Welcome to our first blog of the year. You’ll notice that I’m back as Headteacher! But only until Christmas. Our new Head Mrs Maw (currently Headteacher at Grindon Hall) starts in January. Whatever the changes at the top you will find all the evidence of a busy, happy school in the stories below. Enjoy!
Dr P. Ingram Acting Headteacher
Delivering on our 'Unshakeable Belief'
When inspectors visited Sandhill View Academy they noted many excellent aspects but they felt that results weren’t yet good enough. As an academy, we have improved every year for the previous 3 years but pupils and teachers knew that they could do even better and with this latest set of results that is just what they have done with significant rises in all key results areas. The percentage of students achieving a strong pass in English and Maths has risen from 28% to 36% and for a standard pass from 52% to 57%. Science showed a particularly significant improvement with students gaining 2 of the standard passes rising from 48% to 64%.
The Academy was visited by OFSTED inspectors (before our most recent rise in results) in March and they correctly noted that “School Leaders are determined that the school will improve. They have an unshakable belief in the potential of pupils who attend the school. Behaviour has improved. Morale among staff is high. There is a well-founded optimism that things are getting better and will continue to do so.”
The school works closely with its partner school Southmoor Academy which has also seen significant rises. Sandhill View students also benefit from attendance at The Sixth Form and an increasing number now have places at top universities.
Open Evening 2018
Last Monday we opened our doors for our annual Academy Open Evening. The event was an immense success with a fantastic turn out of guests attending. With everything from explosive science, mathematical mock tails, exploring the trenches of WW1 and a taste of the continent in our languages café, visitors left not only laden with a goodie bag bursting with freebies but also with a real sense of what Sandhill View is all about. We look forward to seeing many of our guests again during our transition days over the coming school year!
School admissions for 2019 are now open. You can apply for your child’s space at Sandhill View Academy by registering via the Sunderland Council Website.
Footballing Fan Finlay Talks SAFC
Footballing mad Sandhill View Year 9 student Finlay Anderson has had a very strong interest in journalism from a very young age and has carried on that ambition to achieve a number of different aspects. Last February, he was a Junior Reporter for a Sunderland home match against Brentford FC, where he was videoed in front of the camera. He has also getting to know a few local journalists, Nick Barnes, Gary Bennett, Jeff Brown and Oscar Chamberlain, who have grown to know Finlay quite well.
At the beginning of the season, he was asked by Oscar Chamberlain if he would like to write a column previewing the game essentially for the younger supporters, which was copied into each match day programme. On top of this, he also writes for the Roker Report after each Sunderland match, which is then posted on their website.
Even more recently Finlay went up into the gantry with the journalists for the home match against Fleetwood Town and was asked by Nick Barnes, SAFC match day commentator for BBC Newcastle, if he would like to do an interview with him live on air. Obviously, Finlay was very keen to do this and has gained positive feedback from this. You can listen to Finlay’s interview at the link below.
The biggest news of all for our budding sports caster is, in the summer, Finlay entered the STABILO National Young Journalist of the Year competition and he was told a few weeks ago, that he has achieved a position in the top ten, with the winner to be announced in October. If he is lucky enough to win, the school will receive £1000 of STABILO stationary, so fingers crossed. Best of luck Finlay and we look forward to hearing more from you about SAFC in the future!
You can listen to Finlay speak about his experience as a junior reported here.
A Runaway Success
Congratulations to our staff members who took part in the Great North Run this Month. Mr Goodwin, Mrs Ord, Mrs Akien and Miss Malloy all now proudly sport their winner’s medals after completing the half-marathon in the withering heat. Well done to everyone who took part!
A Lakeland Adventure for Sandhill Students
Over the Summer a group of Sandhill View students got the chance to take part in the John Muir Award. The award is a national environmental award scheme that encourages people to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. As part of the award our students had to discover a wild place (in this case the Lake District National Park), explore its wildness, help with a conservation project and share their experiences. Our students had a fantastic time earning their awards, enjoying the fantastic weather and beautiful surroundings, which for some was their first visit to the Lakes.
Building Bonds at Derwent Hill
Year 12 went for their traditional ‘Welcome to Sixth Form’ expedition to the Lake District last weekend. Dozens of students and staff ventured to Derwent Hill, for a packed few days of gill-scrambling, kayaking on the lake, high rope challenges and gorge walking, as well as games and bonding activities. The students had impeccable conduct, with a great sense of camaraderie already developing amongst one of our biggest year groups ever - just what we expect from our sixth formers!
My favourite book is a children's story 'Danny the Champion of the World' by Roald Dahl, which I have have enjoyed reading to my two children. This story encourages children to persevere no matter what is put in your way. Its also a book I was introduced to in primary school. Which has a lasting effect.
My favourite invention is the aeroplane. It’s my favourite invention for two reasons. The first is just how amazing and simple it is. An aeroplane uses some very simple physics and yet is able to fly people all over the world. The second reason is that I have always been interested in travelling, seeing new places and learning about different cultures and the aeroplane makes this possible. It still amazes me that within 24 hours we can be nearly on the other side of the Earth and that these new massive aeroplanes that could pretty much fit all the students of Sandhill View in can get off the ground.
What do you do at Sandhill View? I’m Lead Practitioner of English. I’m an experienced teacher of both English literature and English Language.
Who was your favourite teacher at school and why? Mrs Dobson, she was my English teacher, she was really strict but an exceptional teacher. She wouldn’t put up with any nonsense and made us work incredibly hard; but all the hard work paid off in the end. I have Mrs Dobson to thank for the brilliant grades I received at GCSE.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy socialising with friends, reading, listening to music, singing and going to music gigs.
Who is your favourite musical artist or band? I have many favourite artists and bands; however, my favourite genre has to be rock music, I love Def Leppard, Guns and Roses, The Foo Fighters in-fact too many to name.
What's the best thing about Sandhill View? The pupils and the staff are; without a doubt, my favourite thing about the school. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and the pupils are amazing, they make me smile every day.
What's the one thing you could never be without? Music, I listen to music everywhere I go. I use music to wind down and relax and to motivate me and wake me up in the morning.
