Category : Front Page News

Year 11 – Skills Yorkshire Careers Event and Year 12 – University & Apprenticeship Fair, Leeds – October 2019

Students in years 11 & 12 had the opportunity to visit these regional events. Each event is aimed to provide students with relevant information which compliments their current option and career needs. Students had time to look round the many stands, collect information, network, attend seminars and try practical tasks. Highlights included the large range of practical activities on the NHS and Army stands and the creativity of the Performing Arts Hub and Intuitions Hair and Beauty. Year 12 students gained valuable knowledge about the UCAS process and writing personal statements in the seminars. Students returned to school with bags of useful information which will assist them in making informed choices at Post-16 and Post-18 points.

Sixth Form students took the lead in baking and making to organise a coffee morning as part of the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’, raising £222.32 for Macmillan. Thanks to the parents, staff and students who supported the event.

It’s been another excellent year for Boroughbridge High School students as they, along with staff and parents, have been celebrating another set of impressive GCSE results today.  The top grades of 7 – 9 made up almost a quarter of grades awarded.  An impressive 15 students gained at least 1 Grade 9, across 15 subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Maths, French, Italian, Russian,  Food Technology, Geography, History, PE, RE, Music and Art.

There are many individual success stories including Bertie, who achieved an amazing 7 Grade 9s, putting him in very exclusive company of 0.1% of students who sat their GCSEs this year.  Bertie, who is starting his A Levels at Boroughbridge High School Sixth Form in September said ‘I am so surprised and proud of my results. Staff have been amazing, supporting me through school and I’m really looking forward to coming to start my ‘A’ Levels here.’

Students have followed an innovative Stage not Age curriculum where they completed two of their optional GCSEs at the end of Year 10. Many of the results gained last year were above the national average and students have built upon this high standard with a higher proportion of students securing the highest grades.

Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson said, ‘It has been an absolute pleasure to congratulate students on their achievements which is a clear recognition of all of their hard work. We are delighted that our students are now able to move confidently into further study, apprenticeships and employment and we look forward to welcoming many of them back into our Sixth Form in September.’

Staff, students and parents at Boroughbridge High School are celebrating another year of very good A Level results. Students achieved a 100% pass rate in the vast majority of subjects offered including Maths, English Literature, Physics, Arts, Business Studies and Humanities subjects.

Key highlights include 100% of students achieving a grade ‘A’ for Mathematics and over 50% of students achieving high grades in a number of subjects including, Religious Studies, Health and Social Care, Business Studies, Fine Art, Physics and Sociology. In addition to Maths, students also achieved ‘A’ grades in English Literature, Geography, Health and Social Care and Religious Studies.

As the photo shows there are many individual success stories of students who have successfully obtained the grades needed to progress on to university.

Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson said “We are very proud of the achievements of our students and congratulate them on their success. It’s so rewarding to see students gain university places and employment of their choice. The results also reflect the continued support of our families, staff and school governors. The class of 2019 will be producing the engineers, economists, graphic designers, mathematicians and artists of the future and we wish them well.’’

Head of Sixth Form, Penny Town added “I am delighted that so many of our young people have achieved such a great set of results.”

Following preparation in PSHEE lessons, Year 11 students had the opportunity to engage with a range of employers in a Speed Networking activity organised with the support of NYBEP.   They met a range of employers and asked questions about their career and the organisation they currently work in.  Later in the day, students worked on Planning a CV and Personal Statement.  They will continue this work in September, when they visit a Regional Careers Event and have meetings with the School Careers Adviser regarding their individual Post-16 Options.

Student comments on the experience include:

What have you enjoyed most about today?

“ Seeing a variety of jobs”, “ Having an ideas of what I would like to do”, “learning new things”, “learning about different jobs”, “employers can be friendly and interesting”.

 What you will remember?

“The importance of having the right attitude”, “the experience of talking to employers”, “learning more about the skills needed for different jobs”.

 What might you do/change because of today?

“How I present myself”, “my attitude towards school”, “look into things I wouldn’t before”, “I would do research in a particular job that I am interested in”, “Aspire to become more”

Employers included – The Army, RAF, Intuitions Hair & Beauty, BAM Nuttall, Wolseley UK, NYCC, Building & Preservation Northern Ltd, North Yorkshire Construction Group, Plantlet Culture, Reed Boardall, Ellis Bates and Yorkshire Bank.

Employers commented on how engaged students were, they had thought about their appearance and what to ask.  One commented “I wish there were activities like this when I was at school”

Staff involved in the day also appreciated the opportunity to link up with employers.  Over break they talked about the variety of opportunity in the organisations.  It has provided them with a new connection between teaching young people in the classroom and understanding the requirements of employers.

In July, our Year 12 Sixth Form students took the opportunity to work in a range or organisations and companies for a week of Work Experience.  Each student chose an area of interest to them and were involved in the planning to confirm their placements with employers.  Employers were very supportive in providing opportunities for students, to access appropriate and interesting work, which included –

NYCC Libraries  –  The student was very positive and developed excellent relationships with the team

Belzona Polymerics Ltd – He was eager, he listened to guidance and quickly became competent

NYCC Primary Education – She has an understanding of the expectations across the primary phase

FusionLX Ltd – A polite young man and proved to be very capable

GSPK Circuits Ltd – He is a credit to his school and family.  A good experience for our organisation

Newby Hall Gardens

NHS Harrogate Hospital

The Insurance Emporium

Johnson’s of Whixley

Green Tech Ltd

The Minster Equine Clinic

Marks & Spencer

On their return to school, students were asked what they had learnt and how they had benefitted from a week in the work place.  Comments included –

“I worked in a primary school, you need to be open-minded and throw yourself into it.”

“I feel I developed patience, empathy and a firm but fair attitude working with children.  It was quite stressful and exhausting.”

“I was shelving, processing and providing customer service.  I was surprised by the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.”

“I was involved in writing a report, planning for a newsletter, graphics and video design.  I now realise the importance of learning skills like communication, determination, attention to detail, IT and literacy.”

“I had a chance to try everything – marketing, practical work in the yard, sales, finance, buying and operations.  I discovered that office dogs exist too!”

“Work Experience has given me confidence to contact employers to apply for a job.  I would recommend to other young people they look at all the options and not to tie yourself down to one path.”

“The longer day at work didn’t feel long, as the work was so interesting and fun.”

“I feel confident now talking to a variety of people.  I saw that things don’t always go to plan.  Work experience gives you an amazing insight into a potential future career.

Students and staff celebrated the end of the GCSE exams at the Year 11 Prom at The Bridge Inn on Friday night. There was glamour all round and this year group showed that they definitely know how to party. We wish them well for the future and look forward to welcoming many of them back to our Sixth Form.

On Wednesday 26th June, we were delighted to welcome teachers and students from a school in Australia. Mr. Inglis, through his STEM work has developed a link with Cumberland High School in New South Wales. After a visit to Kirby Hill Primary School, students had the opportunity to participate in lessons at BHS before carrying out their own Science experiments. The day ended with a barbecue and talk of the Conference at York University the following day. So, on Thursday morning with resources at the ready, the team set off to meet up with our Australian visitors for their presentations in York. Just in case you are wondering, that’s a bee!

Thanks to The Crown for being an excellent venue last Friday for the Year 13 Leavers’ Meal. We had a lovely meal and it was a great opportunity for thanks and wishing all well for the future.

Art Exhibition