Technological excellence and success in the arts are just two examples of how Transform Trust schools have been providing equitable learning opportunities for pupils and their families
Parkdale Primary School has recently been recognised by Apple for its commitment to “continuous innovation using technology” and has been named as an ‘Apple Distinguished School’.
Its children welcomed former teacher and Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui to see first-hand the importance digital learning plays in children’s education.
Mr Siddiqui was treated to a tour of the school and interacted with pupils from all classes across all years who were only too keen to show him how this innovative technology is improving their learning.
Entrepreneur Mr Siddiqui said: “It is super exciting to see digital technology being used in such an innovative way, but it is not a flash in the pan. There is a lot of thought and effort going into it and at the heart of it is ‘how does this benefit the children and the teaching team?’.
“It is encouraging to see so much effort has gone into this, not just from the school, but from the wider trust as well.
“The children take pride in championing the cool stuff they are doing using digital technology and that makes them well-rounded, confident young people and the fact that Parkdale provides that environment is lovely to see.”
Another Transform school has been nurturing the talents of its youngsters after a choir of more than 60 primary school children and their families from Robert Shaw Primary and Nursery School were invited to open a popular month-long ‘Christmas at Wollaton’s Light Trail’ alongside American singing legend Donny Osmond.
Thousands of people gathered at the 15th century Wollaton Hall, in Nottingham, for an interactive festive experience. Children at Robert Shaw warmed the hearts of the crowds with their sweet singing voices and wowed Donny Osmond who took a quick break from touring the UK.
Finally, Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School is becoming a real community hub thanks to a series of free classes for its parents and carers.
The school partnered with the Academy Transformation Trust Further Education College (ATTFE) and opened its newly refurbished Family Hub to its families, who are looking to further their learning, meet other families and even get back into the workplace.
Its creative art and design diploma course has been a real hit, and its math support is proving very popular, allowing parents and carers to join their children one hour a week for maths games, helping to build their confidence and knowledge.
And it is not the first course that this inclusive school has held for its community. It has already held a very successful first aid course, a ‘confident [boosting] mums’ club’, and hugely popular gardening and digital courses.
More recently the school has added ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses to its ever-growing calendar of adult learning opportunities to help families who want to feel more confident and improve their communication.
The schools’ recent successes are concrete examples of how the trust endeavours to serve every child and their families, while its values (Respect, Kindness, Equity and Creativity)- underpin every aspect of school life, inside and outside the classroom.