UoBS Newsletter Summer Term 2022 Issue 07

UOB SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER

Summer Edition 2022 | Issue 07

CONTENTS

Message from the Principal 1
Commonwealth Games at UoB School 2
3
Challenge Week is back! 6
Graduation with Gratitude 7
7
Year 11 Graduates 8
Visiting the Globe 9
10
Welcome Year 7 11
University Training School 13
14
Culture Day 15
Stories of Possibilities 15
16
Our Sixth Form 17
Supreme Leader Award 18
Pupil School Leadership 19
20
Friends of UoBS 21
Vice Chancellor Visit

Music Marvels
The Book Nook
In Other News...
Updates from the SEND Team
Term Dates & Open Evenings

PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM
THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents, Carers, and Friends of the School,

I write with the summer term 2022 now behind us, to introduce this edition of the University School’s
newsletter.

As I reflect on a busy year now past, I find it both striking and delightful that we have been able to be
much more adventurous in 2021/22 in the sense of the wider opportunities and provision that has been
possible - when compared to recent restrictions. Captured through this newsletter we celebrate a wealth
and depth of activity – which is absolutely great to see.

Our 2021/22 graduates in Year 11 and Year 13 are to be commended on their steadfast preparations
across the year for public examinations. As young people in year groups with particularly unorthodox
learning experiences across their GCSE and A level courses, including few opportunities for formal
examination practice, all colleagues and I are proud of how our learners have conducted the business-in-
hand. They have shown commitment, maturity, and determination. The results days happen towards the
end of August, and at that time I really hope that their endeavours will have proved deservedly fruitful.

I write these opening remarks to the newsletter on the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham
2022 Commonwealth Games. Our city hosts and warmly welcomes athletes from around the world –
pushing for their personal bests as individuals or within teams – motivated and determined to excel. I see
similar drive in so many of our pupils and students, within and beyond sport. It provides such optimism for
the future – and it is a joy to play a part in their ambitions.

I enclose my heartfelt thanks to each member of staff for their care and commitment across the year –
and to our parents, carers, and families, I send my appreciation of your support and partnership for the
School.

I wish all members of our School community a happy summer ahead. Please enjoy our newsletter.

With kindest regards,

Colin Townsend
Principal

If my mind can conceive it and my heart The Principal with our 2022/23 Senior Prefects (Year 11 from Sept 2022).
can believe it - then I can achieve it.


Muhammad Ali
Professional Boxer & Activist (USA)
1942 - 2016

PAGE 2

COMMONWEALTH GAMES
AT UOB SCHOOL

Elated. Thrilled. Exhilarated. Overjoyed. Jubilant. This is how we felt when
we were offered a once in a lifetime opportunity that many may consider
so far-fetched, they wouldn’t even dream of it. We got the chance to meet
real life superheroes - the chance to meet para-athletes. The most
heartening, encouraging, and inspiring people we've met.

We walked into the star-studded UoB School sports hall gobsmacked at the scene before us. To the left
there were weightlifters lifting more than three times the average human’s body weight (200kg to be
precise!) and to the right table tennis players, their hands moving quicker than our minds could even
comprehend. The next ninty minutes seemed to fly by. The athletes were so willing to talk to us, give us
advice, and answer all of our questions. We also had the pleasure of helping whilst they trained by picking
up the ping-pong balls that the para-athletes were using, to which they showed much gratitude.

We made our way outside into the glorious sunshine ready to embark on the next part of the day, but we
had to tackle an unexpected obstacle to reach our next destination. The mini-bus battery was flat, we
were all nervous, would we get to our next destination, the next leg of our amazing journey? After a few
minutes of the engine turning we were off to the UoB athletics track - where records are broken,
boundaries are pushed, and dreams are made. Here we met the incredible team GB sprinter Diani Walker
who is an inspiration for all who want to achieve big in life.

The final event of the day was a luxurious lunch spent in the company of the Commonwealth’s biggest
athletes such as Olympic gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger. We helped ourselves to the food and
spoke with some of the top athletes, who treated us with much respect, as much as we looked up to and
respected them. The food was wonderful but nothing was better than the attitude of the athletes. After
our incredible meal it was time to head back to School.

Our incredible, unique, and once in a lifetime
experience was over. None of this would have
been possible without the outstanding
opportunities provided by University of
Birmingham School, to who we show our
gratitude. We are really excited for the
Commonwealth Games, and we hope all of
you are too. We wish all the athletes good luck
for the upcoming games.

By Harrison R 8Y3 and George R 8Y1.

PAGE 3

CHALLENGE WEEK IS BACK!

This summer saw the return of challenge week at UoB School. A jam-packed week full of climbing,
zipwiring, paddleboarding, trekking, hiking, sightseeing, DofE expeditioning, and kayaking type of fun! We
have been unable to celebrate challenge week in recent years, so were absolutely thrilled to have so
many activities taking place for the entire School to enjoy and take part in.
Why do we have challenge week?
Through our taught, caught, and sought
character education curriculum, we help
pupils and students on their journey to
understanding the virtues they need to
develop and become flourishing members
of our society. Challenge Week is designed
to show our young people how much they
have learnt and grown over the year by
putting these skills and values into action.
"This was my first challenge week at UoB
School, having joined the School recently. It
has been a pleasure to see the confidence,
resilience, and teamwork demonstrated
throughout the week, and to see them take
such pride in their achievements." Miss
Siggers, Enrichment, Events, & Partnerships
Officer.

PAGE 4

What were the challenges?

Year 7 began their week with a treasure hunt at
the University of Birmingham, seeking out clues
amongst the vastness of the beautiful university
campus, which included a visit to see Rory the
Allosaurus at the Lapworth Museum. The week also
consisted of visits to Clevedon Pier to visit the
British Seaside and fill their lungs with the
wonderful sea breeze. It was amazing to see pupils
flourish at Woodlands Adventure when they
conquered their fears and encouraged each other
to complete the high ropes and zipwires. The
remainder of the week included discovering more
about our planet and how the different species
affect our ecosystem. Pupils were able to meet a
real life owl, cockroach, and a snake!

Year 8 pupils amazed us with their tenacious attitude to watersports. They threw themselves into the
deep end (some quite literally!) and showed great sportspersonship and teamwork working with their
peers taking part in paddleboarding, kayaking, and ringo watersports. Pupils also had a brilliant visit to
Cadbury World where they learnt about local history and how the factory has helped develop and
influence the area. They had a chance to explore their creativity in a chocolate making workshop too! "I
was disappointed that they seemingly ate all the chocolate on the walk back to School leaving none for
me...I did however get to sample their glorious chocolate concrete creations made in our food tech
room!" Miss Siggers.

Year 9 conquered the outdoors and worked as a team to work through their DofE Bronze and Silver
expeditions across the country. Locations included Lickey Hills Country Park, exploring the beautiful canals
and rural footpaths of Burcot, Blackwell, and Alvechurch. Pupils found interesting landmarks and stunning
views at the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, navigating their way along 28km of rugged country paths in
the glorious sunshine (and a little rain)! Our Silver qualifying expedition battled the elements along the
gorgeous, but remote and hilly, Long Mynd countryside in Shropshire.

All pupils set up their own tents each day, and cooked their meals using a camping stove. To wind down
for the evening we enjoyed playing football and frisbee! The School is incredibly proud of every single
participant, going above and beyond to make this week a success.

PAGE 5

Year 10 and 12 spent challenge week completing
work experience which was invaluable in offering
exposure to the working world. Pupils and
students really thrived during this opportunity and
have reflected really well on what they learnt and
the skills they acquired during the week. Pupils
went to different placements located across
Birmingham, including a number of pupils
attending work at the University of Birmingham.

"Challenge Week is an amazing culmination of the
year and an opportunity for pupils to demonstrate
their character virtues. We are all so proud of how
much everyone achieved and cannot wait to start
planning for next year." Miss Siggers.

PAGE 6

GRADUATION WITH
GRATITUDE

It is almost impossible to believe that the first ever cohort of Year 7 pupils
who arrived in 2015 are now eighteen and about to embark on the next
chapters in their lives.

Those who left after Year 11
have finished Sixth Form and
are thinking of their next steps
into higher education and the
world of work. For many of
those that stayed on in Sixth
Form, this means going to
University – with a considerable
number this year holding offers
from the University of
Birmingham.

This important milestone in the
history of the School was
celebrated with a Graduation
with Gratitude, co-hosted with the Jubilee Centre and attended by Professor James Arthur and members
of the Jubilee Centre, the original supporters of the School, former students, teachers, and the class of
2015 themselves.

Students spoke about how the School’s dedicated Character Education programme has shaped them
and their futures, whilst students’ testimonials regarding their time at UoB School were collated and
captured in two publications. Harriet talked about receiving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and how
she was looking forward to receiving this at Buckingham Palace, and Ben talked about the fond memories
he has had attending concerts and School plays.

There was also a presentation from Ronan who was part of the original 2015 Sixth Form cohort, who has
set up his own entrepreneurial business after University, helping small businesses and charities take
advantage of cashless payment systems. Setting up a local school radio, presenting the leaver’s assembly,
and being inspired by his Computer Studies teacher, all made a lasting impression and gave Ronan the
confidence, courage, and scholarly attributes he has needed to become a successful entrepreneur and
businessman.

The original supporters and donors of the School were treated to a performance by steel pans, a chopin
concerto and a couple of jazz numbers from our Sixth Form musicians, and were then given a guided tour
of the School.

PAGE 7

YEAR 11 GRADUATES

We are hugely proud of our Year 11 cohort
who have worked exceptionally hard for their
recent GCSE examinations.

We enjoyed celebrating all of their
achievements and memories from over the
past five years with us in a special
graduation event. Yearbooks were created in
collaboration with the pupils and these were
handed out at the event allowing pupils to
write messages for each other.

Some specific highlights pupils shared in the
yearbook were of their challenge week
memories in Year 8 at Pier 52 when they
braved the waters on paddleboards! Our
recent Geography Trip abroad to Iceland
was also a favourite!

We wish them all the success for results day
in August and beyond, as they enter the next
phase of their education. Exciting times
ahead!

VISITING THE GLOBE

Year 12 English Literature students travelled to The Globe Theatre in London to watch a production of
Shakespeare's King Lear. King Lear is one of our set texts and it was a fantastic production to watch.
Students thoroughly enjoyed their visit.

PAGE 8

WELCOME YEAR 7

We know transitioning from primary school to
secondary school can be a daunting
prospect for many pupils and families alike!
Here at University of Birmingham School we
provide pupils with a smooth transition into
their new school life by inviting them and
their families to welcome events on campus.

Parents and carers were invited to a
welcome evening, an extra day was held for
our SEND pupils, and a whole year transition
day was delivered. The day gave pupils the
chance to meet their teachers and key
members of staff, alongside seeing their surroundings so they know what to expect on their first official
day in September.

"Our in person transition day was fantastic and we really enjoyed meeting our new cohort of pupils.
Pupils took part in Music lessons where they had the chance to sing in a choir, conduct science
experiments in Chemistry, and get creative with writing in English. They were also introduced to Physical
Education lessons led by our wonderful Year 9 Pupil Sports Leaders. We saw so much kindness and
courage throughout the day." Miss Exton, Assistant Vice Principal.

"It was such a great opportunity to meet all the pupils ahead of September. There was a real buzz of
excitement amongst the pupils and many friendships were made by the end of the day. All left with
smiles, ready to start their new journey here at UoB School." Miss Richards, Year 7 Pupil Pastoral
Manager.

OPEN EVENING
FOR YEAR 7 INTAKE 2023
29 SEPT 2022 | 17.30 - 20.00

Save the Date! Our Open Evening will take place on Thursday 29 September for pupils looking to join
University of Birmingham School in September 2023. Event details will be shared closer to the day. Keep
an eye on our website and social media pages for updates.

www.uobschool.org.uk
We're on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @uobschool

PAGE 9

UNIVERSITY TRAINING
SCHOOL

It has been an exciting year for us as we begin to really explore the scope
of what it means to be the only Secondary University Training School in the
country, and as we come fully out of lockdown the links with the University
of Birmingham continue to grow.

We have played an integral role in training teachers for Birmingham, hosting student teachers in subjects
across the curriculum. Eighteen student teachers have completed their training with us, and over a
hundred trainee teachers have spent at least a day here having high quality experience and learning
about our unique approach to teaching character whilst striving for scholarly excellence. One of these
was our very own Riel, who attended our School in 2015 as our first cohort of Sixth Form students, and has
just graduated from BCU with a teaching qualification in Art. It has been wonderful to see her grow as a
young professional, who has now secured her first job teaching in the West Midlands. She talks very fondly
of her time here as a student, and how the focus on supporting younger students in enrichment and
college competitions inspired her to consider teaching as a career.

University staff have been involved in working
with our teachers sharing research that
impacts on how we can better understand and
support our young people. Dr Karl Kitching and
Dr Jamiria Naseem from the University of
Birmingham led a session on ’Race equality in
Schools in the wake of Covid 19’, and Dr Tom
Harrison led a session on ‘Flourishing in a
Digital Age’ exploring how we can help pupils
and students make wise choices in their digital
lives.

The School has undertaken some major pieces
of research with colleagues from the University
of Birmingham, which include understanding
aspirations of pupils after Covid 19, helping
friends of pupils who self-harm, and working
with Dr Sophie King-Hill on hearing the voice
of young people in the creation of resources
for the statutory relationships and sexual
education curriculum. An interview with Sophie
talking about the research will be on BBC
Midlands Today over the next few weeks.

PAGE 10

The School has also trained other professionals, speaking at national conferences on character
education and metacognition and contributing to research by the Jubilee Centre on what works in
teaching character.

The majority of pupils have visited the University at least once. Year 7 have visited for Christmas Lectures,
during Challenge Week and as part of their enrichment to explore the wonderful Lapworth Museum, the
Barber Art Gallery and the Bramall Music building. A group of Year 9 pupils were invited to a series of
events inspired by the University hosting the Commonwealth Games and found out about a range of
sports and media related careers as well as having a tour of campus. Year 10 pupils had an incredible
day finding out more about STEMM subjects by working with engineers and mathematicians from across
the School of Engineering, ending the day with a time trial in a hydrogen powered F1 car.

CULTURE DAY

A group of Year 11 pupils organised our very first Culture Day this summer. An event dedicated to the
appreciation of culture and diversity in our community. Celebrating our differences, our uniqueness, and
recognising our shared humanity.

The day consisted of an array of celebrations, including tasting and sharing foods from across the globe,
exploring the different cultures in our School community (in one Year 8 form class there were pupils and
staff from over 20 different cultures!), learning about cultural music and arts, and the day ended with a
'culture day catwalk' where pupils showcased fashion and different cultural attire.

A beautiful celebration of diversity and unity.

PAGE 11

STORIES OF POSSIBILITIES

At the end of the last summer, pupils in Year 10 had the opportunity to work with Imani, a facilitator and
life coach, on exploring what ‘Belonging’ meant to them. This work expanded and became the
foundation for some whole staff training, which was then picked up by Professor Kathryn Riley at UCL
who used it as part of a blog series looking at ‘Stories of Possibility’. You can find about more about the
project and listen to the podcast on www.theartofpossibilities.org.uk.
Professor Kathryn Riley writes. There is a curiously British aversion to talking about matters that might
upset the neighbours. This feeling lurks at the back of many a staffroom, like some unwelcome spectre at
the feast, or an aged parrot on the shoulder, grown weary by the passing of the years. Yet, disturb things
we must. If schools are to become places of belonging, then some difficult conversations need to take
place. This blog – the third in the ‘Belonging’ Series – is about how.
In 1981, I was teaching in a South London secondary school when the Brixton riots erupted. In their wake,
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher brought in senior judge Lord Scarman to examine the causes. His
excoriating report pointed to institutional racism (and, in particular, the indiscriminate use of ‘stop and
search’ powers by the police against black people); limited employment prospects and restricted
educational opportunities.
The school I was teaching in responded to the riot with a wall of silence. Discussions would only stir up
feelings, the headteacher decreed. What happened outside the school-gate was beyond the school’s
remit.
How good are schools today at talking about challenging and uncomfortable issues? Do they know what
their students think and experience?
In Talk it (Racism) out American educators Decoteau Irby and Shannon Clark examine the challenges of
talking about race –the practice of ‘race talk’, as they call it. Their conclusion is that schools need to
develop the kinds of professional practices that enable ‘race talk’ to happen. Only by doing this, will they
be able to recognise the underlying points of conflict, and develop their ability to identify potential
solutions.

PAGE 12

In the podcast This is how we look: This is how we talk, which is part of the series, ‘Let’s hear it for school
belonging’, we explored how to get beneath the surface. We wanted to know how schools can question
culture, behaviour and attitudes in ways that bring different voices onboard. Here’s something of what
we learned.

Working with staff and young people at University of Birmingham School – a diverse city secondary –
trainer Imani Clough set up a creative interchange: a way of enabling difficult ‘conversations’ to take
place. This included how Black students experience school life. She began by interviewing students and
then, with the agreement of staff and students, fed back to staff what the students had said. This
feedback loop was part of a professional development programme.

For the podcast, we interviewed students about their engagement in the process. What had it meant for
them? They told us of their relief at being able to express what they thought, ‘without feeling like I’m
being discriminated against’. They were no longer ‘treading on eggshells’ and were proud that they had
been asked to take part in these difficult conversations. They had been able to contribute to the training
of their teachers – helping them to understand something of the realities of life for young black people -
and their ideas about the school’s curriculum for black history month had been listened to and acted on.
Speaking out, having their voice heard, had contributed to their sense of agency and belonging. They
wanted other schools to ‘take advice from my school and look at how we’ve changed our curriculum and
stuff like that’.

In schools where belonging works, the student-teacher relationship is powerful. Young people feel
trusted. They believe that their voice is heard and that what they say matters. They are happier, more
confident and perform better academically. Their teachers feel more valued, and their families
connected.

We all want to be part of something, part of a place, to feel that sense of belonging. The tricky part for
any school leader is how to get this to happen. Creating the conditions for school belonging includes
finding a safe space for young people and staff to have the difficult and uncomfortable conversations
that matter.

www.theartofpossibilities.org.uk

PAGE 13

OUR SIXTH FORM

Sixth Form Experience Day

Towards the end of June, we hosted our
annual Sixth Form Experience Day, where we
invite almost 300 of our Sixth Form
applicants to visit us on campus for a
combination of talks and subject taster
sessions. Applicants had the chance to meet
many of our current Year 12 Ambassadors,
who showed them around the building and
answered lots of questions about what it’s
like to study A Levels here at UoBS Sixth
Form.

Year 13 Alton Towers Trip

At the conclusion of the busy A Level exam season and
also the end of our Year 13 students studies here at
UoBS Sixth Form, we celebrated with an end of year
theme park trip to Alton Towers! It was a fantastic day
in the glorious sunshine. Everyone had a great day out
and we even managed to get Mr Washbrook on a
rollercoaster...

Year 12 Work Experience

During Challenge Week, our Year 12 students
undertook a week of Work Experience.
Responsible for arranging placements
independently (and linking them to their
future career plans) we saw many students
successfully placed across a whole range of
sectors, including Healthcare, Real Estate,
Law and Cybersecurity. Some of the
placements included:

Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Balfour Beatty.
Birmingham City Council.
PwC.
Newhall Solicitors.
Wesleyan Assurance.
Sense (Touchbase Pears).
Associated Architects.
Birmingham Institute of Microbiology & Infection.

PAGE 14

SUPREME LEADER AWARD

Year 8 pupils studied Animal Farm this year as part
of their English course. They paid close attention to
the persuasive speeches used by the animals to
establish power over each other. Pupils were then
tasked to write and perform powerful speeches
about a topic they were passionate about, to
persuade their peers to vote for them as Supreme
Leader of Year 8.

Each class elected a candidate and these pupils
then went through to the final round where they
performed their speeches in a whole year group
assembly. Ben delivered a very charismatic and
compelling speech and was voted Supreme Leader
by his year group. Well done Ben!

Junior Mathematics Challenge Winners

28 Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in the UKMT Junior
Mathematics Challenge and received silver and
bronze certificates for their contributions, including
a gold for Daniel in Year 7 - the highest in UoB
School history! Well done to all who took part.

Qualifying Cricket Team See the
team in action!
For the first time in UoB School sporting history, our
Year 13 Boys Indoor Cricket Team qualified for the
Birmingham Indoor Finals which took place at
Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

The boys bowled and fielded excellently, and batted
with determination against some very talented
bowling opposition.

We came in third place, a very respectable and
deserved position, reflective of their effort, training,
and attitude. Fantastic character virtues shown, with
officials commenting on their resilience and
determination.

PAGE 15

PUPIL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Our Year 10 pupils have had an incredible year and have taken part in some
fantastic opportunities.

Our prefects went through a vigorous interview
process recently, ultimately leading to appointment
with them already taking the lead on tours and
events this year; they’ve truly stepped up to the
role.

Our peer mentors and MVPs (Mentors in Violence
Prevention) have been working with Mrs Elliott and
Mr Roberts to make a difference with younger
years and have had a huge impact on the
wellbeing of those they’ve worked with.

We are very excited to see the year step into Year 11 and work towards their GCSE qualifications whilst
becoming the best version of themselves.

FRIENDS OF UOBS

After two years away due to the pandemic, Friends of UoB School is having a reboot. We are delighted to
be able to meet in person again and meet new friends. We had our first meetings post-pandemic in
February and April 2022, we supported the School Play and Spring Concert by selling refreshments to
raise funds for the School. We have also now appointed a new Chairperson, Louisa Fyfield.

Friends were present in the Parent & Carer Welcome Evening for our new Year 7 pupils and we had a
fantastic response from our new families with many signing up to the group. On 14 July, we attended the
UoBS Summer Arts Festival. We had a great evening serving tea, coffee, and refreshments while enjoying
the wonderful performances in the School.

Thank you to families who have donated used uniform,
especially our Year 11s. We have sent donations to
Rubery Swop Shop and have kept some for sale in the
autumn.

The Friends would love to hear from parents and carers
who may be interested in getting involved with the
group. Please email the group at
[email protected] or find us on Facebook
@uobsfriends.

PAGE 16

VICE CHANCELLOR VISIT

We were delighted to have welcomed the
University of Birmingham's Vice Chancellor,
Professor Adam Tickell to our School.
Members of the Academy Trust also joined us
for the day. Our visitors took a tour of the
School estate, met with our leadership team,
and had a chance to meet and greet pupils
and students in lessons.

The Technician's Summer Conference 2022

Quite possibly the largest national event organised for
science technicians took place at UoB School this
summer, an event we host and support each year.

The conference is designed to celebrate the huge
impact that technicians have on the success of school
departments. A number of practical workshops allowed
colleagues to learn and discover new skills and
resources. A great way to share ideas with other
technicians from across the UK and network.

A huge thank you to our Senior Technician Mrs Giles
and her team for helping to organise the event. We had
a great turnout with over 230 delegates, 40 exhibitors,
and 29 workshops.

"Great CPD, great networking..." David, visitor.

"It was great to be back again. Thanks to all the
organisers, hosts, leaders of workshops, and exhibitors."
Steve, visitor.

"It was a good day" Sam, visitor.

PAGE 17

MUSIC MARVELS

UoB School Concerts and Artsfest

A huge well done to our musicians who have
performed in our annual musical concerts
over the academic year, including our
Summer Artsfest which exhibited pupil and
student artwork, design and technology
displays, and performances from our School
orchestra, choir, brass ensemble, jazz band,
samba group, and steel pan bands. A
wonderful opportunity to showcase our
creativity.

Thank you to all parents, carers, and visitors
who joined us, and thank you to Friends of
UoBS who supported the events.

Selly Oak Festival

We attended and supported the Selly Oak Festival this
summer, in the heart of the community. A great
opportunity to speak with local community members
and families and share more about what UoB School is
all about. Our pupil band performed on stage too -
they were a great hit! Well done to you all.

Well done! Pupil with the most green stamps this term:
Sabrina A in Year 9 with 94 stamps.

Form Group with the most green stamps this term:
7G with 1098 stamps.

Pupils with most green stamps in each year group:
Year 7 Amin P with 90 stamps.
Year 8 Daniel Z with 57 stamps.
Year 9 Sabrina A with 94 stamps.
Year 10 Aleazar A with 92 stamps.

PAGE 18

THE BOOK NOOK

Updates from our School Library... Top borrowers this term:
1. Kashif B Year 7
Library Assistants 2. Eshal A Year 7
3. Oscar C Year 8
This term, Ms Middleton recruited 24 new members to the
library assistant team to help her with the running of the 4. Ameera A Year 9
library next year. They will begin their duties in September - 5. Amin P Year 7
shelving books, helping other pupils to use the library, 6. Atika R Year 7
promoting books, creating displays, and running events.
7. Nedesh P Year 8
Being a library assistant gives pupils the opportunity to learn 8. Tarah M Year 9
new skills, take on responsibility, contribute to the School 9. Hafsa R Year 9
community, and be part of a team that shares a love of 10. Azka F Year 9
reading. A few Year 9 pupils used their time to complete the
volunteering section of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

Seven of our current team members have now been promoted
to ‘library leaders’ and have already assisted in the TOP CLASS: 7T
recruitment and training of our new team members.
Reading Champions! 867 books
Harry Potter Night borrowed throughout the year!

The library was once again transformed into Hogwarts for a
magical night of all things Harry Potter with pupils from Year 7
right through to students in Year 12 enjoying wizarding
themed snacks, a hunt for Horcruxes, and a fiercely contested
quiz!

Bookish Trips

Two groups of pupils went out on book buying trips. Members
of our Manga Club were able to offer their genre expertise in
helping to select new titles at the store 'Worlds Apart' and
some of the library assistant team relished the opportunity to
choose new books for the library from Peters Bookstore in the
City Centre.

UKLA Book Award

Ms Middleton and Mr Cobane were delighted to be part of
the final judging panel for this year’s UKLA Book Awards.
Judging offered the opportunity to share shortlisted titles with
pupils and students in the library generating lots of friendly,
passionate discussion and debate around which books would
be worthy winners. It was an honour to be present at the
Awards Ceremony in Birmingham and meet some of the
winning and shortlisted authors.

PAGE 19

IN OTHER NEWS...

Routes into Rail - Career Check

Year 9 pupils visited NCATI
(National College for Advanced
Transport and Infrastructure),
attending lectures and going on
site tours to find out more about
rail and the different careers
available in the industry.

The beginning of a great
partnership which we hope to
establish even further in the near
future.

Just keep swimming...

Year 8 pupil Manyojeet has been busy raising
money for charity by taking part in a Swimathon
(he has done so for the past five years).
Manyojeet was awarded his latest medal this
summer and now has a great collection - keep
up the great work!

Young star heads to Italy for Grand Prix

A British team of six headed to Italy in May to
represent the para juniors on the international
stage at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in
Jesolo. Our star pupil Maddie Down impressed in
the women's T38 long jump where she added a
close to 40cm to her personal best - well done
Maddie!

Source: britishathletics.org.uk

PAGE 20

UPDATES FROM
THE SEND TEAM

Enhanced transition for pupils with SEND
joining us in September 2022

On Wednesday 29 June we were delighted to
have welcomed a small number of our Year 7
cohort with additional needs for an extra
transition morning. The pupils, many joined by
their key adults from primary school, took part in
a number of taster lessons, were introduced to key members of our support team, and joined us for
lunch. We had an excellent morning and are delighted that we have been able to offer additional
transition support this year after such a turbulent couple of years with Covid 19. We have also been able
to tailor enhanced ongoing support where needed through visits and meetings.

Local Authority Update

Birmingham Local Authority have recently published their termly update and we would like to share a
few points that highlight recent improvements in the service that they are able to offer families, schools,
and young people.

Waiting times to be seen by key
services are improving:

Speech and Language therapy
average waiting times to be seen
for a package of care has
reduced from 22 weeks to 17
weeks.
Occupational Therapy average
waiting times have reduced from
11 to 9 weeks.
Autism assessment waiting time for school age children is now around 32 weeks and there are 357
children currently waiting for assessment across the city. For pre school children the wait is still
much longer at 53 weeks with 2097 children on the waiting list.

If you need advice while waiting to be seen by one of these services, please see:
Advice lines have continued to provide information and guidance to families and professionals.
Where these were newly created as a response to Covid-19, they have stayed in place following
positive feedback received by families. Visit www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk to find out more.
The OT service has introduced parent/carer workshops to support families. If a child needs therapy
as part of their package of care, specific workshops have been developed for support. Visit
www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk to find out more.
Occupational Therapy contact – 0121 683 2325.
Speech and Language Therapy contact - 0121 466 6231.
Physiotherapy contact - 0121 466 5193

PAGE 21

TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2022

*Staff Professional Development Day: Monday 05 September 2022
*Staff Professional Development Day: Tuesday 06 September 2022
Induction Day for Year 7 & 12 ONLY: Wednesday 07 September 2022
Term Starts for ALL pupils & students: Thursday 08 September 2022
*Staff Professional Development Day: Wednesday 12 October 2022
Half Term: Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October 2022
*Staff Research Day: Thursday 01 December 2022
School closed: Friday 02 December 2022
Term ends: Friday 16 December 2022

*no pupils or students to attend/non-teaching day.

Spring Term 2023

*Staff Professional Development Day: Tuesday 03 January 2023
Term Starts: Wednesday 04 January 2023
*Staff Research Day: Friday 17 February 2023
Half Term: Monday 20 February to Friday 24 February 2023
Term ends: Friday 31 March 2023

*no pupils or students to attend/non-teaching day.

Summer Term 2023

Term Starts: Monday 17 April 2023
BANK HOLIDAY: Monday 01 May 2023
Half Term: Monday 29 May to Friday 02 June 2023
*Staff Professional Development Day: Friday 30 June 2023
Term ends: Friday 21 July 2023
*Staff Research Day: Monday 24 July 2023

*no pupils or students to attend/non-teaching day.

School & Sixth Form Open Evenings

For Year 7 Intake 2023
Thursday 29 September 2022
17.30 - 20.00

For Year 12 Intake 2023
Monday 07 November 2022
17.30 - 20.00

Event details will be shared closer to the date and will be available on our school website uobschool.org.uk

University of Birmingham School © University of Birmingham School 2022.
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Selly Oak
Birmingham
B29 6QU

t: 0121 796 5000
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w: uobschool.org.uk

Keep in touch

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