for University – what Universities want by Elliot Newstead, University of Leicester School and College Outreach Services for Post 16 students and parents.
Help and advice on how to recognise and support students with Dyslexia, delivered by Andy Bestwick, Bosworth Academy Special Educational Needs department.
Help and advice for both parents and students on preparing effectively for a change of school from Martin Turnham, Head Teacher of Desford Primary School.
Help and advice for all students and parents on E-safety, social media and ‘netiquette’ from Alan Mackenzie, E-Safety Advisor representing Safe ICT.

Bosworth Academy Open Evenings

4th September 2013admin

When you have finished your GCSEs you have a range of options available to you. Come along to Bosworth Academy Post 16 Open Evening and see what we can offer you.

On the evening you will have the chance to listen to a presentation, which outlines the range of pathways we have for students after Year 11, before touring the Academy to see our outstanding range of facilities.

You will also be able to discuss your future plans with specialist advisors and meet current students; giving you a real insight into the transition from GCSE to Post 16 and life at Bosworth Academy.

Come along on Thursday 14th November and see how Bosworth Academy can help you with the next step of your journey.

We look forward to welcoming you on 14th November.

Louise Holdback

Head of Post 16

Bosworth Academy Students Achieve Outstanding GCSE Results

22nd August 2013admin

Students at Bosworth Academy have once again recorded remarkable GCSE results. Not only were the results the highest in the school’s history – 67% scoring the magical 5A* – C grades including English and Mathematics – but they also represented the schools biggest ever improvement – 15% higher than last year. Chris Parkinson, the Academy Principal stated ‘It’s great to see our students and staff rewarded for the enormous amount of hard work and commitment that they have put in over the last two years! Our congratulations go out to all of our fantastic, hardworking students’. There were some astonishing performances from many students, including, Greg Jones, from Carlton scoring 11A* grades, Victoria Wright, from Braunstone achieving 10A* grades and an ‘AS’ Level in Critical Thinking and Chantelle Caines, from Leicester Forest East achieving 9A* grades and 2 A grades.

Dhiraj LehruGrades achieved: 9A* and 2A

Dhiraj is now going to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at AS Level with the hope of going on to University.
Gurvinder RiyaitGrades achieved: 7A* and 4A

Gurvinder is now going to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at AS Level with the hope of going on to University. Gurvinder is still unsure but is thinking about a career in Medicine.
Isobel Ward LewisGrades achieved: 7A*, 3 A and a B

Isobel is now going to study History, French, English Literature and Maths at AS Level with the hope of going on to University to read English. Isobel said, “I am so please with my results and can’t believe the grade I achieved in French!”
Chantelle CainesGrades achieved: 9A* and 2A

Chantelle is now going to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at AS Level with the hope of going on to Cambridge University. Chantelle said, “Ever since I had the opportunity to attend a course at Cambridge University, I have wanted to go there. The teachers at Bosworth have been a real support and I can’t wait to come back to POST 16”
Greg JonesGrades achieved: 11 A*

Greg is now going to study Maths, Further Maths, History, Economics and, Physics at AS Level with the hope of going on to University to read Maths.  When asked about the key to his success, Greg said; “hard work, revision and the support from staff at Bosworth Academy”.

Robyn ElmsGrades achieved: 8A* and 4 A

Robyn is now going to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology at AS Level with the hope of reading Sciences at Leicester University. Robyn accredited “hard work and determination” to her success
Sophie ClarkeGrades achieved: 3A*, 5A and 3 B

Sophie is now going to study Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology at AS Level with the hope of reading Midwifery at Leicester University. Sophie said, “These result are fantastic, I have worked hard for these results, but have really valued the good relationships and hard work of my teachers.”

Chris Parkinson
Principal
Bosworth Academy

Small selection of photography from the day: