Achievements and Performance 2020-21

Art

• The Art department held ‘The Big Draw’ competition during Lockdown. Pupils and staff were encouraged to create a piece of artwork that sends a message of positivity. Entrants were encouraged to use materials you would find at home and to recycle where possible.
• Information has been passed to KS4 pupils about virtual holiday art clubs.
• The Art department holds an extra-curricular Art club for Year 9 pupils.

Computing

• CyberFirst – Girls Competition in problem solving and cyber security.
• Team COBRA got through to the regional finals (pupils had a day off timetable for the national semi-finals). Castleford Academy’s team were in the top 8% of the country.
• Mr Whitworth has been nominated by an anonymous pupil for the BAFTA Young Games Designer Mentor Award.
• The Computing department holds multiple extra-curricular activities, such as Computer Games Development Club and Minecraft club.
• BEBRAS challenge finalists were entered into Oxford Computing Challenge (no finalists this year).
  Matrix Challenge – West Yorkshire Police Cyber Security challenge.
  A number of Year 9 pupils completed the Duke of York Challenges (bronze awards), run by Idea.org.

Core Skills

• Core Skills Star of the Week awarded weekly.
• Headteacher Certificates handed out to celebrate Core Skills’ excellent lesson attendance during Lockdown.
  Weekly BSL sessions completed online during Lockdown, working together with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Resource Base.

• Two extra-curricular trips planned for the remainder of this school year.

Design and Technology

• Entered Wool 4 Schools Competition – awaiting the results.

Drama

• Castleford Academy held a successful Year 9 performance evening where students performed scripted plays to a small audience.
• All KS3 pupils are participating in a stage design challenge with Leeds Playhouse where they can have their design envisaged on a stage by real designers.

English

• The English Department held competitions and activities in relation to ‘World Book Day’, including a creative story writing task where pupils were encouraged to create imaginative narratives with a maximum of 400 words.

Geography

• The Geography Department held an ‘Antarctica Day’ competition. One lucky pupil in Year 9 had their work displayed at a research station in Antarctica.
• All year groups were invited to participate in the ‘Creative Earth’ competition to create artwork for the UN Climate Conference 2021.
• Pupils participated in the Strava GPS map competition over lockdown to encourage daily exercise in the local area.

History

• In lockdown, pupils visited many museums virtually via our school History Twitter account.
• In lockdown, Year 8s entered a competition to design a WWI memorial for local soldiers.
• The History department have also facilitated visits to school by former students; one of which attended from Leeds University and the other from Huddersfield University.

Literacy

• To date, this year, there are 37 word millionaires (including Year 10 and staff) with one pupil passing 147 quizzes and achieving a word count of 10,625,187. Across the school, a total of 212 million words have been read so far. Due to assembly restrictions in the Autumn term, there were no reading reward assemblies which significantly impacted the reward spend figures compared to previous years. An acknowledgement of reading achievements was announced to pupils during home learning-based assemblies in February 2021 and reward breakfasts for Gold and Silver winners across Years 7 to 9 are taking place week commencing 19/04/2021. Book tokens to the value of £230, chocolate to the value of £132, and book prizes awarded to a value of approximately £100 have been purchased. The book prize figure includes those awarded in a monthly prize raffle first started in December 2020 as an incentive to return borrowed library books. This Academic Year, an additional £312.85 has been spent on book prizes from the Literacy Rewards budget. World Book Day did not take place in its scheduled date in March due to the third lockdown and will not run this year. So far this year, 3355 books have been borrowed from the library and 724 books are currently out on loan. There are 13,630 books on the library system, but the majority of non-fiction titles are currently in storage following the move of the library to a smaller space in November 2020.

Maths

• Outstanding examples of pupils’ work during lockdown were displayed on the Castleford Academy Maths Twitter page (@castlefordmaths). The photos of work sent in by pupils demonstrated an exceptional commitment to remote learning.

Media / Photography

• Due to Covid-19 restrictions, CASmag and CAStv have had to be put on hold. However, we ran a photography competition during lockdown which proved very popular, with over 50 pupils entering. Media pupils produced their own mini-films during lockdown as part of their MicroFilm challenge, producing some outstanding results.

Music

• The Music department has a link with Musical Futures – we have been given Champion School status as well as being the only school in the country to have two music teachers recognized as Champion Teachers. In addition, we are also a Musical Futures Tech Champion School. Despite the challenges over the past year the Music hasn’t stopped – our talent show went online for the first time and “The Cas Factor: Locked Down” was a great success with a live-streamed final and a prestigious virtual judging panel who joined us from all corners of the country! At KS4 students’ diverse talents were celebrated with the option of pathways in production and technology as well as live performance. The Music Department also holds an extra-curricular Singing Club.

PE

• Cas Community Challenge – As a school and community, we teamed up with Castleford Tigers RLFC to engage our students, parents, staff and the wider community to keep fit and active during lockdown. We covered 16,000km through running, jogging, walking or cycling. This covered the distance of Castleford Tigers Super League Fixtures this season, as well as the distance to Australia. The challenge was supported and covered by local and regional media, including a feature on Look North.

• Due to Covid-19, no sporting competitions have taken place during 2020-2021.
• Recreational clubs have been taking place, including Badminton, Table Tennis, Dodgeball, Fitness, Football, Rugby League, Basketball, Athletics, Cricket, Rounders and Hockey.

RE / PSHE

• The Citizenship Foundation – SMSC Gold Award
• National Citizenship Service – Champion School
• Stonewall School Champion – for LGBTQ inclusivity
• Department of Education – Early Adopter School for RSE

Science

• Students had the opportunity to enter the Royal society Biology Challenge
• Across school challenges were set for British science week
• The Science Department holds a weekly STEM Club for year 7 pupils and an Environmental Club for Year 8 pupils.

Work Related

• Curriculum and scheme of work have been fully re-vamped.
• The ASDAN Independent Short Course Certificate has been introduced for Year 9, with great success so far.
  Firefighters / DofE
• Due to Covid-19 restrictions, pupils have not been able to take part in the Firefighters GRIT scheme during 2020-21.
• Due to Covid-19 restrictions, pupils have not been able to take part in Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and unfortunately, no new participants could be signed up to the scheme. However, existing participants are currently working towards their Duke of Edinburgh achievement certificate, which recognises the work done towards their skill, physical and volunteering section.

Step Up

• To date, many pupils, including pupil premium, LAC and EAL pupils, have received 1-1 mentoring intervention for varying needs. In addition to an ever-increasing number of pupils accessing Step Up Resource, averaging termly that 700+ individual pupils access this resource and a total number of visits of approximately 1,500 – 2,000 each term from Academy pupils for a variety of reasons i.e. uniform, step up referrals, mentoring, injuries plus many more. This intervention allows pupils to discuss problems and resolve issues with an overall aim to return to lessons. Step Up staff also work closely with various outside agencies to help support our pupils and their needs, working towards removing any barriers to learning.

Careers

• All attending pupils in Y11 applied to College
• Virtual Careers Week – great attendance from all year groups
• Virtual Apprenticeship Week – great attendance from Y10/11/12/13
• Use of My Tutor to support Y11 progression
• A series of virtual sessions for Y13 to support progression to University (such as UCAS Personal statements and finance guidance)
• Use of Unifrog across all year groups to support Careers Education in school and at home
• Prospectus Launches from local colleges for Y11
• Engie Mentoring programme for pupils in Y10, studying Construction
• Leeds Arts University Easter Art Competition

More Able

• All More Able and Talented pupils in all year groups have received at least one of the ‘Stretching the Most Able’ assemblies this year. Staff CPD has taken place surrounding strategies and thinking hard, to stretch the more able and High Flyers Awards have been distributed, celebrating achievement in school and for work over lockdown. Pupils attended the More Able Magistrates Mock Trial preparation for future visit to Leeds magistrate’s court where pupils were to prosecute and defend in a formal setting. The Scholars Programme through the Brilliant Club provided access for 12 pupils to visit a highly-selective university where a final project will then be submitted and pupils attend a graduation ceremony (Covid restrictions permitting). Middle Leaders attended training which included staff sitting the subject exam paper. Various rewards have been distributed in assemblies and many praise letters home.

Fundraising

• Odd socks day to raise funds for Young Minds.
• Non-uniform day for Beat Autism.

ITT

• Five Towns ITT Partnership created with Leeds Beckett University and the University of Huddersfield. Castleford Multi Academy Trust schools, Airedale Academy and their pyramid schools, Crofton Academy, Hemsworth Academy, Outwood Grange Academy, Carleton High School, The King’s School, Southdale Junior School, Dimplewell Infant’s School, and New College Pontefract. 14 trainees in place all on track to pass. One asked to leave the course. 7 have already secured jobs. Currently have 12 trainees for September 2021 with 6 more to interview. New Collaborative Teaching School Alliance have joined the Five Towns Partnership and we are linked to Huddersfield University to offer 11-18 routes for some subjects e.g. PE. We continue to work with Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Beckett and for this year Leeds SCITT to offer core training places.

School to School Support

• JO, KG, JV and DPC delivered NQT CPD for the LA.
• Supported schools with Ofsted preparation, cognitive science CPD, schemes of work and resources across several departments, departmental reviews, musical futures champions.

Castleford Academy CPD

• Although a Training Needs Analysis was completed by teaching staff in July, changes have been made to the CPD offered due to Covid-19. INSET days in September and November were completed. Remote CPD for all staff was delivered during lockdown. Behaviour Management CPD has been delivered each term.

NQTs

• NQTs do not follow the PM cycle but have six official observations and three form reports each year. All successfully completed their NQT Induction.

Partnership and Community Links 2020-21

Computing

• Network Group leader for WLA – supporting other schools.
• ITT Student Liam Beckett, successfully gained employment with us and will start in Sept.

Core Skills

• Working with Leeds Playhouse on the Burberry Inspire Project – creative writing sessions to inspire and motivate students.

Design and Technology

• Grange Farm Primary School – building outdoor furniture and outdoor learning boards to improve their outdoor space.
• Introduced DT to reception and Year 1 in using an outdoor workbench where pupils could learn to use a hammer and saw. This training taught 10 members of staff how to run live DT sessions on a 1-2-1 basis.
• Working with Three Lane Ends Academy & Park Junior Academy
• Working with Crofton Academy & Minsthorpe Community College
• Part of the Wakefield DT Network.

Drama

• Leeds Playhouse
• University of Huddersfield
• Northern Ballet
• A group of year 9 pupils have supported playwright/screenwriter, Adam Hughes, with writing a play that will be toured in schools, giving ideas for content, supporting any re-draft ideas and finally agreeing ideas within the completed script.

Geography

• Wakefield Geography Network – teachers across the area meet to discuss curriculum changes, assessments, fieldwork etc.
• Geography close links with AQA principal moderator, Quick key trial, Links to coolgeography.co.uk (subscription) and Wakefield curriculum group.
• Sharing resources and moderation with Crofton.

Health and Social Care

• Health & Social Care Placements include; Half Acres Junior & Infant School, Orchard Head Junior, Infants and Nursery School, Park Junior Academy, Pontefract Family Centre, Unicorn Nursery, Prince of Wales Hospice, Wheldon Infant School and Nursery, Glasshoughton Infant Academy, Brambly Hedge Nursery, Castleford Lodge Care Home, Rachel’s Tiger Cubs Child Minders, Rachel’s Railway Children Child Minders, Kingsland Primary School and Fairburn View Primary.

History

• Members of the Wakefield History curriculum group.

Literacy

• GV has met with the Head of English and also Head of Literacy from Crofton Academy to discuss Literacy across the Curriculum, Library, Oracy and ways forward. Due to lockdown, a follow up meeting is yet to be scheduled. GV will visit Crofton for a structured meeting and visit in late June/early July to ensure that Literacy is in place for the next academic year.

MFL

• Part of the MFL Wakefield Learning Partnership, attending meetings and hosting.

Music

• Wakefield Music Service, VIP Studios from Charanga Music, Musical Futures, Ableton.

PE

• Sporting Partnerships with – Elite Coaching, When Dance Happens, Northern Ballet, Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund, England Women RFU, Youth Sport Trust, Girls Active, Sky Sports Living For Sport, Castleford Tigers, Castleford Tigers Women, Reds in the Community, Leeds United Foundation, West Riding FA, UKA Cheer, Freedom 2 Dance, RFL, RFL Education Officer, 5 Towns School Sports Partnership, Mackay State High School (Queensland Australia), Sarina High School (Queensland, Australia), Toronto Wolfpack, Yorkshire Schools Rugby League Teachers group and organising the boys and girls Wakefield and Yorkshire competitions.

RE / PSHE

The school has a significant number of partners that support the delivery of themed weeks and drop-down days:
Spectrum Health -RSE

• Prison? Me? No Way! Trust – Anti Violence Presentations
• Change4Life – Healthy Breakfasts & Energy Drinks
• Teenage Cancer Trust – Testicular & Cervical Cancer
• Re-Start a Heart Team – CPR & First Aid
• Stop Hate UK – Hate crimes
• Young Minds – Emotional Wellbeing
• UK Youth Parliament – Make Your Mark
• EPIC Risk Management – Gambling Addiction

Science

• Working with the Science learning partnership
• Yorkshire Technicians network.
• Arkwright Scholarship partnership.

Work Related

• National Event Operations Working Group set up with staff from other schools who teach the subject – to pool / share resources and meet online to discuss the course.
• Twitter account created for Work Related Learning and contacts made at local events venues and Wakefield Council.
• Event venues are being contacted to develop relationships, with a view to staff coming into school next year to deliver sessions to students, and Year 10 students being taken to one venue for an ‘experience day’.

Step Up

• Social Services, Childrens’ First Hub, School Nursing Services, West Yorkshire Police, CAMHS (Mental Health), EWO (Attendance), Educational Psychologist, Agencies and Local Authorities who support Children in Care, Young Carers (those who care for someone in the home), and all other professionals and services offering our pupils support.

Careers

• Leeds City Enterprise Region
• Wakefield Council Enterprise
• Uni Connect (was NCOP)
• University of Leeds
• Leeds Trinity University
• Leeds Beckett University
• University of Huddersfield
• Wakefield College
• NEW College
• Leeds College of Building
• Askham Bryan College
• Wakefield Apprenticeship HUB
• Leeds City College
• Bradford College
• WDH
• NHS
• Army Careers
• Haribo
• Yorkshire Water
• Engie
• Leeds Playhouse

ITT

• To act as a lead school for Five Towns ITT partnership.
• Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Becket University (Core and School Direct placements), Leeds Trinity University, Huddersfield University.
• Alliance member of the New Collaborative and White Rose teaching school alliance.
• Member of the strategic board for Leeds Beckett

School to School Support

• Working collaboratively with other local schools & colleges including feeder schools to enhance provision in all organisations.
• We are active partners in a learning community with our local family of schools, FE, HEI and businesses, working collaboratively to share resources and develop/share good practice.
• Continue to build links with TLG Wakefield & Step Out provision in engaging disaffected pupils and reengaging them through applied work-related learning both on and off site.

Castleford Academy CPD

• Facilitating the training and development of staff both within our collaborative partnership and in school to further develop and share best practice in through HUB meetings and staff work placements – Subject network meetings are well attended by subject teachers.