Insight Summer 2020 - Loughborough Schools Foundation
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Insight Summer 2020
From the Chairman
I think we would all admit that 2020
has been a challenging year so far but
regardless of this, I appreciate how in these
unprecedented times the Heads and their
teachers, alongside all the support staff,
have worked extremely hard to deliver the
best education they can to all of our pupils.
Recognising that this year has presented
some significant challenges for our School
communities and the Governing body, I
wanted first to reflect on the achievements
of our Schools and pupils.
This academic year has marked a number of significant
milestones in the history of the Foundation.
We were delighted in September to welcome boys into the
Amherst Senior School, as it became co-educational for all
year groups and it is pleasing to note how quickly the boys
have integrated seamlessly into school life.
Amherst has also welcomed a return to boarding, with
eight pupils joining the School as our cohort of elite Lawn
Tennis Association boarders, who are studying at Amherst,
whilst training for the professional tennis circuit at the
Loughborough University Tennis Academy.
From the Chairman
Celebrating
Loughborough Grammar School
celebrates its 525th anniversary this year,
and although the Covid 19 pandemic has
curtailed some planned celebrations, we
have managed to share in a number of
events; including a whole-school service
to launch the 525th year, two lectures from
the Lecture Series, and a unique episode
of Pointless!
The highlight for many however was the magnificent
performance of Les Misérables in early March. This was a
remarkable production and it was wonderful to note the
involvement of pupils, both on the stage and behind the
scenes, from across the Foundation.
From the Chairman
Festivo
I am really pleased to report that our
pupils continued to excel both in the
classroom and more widely.
Parents, staff and governors enjoyed the wonderful
‘Festivo’, with the annual performance at De Montfort Hall,
a true showcase of the talent and vibrancy of our musical
ensembles.
We also enjoyed the Loughborough Schools Present concert
series which gave our pupils of all ages, and all Schools, the
opportunity to come together and make some great music
as well as all the Lunchtime and Soundbites concerts.
From the Chairman
STEM success
In STEM, pupils continued the tradition
of success, with two more teams from the
Grammar School winning the ‘TeenTech’
awards in both the Digital Skills and
Transport categories and recognition as
one of only five schools as a ‘TeenTech
Platinum Centre for Innovation’.
Meanwhile the Young Enterprise Team ‘Oly’, from
Amherst, won the county finals to represent Leicestershire
in the regional competition.
Their business, selling bees wax wraps to support a
reduction in single use plastic, impressed judges and
won the awards for Best Presentation and Financial
From the Chairman
Management.
In addition, a team of students from the High School
reached the national semi-finals of the CyberFirst
Competition and demonstrated their understanding for
technology and cyber security.
Sporting success
Success was also shared on the sports The event was organised by the boys, in aid of Leukaemia
UK and the match was enjoyed by all despite the torrential
field. Our growing relationship with rain.
Loughborough University has seen
our pupils able to access the facilities On the hockey pitch both the High School and Fairfield
made national finals, while Amherst Prep pupils enjoyed a
and expertise of the University, and in
visit to the London Queen Elizabeth Park Swimming pool
November the Grammar School Rugby to participate in the ISA national finals.
Team played a ‘grudge match’ against
Nottingham High School at The introduction of basketball to our already wide sporting
programme has provided further opportunities for pupils
the University. to enjoy playing together, with pupils from all three Senior
Schools enjoying early tournament successes.
From the Chairman
Resilience and
adaptability
I am certain that our pupils would have
continued to achieve a great many
further awards had the lockdown in
March not curtailed the school year.
Although the decision to close the Schools was
understandable, the impact on school life has been
profound.
I, and my fellow governors, are proud of the resilience and
adaptability of both our teachers and pupils in quickly
moving to remote learning.
While the remote learning offer could never fully replicate
the vibrant school environment, pupils were able to
continue their studies and even enjoy remote sports days,
From the Chairman
bake-offs, ensembles and house competitions.
Thank you
We are proud to have been one of only a
small number of schools that were able to
open to all year groups before the end of
term and it is important to highlight and
thank the dedication and commitment
of Fairfield and Amherst Prep staff which
made this possible.
Thank you also to all parents in adhering to the processes
that ensured the campus remained a safe environment for
everyone.
From the Chairman
Supporting the
wider community
One thing I reflect on with particular Our community must always look outwards and support
our wider communities, and this was never more apparent
pride has been our support for key than in the numbers of individual pupils and staff across
services during the time of lockdown. the Foundation, who also undertook a huge number of acts
Our Key Worker Provision was swiftly of ‘Corona Kindness’.
established and ran at Fairfield, Amherst
A special mention here to Mr Moseley who earned the
and the Nursery, from the start of grateful thanks of NHS staff and care workers for the
shutdown until the end of the term. provision of a huge number of protective visors which he
created using the 3D printer and also Science staff across
the Foundation who donated PPE to NHS key workers.
From the Chairman
Examination
cancellations
disappointment
An additional challenge of lockdown
was the cancellation of the public
examinations for all pupils in
Years 11 and 13.
Governors are keenly aware of the disappointment and
distress that this has caused, and the academic staff at all
three Senior Schools have worked hard to prepare and
submit ‘centre assessed grades’. We will of course continue
to support and advise all pupils as they receive their
results in August.
Board member
thanks
From the Chairman
This year also marked the departure of two members of
our Board, and I would like to thank both Paul Alexander
and Peter Middleton for all that they have brought to the
Foundation in their time as governors.Exciting new The Parkin Sports Centre, named for a
former pupil of Loughborough High
developments School whose generous legacy funded the
equipment which our pupils will enjoy,
As we look forward to the summer break, the hopeful
will formally open in the next academic
expectation of a return to more ‘normal times’ and the year, when phase two of the project, the
return of all of our pupils to the School communities in dance studio, is complete.
the new academic year, I wanted to highlight two specific
developments. For our younger pupils we are pleased that we will soon be
able to welcome more pupils into Fairfield at an early age,
as the impressive Kindergarten facilities are extended.
From the ChairmanThank you
It would not be appropriate to provide a review of the year Finally, on behalf of the Governing Body
without mentioning more recent events and allegations.
The Board of Governors is united in their commitment to
I wish to thank you as parents for your
addressing all forms of discrimination, and in seeking to continued support to our Schools and
make the Foundation’s Schools beacons of diversity and Foundation community.
inclusion.
I would also like to thank all staff, both our teaching staff
We are grateful to all those members and those in support roles, for their continued and tireless
work on behalf of all pupils, and my fellow governors for
of our parent, pupil and alumni
their unstinting efforts; the challenges and events of this
communities who have contacted us year have demonstrated the strength of our community,
to share their own experiences and and of the partnership between parents, pupils, staff and
suggestions; these will inform the external governors, which will ensure that the Foundation can
continue to meet the challenges ahead.
review which will start before the end of
term, and will report to governors in the Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
Autumn term of the next academic year. Chairman, Loughborough Schools Foundation
We are committed to not only addressing
the recent allegations, but to ensure that
our Schools are truly inclusive, where all
members of our community flourish and
meet their full potential.
From the ChairmanLes Misérables
Senior Musical Production, March 2020.
Wishing you and your family a restful and safe
summer, and we look forward to welcoming you all
back to campus in the Autumn term.
Loughborough Schools Foundation Loughborough Schools Foundation is a Company
3 Burton Walks Limited by Guarantee, number 4038033, and is registered
Loughborough T: 01509 283700 in England and Wales. It is also a Registered Charity,
number 1081765.
Leicestershire www.lsf.org The Registered Office is 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough,
LE11 2DU @LboroSchFdt Leicestershire LE11 2DUYou can also read
