So this is the last blog of summer term one and it’s count down time now. This term is so short after Easter but it’s crammed with lots of events, including practice and formal Duke of Edinburgh’s expeditions. I brought Duke of Edinburgh to our Trust several years ago and it’s brilliant to see the many students within our Trust getting as far as Gold. This year at Dean Street we have a Bronze and a Silver group that are active and out this term.

Mr Hopkins is really pleased with how the Silver practice expedition went..

On 9th and 10th May, a group of Key Stage 4 pupils from Spring Brook Academy successfully completed their Silver Practice Expedition for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

This was a tough affair involving 10 miles walking up and over the Roaches near Leek, camping overnight and then walking 10 miles the following day. As well as the walking, our pupils had to carry everything they needed – food, stoves, tents etc. which weighed somewhere between 10 and 12 kgs each. They also had to navigate their way along a planned route using maps and the skills that they have learned over the past year.

The weather was poorer than we would have liked but our pupils are now quite resilient and enjoyed warming themselves up around a campfire in the evening at Barnswood Scout Campsite where we were staying before going to bed.

I am extremely proud of the team for all of their efforts and am sincerely looking forward to the qualifying expedition which will be over 3 days and 2 nights. Well done boys!
Mr Hopkins

This week I have been interviewing for Springboard staff. This has involved meeting new people, watching teaching and asking questions. All in all quite a nerve wracking experience – not just for staff but for the people involved. What is good to see is the passion of the staff and how they really want to be part of our Trust. But what is even better is watching our young people learn.

My week ends with a trip to the Department for Education. This time, it’s me on the end of the interview – the Department will be assessing whether we are ready to open (we are).

So that’s it for this half term. A massive thanks to ALL our staff who work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best possible outcomes. I’m having a quiet week at home with my family, apart from Thursday when Mr Quinn and I are off to meet a person who lives at No 10 Downing Street (on writing this she might or might not be there!!)

Happy half term,

Mrs Tootill
Head of Springboard Project

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