I was lucky enough to see first hand the year 12 Evelyn Grace Academy reading mentors working with Loughborough Primary young readers this week. Some really enthusiastic reading taking place, with lots of discussion on content and plot. This was the 3rd visit by 4 year 12 students to Loughborough Primary, as part of their 6th form enrichment activities. The children get a chance to read for a good 15 minutes to their year 12 mentor with time to discuss and record thoughts about their reading. It was a pleasure to see such enthusiasm for reading from both the younger and the older students.
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Making Laws at the Houses of Parliament
This morning children from 4 of our primary schools visited the Houses of Parliament for a tour and workshop. The visit started in the brand new Education Centre where Parliament have learning rooms and a lunch space for schools. We were lucky enough to see the House of Commons in action, with questions on Transport and the ‘Bedroom Tax’ being asked by MPs. We went on to see the Houses of Parliament spaces, including Westminster Hall, hear gruesome tales of the murder of Charles 1st and of Spencer Percival before moving back into the Education Centre for a workshop about Making Laws. The children chose a topic -which they introduced into their own House of Commons – The Refugee Housing Bill. They debated the bill then took it to their own House of Lords for amendments, then back to the Commons. Some children took on the role of the Speakers and they used parliamentary language to vote for the bills. Following amendments, the bill was signed by the queen and became the Refugee Housing Act 2016. There were some excellent contributions from the children as they debated their views. All the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the visit and we look forward to other groups visiting in April.
EYFS Forum share their experiences of completing the Baseline assessment
After school yesterday, Reception teachers from the BLC, along with some Nursery colleagues, met at Hill Mead Primary to discuss and share their experiences of completing the new Baseline assessment of children entering Reception class in September 2015. In addition the group were able to discuss how they are currently showing evidence of achieving goals and tracking progress in children during these important first years of school. With many changes in assessment over the last year, these opportunities to discuss with colleagues have become very valuable and thanks to all members of our EYFS forum for their willingness to share with others and support each other.
BLC SENCO Forum 21st January
We were very pleased to welcome back Sue Franklin, Educational Psychologist for Lambeth, to do a question and answer session at our SENCO forum yesterday. As well as discussion around ADHD support, Occupational Therapist support in the borough and working with other boroughs on EHC plans, Sue also talked through the process of writing the Annual Review documentation for children. There was general discussion about the important of supporting children’s mental well being and ensuring we all encourage open dialogue about mental health issues. Many thanks to all who took part.
Low Cost No Cost activities weekend 23 and 24 January
Year 12 reading mentor programme starts
Children from Jessop, Loughborough and St Saviour’s primary schools visited Evelyn Grace Academy’s library today to meet the Year 12 students who will be working with them on reading this term. The year 12s did some starter activities with the children and shared how important reading is for them. Over the next few weeks the year 12s will visit the children in their primary schools, read with them, find out their reading interests and spur them on to reading success!
Low Cost No Cost activities this weekend 16 and 17th January
Brixton Learning Collaborative December newsletter
writing moderation exemplars
Teachers in the BLC have been working together to look at children’s work and produce exemplars of what ‘at’ Age Related Expectations of writing looks like for children at the end of year 3 and year 5. This work is being extended to other year groups this year. The teachers have examined the work against the National Curriculum goals. We hope these exemplars will be of use to all teachers.
Early Years Forum focus on Progression in Music
Last week our Early Years Forum met to discuss and work together looking at how to progress very young children in Music. Kevin Campbell Davidson, a Steiner School teacher and Anna Gawthorpe Reception teacher from St John’s Angell Town, planned and led the session for our Forum, and we were delighted to welcome some staff from a neighbouring cluster school, Archbishop Sumner Primary, to be with us.
One of the main things that came out of the workshop was the usefulness of rhythm sticks as a resource (similar to claves but smaller, developed by a local music practitioner Steve Grocott). They are just the right size for small hands, they dont make too much noise, they are good for developing rhythm skills and they are identical so theres no room for ‘I want that one!’. They also come with a great little book/CD of songs and ideas.
The group also discussed how to introduce and begin a session, creating a listening space, using one or tow song lines as a pulse throughout the session to give a structure on which children can create their own work.
We hope to welcome Kevin back to the forum in the summer to do a session on games. Many thanks as always to all the members of the forum for sharing their practice with each other.
The Brixton Learning Collaborative 