Latest news with #GrangeAcademy
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Grange Academy scoops astonishing 30 awards at prestigious maths competition
Mathletes received more awards than any other school from South and Central Scotland. Grange Academy mathematicians are celebrating after scooping 30 awards at the Scottish Mathematical Council 2025 Maths Challenge. The competition, which has been running for 49 years, is not for the faint-hearted with young people having to solve, and meticulously write up their solutions, to ten exceptionally difficult problems. The S1/2 pupils had to answer the following puzzle: "Three types of item, A, B and C, are for sale. Items of type A sell at 8 for £1. Items of type B sell for £1 each. Items of type C sell for £10 each. A selection of 100 items of all three types costs £100. How many items of type B were there in the selection?" While S5/6 had to answer: "Four cards with integers on are placed face down on a table. Five people in succession each take two cards and state the total value of the two cards, but do not reveal the individual values. These totals are 8, 13, 14, 17 and 11. Determine the numbers on each of the four individual cards." The Grange Academy mathletes rose to the challenge scooping 11 Gold Awards, 11 Silver Awards and eight Bronze Awards. The school said that "the whole team performed extremely well", with special mention going to Ethan who earned a gold award at the senior level and to Kate and Rebecca who earned silver; to Charlotte, Eilidh and Harriet who performed very well for the fourth year in a row and to Callum from S1 who earned a perfect score. Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education and, Children and Young People said: "Grange Academy attended the prize giving ceremony at Strathclyde University and received more awards than any other school from South and Central Scotland! What an achievement. I am delighted to offer congratulations to the whole team, they thoroughly deserve this recognition. "I have also been reliably informed that the young people got an ice cream from a popular local ice cream parlour, as a wee treat from maths teacher Chris Smith on the way back to school, and he didn't even make them calculate the volume of a cone."
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Grange Academy earns positive inspection report as head teacher praised
"The report highlights that the Head Teacher is held in high regard by all members of the school community" Grange Academy received a very positive HMIE report following Education Scotland inspection in March. The Education Scotland inspection team worked closely with the head teacher and staff, throughout the five day inspection and engaged closely with parents and carers, and young people from all age groups. The inspection report highlighted strengths in the school's work including the leadership of head teacher and head of campus, Scott Robertson, who has been identified as being instrumental as maintaining a focus on improving young people's wellbeing and attainment. The inspectors also highlighted the "positive, mutually respectful relationships between staff and young people" that are "built on shared values", which creates "calm, welcoming learning environments across the school and Hearing Impairment Unit". Improvements that have been made to approaching and promoting the wellbeing of young people by school staff was also highlighted in the report. These changes have led to improvements in their mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. The following areas for improvement were also identified and discussed with the Head Teacher and a representative from East Ayrshire Council. Teachers are advised to make greater use of ongoing assessment in the broad general education. They should continue to work together to agree a shared understanding of standards and expectations. This will support planning for learning which enables young people to make progress at a rate that best meets their needs. Inspectors also suggested that senior leaders should continue to develop approaches to equality across the school. This should build on existing work to improve attendance of young people. Senior leaders and staff should develop further whole school supportive and restorative approaches. Lastly, staff should continue to focus on raising attainment in National Qualifications, particularly at National 5 and Higher levels. Local elected members, Councillors Douglas Reid, Jayne Sangster and James Adams with Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer and Head of Education, and Graham McGinn, Depute Head of Education, visited Grange Academy to meet Scott Robertson, his senior management team and young people – Aiden, Amelia, Kayden, Annie, Luke, Alix and Harry. They spoke to the young people about their role in the inspection, which included meeting with the inspectors and leading tours of the campus. And about all things education, including the upcoming senior prom on Thursday, June 12. Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People, said: "The report highlights that the Head Teacher is held in high regard by all members of the school community who value his – 'careful, sensitive management of the pace and direction of change'. This is very clear whenever you visit the school. The young people are positive in their attitude and it is clear that this is fostered by their Head Teacher and all the staff within the school. "The inspectors highlighted the wide range of achievement and attainment activities across the curriculum and within the wider community, which is developing young people's skills for learning, life and work. And for me, this is key. Education is about preparing our young people for the future - for further learning, for work and for life. "It is incredibly encouraging to read an HMIE report where this has been highlighted. I was so sorry to be unable to offer Scott my congratulations in person but I have been in touch with the school to let them know how proud we all are." Scott Robertson, Grange Academy Head Teacher and Head of Campus said: "A team of 12 inspectors from Education Scotland joined us for a week in March and participated in all aspects of school life. Our young people had a vital role to play in the inspection process, meeting and talking with the inspectors, and I am very proud of their positive input. "Our school's report is the result of teamwork and collaboration. The young people are at the centre of every decision the school takes and, their wellbeing and attainment are our highest priority. I am so pleased for my whole team that the inspectors recognised the work that has been carried out to improve the wellbeing and attainment of our young people. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the Grange Academy staff for their hard work and dedication to our young people; since joining Grange Academy three years ago, I have been overwhelmed by their professionalism and commitment to our children and young people; they are a credit to our school community. As the report highlights, our role to help prepare our young people for the future. We want them to achieve their very best and are committed to ensuring that this is possible through opportunities both within school and within the community."
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'If I'm frustrated by my Bedfordshire school, farm calms me down'
Pupils and staff at a special educational needs school said having a small farm full of animals on its site helped them feel cheerful, happy, calm and pigs, goats, chickens and a pony share the grounds of Grange Academy, in Kempston, Bedfordshire, with its 150 students, and it is hosting a fundraising open day on Saturday. Kayden, 13, said: "If I feel angry or frustrated, I can just come here, really be in the moment and calm down."Headteacher Rachel Timms said the farm, which started more than two years ago with just a few chickens, was "vital" and helped pupils with general life and communication skills, and future career prospects. Sienna, 14, said it was a "perfect school for people who need help and people with disabilities".She helped clean the animals and was looking to gain an animal care qualification, which is offered at the school."I feel safe, it feels good to be around them, they're so calm, it's like learning something new every day," she told the BBC. "Whenever I'm stressed, they just come over and help me, especially when I'm sad." Twelve-year-old Kai said: "If you're angry, you can come here and feel happy again."He wanted to put the skills he had learnt to good use and work on a farm. He loved the goats, as well as Nutmeg the pony. "She's fluffy and soft, she's kind and not scared around people," he added. Bradly 15, said: "We can see the animals, stroke them, give them baths and change their bedding."It's quite exciting, sometimes you don't know what to expect when you're with the pigs and the other animal." Kayden said: "I like it when you can chill with them, you can just stroke them and it makes you feel happy. "Animals really help a lot of people in a lot of different ways, they're just so peaceful and kind."He said being with the animals will show any future employer he is "conscientious and a hard-working person"."I like having a farm at our school - if I feel angry or frustrated, I can just come here and be in the moment and calm down," he added. Ms Timms said the farm was created after pupils talked about wanting animals and staff thought it would teach the children good skills and "make them feel calm". "It opens doors to all sorts of careers, they can learn how to look after a chicken, how to groom a dog," she added. "The skills are vital for their careers, but also for general life skills. The communication skills, the life skills, the empathy, being able to make decisions - If you've got an animal that needs help, you've got to be able to make a quick decision and use lots of knowledge." Ms Timms said the animal facts the pupils knew "astounds me", and added: "They can tell you all about chicken breeds, how to spot if they're unwell and how to spot if a sheep has got flystrike. She hoped the open day, on from 10:00 BST to 14:00, would be a chance for pupils to show off their skills but also fundraise for new equipment and a shed for the sheep. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mental health day for Kempston Send pupils 'incredible'
Mental health workshops and activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) have been "incredible", a head teacher said. BBC Three Counties Radio's Headfest event was held in Kempston, Bedfordshire, at the Rivertree Free School, which opened in February. Children got a chance to plant cress with Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, see animals at a mobile farm, make art, play sports and take part in musical movement sessions. Head teacher Clare Breare said the event had given her pupils many "rich experiences" they would not normally be able to access. Ms Breare said being able to host the event was "unthinkable" and her pupils had called it "party day" . "To have the names and the activities that have been offered- it's inexplicable," she added."Our children wouldn't necessarily go out on trips to see Mr Bloom and they wouldn't necessarily spend much time at the farm with their families, so to have it in a safe place, with safe adults, and know they're going to access something that's just incredible for their wellbeing, I cannot tell you how excited I am." Children from Grange Academy also took part. Lily played football and basketball and said the day had made her feel "happy". Cody, 11, said he liked visiting a new school and said it made him feel happy as he had made new friends. Samuel, 12, made some art and said it was "good to see the animals". Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, held a number of gardening workshops. He said gardening can help your mental healt,h and children tell him that it makes them feel calm, happy, positive, good and relaxed. "Nature is absolutely fantastic, we depend on it, and it gives us everything we need," he said. "It just makes us feel good, if we take care of nature, nature will take care of you." Catherine Assink, the chief executive and executive principal of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust, which runs the school, said the "ethos of mental health and wellbeing" was in everything it does. She said the day was amazing and added: "What an opportunity [we've had] to share with our local community our schools, and having other main stream schools coming in to share the day and to celebrate mental health and what we can do to belong as a community and to raise the profile of our Send pupils." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
East Ayrshire pupils hit the high notes in Young Musician of the Year competition
Ten musicians battled for the top prize. East Ayrshire youngsters hit the high notes as 10 talented musicians battled it out for in the Music Service's East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition. Held at Grange Academy in Kilmarnock, the competition was adjudicated by Laura MacMillan, Principal Teacher of Music at Belmont Academy, and Graeme Barclay, owner and founder of Beat Buddies Music. Competing in the final were – Gregor from Stewarton Academy (marimba), Max from Loudoun Academy (saxophone), Matthew from Kilmarnock Academy (piano), Eilidh from Grange Academy (voice), Jai from The Robert Burns Academy (bagpipes), Ben from Loudoun Academy (guitar), Mariella from Kilmarnock Academy (voice), Lily from Stewarton Academy (clarinet), Ethan from Grange Academy (piano) and Sophie from Doon Academy (cornet). And it was Gregor from Stewarton Academy who won the competition playing a beautiful piece called Ney Rosauro's Marimba Concerto. Sophie from Doon Academy and Ethan from Grange Academy were runners-up. Gregor will now also be representing East Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musician national final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next month. Provost Claire Leitch attended the competition with Councillor Elaine Cowan, and was on hand to present the winners with their awards. She said: 'What an honour to attend the East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition, to hear the incredible talent of our young people and congratulate our winner – Gregor and runners-up - Sophie and Ethan. 'Heartfelt thanks go to the judges Laura MacMillan and Graeme Barclay, they really did have a tough job; the standard of performance was exceptional. 'For musicians, there is nothing like performing to a live audience so thanks go to the Music Service, led by Dr Julie Carrie, for giving our young people this wonderful opportunity.'
