Year11 Skillforce students visited RAF Benson last week as part of their BTEC Workskills programme. The programme covers various different units of work which helps to increase employability, knowledge and skillset. The current unit focusses on “Developing Personal Skills for Leadership “.

The group were invited to visit RAF Benson to receive a talk from a Puma Helicopter Flight Crew where they explained and demonstrated the importance of team work and leadership in a military environment. The students were asked to take part in various activities to help develop their own skillsets before being given a tour of an operational Puma Helicopter.

We are very fortunate at Larkmead to have some outstanding athletes. Some represent the school at local and national competitions whilst others show their commitment and dedication to their sport by attending out of school clubs.

Larkmead are not always made aware of outside school achievements but it’s always nice to hear when our students have done well.

Cameron Bullock (Y7) is one such student. Cameron spends hours training and attending swimming competitions in order that he can achieve the times required to enable him to compete at County level.   He swam in 10 events at the Oxfordshire and Bucks County swimming championships achieving one finalist medal, two 9^th places, five 10^th places and two 11^th places!

He also received a bronze medal in the 13-14 year old age group, 4 x 50m Medley Relay with this team from Abingdon Vale. Well done Cameron.

The latest Lark Rise News is available to read and download, including an introduction from the new Chair of Lark Rise, information on the next 2nd hand uniform sale and the springtime raffle. Please click on the button below:

Larkmead’s Visual & Performing Arts Faculty have been busy this week with:

Yr7 Dance students choreographing percussion and movement using hands, feet, sticks, brooms, basketballs and bins inspired by junk musical theatre group ‘STOMP’;

Yr10 Art students celebrating Spring making Silk Paintings inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe; A level Music students performing a Recital at St.Nicholas’ Church; Dance students developing their performance and choreography skills with Pegasus Theatre Company; and A2 Drama students performing their exam piece.

Take a stroll along Stert Street next week and see the ‘Message in a Bottle’ exhibition in Oxfam’s shop windows with self-portraits by Larkmead students, and other local and international schools, to raise money for Oxfam’s Water Week, from Monday 27th April.

Congratulations to our Year 12 Young Enterprise Team, Bright Things Inc who took part in the South Oxfordshire and Vale Area Final of the competition last week.

Out of 10 teams they came away with the award for ‘Best Stand Experience’ and the MD Christine Urbansky got ‘Highly Commended for Outstanding Personal Contribution’.  Judges commented on their excellent team work, communication, professional attitude, and innovative product.

Our team was the only state school team.  All other teams came from private schools.

Our Young Enterprise Business Advisor, Dennis Robbins said: “My congratulations go to all the members of “Bright Things Inc. – Young Enterprise Company.  They have worked so well as a team, and at the South & Vale Area Finals Evening, the professional way they presented their company, their products and themselves really impressed the Judges and everyone who was present.  I believe they fully deserved the award they received for the “Best Stand Experience”.  It was a great team performance both last night and indeed all year.”

The team comprised Nas Jefferies, Maxine Hendy, Georgia Barlow, Rachel Moody, Abi Buckle, Erin Sanders, Joanna Petrova, Ashleigh Hurford, Anna Tillin and Christine Urbansky.

Georgia Barlow ICT Director said “It has been an inspirational adventure, where I have gained various employability skills which will be advantageous in the future”

Maxine Hendy Marketing Team said “We worked really hard as a team & it was satisfying seeing our MD get recognition for all her hard work”

Good literacy skills are important. Without them students are unable to access the rest of the curriculum. This has a knock-on effect. Students without good literacy skills are in danger of falling behind in their academic studies. This then limits their potential to get good grades at GCSE level. Without good grades students will find it much harder to get on in the job market or go further in education.

For the past year Larkmead School has had a renewed focus on improving literacy skills and a number of new initiatives have been introduced to help students.

This focus has enabled all students to improve their literacy skills and has had a direct impact on achievement levels across the school.   In 2014, Larkmead’s GCSE English results exceeded the national average by 8% representing an overall improvement over last year of 13% while the national average fell by nearly 2%. The national picture going down while Larkmead not only went up but exceeded national average. Our recent Ofsted inspection also highlighted the phenomenon stating ‘ Students make good progress and achieve well in their GCSE examinations…. Students currently in the school are making better progress and the school’s reliable data show that GCSE results are likely to be significantly better in 2015’. Additionally the report identified that disadvantaged students at the school ‘are making much better progress’ than disadvantaged students nationally for both English and Mathematics. Larkmead was rated Good by Ofsted in all 6 key performance areas. Larkmead are particularly proud that Ofsted identified the quality of teaching in the school was ‘at least consistently good and some of it is now outstanding.’

One of the most far reaching literacy initiatives is being done in partnership with local primary schools, Caldecott, Carswell and Thameside. The schools are working closely together to raise attainment levels at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.

A shared specialist literacy teacher works on a one to one basis with students. All schools now have a consistent approach to literacy teaching in all lessons through the use of common literacy symbols and ‘literacy mats’.

The partnership are also part of the ‘Gaining Momentum’ literacy project which is an Oxfordshire County wide initiative to raise literacy levels throughout the curriculum.

Other initiatives include;

Power hour; an afterschool club, where students who feel they are falling behind can attend to boost their learning with the help of qualified teachers.

Homework Club: all students can complete work in an encouraging, supportive, safe, fun environment after school.

Summer School; Many children find the move from primary to secondary school daunting. But for some this is more difficult. Discussions with teachers enable these students to be identified and, where it is appropriate children are invited to attend the Larkmead Summer School. The summer school has been designed to provide an introduction to the school and some staff in an enjoyable, informal environment. This then helps the children to maintain their learning levels and can ‘hit the ground running’ when they start in September.

The Learning Resource Centre at Larkmead is a ‘learning hub’ with many literacy focused activities taking place. Thanks to a grant from The Foyle Foundation, the Learning Resource Centre is filled with lots of good quality literature, both historical and contemporary. The Centre is open before and after school and at break and lunchtime for students and even has a late night opening after school.

Activities which take place are: author talks, literacy quiz, book club, debate club and Carnegie Shadowing all of which help to promote the enjoyment of reading and writing for students.

Headteacher, Chris Harris said:

“Our vision of becoming formally recognised as an ‘outstanding’ school is one step closer.   We have laid the platform on which all of our students will be able to succeed both academically and within society. By having a learning partnership between students, staff and parents, we are better equipped to provide the right learning level and style for each and every one of our students.   As our students learn, so do our teachers.

The focus we have placed on improving literacy skills will continue as we seek to extend the focus to improve numeracy skills.’

As well as raising enough money to build 50 new wells, in countries where children do not have access to clean water, from the ‘Message in a Bottle’ clean water Art Project, we are also exhibiting some of the self-portraits from the exhibition in Oxfam Abingdon shop window until the 8th May to help encourage passers by to make a donation to Oxfam’s clean water appeal, vital in emergency situations such as the Nepal earthquake.

Other VPA activities this week have included Year 8 music students composing their own versions of Gustav Holst’s ‘Mars, The Bringer of War’.

Our Photography AS students took part in a sculpture and performance workshop at Modern Art Oxford as part of ‘Test Run: Performance in Public’ exhibition with artist Alex Schady.

As part of their John Muir Award, Y11 Skillforce students visited Far Peak Adventure Centre last week. The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.

The John Muir Trust created the award to honour the work of John Muir and also to promote his values and legacy. The award consists of four challenges all focussed on wild places;

Discover (a wild place)
Explore (its wildness)
Conserve (take action and responsibility)
Share (the experience)

The students completed their conserve challenge whilst at Far Peak by creating a new archery range for the centre.

This involved clearing a new area, making it safe, removing the old equipment and resources and constructing a new, fresh archery area that helps visitors to engage more with the wild surroundings of Far Peak.

The centre were really pleased with the finished product and very grateful for the work the students volunteered to put in.

We held this year’s Multi Sports Festival on Friday 1^st May and the sun shone for us!

It was a great day with seven schools from the area including Larkmead, taking part.

Events ranged from tennis and New Age Curling to Athletics events and a goal shoot.

We held our annual Boccia competition which was very exciting with close score but Larkmead won the GOLD which was a fantastic result!

We had some lovely comments on the day about the year 10 helpers involved who all worked really hard to ensure everyone had a brilliant day. We also had some visiting Leaders from Matthew Arnold who ran some of the activities and were great too.

A big thank you goes out to all of those who continue to come along and support the event and to everyone who helps on the day.

Thank you also to our sponsors, Tesco Charity Trust and to Newbury Building Society for sending Barry Bear along again this year.

‘Thank you all so very much for yet again another brilliant Sports Festival.’

‘Your students were very helpful, kind, and showed maturity in encouraging and explaining each activity to our students.’

‘We look forward to seeing you next year.’

Trash to Fash

Larkmead students in the Upcycling Club send a huge thank you to Cyd and Lark Rise for donating two sewing machines to help them redesign and upcycle clothes and accessories for themselves and to sell in Oxfam Abingdon under their ‘Trash to Fash’ label.

Art For Literacy

KS3 students have been busy this week putting the finishing touches to the giant papier mache sculptures they have made inspired by reading ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Twilight’ in an Art project encouraging reading and improving literacy skills. Watch this space for details of the exhibition of their work coming soon.

Our Carnegie Shadowing Group took part in the joint Abingdon schools Carnegie Quiz on Tuesday 12th May at Fitzharry’s School.
All 21 students were entered into mixed teams from across the six Abingdon Schools (state and independent) and lots of socialising, discussing of books and answering of questions took place… oh and eating of cake!
Polly Dipper and Fayth Hill, Year 7 Students, represented Larkmead School in the winning team. Well Done! Cameron Bullock, also a Year 7 student, was awarded a prize for his excellent book reviews.

Our students have since March 2015 read at least 4 and are on at least their 5th of the 7 shortlisted Carnegie Books that we’re reading.
Please have a look at the Carnegie Shadowing web page where our students are posting reviews of the books they’ve read on to the Larkmead Reading Group. Read with interest!

We have a number of internal activities planned here at Larkmead which will lead us up to our final joint event on Thursday 18th June 2015.
All six schools in Abingdon will meet at The Guildhall, with local book related dignitaries to discuss and announce our own joint favourite book from this year’s shortlist BUT will we agree with the Carnegie panel of judges?

BBC Arts Editor, Will Gompertz, spent the day with the VPA Faculty at Larkmead this week following his 6th form careers advice talk through Speakers for Schools in March. He enjoyed watching lessons including an ‘inspirational’ drama class, as well as giving careers advice to A2 Performing Arts students. Mr Gompertz is a huge supporter of the importance of the arts in education and was particularly impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of our students and staff.

Joint projects with the school library and VPA have been very successful in encouraging reading and giving students the opportunity to discuss book characters and review books. This week students from KS3 had the opportunity to take part in a Character Illustration workshop in the Art Department with a visiting artist.

COME AND SEE WHY OFSTED RATED LARKMEAD ‘GOOD’ IN ALL SIX KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

As parents of Years 4 and 5 students, it is a good time to consider the choice of schooling in Abingdon. The move to secondary education may be quite daunting.   Choosing the right school for your son/daughter depends on many factors.

To help you to make the right decision, we will be holding a number of events where you, and your child, will have the opportunity to speak to members of staff and current students.

This year, not only will you be able to visit Larkmead during our Open Day, where you will have the opportunity to visit the school on a normal working day, but we will also be holding a series of informal Evening Roadshows.

We do hope you can join us and look forward to meeting you.

Evening Roadshows

29th June Marcham Primary School 6pm-7pm

30th June St Nicolas Primary School 6pm-7pm

2nd July Caldecott Primary School 6pm-7pm

Come along and meet some of our existing students together with Headteacher, Chris Harris and Assistant Headteacher Key Stage 3, Liz Watkins.

You will have the opportunity to raise questions and discuss any concerns you may have in an informal setting.

All of the Evening Roadshow events are open to students and parents at any of the Abingdon area primary schools.

Open Day – Thursday 9^th July 9am – 1pm.

A chance to see Larkmead on a normal school day.

Parents and students will be shown around the school in small groups each accompanied by student guides. Please note the last tour will be 12 Noon.

On completing your tour, you are welcome to return to the Learning Resource Centre for light refreshments and to raise any issues with senior members of staff.

Our Headteacher, Chris Harris, will give a short presentation at 9.15am and 11.15am.

Six Year 8 students, Joseph Mutch, Alison Chomyn, Sophie Hill, Lucy Mayer-Jones, Lucy Sharrock and Joe Gommersall, recently went to Oxford Brookes to compete in the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Faraday Challenge.

This event is set up and run by a team of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) professionals and gives students the opportunity to research, design and make prototype solutions to genuinely tough engineering problems. At each event teams compete to win a prize for themselves and a trophy for their school.

Competing against five other schools from Oxford, our students had to use planning, evaluation, accounting, team work, presentation and STEM skills to make a prototype to improve the safety of cyclists.

Students were then able to use a 3D printer to make their product and then they had to sell their design to a ‘sales team’. If they wanted any advice to assist with their model they needed to ‘purchase’ this using their budget.

The students did brilliantly and scored 91 out of 100 points. They also scored full marks on both their teamwork and presentation skills, which resulted in them winning the competition overall!

The team won a trophy for the school and each member received a £10 Amazon voucher.

The latest Lark Rise News is available to read and download, including news on the 2nd hand uniform sale, springtime raffle and other forthcoming events. Please click on the button below:

Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2015) is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.

Here at Larkmead School we are VERY fortunate to have 9 adult volunteers who give up their time each week, some twice a week, to read with some of our KS3 students. We also have some 6th Form students who give up their time during PM Registration to read with younger year groups.

We’d like to THANK them for all that they do! They have been fantastic in supporting some of our students in developing their interest and ability in reading.

Volunteering is a way to give something back, but it is also an opportunity to make a difference, benefit from new experiences, gain skills and have fun. If you’re interested in joining our Reading Team as a volunteer, please email Linda Stone, LRC Manager

The LRC was turned into a battle ground last week as the legendary Byron took on Gil Scott Heron in an unprecedented war of words. A packed library watched as the two ‘Dead Poets’ went head to head – students and staff thoroughly enjoyed learning about the stories and talents of the famous writers. This formed the final part of our literacy project to support reading in Key Stage Three: some lucky students were selected to work with Mark Grist (celebrity teacher and spoken word artist) over a period of three months in order to develop their enthusiasm for English.

Ultimately it was the freestyle rap of MC Mixy (in the guise of Gil Scott Heron) which swung the audience and took the victory from Mark Grist’s boisterous Byron!

Thank you from the VPA Faculty to all our Visiting Artists, Larkmead Staff, Students, Parents and Partnership Schools for their support and involvement in making our VPA performances and events such an enjoyable success, helping to provide opportunities through the Arts across the curriculum.

Below is an overview of whats been going on this term.

Will Gompertz VPA visit

BBC Arts Editor, Will Gompertz, spent the day with the VPA Faculty following his 6th form talk through Speakers for Schools. He enjoyed watching lessons including an ‘inspirational’ drama class, as well as giving careers and work placement advice to A2 Performing Arts students. Mr Gompertz is a huge supporter of the importance of the arts in education and was particularly impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of our students and staff.

Art for Literacy project

“This project has improved my reading skills a lot and also I got more interested in the book as I went along. I am now able to read aloud without making too many mistakes”

“You can learn new words and what they mean and think of your own designs and ideas”

A joint project with the school library and VPA has been very successful encouraging and improving reading giving KS3 students the opportunity to discuss book characters, review books, creatively interpret texts through papier mache 3D sculptures inspired by ʻCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryʼ and ʻTwilightʼ. They also had the chance to take part in workshops with a visiting artist on Character Illustration and Description. Artwork produced will go on display around the school this term and in Abingdon Library over the summer holidays.