#TeamBarnsleyAcademy

June 2024

Barnsley Academy is celebrating after Year 10 student Kaitlyn Walker and staff member Sarah Morgan took home two of the most coveted awards at United Learning’s national Best in Everyone Awards. Both were commended at a magnificent black-tie gala held at the Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield on Friday 21st June.

Kaitlyn Walker won the ‘Leadership and Service’ Award for her active role in both the school and local communities. At the academy, Kaitlyn is the Chair of the school’s first ever Student Council, where she presides over meetings and ensures ideas and voices across all year groups are heard. Locally, in her role as Barnsley Youth Mayor, she works with young people across the region to campaign on key issues that are impacting them, which has included meeting with magistrates and key political figures, such as local MP Ben Jarvis. Kaitlyn is also a member of the National Youth Parliament through which she works with charities and organisations on national projects.

Speaking of her win, Kaitlyn said:

"I'm honoured to have been chosen to receive such a prestigious award, alongside some of the most talented students in the UK. I wish to inspire the young people of my local constituency to possess the ambition and determination to lead a fulfilling life and reach their goals."

The academy is also commemorating the win of Sarah Morgan who was crowned ‘Secondary Early Career Teacher of the Year’ for her proactive approach to exposing her students to music in new and exciting ways. Since joining the academy, Sarah has made a huge contribution to the music department, facilitating a school choir and a wide range of ensembles and bands. Under her guidance, Year 10 students also got the unique opportunity to perform in an Evensong with Millfield School at St Paul’s Cathedral – the first time Barnsley Academy students have ever been involved in such an event.

Commenting on her award, Sarah said:

"It was lovely to be recognised for this award and to see the awards presented to other students and staff for such amazing accomplishments. It was a really inspiring evening."

First held in 2013, the annual Best in Everyone Awards celebrates the accomplishments of students and staff at United Learning schools across the country. The awards evening also gives credit to some of United Learning’s most inspirational and hard-working individuals and teams. This year, awards recognised both academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, including notable contributions to local communities.

To take home their awards, Kaitlyn and Sarah were first nominated by staff members at Barnsley Academy and later selected by a panel of judges from a shortlist of excellent candidates across United Learning schools nationally.

Naveed Khan, Principal at Barnsley Academy, said:

“Very well done to Kaitlyn and Sarah on their respective awards. Each year, the Best in Everyone Awards showcase the real talent, ambition and resilience of individuals across United Learning and the standards to win an award are incredibly high. We are therefore so proud to have two highly-deserving award winners at the academy, both of whom inspire everyone around them with their commitment and dedication to serving their school community. Many congratulations again to Kaitlyn and Sarah.”

November 2023

It was wonderful to host the MiSST Northern Play Day. Seeing our students perform alongside students from three other schools as part of an orchestra was great. The progress students have made since starting the programme was noticeable. Thank you to all colleagues involved as it was a big event to coordinate.

November 2023

We had Kathryn Burn, runner up on BBC’s The Apprentice, in school today to speak to our Year 10 students and GCSE Year 10 Business cohort. Kathryn delivered some fantastic sessions and students were very engaged in both the assembly and workshop. Staff feedback was also very positive.

November 2023

Maths City today was an amazing trip! Students really engaged with all the activities, and some did not want to leave.

September 2023

#educationwithcharacter

 

 

 

September 2023

#ExcellenceIsAHabit

#workhardbekind

#ambition

#determination

#Respect

 

   
          

 

 

July 2023

Yesterday a group of our Year 9/10 Art and Design Technology students walked a section of the local heritage trail with artist Patrick Murphy. Students are working in collaboration with the community to develop designs depicting imagery from our rich history of coal mining and transportation, as part of the Telecom Project 'Working Worsborough'.

July 2023

#educationwithcharacter

#careerseducation

 

June 2023

We were honoured to celebrate three outstanding winners at the national Best in Everyone Awards at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Friday. These students have shown exceptional character and work in the classroom and beyond. Congratulations to Jack, Sportsman of the Year, Drew, Computing and Elliot, for Creative Writing. A special thank you to their families and teachers that attended on the night to support them on their journey to success.

#proud

#educationwithcharacter

 

     

 

New student-led Eco-Committee is encouraging young leadership in support of green initiatives, including tree-planting and recyclin

This work has seen a brand-new Eco-Committee set up at the academy which is enabling young leaders to develop their own ideas for how to tackle environmental issues and encourage whole-school engagement.

The Eco-Committee, which comprises students from Year 7 to Year 10, has recently worked on an environmental review of the school looking at topics including waste, biodiversity and energy. They have devised an action plan and an Eco-Code for how they would like to change the habits of both students and staff to reduce waste and improve biodiversity around the school grounds.  

Alongside this, the students are working closely with staff towards achieving The Eco Schools Green Flag – an international accreditation that has recognised and rewarded young people’s environmental actions for over 25 years. This involves demonstrating their commitment to green initiatives and designing programmes for the school which will help improve local and global communities, such as a new recycling scheme and the ‘Turn off BA’ initiative – with the latter aiming to ensure that all unnecessary electricity outputs at Barnsley Academy are turned off overnight.  

Recently, students also supported a local initiative headed by Dan Jarvis, Labour MP for Barnsley Central, to plant more trees in the area. Representatives from Barnsley Academy’s Eco-Committee joined Mr Jarvis earlier this month to plant a new tree in the school grounds.

Commenting on their work on the new Eco-Committee, Cameron Wild, a Year 10 student at Barnsley Academy, said:

“Our work has helped reduce waste. We have reduced the number of computers left on overnight and started a paper a recycling programme.  We have also started to improve the biodiversity around our school grounds. It has helped us to understand how much we could change our environment around school. Small changes make a big difference. Overall, I really enjoy working with others to help make our school a better place and I am looking forward to working on more projects in the future.”

Naveed Khan, Principal at Barnsley Academy, said:

“Combatting the effects of climate change and protecting our precious natural resources is an issue close to many of our hearts, including our students. Through our new Eco-Committee, it has been fantastic to see our students developing initiatives that will make a difference both in school and locally and showing leadership as they put them into practice. We look forward to supporting them to continue this work and taking positive steps to address environmental issues for the future.”

April 2023

#educationwithcharacter

 

April 2023

#educationwithcharacter

 

 

March 2023

March 2023

Misst - Music in Secondary Schools Trust

#BeRemarkable

 

       

 

March 2023

#teamwork

#ExcellenceIsAHabit

 

       

March 2023

March 2023

March 2023

#knowledgeispower

#ambition

#respect

 

March 2023

#ManyMindsOneMission

#workhardbekind

#educationwithcharacter

 

       

March 2023

#knowledgeispower

#ExcellenceIsAHabit

#educationwithcharacter

 

 

 

February 2023

Students in Year 9 and 10 completing the Intermediate Maths Challenge this morning. The challenge encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.

#ambition

#determination #respect

#workhardbekind #excellenceisahabit

January 2023

Well done to the top three students in Year 11 for hours completed on Hegarty Maths in the last two weeks. #workhardbekind #BeRemarkable #excellenceisahabit #ambition #determination #respect

January 2023

Tension is in the air as our chess players battle it out to see who the champion is in our co-curricular club today. #ThursdayChessClub #Extra-Curricular

January 2023

As part of our drive to support our wider community with online safety we have signed up to the National Online Safety Website, on this site you can access information for free courses, webinars and explainer videos.

 

Parents & carers can also download a free Online Safety App which covers hundreds of online safety guides on various topics including trolling, hacking and social media influences.

Each school has a unique enrolment link and Barnsley Academy's can be accessed by clicking below

 

Your self-enrolment link is: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/barnsley-academy

 

January 2023

It's Social Media Week and we are focusing on protecting your personal data.

Here's a handy help guide for parents and families.

#nationalonlinesafety

#NationalCollege

United Learning

 

January 2023

It's Social Media Week and we are focusing on YouTube.

Here's a handy help guide for parents and families.

#nationalonlinesafety

#NationalCollege 

 

January 2023

January 2023

It's Social Media Week and we are focusing on WhatsApp.

Here's a handy help guide for parents and families.

#nationalonlinesafety

#NationalCollege 

 

January 2023

It's Social Media Week and we are focusing on Snapchat.

Here's a handy help guide for parents and families.

#nationalonlinesafety

#NationalCollege 

 

January 2023

Thank you to PC Norton from South Yorkshire Police who delivered Your Life, Your Choice to Year 9 today, as part of our wider PHSE program. #educationwithcharacter 

 

 

 

 

March 2022

Barnsley Academy was delighted to welcome the Ian Burnett, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales to the school this week.

The visit provided students interested in a career in law with the opportunity to ask insightful questions into his role and understand more about the justice system in England and Wales.

This was part of an exciting opportunity for our students and forms part of a programme to raise aspirations of students. One student said, “for a while now I have been looking into different paths to take for my future in law: university, apprenticeships, A-levels, etc. So, by meeting Lord Burnett it has given me a sense of comfort and relief, knowing the paths he took and the opportunities he had. Also meeting George and Karl (local judges) showed me that you do not need to be from a prestigious, London background to have the same opportunities; something I was worried about previously. I am very grateful for the push I received to continue down the law route and one day meet him again as the barrister I hope to be.”

December 2022

Our final job on the last day. Taking all your donations to the Food Bank. Thank you Kai and Leo for all your help

 

December 2022

Whilst we were having fun in school, the Y11's were still having fun in Lille. They are all back on the coach and are heading for home and their Christmas break.

December 2022

We are all set up and ready for our parents & carers to celebrate the end of our school term.

Plenty of tickets still available, to book a place please click on this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/483831552197

 

December 2022

November 2022

This week is South Yorkshire Safeguarding Awareness Week, and there are lots of ways you can learn more about keeping adults, children and families in Barnsley safe.

Safeguarding is everybody’s business and together, we can help make our borough a safer place to live, work and grow up.

Find out what’s happening and book your free places by visiting http://bit.ly/3UT5QD5.

#SAW22

March 2022

Sian, a talented young artist in Year 11 at Barnsley Academy, is in the running to take home the top prize at United Learning’s International Art Competition after her work was selected from 57 entries for the final shortlist.

The art competition, now in its 14^th year, challenges students aged between 15 and 18 across the Group to draw, print or paint an original piece of artwork and submit a high-quality digital photograph of the piece. Those students who finish in the final four are given the opportunity to have their work displayed at Tokyo’s celebrated International High School Arts Festival, whilst the winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to Japan to see their piece exhibited in person.

Having progressed through the first two rounds of judging, Sian is one of ten students across the country to see her work be shortlisted. Sian’s piece, titled ‘Deep in my thoughts’ is a hyper realistic self-portrait in pencil, which depicts Sian from a bird’s-eye view with her hair falling behind her. It demonstrates her attention to detail, with every individual strand of hair drawn with immense precision.

Speaking of her piece, Sian said:

“The piece that I entered into the competition has a very special meaning to me – I created it last year as a way of processing the grief I felt after my grandma passed away.

“I am thrilled to have been shortlisted amongst such exceptional talent from across the country and especially to have my work presented alongside A Level students. I'm so excited to be in with a chance to go on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo.”

Naveed Khan, Principal at Barnsley Academy, said:

“I am delighted that Sian has made it to final ten. Her artwork is incredible and we are so proud of her. What is particularly pleasing is that Sian’s work has been selected amongst a very high calibre of artwork, including work submitted by A Level students. We have our fingers crossed that she wins the competition and gets the opportunity to travel to Tokyo. Irrespective of the outcome, this a great achievement and one I’m sure she will remember for many years.”

All ten pieces will now go before United Learning’s Executive Team and a panel of professional artists who will have the difficult task of voting for their favourite artwork. The winners and three runners-up will be announced via social media on 17^th March.

We are delighted to share that one of our students, Olivia and her dog Ruby are currently finalist for Crufts The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. This award is recognition for her special canine companion, Ruby and this category recognises Ruby’s support and positive impact on Olivia’s life.

You can watch the Crufts finalist video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9lXxJT3fik

Voting is now live, and you can vote for Olivia and Ruby here:

https://www.crufts.org.uk/whats-on/the-kennel-club-hero-dog-award/

Please take a moment to vote for this wonderful duo and support one of our Barnsley Academy students.

Just before half term, a group of our Year 9 students visited Magdalen College and St Edmund Hall, which form part of The University of Oxford as part of our raising aspirations programme. Students engaged a talk from Magdalen’s Outreach Facilitator who is originally from Barnsley, question and answer sessions, tours of two colleges at Oxford University as well as attending academic sessions.

Our Year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the University staff found our students to be “a pleasure to work with”.

The experience has inspired many of the students to consider top universities for the next steps of their academic paths with one student saying, ‘the visit to Oxford University was a great opportunity for us all. It gave me a lot of information about the University and made me feel as it could be a potential option for me in the future’.

February 2022

We held our first Film Night at Barnsley Academy, which was a real success. The school was opened up to Year 7, 8 and 9 students and their families to watch a classic film, Back to the Future. The after-school event provided parents, carers and students the opportunity to use the school facilities and meet staff.

We are already looking forward to our Key Stage 4 Film Night in March.

January 2022

United Learning has launched its annual International Art Competition which gives young artists from schools across United Learning, including Barnsley Academy, the opportunity to see their artwork exhibited in Tokyo. 

We are excited to announce that three Barnsley Academy students have submitted pieces, which are now being put before audiences on social media (Facebook and Instagram).

Along with public voting the pieces will also be judged by United Learning’s art teachers and executive team, as well as a panel of professional artists.

The winner and three runners-up will be announced via social media on 17th March. These top four students will be given the opportunity to have their work displayed at Tokyo’s celebrated International High School Arts Festival whilst the winner, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Japan to see their piece exhibited in person. 

We are eager to get the local community and school behind our students, who have created three unique and expressive pieces of work. 

Each piece of work is shown below and links to vote for them on Facebook and Instagram underneath the images. Please take a moment to vote for our talented Barnsley Academy students. 

Facebook

Deep in my thoughts: https://www.facebook.com/unitedlearning/photos/a.3052025615057893/3052018301725291

Fight or Flight: https://www.facebook.com/unitedlearning/photos/a.3052025615057893/3052016921725429

The Highland Express: https://www.facebook.com/unitedlearning/photos/a.3052025615057893/3052018461725275

Instagram

Deep in my thoughts: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZMMT4hsIES/?utm_medium=copy_link

Fight or Flight: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZMKR3msvoJ/?utm_medium=copy_link

The Highland Express: https://www.instagram.com/unitedlearningartcompetition/p/CZMMdUasXnT/?utm_medium=copy_link

January 2022

Barnsley Academy Year 8 students really enjoyed a visit this week from the BAE Systems, RAF & Royal Navy Educational Programme Roadshow 2022.

This theatre roadshow celebrates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and aligns closely with national curriculum to provide an engaging performance to inspire students in these subject areas.  

The theme of the show was magnetism, in which students learned about the integration of magnets, magnetism and electromagnets in their everyday lives. 

#TeamBarnsleyAcademy 

January 2022

Last week Year 11 had a visit from Steve Beckles-Ebusua, a well-regarded motivational speaker who has a vast amount of experience speaking to and working with students to support motivation and positive habits for success.

Steve worked with all our Year 11 students in 50-minute workshops, in which our students completed tasks to build their confidence. Our students found the experience extremely valuable and provided some fantastic feedback:

'I found the experience enjoyable and learnt a lot about the way we look at things - such as learning specific quotes to live your life by - and how that can affect our outcomes in life. The speaker was very friendly and engaging. Overall, it was an empowering experience.' – Trudie

‘As someone who finds self-confidence a topic that is very hard to grasp due to the stresses of revision for GCSEs, Steve (the Speaker with the Orange Tie) was phenomenal at calming yet motivating me for the future ahead by relating to how far he has come as a person - we all felt like he was one of us. Myself and my fellow classmates all thoroughly enjoyed his funny yet educational presentation and we all especially appreciated how he got every student involved in the tasks, building our confidence without us even knowing, so by the end of the session we left with a positively uplifted demeanour. The personality of Steve was visibly represented by his incredible sense of style: the orange tie easily reflects a friendly, down-to-earth and memorable image which we were all grateful for. I was so thankful that he gave his time, energy and wisdom to help us see challenges as a hidden opportunity, educating younger people that ‘when you change the way you look at something, the thing you are looking at will change’. – Elizabeth

The experience was highly rewarding for our Year 11s, so much so that Steve will be coming back later in the year to work with our Year 10 and Year 9 students.

We look forward to welcoming him back.