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Bradford University taking credit for success of University Academy Keighley (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford University taking credit for success of University Academy Keighley
7:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Keighley By David Knights
Students from University Academy Keighley celebrate their GCSE results
The University of Bradford has taken some of the credit for transforming one of the worst performing schools in the UK after it recorded a dramatic increase in top-grade GCSE passes.
The latest exam results revealed a 20 per cent rise to 46 per cent in the number of pupils gaining A* to C grades at University Academy Keighley (UAK), two years after it was transformed from Greenhead High School in Green Head Lane, Utley.
Last year, only 26 per cent of pupils achieving five passes at A* to C including English and maths – which put the school among the 200 worst performing in the country.
However, following the publication of this year’s exam results, the university’s project leader Nadira Mirza said: “The results are a testament to partnership working which includes the University of Bradford, Bradford Council, Bradford schools partnership and the governing body of UAK.”
She said all year 11 students were profiled and placed into groups, lessons were turned into university-style lesson plans with “clear learning objectives”, and governors and staff were all held accountable for reaching targets.
A buddy system was created between the academy and university in order to share best practice with the school and there was a Saturday homework club, extra revision classes and summer schools at the UAK and University campuses.
Ms Mirza said: “We engaged the academy and the community to raise standards and widen participation.
“Our understanding and belief that university preparation starts from childhood is fundamental to the way we work.
“In this challenging time, it’s more important than ever for students to get the absolute most out of their time in higher education, gaining a good degree to prepare them for the job market.
“We can change all the external factors, but without the focus on teaching, lesson planning, staff development and an emphasis on boosting the morale and confidence of the students and staff, this transformation would not have been possible.”
The University of Bradford became the lead sponsor when Greenhead was transformed into an academy in September 2010.
The decision was taken after Greenhead received an “inadequate” grade in a damning Ofsted report in 2008.
The school is now run by the three-strong leadership team of Gareth Dawkins, head of Bradford Academy , behavioural specialist Phil Allen and Beckfoot School assistant principal Linda Wallsgrove.
The next step will include a review of the sixth form at UAK into help make A-level students ready to study at university.
Comments(2)
Ifti
says...
5:06pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. A bilingual teacher has the ability to teach bilingually and explain complex concepts to children who have limited understanding of English. Learning in their first language 'raises their self-esteem, self-respect and strengthens their identities in western culture. It will help them to develop their cultural, linguistic and Islamic Identy, otherwise, they will be lost in Western Jungle. According to verities of studies, a child will suffer if he/she finds himself cut off from his/her cultural and linguistic roots. Arabic is our religious language and each and every Muslim must be well versed in Quranic Arabic. This the main reason why I believe that Pakistani parents must find marriage partners from Pakistan for their children. Pakistani children and youths suffer more than others because they find themselves cut off from the literature and poetry. Majority of them are not even well versed in Standard English. This is the main reason why majority of Pakistani children leave schools without good qualification. English is their economic language while Urdu is their social and emotional and Arabic is their religious language.
There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. Muslim children will get a decent education. Muslim schools turned out balanced citizens, more tolerant of others and less likely to succumb to criminality or extremism. Muslim schools give young people confidence in who they are and an understanding of Islam’s teaching of tolerance and respect which prepares them for a positive and fulfilling role in society. Muslim schools are attractive to Muslim parents because they have better discipline and teaching Islamic values. Children like discipline, structure and boundaries.
Bilingual Muslim children have been in state schools for the last 50 years. They have been suffering from ****-bashing. They have been unable to develop their confidence and self-esteem due to racism and bullying. This is one of the main reason why they have been unable to achieve good grades. They have been suffering from Identity Crises. They do not know where they belong. Muslim school with bilingual Muslim teachers is only the answer.
IA
London School of Islamics Trust
http://www.londonsch
oolofislamics.org.uk
birday says...
10:23am Wed 5 Sep 12
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Congratulations everyone.
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We now needs a strategy in place to undo the damage done by Education Bradford to those young people who have left school! Who's dealng with that?