Scholarship success - Forest Gate Community School
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Bright future: Farzana, Adam, Michael and Dhruv Scholarship success FOREST Gate Community School They were helped by the Prestigious Prestigious Colleges programme was has helped students secure around Colleges programme, which is aimed at pioneered here at Forest Gate and I am £150,000 in scholarships to two top getting students into fee-paying schools. really pleased we have helped so many independent schools. Each student was assigned a mentor students again. Four students have been offered who helped with the applications, “Our students are incredibly talented, paid places to fee-paying sixth forms exams and interviews, supported by bright and ambitious. Chigwell School, Essex, and City of the Prestigious Colleges team. “These chances are absolutely what London College, with fees of £38,000 The Community Schools Trust, our students deserve and will help and £36,000 respectively, over two which runs Forest Gate Community them flourish and fulfil their potential. years. Both took two students. School, has helped over 60 students “We would like to thank our partner Each had to come through a rigorous win scholarships to fee-paying sixth school in the private sector for support- selection process including entrance forms, including four who have attended ing the programme and the Prestigious exams and interviews – often taking Eton College. Colleges team, including mentors.” place online because of Covid. Headteacher Ms Begum said: “The l See page 2 for student profiles Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021
From front page
Student profiles
lDhruv will be studying maths, was happy and doing something. what career path I want to go down
further maths, economics and But they are very proud I have got yet.
history at City of London in this opportunity. “My brother is studying law
September. He hopes to go into “It’s been tough working from and I’m leaning towards that too.
a career in finance or banking in home while my mum also tries to I’m just really grateful to have the
nearby Canary Wharf. teach online but the hard work has opportunity.”
He said: “I’m very excited. This paid off.”
year has been really difficult with lFarzana will also be attending
studying from home and the lMichael said he “cannot wait” Chigwell to study biology, chem-
pandemic. to start at Chigwell, where alum- istry, maths and English literature
“The school has been extremely ni include the TV presenter Ben A-levels. She wants to go on to
supportive and given us all the help Shephard, philosopher Sir Bernard university and study medicine.
we need to succeed. We are just Williams and pioneering medical She said: “The pandemic has
down the road from Canary Wharf researcher Sir Austin Bradford been tough, especially here where
and I think I want to go into some Hill. He will be studying biology, we live. But the school has been
kind of banking or finance career.” English literature, psychology and supportive and made sure we got
RE. the best education we could, so I
lAdam will be joining Dhruv at He said: “My parents are so feel really lucky about that.
City of London, studying biology, proud. It’s an amazing opportunity “My grandfather inspired me to
chemistry, geography and an and they have always been really want to study medicine. He always
extended project qualification. supportive of everything I want to wanted my dad to be a doctor but
He said: “My parents never pushed do. my dad didn’t listen. I’m hoping I
me too much academically. I think “I want to attend an Oxbridge get to become the first doctor in the
they would be happy as long as I University but I’m not sure exactly family.”
Left to right: Dhruv, Adam, Michael and Farzana have all gained scholarships
Home visits boost morale in lockdown
STUDENT manager Ms Cole carried “As much as anything it was for my
out about 70 home visits during the peace of mind, knowing I am doing
two school closures. She said she is everything I can to continue look-
motivated by looking after student ing after the students’ wellbeing and
wellbeing. ensure they continue to have regular
contact with the school.
“It was lovely to see the students, “They were really receptive to the
they all seemed happy to see us. It home visits. It reminded them of the
reduced the worry about how they school’s expectations and that we care.
were coping with lockdown, and it “It lifted their spirits and got them
was really nice for us to show them refocused on continuing to join online Out and about: Ms Cole with
we still care and think of them. lessons.” Ms Mutanhu
2 Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021
Pathway to progress
FORMER student Yusuf Salad said it
was teachers at Forest Gate Commu-
nity School which set him on the path
towards studying at one of the world’s
top universities
Yusuf, who scored grade 9 in
all his GCSEs in 2019, is due to
start at Gonville and Caius College,
Cambridge, in September, to study
economics, providing he scores top
grades at A-level.
He is currently studying maths,
further maths, physics and economics
and needs A* and A grades to confirm
his place.
Yusuf took his maths GCSE exam
while he was in Year 9 and was the
inspiration behind the implementa-
tion of the school’s Pathway X pro-
gramme.
Yusuf said: “It was after myself
and my friend took the maths grade
early that they created the Pathway X
programme for Year 7.
“Technically I never benefited
from it but throughout my time I was
constantly pushed to see what I could
achieve.
“After I took my GCSE in maths
and scored a 9, I was given A-level
work to study so that I could keep Yusuf on
testing myself.” results day at
Yusuf has advised current Year 11s Forest Gate
to take advantage of the support on Community
offer in revision sessions and to study School
hard over the next few months, even if
GCSEs are not officially graded.
He said: “The hardest thing to do successful. Even when it is hard to be ready. They are much harder than
in this situation is to keep yourself motivate yourself you have to get your GCSEs so, even though you may not
motivated because you are not at head down and study because when be graded officially, you still need to
school, but that is the key to being A-levels come next year you have to keep your mind sharp for next year.”
Virtual lecture marks LGBTQ+ month
TEACHER Mr Hayward led a virtual the default state of being. It allows
lecture exploring Queer Theory as the students of all backgrounds and
school marked LGBTQ+ Month. identities to see themselves in the
He discussed a lack of inclusivity curriculum they study. It shows them
in his school curriculum growing up that they are seen, and that different
with classic texts such as To Kill A people exist.
Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. “There is a lot of talk about
He said finding Queer Theory at ‘acceptance’ of LGBTQ+ people,
university changed his life, and so He said: “Queer Theory aims to and, while acceptance is a great first
was overjoyed to share his passion challenge heteronormativity: the step, what we need is celebration and
with Year 10 students. assumption that heterosexuality is understanding.”
Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021 3
Moving I still teach one class
online a week – which I love
Parent Eva Young has praised
the quality of our online learning Headteacher Ms Begum has been After school, I sometimes run an
during school closures. She said featured in the Guardian newspaper. English GCSE study group for my
her daughter, who is in Year 7, has In an extract from the article, she Year 11 class, or meet with staff.
been kept engaged. explains why interacting with I’ve recently started weight
students is the highlight training twice a week and
“Keeping school aged children of her day. I’m really proud that I
engaged in online learning is not can now deadlift just
the easiest task but the job the On a normal school over my own body
school has done has been quite day I make sure I’m weight. Work can be
remarkable. in the canteen or in busy but it’s im-
“The move between learning the playground during portant that we
in a classroom to online learn- the lunch break, spend- look after our-
ing was smooth and seemless at ing time chatting to the selves too.
Forest Gate Community School. students. That’s a really My days may be full-on,
“It was clear from the outset, enjoyable part of the day for me. but I wouldn’t have it any other
when schools closed, that a lot of I have my own lunch either before way. I’m just spinning a load of
thought and planning had gone in or afterwards and usually bring very lovely plates.
to making sure the remote learn- something simple from home. I always mean to go home at
ing was as good as it could be. I still teach one class a week, 5.30pm but I inevitably end up chat-
WELL RUN which I absolutely love. Nothing ting to colleagues and get kicked
“I have often listened in on my beats the relationships you develop out by the caretaker at 6.30pm.
daughter’s classes and they are with your students as a teacher – it’s
so well run; so much planning why we enter the profession. It also lRead the full article at:
has gone into making sure the helps me appreciate the challenges www.theguardian.com/
students are engaged. teachers face, which can be difficult 100-teachers/2021/jan/28/a-day-
“It has run almost exactly the for leaders who haven’t taught for a in-the-life-of-one-of-the-uks-
same as it would have if they had long time. youngest-headteachers
been in school. No work books
and get on with it, every lesson
has been taught live.
“My daughter absolutely raves
about the classes and how great
the teachers are. At a highly
stressful time the school has really
taken the pressure off when it
comes to online learning.
“Also, the time and effort that
the teachers at the school have put
in to make sure that all students
are not only staying on top of
their learning but also coping with
lockdown has been incredible.
“I have had a number of calls
from staff checking my daughter
is learning and that she is OK.
“Also, I have been into the
school to pick up books and the
reception staff have always been
very professional and on the ball. DURING school closures students were set a series of challenges to
“A big thank you to all the staff keep them occupied during the lockdown. The challenges included
and the senior teachers who have designing a thank you card for teachers, acts of kindness, a poem
made this possible. Keep up the or short story about 2020 and what they missed about school.
good work.” Students rose to the challenges, sending us their pictures which were
posted on the school’s social media pages.
4 Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021
Dynamic learning tool
makes award shortlist
A LEARNING tool which helped students
stay up to date with learning during school
closures and lockdown has been nominated
for a prestigious award.
The Dynamic Progress Report (DPR)
has been shortlisted for the BETT 2021
learning, teaching and assessment award.
The online resource is especially useful
during school closures as it tracks student
progress in real time to make sure they are
staying up-to-date with their class and home
work.
In 2019, DPR was nominated in the
Innovators of the Year, and Leadership and
Management Solutions categories at the
BETT awards, which recognise excellence
in school ICT.
Creator and deputy CEO Mr Zaman said:
“DPR not only empowered teachers and
school leaders during the ordinary school
days, it has been instrumental to our schools
during the lockdown.
“It allowed us to continue teaching the
school curriculum, carry out high qual-
ity teaching and learning and, in return,
achieved a high level of student engagement DPR creator and
and motivation. deputy CEO Top
“For example, our attendance is above Mr Zaman, above
80 per cent which is significantly higher
than both the private and the state school
Tweet
average. Over 90 per cent of our students
across our trust log into DPR more than five
times a week. It's been nothing short of a
game changer.”
It's good to talk: Sta on call for lessons
THE school made a remarkable 3,000 Speaking to the Newham Recorder, made sure they are submitting their
phone calls a week to children who CEO of the Community Schools Trust work online.
could not log on to online lessons Simon Elliott said: “We saw it after “There are some around the country
during lockdown. the first lockdown when they came who will not have had that support so
Staff kept attendance at 90 per back and we got a real sense that there is going to be some disparity.”
cent by making thousands of the children wanted to be in PE teacher Mr Abbas said: “We
calls to students and they school. found parents and students really
even visited those who were “We have parents who have appreciated the calls we made, as we
struggling the most at home. no recourse to public funds took time to ensure that our students
The school’s attendance who we have supported. were engaging as well as staying on
is three times higher than “I really feel for some of our track with their learning.
the average in working class parents and students because they “It was also a great opportunity to
areas (26 per cent) and double that of have struggled so much. check up on students and see how they
middle class students (40 per cent), “But we have done everything we were doing in regards to the lockdown
according to a Sutton Trust report. can to support them and, importantly, and their lessons across the board.”
Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021 5
Rising stars: Our newly-qualified teachers
lName: Taylor Humphreys lName: Toby Holloway
Department: English/Media Department: Geography
Start teaching? September 2019 Start teaching? September 2019
The best thing about being a The best thing about being a
teacher? That no two days are teacher? Teaching a lesson where
ever the same! The students bring students clearly enjoy it and learn
something new every day. something by the end.
Most challenging part of teaching? Most challenging part of teaching?
How easily you can become over- Knowing that any time you don’t
whelmed in the classroom and how give 100% or go the extra mile, it
that stress can spoil your sense of could be a student that suffers; and
fairness. maintaining a work/life balance.
Most interesting fact? I’ve been a Most interesting fact? I am a
vegetarian since I was nine. lName: Syed Abbas musician and write my own songs.
Department: PE/Food Tech
Start teaching? February 2015
The best thing about being a
teacher? Every day is a new day,
and the best thing are the students.
Most challenging part of teaching?
Ensuring that all students under-
stand the content and grasp the
learning; and they leave your class
feeling as if they have accomplished
something.
Most interesting fact? I love
falconry – I have four owls.
Good sports complete tasks at home
OUR PE department have been helping PE teacher Mr Abbas said: “The pos-
students stay mentally and physically itive impact exercise has on your health
fit during lockdown. is well known but it is also great for
To keep things interesting, they wellbeing and as an aid for learning. It
varied their lesson topics, made the improves the cognitive functions.
classes interactive by getting students “If you were lucky enough to drop
involved, and set tasks to complete. into one of our lessons you would have
They also made use of tools such seen the energy and enthusiasm of
as DPR [see page 5 for more on this], teachers.
Jamboards and Kahoot, while setting a “The ability to collaborate with staff
weekly challenge. members on Google Meet and keep in
The home challenge saw students contact with our students via the DPR
use everyday household items to com- really helped to keep the community
plete sporting challenges with a leader connected during this lockdown.
board and student teacher contest. “As a department I do not believe we
Prizes including footballs, basket- have ever done so much team teaching
balls, volleyballs and table tennis bats but it has been really fun and inspiring
were awarded for outstanding work as we all bounced ideas off each other Student Edie-Rose Gri ths does
and active participation. and grew as a team.” the 'Frying Pan Keepy Uppy'
6 Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021
A novel way
to mark day
STUDENTS immersed themselves in
literature as the school marked World
Book Day – despite the lockdown.
Although many pupils were learn-
ing from home, they still dressed up as
their favourite literary characters and
took part in fun activities to promote
reading.
Year 8 student Lavinia made a fasci-
nating PowerPoint presentation about
some of her favourite book characters.
She focused on the Mad Hatter from
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
She said: “I really loved the story
and the way it was told. World Book
Day is great because even though not
everyone was in school this year it was
still nice to talk about your favourite
stories and share them with others.”
Year 7 student Darina picked Japa-
nese book series A Silent Voice which
tells the story of a school bully who Lavinia took part in
tries to make amends. World Book Day
She said: “I drew characters from the
book and I am inspired by the culture.
I also made a Japanese Bento box. It
was lots of fun.
“It was really fun and a nice way to
Top
celebrate a book I loved reading.
“I really love the day because Tweet
everyone gets involved and makes it
fun.”
I am positive about what lies ahead
Headteacher Ms Begum says that has been the most challenging of years – their family and friends in the audience,
children’s laughter in the playground of the reason we got into teaching in the and we will be together.
has lifted her, and given hope for a first place: working with children. As you will read in this newsletter, the
return to normality: Despite being locked away for so school has not allowed the pandemic to
The moment the students walked long they have returned to school change our attitude to standards; I am
back into school full time it with a mature attitude to learning proud that we continue to innovate, be
felt like something had lifted. and quickly settled back into the passionate and lead the way.
Schools are not schools without routine. You quickly settle back into your old
children. It is hard to express how Structure is important for us all, patterns of working and it is easy to
much we have missed them. particularly for young people, and it is forget we are (hopefully) emerging from
From my office I can see and hear the clear they are thriving now they are back a pandemic.
playground; never has a sight and sound at school. We must remain vigilant, but also we
filled me with such joy than the laughs One day soon, students will learn must now look to the future. I am pos-
of our students as they reacquaint them- about the world by visiting museums itive about what lies ahead. As always,
selves with their friends and their teach- and galleries, they will showcase their we take that journey with you: our staff,
ers. It is a timely reminder – after what musical talents at school concerts with students, families and community.
Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021 7Picture
gallery
STUDENT
Saeed
impressed
with this
artistic
photograph
STUDENT Julia embraced her creative side while in lockdown
YEAR 7 students showcased their talent and creativity by creating stunning works of art
Fresh food hampers and recipes
FOREST Gate and The Cumber- pasta sauce dishes.
land School teamed up with a Mr Elliott, CEO of the Communi-
catering company to provide fresh ty Schools Trust, which runs Forest
produce and recipe tips for students Gate and Cumberland, said: “Olive
on free school meals during school Dining are truly an exceptional
closures. provider of school food and we
The schools worked with Olive knew that they would not let our
Dining to create the hampers which families down.
were delivered by teachers. “The food they serve in our
The five-day healthy hampers schools is of a very high standard
include fresh fruit and vegeta- and the hampers equally so.
bles, eggs and cheese, with recipes “Our teachers, once again, have THIS delicious looking treat was
including how to make curries and been on hand to lend their support.” dubbed the most appetising
example of homework ever
Forest Gate Community School Newsletter g Spring 2021You can also read
